As a Rural Opportunity Zone, Mitchell County has access to programs to help with recruitment into our communities! Check out this information to see if you are eligible for a state income tax waiver or student loan reimbursement!

There’s something special about life in rural Kansas. Something authentic and wholesome. Something that makes it the ideal place to live, work and raise a family. And, thanks to the new Rural Opportunity Zones program, there’s never been a better time than now to make rural Kansas your new home. If you’re looking for lower cost of living and better quality of life, Kansas is your best choice.

Kansas law designates 77 counties in Kansas as Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ), providing a 100 percent state income tax waiver for up to five years and repayment of up to $3,000 per year ($15,000 maximum) in outstanding student loans.  

Mitchell County is a Rural Opportunity Zones participant and can offer the following financial incentives to new, full-time residents:

• Kansas income tax waivers for up to five years
• Student loan repayments up to $15,000

To be eligible for Kansas income tax waivers, individuals must have:

1. Established residency in Mitchell County after July 2011;
2. Lived outside Kansas for five or more years immediately prior to moving to Mitchell County;
3. Earned less than $10,000 in Kansas Source Income in each of the five years immediately prior to establishing residency in Mitchell County. 

To be eligible for student loan repayments, individuals must:

1. Establish residency in Mitchell County after July 1, 2011;
2. Hold an associate’s, bachelor’s or post-graduate degree;
3. Have an outstanding student loan balance​ (can be more or less than $15,000)

How to Get Started

1. Visit this link to create an account: Start or Continue an Application Today!
2. Navigate to the Rural Opportunity Zone ROZ Application, choose “new” or “continue” depending on where you are at in the process.
3. Complete the application and wait for KS Dept of Commerce to follow-up!