Coming Home: Salina Named "Pilot Community" for National Campaign to Attract Boomerang-Residents

In a heartfelt initiative to drive population growth, economic stimulus, and workforce development here in the Sunflower State, the Kansas Department of Commerce officially declares the beginning of the Love Kansas Campaign, in an effort to draw "boomerangs" who have moved out of state, back into the Kansas economy. Salina has been chosen as a pilot community, in which, our city has been gifted a grant to support our own efforts of drawing previous residents with ties in the community, back to Salina.

The ​Love Kansas campaign was officially launched in Manhattan, Kansas at the Flint Hills Discovery Center by Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, who shared the story of his own boomerang back to Kansas. What started as a simple phone call from a friend turned into a personal invitation to move back to Kansas, and has now been an incredible personal and professional journey for our Lt. Governor. Highlighting the importance of sincerity and authenticity, Lt. Governor Toland urged the residents of Kansas to do the same, and handwrite personal invitations to those family members and friends that have moved out of Kansas, back into our communities.

Love Kansas will market the state's impressive job opportunities, affordable living, and high quality of life. This nationwide marketing initiative will be a grassroots campaign driven by passionate local communities but will target key markets throughout the United States. As such, Salina has been identified as a key player in the efforts and has been named a pilot community.

As part of being a pilot community, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Love Kansas Launch Party on Wednesday, July 31st, from 4:30pm to 6:00pm in the Visit Salina Annex (218 N 7th St, Salina, KS 67401). During this come-and-go event, attendees will hand write personal notes to family and friends no longer living in Kansas and invite them to move back to our community and build their futures here. Attendees can then enter to win a special prize drawing for participation, and all attendees that turn in a completed invitation will receive a free Love Salina T-Shirt.

Join us in spreading the word and invite those that you know and love to experience the warmth of community and excitement of opportunity in Kansas, where we put the Heart in Heartland.

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