Economic Development

Economic Development Overview

The First City in Kansas is a community of 38,000 people along the banks of the Missouri River. Major government employers contribute to the relatively stable economy including the military post Fort Leavenworth, the VA Hospital (Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center), the U.S. Federal Penitentiary, and Leavenworth County. Other major employers include Hallmark Cards, Cereal Ingredients, and the Armed Forces Insurance Center. The City also offers nationally-known retail and restaurant brands like Home Depot, Maurice's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebee's, Starbucks, and Culver's (with Qdoba on Fort Leavenworth).

New projects in Leavenworth range from the addition of the $380 million building on the U.S. Federal Penitentiary campus to the replacement of the Centennial Bridge over the Missouri River. Downtown developments in the past few years boast two local breweries, a winery, a cheese shop, several coffee shops, three new hotels, and nearly 400 residential lofts. Interest has also been growing in the shovel-ready, 81-acre Business and Technology Park for a future development.

Leavenworth is included in the 2.4 million population count inside the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Just 30 miles south of the Leavenworth city limits, Panasonic is investing $4 billion into the new electric battery plant. And across the Missouri River, a new international airport terminal, streetcar expansion, women's soccer stadium, and Meta/Facebook $800 million data center have spurred immense development.

Community Approach to Economic Development

Leavenworth is proud to be part of a strong economic development team:

Leavenworth Main Street, Inc. focuses on development in the downtown business district.
Leavenworth County Development Corporation works to promote development in Leavenworth County.
The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce works to promote business interests locally and at the state level.

Economic Development Incentives

The City Commission approved an Economic Development Incentives Policy in 2017. This policy is a document intended to assist developers, business owners, and other parties in determining which incentives they may qualify for. Please review the document and contact the Assistant City Manager.

Small Business Matching Grants

New and existing commercial, retail, or industrial businesses may be reimbursed 50% of the costs for the development of their business. Owners may be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar matching grant up to $5,000 for single unit locations and up to $15,000 for multi-tenant locations.

Neighborhood Revitalization Area (NRA)

The Neighborhood Revitalization Area Plan is a property rebate plan of 95% of the actual property tax increase associated with property improvements made in the prescribed area. It is offered to encourage new investment into blighted areas. The rebate is paid to the property owner each year from five to ten years, depending on the property's valuation increase (see application). The rebate district is the area bordered by Metropolitan Street, 10th Street, Spruce Street, and the Missouri River (see map).

The Neighborhood Revitalization Area application must be turned into City Hall before any work is performed. We strongly recommend you contact the City staff if you are considering purchasing a property in the Neighborhood Revitalization Area and/or you are planning improvements on your property.

Low-Interest Loans

The Grow Leavenworth County Development Corporation offers business loans to entrepreneurs. Grow Leavenworth County Development Corporation is a Network Kansas E-Community member and is making loans to entrepreneurs for new business expansion within the City Limits of Leavenworth and Leavenworth County.

Downtown North Leavenworth Redevelopment Area

The Downtown / North Leavenworth Redevelopment Master Plan is intended to provide a general vision and guidance for the physical design and development associated with future investments by both the private and public sector. The master plan establishes the basic framework for improvements to enhance the appearance of the area, the pursuit of quality redevelopment projects, and strengthen access to, through and within Leavenworth's core area. These improvements are designed to foster a strong sense of pride within the community and to provide the foundation for future cooperative efforts towards community building among the leadership of Leavenworth, the citizens, and potential investors.

Opportunity Zone

The IRS runs the Federal Opportunity Zone incentives program (https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/businesses/opportunity-zones). Leavenworth includes an eligible tract in the northeast-most census tract in the City. Benefits of the Opportunity Zone include:

1. Deferral of capital gains,
2. Partial forgiveness of deferred gain, and
3. Forgiveness of additional gains.

The investment intermediary must be organized as a corporation or partnership with a stated purpose to invest in opportunity zones. The company must hold at least 90% of assets in one stock or partnership interests of a qualified opportunity zone business or property. Businesses, high net-worth individuals, and investors are the target users of this program with eligibility starting on “events” (purchases, investments, improvements, etc.) occurring on or after January 1, 2019. As with all federal tax incentives, your tax professional or tax attorney should provide advice specific to your situation. Visit the MySidewalk Dashboard more more information.