Kansas Recognized Top State Businesses at Annual Ceremony
Business owners should analyze the criteria used for these state awards to benchmark their own expansion and hiring strategies.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Business — General
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The Kansas Department of Commerce presented the 2026 To The Stars awards to recognize entrepreneurs for their contributions to the state economy. More than 340 entities were considered for the honors across 11 distinct categories.
Why it matters
The program highlights specific metrics like capital investment, employee recruitment, and training programs that the state uses to gauge economic health. By monitoring these benchmarks, operators can better align their growth plans with the state's recognized standards for success.
Officials presented 55 regional awards to participants selected from 340 initial nominees. Winners were chosen based on performance metrics including capital investment and training initiatives.
The players
Kansas Department of Commerce
The state agency responsible for implementing economic development policies, incentivizing investment, and managing workforce training initiatives.
Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training
An educational organization focused on vocational training and workforce development for the construction and mechanical trades.
NorthWind Technical Services
A Sabetha-based exporter that has maintained a consistent growth trajectory for three decades.
Dialogue Coffee House-Capper Foundation
A vocational training operation recognized for utilizing non-traditional talent pools to staff its business.
The details
Nominees underwent a scoring process that evaluated their operational performance in business expansion, training programs, and community involvement. Winners like Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training and NorthWind Technical Services were selected as statewide finalists after receiving regional recognition. The process emphasizes both local impact and external trade performance.
Timeline
The 2026 To The Stars awards ceremony took place on October 8, 2026.
The state began shattering economic records in 2019.
Market Landscape
This ceremony serves as a barometer for the ongoing economic activity that has characterized the state since it began shattering economic records in 2019. The event underscores how the current administration uses state-level awards to incentivize and track private sector growth.
Operators should review the award criteria, specifically business expansion and training metrics, to identify potential areas for future state-level recognition. Use these categories to audit your current recruitment and investment practices against state-recognized benchmarks.
The takeaway
The awards showcase which operational activities, such as workforce development, carry the most weight with state regulators. Track the eligibility requirements for the next award cycle to ensure your business operations align with state priorities for tax and development incentives.
Further reading
For more information on state-level business support programs, visit the Business — General section.
Live Poll
Do you believe state-sponsored business awards effectively encourage local economic growth in your area?
