Community Development

City Profile

Economic Development in the City of Columbus is a key ingredient leading to the success of our city today. By helping local businesses and outside companies looking to relocate to Columbus through various incentive plans, tax abatements, and resources, with the overall goal of enhancing Columbus through the promotion of economic growth.

How can you help out? Shop local and buy local! It is amazing how it will sustain a community.

Columbus Rural Opportunity Zone

There is something special about life in rural Kansas. It is an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family. Kansas is the best choice to lower your cost of living, improve your quality of life, and get help repaying your student loans. The Kansas Rural Opportunity Zone program can make Kansas rural live possible. Rural Opportunity Zones are the authorized Kansas counties that offer one or both of the following financial incentives to new full-time residents. 

They include:

• Kansas state income tax waivers for up to five years (sunsets 2021)
• Student loan repayments up to $15,000 over five years

There are 77 Rural Opportunity Zones in Kansas, and Columbus is one of them!

For more info, visit:

 The Kansas Department of Commerce

The applicant is expected to provide at least a 50% match.  Eligible projects include preservation of the exterior of the building by exterior renovations, signage, roofing, exterior lighting, awnings, doors, frames, windows, tuckpointing and/or sandblasting, painting exterior of a building. Landscaping, architectural/ design, fencing, permit fees, and any expenses incurred or contracted prior to grant approval are not eligible. Not-for-profit businesses are not eligible. For more information, click on our Grant application or give us a call.

Columbus Chamber of Commerce

See a variety of services, resources, and programs for the Columbus area business community. Visit our Chamber of Commerce page for more information.

Cherokee County Neighborhood Revitalization Program

Cherokee County has adopted a plan which intended to promote the revitalization and development of Cherokee County. By offering incentives, including tax rebates, this program is stimulating new construction and rehabilitation, conservation or redevelopment of the area to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the County. For more information, visit here. If you would like to apply for this program, visithere.

Exterior Home Improvement Microgrant Program

The City of Columbus Exterior Home Improvement Microgrant Program was created to provide financial assistance for exterior home improvement projects in the City.  Recipients of the Microgrant Program are eligible to receive up to a $500 reimbursement on their home improvement projects.  For full information on program eligibility, visit here If you would like to apply for this program, visit here.