Commerce Opens Nominations for 2025 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Kansas Department of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2025 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards. The increasingly popular annual award program recognizes companies and individuals around the state for the positive impact they make on the Kansas economy and their communities.

During the event, Commerce also will announce the prestigious Governor’s Award of Excellence, the 2025 Governor’s Exporter of the Year, and the two newest inductees of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame.

This year’s To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards ceremony will be held this fall, bringing together leaders, innovators and supporters from across the state to celebrate business excellence. The awards also underscore Kansas’ commitment to celebrating and supporting businesses at every stage of growth. The day and location of the event will be announced soon.

“Each year, our To The Stars honorees exemplify the vision, passion and drive needed to excel in business and have a lasting impact,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “They go the extra mile for their customers and communities — and it’s an honor to recognize all they do for the Kansas economy. I encourage everyone to nominate their local stars for these distinguished awards.”

Companies, organizations and individuals can be nominated in the following award categories:

• AgriBusiness – Companies that stand out in the agribusiness industry – including agricultural production, products and services, and agri-tourism
• Apprenticeship Champion – Companies and other entities that excel providing registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas
• Business Innovation – Companies from any sector incorporating innovative technologies in their business
• Healthcare/Nonprofit – Noteworthy services provided by either healthcare facilities or nonprofit organizations
• Main Street Momentum – Businesses revitalizing main streets or neighborhood commercial districts through growth or engagement
• Manufacturing/Distribution – Outstanding achievement for companies of all sizes involved in manufacturing and distribution
• Non-Traditional Talent Pools – Companies that have gone above and beyond to hire those with prior involvement in the justice system, youth, seniors or individuals with disabilities
• Retail/Service – Exceptional performance by businesses selling goods, products and/or services
• Small Business Champion – Corporate Partner Award (state-level only) – Honors a corporation that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to small business growth in Kansas through investment and partnerships
• Under 30 Entrepreneur – Young entrepreneurs under the age of 30 who are achieving business success
• Welcome Back – Entrepreneurs and businesspeople who once left Kansas but have returned to make their mark in the Sunflower State

“During the past year, the surge of economic development successes driving the Kansas economy continued unabated,” Deputy Secretary of Business Development Joshua Jefferson said. “Kansas businesses both small and large are giving outsized contributions to their communities and the entire state. We look forward to highlighting the efforts these honorees make.”

Award nominations will be accepted until July 7. To learn more, view past winners, and to submit nominations, click here.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce: 

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.