The original item was published from November 20, 2017 10:08 AM to November 20, 2017 10:15 AM
In 1940 the newly created Kansas Industrial Development Commission published a booklet, "A Venture in Selling Kansas," outlining its accomplishments and future plans for promoting Kansas as a business-friendly location. In the book's foreword and introductory statement the authors put forth their premise for the need of an agency such as the Commission for increasing commercial development within the state:
"Kansas, taking stock of the years that have fled and looking forward to the years to come has reached the decision that if it is to grow progressively in all ways it must base itself upon a firmer industrial foundation...
The Kansas Industrial Development Commission has been in existence only since May, 1939. It was created by a progressive State Legislature, inspired by the leadership of Gov. Payne Ratner and in response to a public demand that Kansas be fully equipped to meet the growing competition engendered by its ambitious sister states. This accounting seeks to tell modestly of the plans, hopes, objectives and whatever of accomplishment has been gained in less than a year and a half. Sincere appreciation is also herewith expressed for the eordial cooperation that has been rendered this Commission from a thousand sources."
Perusing this book 77 years after its publication provides a cool look at the general state of things in Kansas just before the beginning of the Second World War. Kansas was coming out of the Great Depression and Dirty Thirties striving to establish its place in the world as a player willing and able to compete in the national/world marketplace. This publication was the Industrial Development Commission's statement of why Kansas needed an agency such as theirs as well as a "bugle call" to the people of our state that promoting Kansas would bring in jobs and a better life for all.
You can find "A Venture in Selling Kansas" [1940] online at the State Library of Kansas' KGI Online Library. Take a look at our state many years ago and enjoy the ride through the 1940 Sunflower State.
A VENTURE IN SELLING KANSAS