Choose Topeka

from TOP Magazine - Winter 2021

Momentum 2027

Topeka’s relocation initiative Choose Topeka continues to garner attention and applicants. We’ve received more than 2,200 phone calls and emails about the program from candidates and employers since it started. We have collected more than 7,500 submissions with resumes or questions, and more than 650 of those have come from remote workers. We have a total of 61 approved Choose Topeka candidates with an average salary of $89,000, including 38 who have relocated to Topeka with the help of employer matching funds and 23 agreements with remote workers. $218,250 in matching JEDO funds and $175,000 for remote workers has been committed to approved applicants, totaling $393,250 in committments. The program has an estimated 14.3x return on investment.

We love what Choose Topeka candidate Tyler Jaggers had to say in a recent interview: “It’s just a great feeling that Topeka wants people here, and you automatically, right when you move in, feel supported and part of the team. If you’re thinking about moving to a town, city ... consider the ones that want you. And Topeka wants you.”

CHOOSE TOPEKA PR CAMPAIGN WINS PLATINUM AWARD

With help from Violet PR, the capital city’s Choose Topeka Relocation Campaign won a Platinum PR News Award in November, beating out some heavy hitters from around the globe. This marked Choose Topeka’s fifth public relations award of the year — not to mention the national media attention the program has garnered. Other Choose Topeka PR awards have included the Bulldog PR Award, Bronze and Silver Anvil Awards from the Public Relations Society of America, and a Ragan Communications media award.

ABC'S 'NIGHTLINE' FILMS IN TOPEKA

In November, a crew from ABC News’ “Nightline” filmed in Topeka, profiling residents who have moved to the capital city with help from the Choose Topeka program. The “Nightline” piece is expected to air in early 2022 — and don’t worry, we’ll be sure to let the community know when it goes live!

WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORT SPOTLIGHTS TOPEKA

In October, Choose Topeka appeared on the front page of The Wall Street Journal’ s “Exchange” section, with the headline “Topeka wants America’s Top Remote Talent.” Around the same time, Topeka made national headlines elsewhere. Here are a few of our favorites:

•From KCUR — Topeka’s cash offer for workers to move to the city is paying off. •From The Washington Times — U.S. workers decamp from cities to smaller towns via remote work.

•From HR Dive — ‘I get more smiles here’: Topeka makes a bid for the remote worker.

•From The Epoch Times — Payto-move programs revitalize small towns.

NEW BUSINESS DOWNTOWN

Downtown Topeka is excited to welcome those businesses that recently opened brick-and-mortar locations downtown, or plan to open a storefront downtown soon. Story Factory, a local marketing agency that previously operated as a remote business, has moved into the storefront at 929 S. Kansas Ave., where Create Uplift was formerly located. Story Factory specializes in video content creation. It was recently announced that Topeka Yoga Network plans to set up shop at 925 S. Kansas in the near future. The Tee Box opened in the 900 block of S. Kansas Ave. and the indoor golf facility and bar is a hit. DTI would also like to give a shoutout to the Topeka Vendors Market, at 528 S.E. Adams St., for celebrating one year in business. Since opening, the vendors market has doubled in size, growing to almost 100 vendors. A new event space is expected to open near the market in spring 2022. We hope you’ll help us welcome these businesses to the downtown community, as well as any others we may have missed.

CHECK OUT THESE NEW DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES!

• MB ADDIS & CO. LEGACY JEWELERS This new upscale jewelry store opened downtown in late fall.

• SPAWN INN Esports, video games, board games, fullservice bar, milkshakes. A one-of-a-kind gaming lounge is opening downtown. • FEDELI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Inside the Cyrus Hotel, downtown’s newest fine dining specializes in seared stakes and handcrafted pasta dishes.

• THE TEE BOX Indoor golf venue, bar and restaurant.

DOWNTOWN

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Rhiannon Friedman, president of Downtown Topeka, represented the capital city at the 67th annual International Downtown Association conference Oct. 20-22 in Tampa, Florida. DTI brought home a Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for Evergy Plaza, which was recognized for its use of public space.

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