Countering Depopulation in Kansas: An Assessment of the Rural Opportunity Zone Program

Abstract

Many rural areas throughout the Great Plains, including Kansas, have been affected by “brain drain” or the out-migration of well-educated people. In response to this negative outlook, in 2012, Kansas implemented the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) Program to encourage college-educated adults to move to the state’s rural counties. This brief aims to identify what influences individuals to participate in the program and what types of individuals are likely to participate. This study employed a survey of Kansas State University students and interviews with local officials who manage the program. Survey results reveal that most students do not view themselves as likely to participate in the program despite its financial incentives. Students likely to participate come from ROZ counties, are likely to find employment in rural areas, and hold positive views of rural life. Interviews with county officials revealed that the program primarily benefits individuals who had already intended to live in a rural area, and that the program rarely attracts newcomers. The program is poorly funded in many counties, and a lack of high-paying jobs limits growth in a way that the ROZ cannot outweigh. This brief also highlights the need for changes concerning the program’s benefits and awareness.