Rural Opportunities

Smith Center/Smith County is a designated Rural Opportunity Zone which means moving here comes with significant added benefits!

Student loan repayment assistance and personal state income tax credit are financial incentives for new full-time residents.

Student Loan Repayment Assistance

  • Administered by Kansas Department of Commerce
  • Partners with Smith Center and Smith County
  • Provides up to $15,000 in student loan repayment assistance over 5 years

Eligibility

  • Must have a newly established permanent address in Smith County so long as that address was established after the city/county began participating in the program
  • Applicants must have an active student loan balance in their name, as well as an associate's, bachelor's or post-graduate degree prior to moving
  • To apply, you will need to provide proof of domicile in Smith Center/Smith County, proof of previous permanent residency, transcripts with degree dates and student loan balance with distribution dates.

To learn more about the student loan repayment assistance, click here.

100% Personal State Income Tax Credit

Are you thinking about moving to Smith Center/Smith County, or have you recently become a resident?

New residents who move into this rural opportunity zone may be eligible for a 100% personal state income tax credit! Learn more about the ROZ Tax Credit click here.