Kansas Opportunity Innovation Network

The Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI) at Kansas State University and its state and regional partners in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) are building the Kansas Opportunity Innovation Network (KOIN). Check out the statewide initiative’s blog at Innovatekansas.org.

The NADO Research Foundation released two new reports in September 2011 that highlight the efforts of work being done through KOIN. The story of KOIN is presented in two parts, a case study overview and more detailed description of steps performed and visualizations created to better understand regional economic development. These reports were produced in partnership with the EDA Know Your Region project.

View the reports: Growing Rural Innovation-Based Economies: Kansas Opportunity Innovation Network

Part 1: Case Study Overview (PDF)

Part 2: Special Report (PDF)

This project started as a unique partnership between the North Central Kansas Regional Planning Commission and AMI. The two groups wanted to explore how lower density states and rural regions could build effective economic cluster ecosystems.

View an in-depth presentation about their efforts to build a regional innovation ecosystem in Kansas. (PDF)

Check out the specific examples from North Central Kansas!

Get Adobe Reader to view PDF files.