ELLSWORTH – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland will be the featured keynote speaker for the Ellsworth County Economic Development’s annual meeting. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the American Legion Post 174 in Ellsworth.

Toland is the 52nd Lieutenant Governor of the State of Kansas and also serves as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. A seventh-generation Kansan, Toland was appointed Secretary of Commerce by Governor Laura Kelly in January 2019 and Lieutenant Governor in January 2021. Under the current administration, 2021 was the most successful economic development year in Kansas history, with investments topping over $3.5 billion. 

“The dynamics of disruption in our economy are very real,” Toland said. “Yet from the beginning Governor Kelly’s economic development team has worked day and night to create opportunities for Kansans in these unprecedented times. We are proud of these historic investment and job numbers, but nowhere close to satisfied.”

“We have experienced amazing support of rural economic and community development under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Toland, and we are honored to be able to host this opportunity for our community to hear more about his efforts, and the successes of Ellsworth County in 2021,” said Stacie Schmidt, executive director of Ellsworth County Economic Development.

Tickets are $10 per person, and RSVPs are required by noon on Friday, February 18. RSVP at any of the following: Email: ewcountyeconomicdevelopment@gmail.com; phone or text: 785-810-8303; or go online (preferred): https://forms.gle/1S4qRhHnkY22yDwN8.

For more information, contact Stacie Schmidt at 785-472-9204 or ewcountyeconomicdevelopment@gmail.com.