Is ‘Choose Topeka’ bringing migrants to the Capital City?

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Greater Topeka Partnership is weighing in following national coverage of a local program seeking to bring fresh talent to the Capital City.

The Controversy

KSNT 27 News spoke with GTP spokeswoman India Yarborough about the ‘Choose Topeka’ program which recently came under scrutiny after national news outlets highlighted it amid an ongoing immigration crisis.

An article from The Wall Street Journal delved into the specifics of the program while a segment on Fox News’ ‘Fox and Friends’ show ripped into it, invoking past movements to create ‘Sanctuary Cities’ in the U.S. to act as havens for immigrants.

What is the GTP saying?

“Unfortunately, some reports that have been circulating misrepresent the Choose Topeka program and what it hopes to accomplish,” Yarborough said. “We’re happy to help clear a few things up.”

Yarborough refuted any claims that the program is meant to bring in either “migrants” or “illegal immigrants” to the city. Describing Choose Topeka as a “holistic talent attraction effort,” she said the program is open to people from a wide variety of backgrounds who are legally able to work in the country.

“There are currently close to 7,000 job openings in Shawnee County, and with our unemployment rate remaining at a low 2.9%, talent attraction remains a key focus of The Partnership’s economic development efforts,” Yarborough said. “I want to reiterate that when it comes to the incentives side of the program, Choose Topeka only accepts applicants who have received a job offer from a local employer, and applicants must be legally eligible to live and work in the U.S.”

Local organizations like Visit Topeka and GO Topeka have placed increased emphasis on reaching out to Spanish-speakers as a primary group to focus on for the program. Yarborough said this is due to the continued and expected growth of the Spanish-speaking population in the U.S.

“Choose Topeka is an employer match program,” Yarborough said. “This means that to enter the program you must be hired by a Shawnee County employer, legal to work in the United States, and the employer agrees to pay a relocation incentive to bring that person to Topeka. If approved, the Choose Topeka program will match that employer’s investment up to $15,000, after the new hire completes one year of residency.”

Yarborough also refuted any claim that the program has taken up 10% of the tourism office’s marketing budget.

“That’s completely incorrect, because Choose Topeka isn’t a Visit Topeka program,” Yarborough said. “What is accurate is that 10% of Visit Topeka’s tourism marketing budget is set aside for Spanish-language engagement. That includes production of our Spanish-language visitor’s and relocation guide, as well as video collateral.”

What is Choose Topeka?

Choose Topeka has been around since 2019 when it was approved by the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO). In a nutshell, the program seeks to offer people incentives to move to Topeka and find work. The program officially went into effect in 2020.

In 2021, KSNT 27 News spoke with people from across the U.S. who moved to the Capital City to enjoy the benefits of Choose Topeka. Another checkup in 2023 revealed that nearly 100 people had traveled to Topeka for the program which underwent updates to become ‘Choose Topeka 2.0.’ At this time, the program became open to both returning residents and members of the military.

Yarborough said the number of applicants who have taken advantage of what Choose Topeka has to offer has now grown to almost 150 eligible applicants since 2019.

“The average salary of a person in this program is almost $90,000 a year,” Yarborough said. “In 2023, the average salary of a candidate was $87,454, representing a 75.7x return on investment over five years.”

Listed among the benefits offered by Choose Topeka for those taking part in the program include:

Up to $10,000 in funds for renting in the first year and up to $15,000 in funds for the purchase of a home.

GO Topeka/JEDO & employer funds matching 50%. Employer funds $2,500 up to $15,000 with employee transfer.

GO Topeka/JEDO reimburse 50% match of the total qualified relocation incentive to the employer for employee retention after the first year.

Transitioning military service members get $5,000 in funds

To qualify for the program, applicants must:

Confirm with their employer if they decide to participate in the relocation incentive offered by Choose Topeka.

Move to Topeka for a full time position.

Buy or rent a home, for primary residence, in Shawnee County within a year of being hired or moving.

Be eligible to work in the U.S.

Must complete the Choose Topeka survey after one year.

Must participate in a Choose Topeka Immersion program.

Application from the employer must be received before permanent relocation.

Transitioning military requirements:

Limit of one incentive per household.

Proof of salary from employer with a minimum of $50,000.

Proof of home purchase in Shawnee County.

Application must be received before permanent relocation.

You can learn more about Choose Topeka by clicking here. You can also send an email to [email protected] with any questions.

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