Shawnee is the third fastest growing city in the State of Kansas and the Kansas City area, Shawnee nestles its more than 69,000 residents in 42 square miles of rolling hills and unspoiled countryside. Good city planning and economic development practices have carefully concentrated commercial and industrial development on major traffic arteries to protect the quiet residential areas. Shawnee’s city government is well known for its sensitivity to the needs of both residents and businesses. Government is also conscientious of the city’s clean environment, and is dedicated to preserving it through orderly and controlled growth.

Shawnee’s city government is vigorously pursuing key industries that will add to a diversified economy and create job opportunities for its residents. Major national and international companies have already located facilities in Shawnee. The City Council has adopted a wide variety of targeted incentives to both new development and redevelopment opportunities. Nearby highways and interstates (I-35, I-435, K-7 and Shawnee Mission Parkway) give industries excellent access to their transportation needs, and allow companies to draw on a skilled labor pool of more than 1,171,520 workers.

The City has an outstanding relationship with the Chamber of Commerce, the Shawnee Downtown Partnership and the Economic Development Council. The County’s unemployment rate is a full 1.2 points below the national unemployment rate and is projected to remain below the national average.

The future holds great promise. In November 2008, voters approved a sales tax to fund an education and research triangle in the County. The research triangle has three components: world-class cancer treatment and research with a major expansion of the University of Kansas Medical Center to Johnson County creating jobs for all County residents, including residents of Shawnee; a world-class Food Safety and Animal Health Institute; and, the expansion of the University of Kansas Edwards Campus, located 15 minutes from Shawnee, which will offer new educational programs in business, engineering, science and technology with the intent to create high-paying jobs and bolster economic development by training for the 21st century.

Wherever you are in life. Whatever your dreams. Whether you’re starting a family or raising a business, hitting your first home run or running off to your next adventure, everything you need is right here - in a place where life takes off and great things begin.