Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine has named its “10 Best Cities for the New Decade,” and Topeka is ranked at #10. Many attributes were factored into the selections, particularly as related to being a great place to live, find a job, and to start a small business.
Mark Emmert, one of the key researchers in the project, emphasizes that it iscollaboration that really supercharges a city’s economic engine; when governments, universities and business communities work together, the economic vitality is impressive. Topeka has a strong and proactive Chamber of Commerce that works hard to attract national businesses to Topeka. They work closely with Washburn University ‘s Small Business Development Center to create new and viable small businesses. Washburn University cultivates an educated and skilled work force with its main campus and also with its Washburn Tech facility . The result of such collaboration is economic vitality .
Along with economic vitality naturally comes “livability,” considering such attributes as creativity in music, arts, liveable neighborhoods, and top-notch recreational facilities. Topeka has a relatively stable job market where unemployment has stayed around 7% despite the national rate hovering around 9 or 10%. 25% of Topeka’s population is employed by the Government. Topeka also boasts quality school systems, nationally recognized hospitals, and low housing costs.