TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas is abolishing an economic development agency created in the 1980s to nurture high-technology businesses.

The Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. will go out of business July 1 under a bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Sam Brownback.

The state Commerce Department will take over most of KTEC’s duties, with others going to the board that oversees the state’s higher education system.

Brownback proposed the move to save $1.7 million a year. He said Wednesday that the change also will improve the coordination of
economic development programs.

Other supporters of the move contend Kansas no longer needs such an independent agency. But critics question whether the Commerce Department has the expertise to help high-tech businesses.

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