A Place to Start a Business or Build a Career

With a low unemployment rate and a variety of career options, Clay County may have the perfect job for you. We have a booming industrial and professional sector and are home to national and international manufacturers such as Hutchinson-Mayrath and Wardcraft Homes, as well as numerous healthcare facilities and other enterprises.

An independent streak runs through Clay County, making it a haven for entrepreneurs, craftspeople, artists and artisans and, in general, unique folks with an intense pride in their specialized work. Many of these creative individuals have an international clientele to show for their efforts.

One has to look no further than Newell Billiards & Antiques in Clay Center (population 4,564) to find one of the premiere restorers of billiard tables in the world.

Travel south to Oak Hill (population 35), and you’ll find Oakhill Pottery, as well as the Blackberry Mercantile. Despite residing in a town that’s tiny by any definition, both of these shops do brisk business on their respective websites.

Head over to Longford (population 92 ), and you’ll find the Longford Water Company where, a few years ago, an enterprising group of locals decided to start bottling and distributing Longford’s soft, sweet, naturally filtered water, which has long been boasted to be “Kansas’ Finest.”

In short, if you have an enterprising idea, Clay County provides an ideal place to make it happen. We even offer incentive grants to new or existing businesses that invest in infrastructure and improvements resulting in new jobs.