Wichita ? An economic revitalization plan unveiled Wednesday by state officials focuses on keeping existing businesses in Kansas while also recruiting new jobs into the state, dual efforts they said must be tailored at the regional level.

“We shouldn’t impose a cookie-cutter approach on communities across the state,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius told more than 500 people who gathered to hear details of the plan. “We shouldn’t develop the notion of what Kansas should look like in the next five to 10 years. That should come from visionaries living in communities in this very diverse and beautiful state.”

The culmination of economic summits held in seven regions of the state, the plan includes two different tax credit programs. The Kansas Business Incentive Program would distribute tax credits to businesses expanding or locating in the state, while Rural Development Tax Credits would create regional pools of venture capital to help businesses in rural areas.

But business retention and recruitment is the first priority, said Lt. Gov. John Moore.

“We have to be able to treat our existing Kansas companies in a manner that is equal to the way we can treat companies from Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, or anywhere else. That is a flaw in our system,” Moore said.

The proposal also calls for creating a “state brand image.”

“Sometimes we are our own worst enemies,” said Larry McCants, chairman of the northwest Kansas regional task force. “We can make this state whatever we want.”

While the plan contained no specifics on cost, Sebelius said incentive money was now available.

Among other provisions in the plan:

• Create a Kansas energy policy, which would develop the state’s energy resources, including ethanol, biodiesel, biomass, wind and methane.
• Develop a life science enhancement program, including research and development tax-increment financing, research and development vouchers and an entrepreneurial mentorship program, among other things.
• Define a statewide tourism strategy, including an agritourism initiative, a Bleeding Kansas National Heritage Area feasibility study and construction plans for a Cheyenne Bottoms Visitor Center.
• Streamline the state’s work force development programs and establish Training Centers of Excellence specializing in particular educational areas of expertise.