Topeka ? U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback doesn’t want to give rural Kansas back to the buffalo.

Brownback, a Republican from Kansas, talked with state lawmakers Monday about his proposal in Congress to provide financial incentives for people to live in counties that have lost population.

Advances in mechanized agriculture and the growth of urban areas have led to shrinking rural populations across mid-America.

“You are hollowing out the middle of the nation,” Brownback said, noting that nearly half the counties in Kansas have experienced population losses during the past 20 years.

Brownback’s bill, which he calls the New Homestead Act, would provide tax credits, venture capital and partial forgiveness of student loans to people who move to rural areas.

Brownback also told a joint meeting of legislators dealing with economic development issues that it was critical for the state to encourage life science research and defend Boeing, the state’s largest aircraft manufacturer.

In response to questions from legislators, Brownback said Boeing was being hurt by rival Airbus because of subsidies Airbus receives from European countries.

He said he had urged Boeing to file a trade case against Airbus, but that Boeing had declined, fearing such a move would hurt its overseas sales.