Topeka ? Gov. Sam Brownback and Secretary of State Kris Kobach have launched a new online Kansas Business Center to help owners of existing firms and people forming new ones.

The two officials had a news conference Friday to publicize the center’s new website.

They said the project took 18 months and required the cooperation of multiple agencies. The secretary of state’s office is where businesses file articles of incorporation and annual reports.

They said the site allows business owners a single point of access to state agencies and information about forming businesses and writing business plans.

Both officials are conservative Republicans locked in tough re-election races ahead of the Nov. 4 election. Brownback’s Democratic challenger is Kansas House Minority Leader Paul Davis, of Lawrence, while Kobach faces former state Sen. Jean Schodorf.