In 1939 the Industrial Development Commission was created. The Governor designated a chairman and vice-chairman, and the commission appointed a director who served as secretary with general charge of the work of the Commission. It issued pamphlets about developing industry in the state of Kansas. This commission had its name changed in 1963 to the Kansas Economic Development Commission, and it oversaw the Department of Economic Development, which had expanded duties related to improving the Kansas economy at the state and local levels by developing new jobs and new ways to attract businesses to Kansas. By the beginning of the 1987 fiscal year (1 July 1986), the department changed its name to the Department of Commerce. [Wilder, Bessie. Governmental Agencies of the State of Kansas, 1861-1956. Lawrence: University of Kansas Publications, 1957.]
From the description of Records of the Kansas Department of Economic Development, 1963- 1986. (Kansas State Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 692389873
