Miami County economic development aims to boost tourism for 2026 World Cup, plans device placements for residents

Janet Macrae, Miami County economic development director, told commissioners at the Aug. 13 study session that county staff plan targeted tourism marketing tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and reported progress on a state-backed digital device placement program.
Macrae said she intends to apply to the Kansas Department of Commerce tourism division for a grant that would match 60/40 and asked for roughly $7,000 in state grant funding support to help pay for rack-card distribution along Interstate 35 and Interstate 70 into the Kansas City market. The proposed rack cards would include QR codes so staff can measure clicks and website traffic from placements at hotels, gas stations and visitor racks.
Macrae also said Miami County has been notified by KC Digital Drive of a device-placement initiative that will provide roughly 200 laptops and tablets for families in need in the county. The devices will be placed by local partners (libraries and others) and will include tech support, Macrae said. She described the county’s role as helping identify local distribution partners and families who could benefit from the equipment.
In economic development outreach, Macrae said Kansas Department of Commerce regional staff and an international representative for Germany will visit the region next week to tour businesses. She also reported recent business openings and local business expansions in Louisburg and Paola and said staff are assisting with digital listing updates needed for a tourism app the state is developing ahead of the World Cup.
No formal funding allocation or vote took place at the study session. Macrae said she has already budgeted increased marketing funds for the next fiscal year and will complete the state grant application later in August.