(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission approved a resolution Wednesday authorizing participation in the Rural Opportunity Zone student loan repayment program for calendar year 2024.

Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development Director Mikaela Moore met with the Commission to seek approval of the resolution.

The ROZ program allows qualified new residents of designated counties to receive state income income tax waivers for up to five years and/or student loan repayments up to $15,000.

Moore said HFED budgets $6,000 annually to help sponsor program recipients, with the state providing matching funds.

She said there are currently four recipients in Brown County--three in Horton and one in Hiawatha. In addition, there are two employer-sponsored recipients.

The Kansas Legislature created the program in 2011 to help counties with population declines attract residents.