PROJECT FUNDING
A public-private partnership is helping bring the new American Royal to life, combining charitable contributions, private financing, and public commitments to build a year-round destination for food and agriculture.
The total project cost is $375 million. To date, charitable contributions, private financing, and public commitments represent more than 75% of total project costs, reflecting strong momentum behind the project and the broad public and private support already committed to the American Royal’s future.
As the project advances, the American Royal continues to work with philanthropic leaders, corporate partners, foundations public partners, and private supporters to complete funding for the remaining campus priorities.
The Budget
Funding Targets
Understanding STAR Bonds
STAR Bonds are an economic development financing tool used by the state of Kansas to support major tourism and destination projects. They allow municipalities to issue bonds to help finance eligible project costs, with the bonds repaid over time through sales tax revenue generated within the approved STAR Bond district.
In simple terms, STAR Bonds work by using future sales tax revenue generated by the destination and surrounding development to help repay the bonds issued for the project. As visitors attend events, stay in hotels, eat at restaurants, shop and spend money within the district, a portion of the resulting sales tax revenue is directed toward bond repayment. Once the bonds are repaid, the full sales tax revenue returns to the state and local governments.
The first tranche of STAR Bonds for the American Royal project closed in early March 2026, representing an important milestone in the funding plan.
