BUSINESS RESOURCES
Financial, Educational & Support Services
SHERIDAN COUNTY MICRO-LOANS PROGRAM
Sheridan County provides micro-loan financing to businesses.
Contact: Heather Bracht at (785) 675-3361, sdcoclk@ruraltel.net
NETWORK KANSAS
NetWork Kansas is a great resource to help you as an existing business with a variety of needs as well as potential financing.
Sarah LaRosh is our regional representative. She can be reached at slarosh@networkkansas.com.
STARTUP KANSAS LOAN
StartUp Kansas provides gap financing to help entrepreneurs start or grow a business in Kansas. The loan program matches up to 150% of other public sources of capital and/or funds from a financial institution such as a bank. Up to $45,000 can be provided per project. Funds are flexible and can be used for a variety of business purposes, including equipment, inventory, and working capital. Entrepreneurs work with a NetWork Kansas resource partner to apply for funds. Funding rounds occur monthly. Visit the NetworkKansas website for more information.
E-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP (SHERIDAN COUNTY DOES NOT QUALITY AT THIS TIME)
NetWork Kansas Entrepreneurship (E-) Communities create a revolving loan fund that is reviewed at the local level. The loans are intended as gap financing to help entrepreneurs start or grow a business in a specific community. The loan program matches public sources of capital and bank loans and can provide up to $45,000 per project. Funds are flexible and can be used for a variety of business purposes, including startup costs, purchasing an existing business, business expansion, working capital, inventory, and more. Visit the NetworkKansas website for more information.
MINORITY & WOMEN BUSINESS MULTIPLIER LOAN
The Minority and Women Business Multiplier Loan Fund provides gap financing to help minority and women-owned businesses (MBE/WBE) and other disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE). The loan program matches up to 20% of public or private capital invested in a business project, with a minimum loan amount of $10,000 and a maximum loan amount of $150,000. A bank must be part of the funding package. Funds are flexible and can be used for a variety of business purposes, including startup costs, purchasing an existing business, business expansion, working capital, inventory, and more and have low, fixed interest rates and no collateral requirements. Visit the NetworkKansas website for more information.
KANSAS CAPITAL MULTIPLIER LOAN
Qualifying businesses are eligible to apply for up to 10% of private or public capital loans and investment. Banks must be a part of the funding package. Businesses can apply for up to a $150,000 loan or venture investment per project through the Capital Multiplier programs. Visit the NetworkKansas website for more information.
NORTHWEST KANSAS ECONOMIC CENTER FOR INNOVATION
This organization also works closely with businesses to assist with a variety of needs including business concept development, mentoring and financing.
KANSAS SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (KSBDC)
The Kansas Small Business Development Center offers a variety of services focused on training, education and helping your business succeed. Many of their services are free. There is a main office in Hays, but also a satellite in Colby
KS SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER - CAPITAL ACCESS CENTER
The Capital Access Center (CAC), part of the Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a consulting service to small business owners needing Capital (Loans, Lines of Credit, etc.).
NORTHWEST KANSAS PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The planning commission can assist with business development, SBA loan packages and other funding sources to assist new and expanding businesses.
319 N Pomeroy Ave, Hill City, KS 67642 | 785-421-2151, nwkpdc@ruraltel.net
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.
OFFICE OF WOMEN’S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP
The Office of Women’s Business Ownership helps women entrepreneurs through programs coordinated by SBA district offices. Programs include business training, counseling, federal contracts, and access to credit and capital.
The OWBO oversees Women’s Business Centers (WBCs). These centers seek to level the playing field for all women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the business world.
Businesses receiving assistance from WBCs see a significantly better success rate than those without similar support. Find your nearest center.
KANSASWorks
This organization provides services to both employers and jobseekers. I highly encourage you to get in touch with them. They are having a statewide job fair in Colby next month for which businesses can sign up to have a booth if you are interested in hiring new workers or at least promoting your business.
BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANNING
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA has a comprehensive guide on succession planning that covers topics such as creating a plan, identifying potential successors, and transferring ownership.
Kansas Small Business Development Center (KS-SBDC)
The Kansas SBCD also has business exit planning (succession) resources.
SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides free mentoring and resources to small businesses. They have a section on their website dedicated to succession planning that includes articles, templates, and guides.
OTHER FINANCING SOURCES
NEX-TECH'S REVOLVING LOAN FUND (NTRLF)
Business start-up, expansion and community development projects are all eligible activities. The objective of creating and retaining permanent private sector jobs requires that the overall project feasibility and job creation potential be emphasized. The focus of the NTRLF is to promote growth while supporting development, which diversifies the region’s economy.
MIDWEST ENERGY
How$mart®
How$mart® provides money for energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, air sealing, new heating and cooling systems, and commercial lighting. Participating customers repay the funds through energy savings on their monthly Midwest Energy bills.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
Nex-Generation Roundup for Youth
Hire a summer intern or year-round work-study intern to assist your business while also providing hands-on experience and training to tomorrow’s workforce.
Fort Hays State University/Dane G. Hansen Foundation Internship Program
Through a generous grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, 25 internships are available for the 2020-21 academic year (spring or summer). FHSU will partner with employers in the Hansen Foundation’s 26-county service area to create part-time internship experiences for students. The employer pays $500 toward the student’s wages, and the remaining funding is through the Hansen Foundation grant.
STORM (Summer Training Option in Rural Medicine) (Dane G. Hansen Program)
The Summer Training Option in Rural Medicine is a University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Family Medicine-sponsored elective rotation for medical students. It involves active clinical training as well as health promotion and disease prevention research in rural primary care settings in cities and towns across the state of Kansas.
Washburn Law Externships
The Washburn Law summer externships places law students and their families in communities within the 26-county area served by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. The students work with a local attorney-supervisor who conducts a private law practice, works for government or a non-profit organization, serves as a judge, is engaged in a law-related activity such as banking, or serving as in-house counsel to a business.