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, [email protected]

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 [email protected].

Visit NetworkKansas

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.

Visit NWKEICI

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

Visit Kansas SBDC

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.).

Visit CAC

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, [email protected]

Visit NWKPDC

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.

Visit SBA

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.

Visit OWBO

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.

Visit KANSASWorks


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.

Visit SBA

Kansas Small Business Development Center (KS-SBDC)

 The Kansas SBCD also has business exit planning (succession) resources.

Visit KS-SBDC

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.

Visit SCORE


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.

Visit Nex-Tech

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.

Visit Midwest Energy


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.

Visit Nex-Gen

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.

Visit FHSU Career Services

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.

Visit STORM

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.

Visit Washburn Law Externships