Latest news with #KansasDepartmentof
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas launches new resources for small businesses, entrepreneurs
Taylor Overton leads the new Kansas Department of Commerce Small Business Office. She spoke Tuesday at the Tee Box in Topeka. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Tools for small business owners are now available through the Kansas Small Business Office, leaders with the Kansas Department of Commerce announced Tuesday while highlighting the need to encourage entrepreneurship and business development in the state. Connect KS, a resource website that will answer questions of small business owners and help them find resources in their part of the state, is part of the SBO, said Taylor Overton, who heads up the new office. The resources were announced at an event at the Tee Box in downtown Topeka that drew entrepreneurs from across the state to share the importance of finding programs and information to help them succeed. In addition, many spoke about being part of a Kansas delegation recently at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indiana. 'One of the reasons why this is so important is that new businesses under five years old create the most net new jobs in our economy,' said Jason Grill, with Right to Start, a nonprofit organization that advocates for small businesses. 'They also grow GDP, and they increase lifetime incomes. They increase community wealth, very much so, in lifetime incomes, they diversify our goods and services in our communities, and they fight inequality and poverty.' Grill told about 50 people gathered that for every 1% increase in entrepreneurship in a community, there is a 2% decrease in poverty. Joshua Jefferson, deputy secretary of business development at the commerce department, said the coordination of resources throughout the state is key to the new initiatives. 'We're here to commit to the work of a new era in small business support here in Kansas,' he said. 'The COVID 19 pandemic exposed that the Kansas Department of Commerce was not doing enough for small businesses in the state of Kansas. In the wake of a once-in-a-century economic crisis, we examined the way that the agency was working, and in the process, we discovered that we really weren't supporting small business as much as we could, or that we should.' Jefferson said the creation of the SBO, along with resources like Connect KS, was the culmination of those efforts to change the state's support network. 'We can do more, and we will do more,' he said. He outlined resources included in the SBO and stressed that part of the task has been making them easier to navigate and accessible to all Kansans. 'By creating a coordinated statewide hub for entrepreneurs at every stage, we're coordinating key resources and creating centralized points of contact for entrepreneurs who are navigating the tough work of business development certifications, permitting access to capital, mentorships and much, much more,' he said. Much of the work of the SBO is connecting people with opportunity, and Overton said she was excited to take a Kansas delegation to the global congress to network with people from around the world. Wichita business owner Kristin Kienzle, who attended the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indiana, said she is learning about creating a successful franchising model that can be replicated nationwide as she explores opportunities to expand into Oklahoma. Kienzle, who owns Utopia Modern Salon Suites, grew her unique approach to offering salon services from one site to three in Wichita, with more on the way. 'I learned some tactical things. I learned some inspirational things and then I also just kind of learned some things about myself,' she said. Being with other entrepreneurs helped her realize how little people understand about what it takes to start a business and manage all the risks. 'As an entrepreneur, we just do what we do,' she said. 'So being in the room on a grand stage with all these people who have done great things, everyone from Mark Cuban down to the guy who started this business six weeks ago, and everything in between was just so it just made me realize, wow, these people, and this is a really unique crowd.' Trademark attorney Julie Grabbe, of Hays, said meeting people from other countries was valuable. 'I'm in west Kansas, so we're in a different situation than a lot of the more metropolitan cities,' she said. 'But commerce is very important to us. We want to be able to keep our young talent. We want to keep growing our cities. We want it to be a vibrant place to live. I think one of the ways to do that is really to have the support of the state to go out and do these kinds of things and get these ideas.'
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas starts program to cut costs for community centers
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) — A new state grant program aims to address a common challenge faced by rural Kansas communities: the high cost and complexity of building modern community centers. The Blueprint to Build initiative, announced by the Kansas Department of Commerce, streamlines the process for small towns to create multi-use community spaces by providing pre-designed building plans and construction funding, aimed at reducing costs and accelerating development. 'For many Kansas communities, finding affordable solutions for community facilities can be difficult,' Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said in a news release. 'This innovative new CDBG program provides immediate resources to build vibrant community spaces across Kansas.' Restaurant in Old Town seized for overdue taxes: KDOR Eligible communities can apply for grants up to $2.5 million for three standardized, energy-efficient building designs featuring essential amenities like multipurpose rooms and telemedicine offices, with optional gymnasiums or aquatic spaces. The goal is to reduce costs by eliminating custom architectural work, allowing communities to focus on construction expenses. The centers will be located in walkable downtown areas or near public facilities to lower infrastructure and maintenance costs. Larger communities such as Wichita, Topeka, and Overland Park are not eligible. Towns with fewer than 2,500 residents can request up to $1.5 million, while those above that population threshold can request up to $2.5 million. The application period opens on May 1 and will close on Nov. 14. Pre-applications can be submitted. More information on the grants is available at or by contacting the Kansas CDBG team at CDBG@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas towns get $1.5M for downtown revitalization projects
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) — More than $1.5 million in state funding is heading to 19 Kansas communities to support revitalization projects aimed at breathing new life into historic downtown buildings, the Kansas Department of Commerce announced Thursday. The funding from the state's Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program, matched by over $6.4 million in local contributions, totals about $7.9 million. Closures, reduced services at some Kansas lakes 'By revitalizing our historic buildings, we can create spaces that drive community growth and bring in new economic opportunities for the entire state,' Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a news release. 'Our rural communities are some of the best places to be in Kansas — and it's because we are intentional with how we invest in them.' The HEAL program offers matching grants to small towns for projects that convert vacant or underused buildings into active spaces for businesses, housing, child care, arts, and community uses. Since its 2021 launch, it has funded improvements to nearly 100 buildings statewide. 'This group of projects will save buildings in some of the smallest communities in Kansas,' Trisha Purdon, director of the Office of Rural Prosperity, said. 'It's about more than preserving buildings — it's about generating opportunity and restoring vitality to our downtowns.' Highlights from the latest round of funding include: Admire: A $35,000 grant will help transform a 120-year-old senior center into the 'Last Chance Arcade,' a retro gaming space with more than 60 classic arcade machines. The venue aims to be the largest arcade between Wichita and Kansas City, serving as a family-friendly attraction. Garnett: The city received $100,000 to renovate one of its largest historic buildings into a modern, 24/7 fitness center with a designated kid zone. The project is expected to increase foot traffic and downtown activity. Sharon Springs: A $100,000 grant will support redeveloping the long-vacant upper levels of two historic buildings into new housing. The effort aligns with local housing needs identified through a recent community assessment. Wilson: The Weber & Peirano Building, a 1904 structure serving as a tourism hub, mercantile, and art space, will receive $40,000 for façade restoration. The updates aim to preserve the building's architectural integrity while supporting entrepreneurship and tourism. The state says the HEAL program is part of its broader strategy to support economic development and livability in rural Kansas through targeted investments and partnerships. For a complete list of grant recipients and projects, visit the Kansas Department of Commerce website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas unveils mystery company getting historic perks for jobs in Johnson County
The mysterious Project Turtle is now out of its shell. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced this week that Fiserv, Inc., a Milwaukee-based payment and financial services technology company, will be moving into Overland Park's Aspiria Campus, formerly Sprint, and bringing thousands of high-paying jobs. The previously secret plans come as a result of a deal that the company and the state department of commerce describe as the 'largest office recruitment in Kansas history.' 'Fiserv's new strategic hub in Overland Park is a significant step forward as we continue to elevate Kansas to new heights,' Kelly said in a statement Monday. 'Fiserv will create high-value career options including opportunities for military personnel transitioning to civilian life and graduates of our higher education system.' Kansas is giving Fiserv more than $154 million in state incentives over the next 10 years to bring the project — and the jobs it promises — to Johnson County. The state perks for the company include $20 million from Kansas' Job Creation Fund, which is the largest allocation Kansas has ever awarded from that fund, according to a release from the Kansas Department of Commerce and Fiserv. The Fortune 500 company has committed $175 million in private investment for the project and will renovate 427,000 square feet of space across two Aspiria Campus buildings, according to the release from Kelly's office. Overland Park city documents and a press release from the city's Chamber of Commerce said Fiserv would be investing $50 million less, or $125 million in the project. But Matt Lowry, a spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Commerce confirmed in an email that the $175 million investment is correct. The company promises to bring approximately 2,000 jobs to the state with an average salary of $102,000. City documents said the average salary would be higher, at $125,000. 'Overland Park is still in negotiations related to local incentives and we cannot comment on the number being used,' Lowry said. 'The $101,940 average wage figure is data provided by Fiserv used to qualify the company for state incentive programs.' With future expansion plans, the company's new financial tech hub is expected to contribute up to $4 billion in payroll for its future Kansas employees over the next decade, according to a release from the Kansas Department of Commerce and Fiserv. 'We are thrilled to expand our U.S. footprint, bringing our people together to drive innovation on behalf of our clients,' said Frank Bisignano, Fiserv's chairman and chief executive officer. 'Working with local and state leaders, we are committed to driving growth and prosperity for both Fiserv and Kansas while contributing to the vibrancy of the Overland Park community.' Mayor Curt Skoog and city staff worked with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development team and the Kansas Department of Commerce to attract the project to Kansas City's largest suburb. But prior to Kelly's announcement, details were unknown. The proposal, dubbed as Project Turtle, kept the company's name and details under wraps. The Overland Park Chamber of Commerce signed nondisclosure agreements and city officials couldn't disclose details of the project, despite the developer asking for a 10-year property tax rebate on property taxes paid for its leased space. 'We are proud to welcome Fiserv to Aspiria and Overland Park. Overland Park is already a strong hub for business leadership, making Fiserv a natural fit in our community,' Skoog said in a statement following Kelly's announcement. 'The thousands of jobs Fiserv brings, along with the potential to serve neighboring businesses within our thriving community, is a significant win.' Fiserv plans to open its doors in two phases beginning in 2026.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas grants to turn unused upper floors into housing
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) — Kansas communities looking to bring life back to their downtowns now have an opportunity to turn empty upper floors into much-needed housing. The state is offering $250,000 in grants through its Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) program to help convert unused spaces above downtown businesses into livable homes. The funding is available exclusively to Designated Kansas Main Street communities and aims to address a growing need for affordable, quality housing while breathing new energy into local economies. Kansas project aims to turn infrastructure into art 'Last year's initial round of ROOMS funding resulted in 34 new housing units across the state and nearly $6 million in total investment,' Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a news release. 'Another year of funding allows us to continue breathing life into communities across this state and growing economic opportunities for generations to come.' Upper-floor housing has become a critical piece of the solution to Kansas' housing challenges, while also strengthening the economic health and identity of downtown areas. 'The Kansas Main Street program has worked to help communities build their capacity in developing upper-floor housing in downtown buildings,' Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell said in the release. 'ROOMS grants help these types of projects become reality.' Projects must follow Main Street design standards and local codes, and must directly lead to the creation or retention of housing units. More information on how to apply for ROOMS funding is available through the Kansas Department of Commerce website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
