Business Assistance
The Cowley County Economic Development Partnership is dedicated to fostering an environment of growth in our local business community. Whether that is helping direct a community member where to go to take their home business to the store front or providing workforce training to our major employers we are here to help.
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Do you have idea but don't know where to start? At Cowley County Economic Development Partnership, we are in the know!
Resources
To those that need the absolute basics on getting a business started there are a variety of resources to help get you started. From basic business planning, marketing, and finding funding there is plenty of information!
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The U.S. Small Business Administration is a federal resource available for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
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The State of Kansas has several valuable webpages specific to operating a business in Kansas. This is a great resource if you are needing to register your business, have questions about general operations or looking for related departments in Topeka this is a great place to start!
 | County Level |
The CCEDP is dedicated to helping you navigate the questions of starting, growing, or buying a business and have partners we work with on a regular basis. Our local programs available include the E-Community Loan Program and a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).
E-Community Loan Program was established in 2007 though Kansas Entrepreneurship Tax Credits awarded to Cowley First (now called Cowley County Economic Development Partnership) by the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship also known as NetWork Kansas.
Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) funds are for small business loans, generally ranging from $3,000 – $8,000. These can be for purchase of equipment, upgrades, renovations or special business projects. A business plan is needed with the application, as well as a financial plan to show repayment. Application requirements are a completed business plan detailing need and use of funds along with a 3-year cash flow projection, utilizing the scoring criteria. Consulting services are available from Cowley County Economic Development Partnership, formerly known as Cowley First, at no charge and template are provided with one-on-one assistance to complete the application process.
Other Local Resources
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| Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce | Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce | |
| 106 S. Summit St. | 123 E. 9th Ave. | |
| Arkansas City, KS 67005 | Winfield, KS 67156 | |
| Phone# (620) 442-0230 | Phone# (620) 221-2420 | |
| arkcitychamber.com | winfieldchamber.org |
Website Assessment Tool from Website Grader – Free assessment to measure your sites marketing effectiveness
Kansas Regional Economic Analysis Project - An interactive regional research and analysis tool.
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State Incentives - Kansas Department of Commerce Programs
A competitive package of development incentives may be available to qualified business and industries considering a Cowley County location including. These incentives could include some of the following:
- Economic Development Exemption – New and expanding businesses that constructed a purchase new real property are eligible for up to 10 year abatement with capital investment and net growth.
- Industrial Revenue Bond financing of up to 100% of the cost of land, building and equipment
- Property tax abatement for up to 10 years as allowed by state statute
- Exemption of sales tax for the purchase of personal property, construction materials and labor
- State funded, flexible job training programs
- No inventory tax
- Constitutional right to work state
Contact Us for more information on what we can do to make your move or expansion happen.
Cowley County Economic Development Partnership, formerly known as Cowley First, can direct your business to a full menu of programs available through the Kansas Department of Commerce. As well as getting you in touch with state officials that can guide you through the application process for these grants, tax credits, and low interest loan programs. The following list includes some of the primary programs that may interest you or your business:
High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP)
Program Summary:
The High Performance Incentive Program provides tax incentives to employers that pay above-average wages and have a strong commitment to skills development for their workers. This program recognizes the need for Kansas companies to remain competitive and encourages capital investment in facilities, technology and continued employee training and education. A substantial investment tax credit for new capital investment in Kansas and a related sales tax exemption are the primary benefits of this program.
Read the full HPIP program and requirements here.
Kansas Industrial Training (KIT)
Program Summary:
The KIT program may be used to assist firms involved in both pre-employment and on-the-job training. Pre-employment training may be used to allow the company and prospective employees an opportunity to evaluate one another before making employment commitments. Prospective employees are given the knowledge and specific skills necessary for job entry. On-the-job training is conducted after hiring. Trainees may receive instruction on the company’s own production equipment on the plant floor or on similar machinery in a classroom setting.
Read the full KIT program and requirements here.
Kansas Industrial Retraining (KIR)
Program Summary:
The Kansas Industrial Retraining program is a job retention tool that helps employees of restructuring companies who are likely to be displaced because of obsolete or inadequate job skills and knowledge.
Eligible industries include basic enterprises that are restructuring operations through incorporation of new technology, diversification of production or the development and implementation of new production activities. At least one current employee must be trained to qualify for assistance.
Read the full KIR program and requirements here.
Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK) Program
Program Summary:
PEAK is a business incentive where companies may retain or be refunded 95% of the payroll withholding tax of qualified employees for new jobs created in Kansas. Basic projects that create at least ten new jobs in metropolitan areas, or at least five new jobs in non-metropolitan areas, within two years may be eligible for up to seven years of payroll withholding tax savings.
Larger, high-impact projects that create at least 100 new jobs within two years may be eligible for up to ten years of payroll withholding tax savings.
Read the full PEAK program and requirements here.
Cowley Incentives
Established in 2007 through Kansas Entrepreneurship Tax Credits awarded to Cowley First by the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship (dba NetWork Kansas).
Funds may be used as seed capital for a new business startup or the expansion or restructuring of an existing business. Businesses may request up to $45,000 from the Cowley County E-Community Loan Program. In addition to the Cowley County E-Community Loan Program funds, each business will also be required to obtain approval for a 40% matching loan from another NetWork Kansas eligible partner or other lender as a requirement of NetWork Kansas and the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship
Community Development
The Community Development Block Grant Program allows Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community. To receive funds, a project must meet at least one of the following federally mandated criteria:
The project benefits low- and moderate-income individuals
The project removes or prevents slum or blight condition
The project eliminates an urgent need created by a disaster when local funds are unavailable
