Blog

NetWork Kansas’ Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnership announces the conclusion of the 2019-2020 Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series. During the 2019-2020 academic year, 793 students from 50 Kansas communities participated in 44 local entrepreneurship competitions.

This e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems feature explores the role of community in economic development and outlines the prosperity development framework for rural communities.

Network Kansas' compilation of resources to help small businesses now features several examples of local efforts to mobilize Kansas communities. Though not exhaustive, this listing does provide insight on the overwhelming response to provide aid and relief as a result of the impact of COVID-19.

This e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems feature explores the powerful connection between community environment, and therefore quality of life placemaking, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Sophia Glanville talks about how the YEC program has influenced her as an entrepreneur.

It wasn’t long after the COVID-19 situation became serious, they started coming. Emails and tags in social media to colleague Tim Haynes and I about 3D printing being used to solve various related problems, from valves of some kind for ventilators to a substitute for N95 masks, writes Jim Correll, director of Fab Lab ICC at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Independence Community College, in this special piece.

The initial response to the HIRE Fund program was overwhelming. More than 1,400 applications for funding were received, with more than 800 submitted within 24 hours of the program being announced.

NetWork Kansas has made funding decisions and has notified applicants of their status. SBA Disaster Loan applications are still being accepted.

The SBA has declared that Kansas small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus may now qualify for low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has established the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund to provide bridge loans for Kansas’ hospitality sector in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The Kansas Department of Commerce and NetWork Kansas will administer the loan program. Details here.