BIG NEWS FOR SMALL BUSINESS |
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We hope you enjoy this monthly GO Topeka newsletter geared toward small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups. We'll provide all the local business-related news you need to know about upcoming events, opportunities and much more! To offer feedback or suggestions, contact GO Topeka's Laurie Pieper at Laurie.Pieper@TopekaPartnership.com.
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LAST CHANCE TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD THROUGH GO TOPEKA'S ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM SURVEY
GO Topeka's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Survey remains open until the end of June. If you're an entrepreneur or manager at a small business or startup, we want to hear from you! We encourage you to take the survey to help us better understand the status and needs of our ecosystem.
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IS HEARTLAND EXPORT ACCELERATOR THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
Many small businesses have untapped potential to grow through international markets. The Heartland Export Accelerator, powered by World Trade Center Kansas City, prepares businesses to compete and grow successfully in the global marketplace. The program, delivered virtually, covers such topics as finance, logistics, marketing, legal and more, helping companies build customized, strategic export plans. The deadline to apply has been extended to June 30, but space is limited. To learn more and apply, click the button below. Questions should be directed to Melissa Miller, director of the World Trade Center Kansas City, at mmiller@kcchamber.com. This is a great opportunity for businesses that have exportable goods or services and are ready to scale up.
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SBDC OFFERING FREE 'HOW TO START A BUSINESS' WORKSHOP
On July 6, the Washburn University Small Business Development Center will be offering a workshop to walk people through important steps of starting a business. This is part of a recurring series that helps entrepreneurs stand up successful businesses. To learn more, click the link below.
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DON'T MISS THE CHANCE TO APPLY FOR THE U.S. CHAMBER'S 'DREAM BIG AWARDS'
Big dreams deserve big awards, and the nomination window for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's 2022 Dream Big Awards is currently open. The Small Business of the Year award winner will receive national recognition and a $25,000 prize! Award categories include Emerging Business, Green/Sustainable Business, Minority-Owned, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Young Entrepreneur, LGBTQ-Owned, and Community Support and Leadership. The deadline to apply is July 8. For more information or to start an application, click the link below.
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NOMINATE A BUSINESS FOR THE MINORITY AND WOMEN ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
The Kansas Department of Commerce and its Office of Minority and Women Business Development recently announced that nominations are now open for their annual Minority and Women Enterprise Development Awards. An awards luncheon will take place in November to recognize honorees from across the state. Awards are presented to minority- and women-owned businesses in the following industries: construction, manufacturing, professional, retail, service and supplier/distributor. Nominations close July 13. To nominate a business, click the link below.
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SOME BUSINESSES COULD CLAIM CLOSURE-RELATED TAX REFUNDS THROUGH COVID RELIEF ACT
The COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Act provides the opportunity for businesses to claim refunds for tax years 2020 and 2021. The relief act applies to certain claimants that were operationally shut down or restricted at their retail storefront by a COVID-19-related order or by action imposed by the state, a local unit of government, or a local health officer. To learn more, contact the Kansas Department of Revenue at kdor_tac@ks.gov or 785-368-8222.
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DON'T MISS THE AUGUST DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVES
The summer application window to apply for GO Topeka's Small Business Incentives program is now open. The incentive program helps local small businesses invest in their companies for improved financial performance, growth and business-model sustainability. Funding for the program is limited, and applications are considered on a competitive basis. The next deadline to submit initial application documents is August 15. To learn more or apply, click the link below. Questions should be directed to smallbusinessincentives@topekapartnership.com.
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SEE IF THE KITE PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANT IS A GOOD FIT FOR YOU
Applications are open for the Kansas Department of Commerce's KITE Proof of Concept grants, which are designed to help with research, development, market validation and advancement toward commercialization of new technologies and products. The application deadline for the next round of review is September 30. For more information, click the link below. KITE Proof of Concept grants are eligible matching grants to one of GO Topeka's Small Business Incentives grants. To learn more about the matching grant option, email smallbusinessincentives@topekapartnership.com.
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SBA, DEPARTMENT OF AG HOLD LENDER TRAINING IN TOPEKA
On June 15, representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture visited Topeka to conduct training on multiple business loan programs, helping educate lenders on how to use these programs to serve a broader range of customers. The event was hosted by the Washburn University SBDC and GO Topeka. For assistance with access to capital, small businesses and startups located in Shawnee County should contact the SBDC or GO Topeka's Laurie Pieper.
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U.S. CHAMBER REP MEETS VIRTUALLY WITH GTP SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL
On June 16, Tom Sullivan (pictured here), VP of Small Business Policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, virtually joined the Greater Topeka Partnership’s Small Business Council meeting to talk about ways in which the U.S. Chamber is advocating for small businesses and how important it is for small businesses to share their stories to enable both the local Topeka Chamber and the national chamber to advocate for small businesses. For more information, see the U.S. Chamber's Small Business Bill of Rights. To communicate with the GTP Small Business Council, email smallbusinesscouncil@topekapartnership.com.
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LEARN ABOUT YOUR DUTY TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES FROM HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS
With summer heat upon us, it is important for employers to know their responsibilities when it comes to keeping employees safe. Check out the following OSHA tips for preventing heat-related illness on the job and keeping workers safe.
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GO TOPEKA OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES THE PROPELLER MENTORSHIP NETWORK
On June 20, GO Topeka launched the first journey of Propeller, a new mentorship network that uses events and programming to help guide entrepreneurs and provide upward lift to the entrepreneurial community in the greater Topeka area. For more information about the program, click the button below! If you are interested in the September to November session, contact propeller@topekapartnership.com.
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RECOMMENDED READING: WHAT IS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT?
"Business development" is a broad term encompassing activities that create value for businesses. Though sometimes thought of as sales or marketing, business development really involves a more holistic approach to implementing strategies that grow a business overtime. Business development skills are important for small businesses looking to grow and stay competitive. To learn more about the topic, check out the following article!
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GOTopeka.com | 785-234-2644
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