BIG NEWS FOR SMALL BUSINESS
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.
Small Business Awards Nominations

Every year the Greater Topeka Partnership honors outstanding small businesses across multiple categories for their achievements and contributions to the community. Please nominate your favorite local small businesses for recognition at the awards luncheon being held on May 2nd. Nominations are due by noon on March 1st. To nominate businesses and for information about award categories, eligibility and criteria, go to https://www.gotopeka.com/small-business-awards/
University Entrepreneurship Partnerships
GO Topeka has recently entered into partnerships with Washburn University and with Kansas State University to help develop and support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Topeka and Shawnee County. The university partnerships create opportunities for collaboration to help launch and grow businesses in Topeka and Shawnee County, provide specialized services, attract and retain talent to our community, and create jobs and importation of capital to the region.
Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Program
During the 2022 Legislative Session, the Legislature passed, and Governor Laura Kelly signed the COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Program, which invests $50.0 million to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is open for application until April 15, 2023. The program processes certain tax refunds for businesses with a retail storefront that were operationally shut-down or negatively impacted by COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Program is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which requires registration for a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through the federal System for Award Management (SAM). The required UEI is issued at no cost, and registration can be made at SAM.gov. If a business is registered in SAM.gov, no additional action is needed to obtain a UEI, and an application to the program can be completed.
Business owners can learn more about the COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Program, including eligibility, by visiting https://www.ksrevenue.gov/taxnotices/notice22-04.pdf.
An application for the relief program can be completed at https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/Misc/PropTaxAssistance/StoreFront. Applicants with questions about this program may contact the Department at (785) 368-8660 for assistance.
The Topeka Social Entrepreneurship Engagement Project

GO Topeka, Washburn University SBDC, Topeka Community Foundation, Omni Circle Group, and Shawnee Startups recently received a NetWorked Solutions grant to work on a collaborative project with Washburn University to help create engagements, education and inspiration to stimulate businesses that have a social mission that benefits Topeka and Shawnee County. The project launches in February with a community bus tour with subsequent events running through March. For more information, contact laurie.pieper@topekapartnership.com
 
How to Start a Business Workshop

On February 8, 2023, the Kansas SBDC at Washburn University will be offering a workshop on the basics of starting a small business.  Topics include: researching your idea, legal structures, registration requirements, business plan resources, and available financing options. Checklists are provided.

Small Business Council

On January 19, 2023, Mary Almond, Benefits Advisor with the Employee Benefits Security Administration at the Department of Labor, provided valuable information to the Small Business Council about services provided to employers and to employees regarding health and retirement benefit plans including how to work with insurance companies and how to track down retirement benefits from former employers. EBSA  https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa

The Small Business Council is a leadership group of area entrepreneurs dedicated to work with the support of GO Topeka to promote small business in Shawnee County and equip those businesses for success. GO Topeka empowers small business by relying on local business leaders to influence and shape the conversation about how best to support existing businesses, and assist those who wish to learn how they can grow. To learn more about the SBC or to get involved, contact sbc@topekapartnership.com or visit the website!
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