Cherokee County Economic Development Monthly Update

E-Community Loans Available, Jobs Board Assists Employers & Job Seekers, KS Youth Virtual Entrepreneurship Challenge Coming Up, and SBDC Support Available Locally

Monthly Update - July 2022

E-Community Loan Fund Available to Local Businesses

Since 2015, Cherokee County's E-Community Loan Fund has offered gap financing in the form of low-interest loans to those wishing to start, purchase, or expand a for-profit business in the county. To date, seven local businesses (Circle H Liquor, Columbus Bait & Tackle, Columbus Service Center, Good Pet Stuff Company, Shortcreek Hardware, Smittle House, and Two of a Kind Boutique) have received E-Community Loans totaling $261,900.

E-Community loan funds may be used for: purchasing a building, equipment, or land for a business; working capital; construction or renovation for a business; or other projects. The minimum loan request is $5,000 and the maximum loan is $45,000. Loans must be matched by funds from a bank and/or other lending program. E-Community funding may not exceed 60% of the total funding package.

The E-Community Loan Application is available here.

Jobs Board Assists Employers & Job Seekers

The Cherokee County Jobs Board is an effort to help local employers fill job openings and job seekers find local job opportunities. We invite you to refer job seekers to the site and to utilize it to promote openings in your organization.

Businesses and organizations may post Cherokee County job openings to the jobs board at any time for no cost. To do so, select "Post a Job" from the Jobs dropdown along the top of the page (Please note that you'll only be able to save a draft which we must approve.) or email your listing to jm@cherokeecountykansas.com and we will add it for you.

Economic Development Corporation members receive a number of featured job listings at no cost based on their membership level. Featured listings are displayed in yellow at the top of the jobs board and will receive additional promotion on our social media.

Call 620-762-0717 with questions or for more information.

Encourage Student Entrepreneurs to Enter the

Kansas Youth Virtual Entrepreneurship Challenge

Do you know a young entrepreneur? If so, please encourage them to participate in the Kansas Youth Virtual Entrepreneurship Challenge (KYVEC)!

KYVEC is a statewide virtual pitch competition. There are elementary, middle and high school divisions with cash prizes in each. Entries will be accepted through July 28th.

To enter, students need to:

Go to: https://goventuredash.com/competitions/283
Register as an entrepreneur
Register their business
Attach a brief description of their business
Upload or link a 3-5 minute video pitching their business.

Cherokee County students have had success at this statewide event in the past. In 2021, Jackson Case won 1st prize in the Elementary School Division with his video pitch for Jack's Jigs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5tiOKqdxp0). And, in 2020, Hadley Holmes and Jaiden Campbell both received prizes.

In-Person Kansas SBDC Business Support Continues

In-person support from the Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) continues to be available in Cherokee County every two weeks thanks to the generosity of CBW Bank, Member FDIC. CBW’s support allows KSBDC Advisor Chris Pennington to meet with entrepreneurs and business owners locally every other Tuesday afternoon from 12 to 4 pm.

Pennington is available to provide one-on-one support to individuals at every step of their business journey. Whether you are an existing business looking to boost sales or a start-up trying to get off the ground, KSBDC provides quality, professional assistance. And, a majority of their services come at no cost.

Pennington will be at the Cherokee County Economic Development office, 201 E. Pine, Columbus, KS on July 26th and at the Kingrey-Kellum Agency, 1100 Military Avenue, Baxter Springs, KS on August 9th.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (800) 949-7661.