What is an E-Community?

During the summer of 2019, a coalition of community and business leaders applied for and were selected to become one of the state’s newest
E-Communities.

What does that mean?

With the support of the county commissioners, members of the advisory board they appoint for economic development are now leading a coalition of people focused specifically on helping new and second stage businesses. As a partnership NetWork Kansas, the group will facilitate a locally-controlled revolving loan fund to supply entrepreneurs with capital. They will also now have increased access and limited funding for training and technical support.

An informational brochure about the program is available here, and a summary of the loan program is available here.

Technical Training Scholarships

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit small businesses hard. The Greater Miami County Economic Development Corporation wants to help business owners who need to take a moment to reset.

A fund has been created to provide scholarships for business owners who want to reassess their operations and gain added business expertise. These small scholarships of up to $150 can cover two thirds of registration costs for courses offered by the Small Business Development Center.

The process is simple.

Identify the program that will be most helpful for you.
Complete the application and submit it.
We will notify you of your approval.
Enroll in the course, pay the registration and complete the course.
Provide verification that you completed the course.
We reimburse you for the authorized amount.

Why apply for an E-Community loan?

Miami County is in the process of finalizing its loan process and lending criteria. This is expected to be in place by year end.

E-Community loans can be used for startup costs, expansion of an existing business, working capital, inventory and more. The loans are paired with an investment from a local lender along with a personal investment from the business.

Loan Guidelines

Must be used by a for-profit business
Must obtain required matching funds
E-Community funding cannot exceed 60% of the total funding package

How do I apply for a loan?

Entrepreneurs interested in applying for funds will work with a local E-Community Leadership Team to connect with startup and developmental business resources, complete an application for funding, and coordinate the other elements of the funding package (bank loans, etc.). Whether an entrepreneur needs help finishing a business plan or filling out a loan application, the resources offered by the Miami County E-Community team can connect them to resources for assistance.

How can I get involved in the educational opportunities?

NetWork Kansas Board Certified Programs are designed to generate entrepreneurial activity in a community. Members of the local group are reviewing existing efforts to see what might be the best match for Miami County. A full list of Network Kansas Board Certified Programs can be found here.

The region has also partnered with KCSourceLink to promote other educational seminars. The search tool below provides filters to find the best fit.