Economic Mobility Funds Program

Economic Mobility Funds Program is sponsored by GO Topeka. Designed to create sustainable, inclusive economic impact by providing grant incentives to underserved entrepreneurs and economically disadvantaged businesses in Topeka and Shawnee County. Programs include Entrepreneurial Support, Youth Employment, and Redevelopment Investment.

Economic Mobility Funds Program - Go Topeka Cost of Living Calculator Cost of Living Calculator Cost of Living Calculator Cost of Living Calculator Economic Mobility Funds Program GO Topeka’s Economic Mobility Funds Program is designed to create sustainable, inclusive economic impact by providing grant incentives to underserved entrepreneurs and economically disadvantaged businesses in Topeka and Shawnee County.

The Entrepreneurial Support Program provides financial assistance to entrepreneurs seeking professional business support services. This grant program aims to strengthen local businesses by facilitating access to essential professional services such as marketing, legal counsel, and accounting expertise.

Minimum Grant Amount: $500 Maximum Grant Amount: $4,000 Grant Type: Professional Service Support Disbursement: Based on demonstrated need and service quotes Note: Maximum amount is not guaranteed; awards are based on specific needs and circumstances One time grant per individual.

Examples of Eligible Services Brand development and strategy Website design and development Market research and analysis Advertising campaign development Content creation and copywriting Marketing materials design Business entity formation Contract review and development Intellectual property protection Regulatory compliance review Employment law consultation Financial statement preparation Tax planning and preparation QuickBooks/accounting software training Additional Professional Services Business plan development Business process optimization Project management support For questions, please reach out to Stephanie Norwood, Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship or Manuel Castro, Executive Coordinator and Small Business Incentives Support Stephanie.

Norwood@TopekaPartnership. com Manuel. Castro@TopekaPartnership.

com The Youth Employment grant provides funding support to eligible youth seeking to enhance their employability through skill development and educational advancement, or to organizations working with youth to develop such skills. This program aims to prepare young individuals for successful entry into the workforce through comprehensive training and education.

Demonstrated commitment to acquiring job-specific technical skills relevant to chosen career path Participation in hands-on training programs or workshops Achievement of industry-recognized certifications when applicable Development of practical workplace competencies Professional communication abilities Teamwork and collaboration capabilities Time management and organizational skills Problem-solving and critical thinking Workplace etiquette and professional conduct Proficiency in basic computer operations Familiarity with common office software Understanding of digital communication tools Basic troubleshooting abilities Digital safety and security awareness Understanding of personal budgeting Knowledge of banking and savings Comprehension of credit and debt management Basic investment awareness Tax preparation knowledge For questions, please reach out to Trina Goss, Director of Business & Talent Initiatives Trina.

Goss@TopekaPartnership. com Youth Entrepreneurial Grants for Individuals Young entrepreneurs under 18 years of age may apply for the following grant opportunities: The maximum funding amounts listed represent ceiling limits, not guaranteed awards. All applications undergo evaluation by an independent committee that convenes monthly to review submissions and determine grant allocations.

Infrastructure/Construction Ex. A shed to serve as a place to assemble or design products. Ex.

A machine to manufacture said products. Ex. Digital advertising for said products.

Only services approved by the committee are eligible. You must apply and receive approval before purchasing or contracting with service providers. For questions, please reach out to Stephanie Norwood, Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship or Manuel Castro, Executive Coordinator and Small Business Incentives Support Stephanie.

Norwood@TopekaPartnership. com Manuel. Castro@TopekaPartnership.

com Redevelopment Investment Program The Redevelopment Investment Program aims to support the revitalization of structures in Topeka and Shawnee County. This initiative focuses on enhancing economic mobility by providing financial assistance for building rehabilitation projects that meet specific community and development criteria.

Pre-application Consultation: Schedule a meeting with program staff to discuss project eligibility and requirements. This could be a phone call or in person. Application Submission: Applications must be submitted through the designated online portal.

Documentation Requirements: Completed application form Proof of property ownership or tenant authorization Detailed project description and scope of work Cost estimates from licensed contractors Architectural drawings and renderings (if applicable) Photos of current property condition Project timeline with key milestones Evidence of financial capacity Financial Capacity : Applicants must demonstrate the financial capacity to complete the project.

This may include providing evidence such as: o Lender financing commitment o Line of credit documentation o Cash reserves verification o Business financial statements Proximity to Low-to-Moderate Income Areas: Projects serving or located in LMI census tracts or the City’s health map receive priority Community Impact: Proximity to at-risk or intensive care areas as designated by city and county Essential Needs: The project’s ability to satisfy an essential need within the community (grocery stores, healthcare facilities, etc.) Development Enhancement: The project’s potential to remove development barriers or enhance the developability of the area Job Creation: Number and quality of jobs created or retained Blight Reduction: Impact on eliminating blighted conditions Catalytic Potential: Likelihood of stimulating additional investment in the area Applicant Experience: Demonstrated capacity to complete similar projects Financial Feasibility: Reasonable cost estimates and secure funding sources Sustainability: Long-term viability of the proposed use Timeline Practicality: Realistic project schedule Funding will be provided as a 50% match to the investment with the following parameters: Minimum $50,000 project investment by applicant Maximum incentive award of $200,000 Timeframe to project completion not to exceed 18 months Funds will be disbursed as per benchmarks defined by the committee For questions, please reach out to Ashley Lehman, VP of Business Development Ashley.

Lehman@TopekaPartnership.

com Entrepreneurial Application Requirements Completed grant application form Current business plan or business concept outline Detailed description of the services needed Quotes from service providers Previous year’s financial statements or projections for new businesses Proof of business registration (if existing business) Tax returns for the previous year (if applicable) Documentation of all completed services must be submitted to Go Topeka after completion .

Required documentation includes: Description of services rendered Service provider contact information Failure to submit required documentation will result in ineligibility for future Economic Mobility grant opportunities All funds must be used within 3 months of award Changes to approved service providers require prior authorization Once approved for a grant, you must fill out and sign the Economic Mobility Grant acceptance form, which will be sent to you by email, after approval.

Frequently Asked Questions Who reviews the application? An independent committee reviews the applications. What is the Economic Mobility Grant Form?

This form is a document where you acknowledge that you understand and agree to the terms as outlined in the program. Are home-based businesses eligible? Yes, home based businesses are eligible if they demonstrate that the expenses are entirely for business purposes, are not home-improvements or for the benefit of the homeowner.

Some franchises are eligible. Franchises in which owner compensation is structured as employee compensation and is not commensurate with ownership are not eligible. Will incentives be awarded on a first-come first-served basis?

No, incentives are not awarded on a first-come first-served basis. Applications submitted within each application window will be competitively evaluated. Can I use the funds for services rendered prior to getting approval?

No. Only services approved by the committee are eligible. Who is eligible for the Entrepreneurial Support? We provide special consideration to individuals and businesses located in low to moderate income areas.

Our goal is to direct resources where they can create the most significant positive impact on economic opportunity and community growth. What qualifies as a low to moderate income area? We use established federal and local guidelines to define low to moderate income areas.

Our aim is to support regions and populations that have the greatest need for economic empowerment and opportunity. Can I receive multiple incentives/grants from GO Topeka? A business cannot receive both a Small Business Incentive, a Traditional Business Incentive or an Economic Mobility Grant from GO Topeka in the same year.

Income Eligibility Policy for Economic Mobility Grants Low-to-Moderate Income Business Owner Qualification – Shawnee County , KS (2024) Priority is given to “At Risk” and Intensive Care” areas . To ensure our resources support those who need them most, GoTopeka’s Economic Mobility initiative uses several sources, including HUD’s income data to determine eligibility for small business grants and support programs.

We prioritize entrepreneurs who qualify as low-to-moderate income (LMI) based on household income and size. What does “Low-to-Moderate Income” mean? For a 1-person household in Shawnee County (Topeka MSA), we use the 2024 Area Median Income (AMI) published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to set our guidelines.

2024 Income Eligibility (1-Person Household) Income Category: Low-to-Moderate Income, Annual Income Range: $29,340 – $48,900 $48,900 represents 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI) $29,340 represents 60% of the Area Median Income Applicants who fall within this range are considered low-to-moderate income and may be eligible for grant support and resources through our program. *Figures are evaluated annually.

Start the application process here . The application window runs from the 1st of the month to a week before the last day of each month. A new application window opens at the start of each month.

(The application will be closed in the month of December due to the holiday season.) To be considered for funding during a given month, applicants must submit a complete application along with all required documents before the window closes on the last day of that month.

For any questions, please reach out to the respective emails: Entrepreneurial, Small Business Support and Youth Entrepreneurial Grants – Stephanie Norwood, Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship Stephanie. Norwood@TopekaPartnership. com Manuel Castro, Executive Coordinator and Small Business Incentives Support Manuel.

Castro@TopekaPartnership. com Youth Employment – Workforce Training & Skill Development Trina Goss, Director of Business & Talent Initiatives Trina. Goss@TopekaPartnership.

com Redevelopment Investment Program Ashley Lehman, VP of Business Development Ashley. Lehman@TopekaPartnership. com For general questions please reach out to the following email: economicequity@topekapartnership.

com Proposed Use of Funds Worksheet 719 S Kansas Ave Suite 100 Topeka, KS 66603 P 785. 234. 2644 F 785.

234. 8656