NetWork Kansas E-Community
Mitchell County, Kansas - a proud member since 2020.

Economic Development 
in the Solomon Valley, ​​Mitchell County, KS

NetWork Kansas E-Community has made a commitment to cultivating an entrepreneurial environment by identifying and developing resources to help local entrepreneurs start or grow businesses. Selected communities partner with NetWork Kansas to establish a locally-administered loan fund to assist entrepreneurs with capital, to increase connectivity to resources available to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses, to initiate activities to generate entrepreneurial development, and to participate in a statewide partnership with other E-Communities.The E-Community partnership has grown from six communities in 2007 to 66 in 2020. To date, E-Communities have provided $21.5 million to businesses, leveraging an additional $99.2 million (bank loans, owner down payment, resource partner loans, etc.).

Goals of the E-Community Partnership with Network Kansas include:

• Grow a flourishing, sustainable entrepreneurial environment supportive of business startups and expansions
• Engage and/or develop entrepreneurial resources to meet identified community and business needs
• Create a revolving loan fund to provide matching loans to entrepreneurs and small businesses with local control of decisions and terms
• Forge a community vision centered around entrepreneurship as a tool for economic development
  
• www.networkkansas.com/ecommunities
  

Mitchell County E-Community Loan Fund

Each year, Mitchell County has a guaranteed $45,000 to loan out to a new or existing business in Mitchell County. A committee of local stakeholders in Mitchell County review all loan applications and make the final decisions for approval. If you are interested in learning more, please view the loan application linked below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to SVED.

• Download Application Form (MS Word)
  

E-COMMUNITY PROGRAMS:

Mitchell County businesses and entrepreneurs have access to several excellent resources and programs that encourage local entrepreneurship. NetWork Kansas Board Certified Programs have been approved by the NetWork Kansas board of directors as an acceptable use of E-Community grant (if awarded) and or marketing funds in order to generate entrepreneurial activity in a community. Learn more about the programs available to MC.

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE:

Another program offered through Network Kansas is the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC). Each year, 7th through 12th grade students in Mitchell County are invited to compete in the YEC for a chance to win cash prizes!

This year’s YEC will be held on March 8, 2022 at the NCK Technical College on HWY 24. To sign up to participate in this year’s YEC as a competitor, judge or mentor, Click Here.

For Additional Information Contact, Emily Benedick,
Director Solomon Valley Economic Development

• 785-738-3000  |  [email protected]