Small businesses in Overland Park have a new opportunity for a financial boost.
The Overland Park Chamber of Commerce has launched a new “micro grant” program, offering small businesses a chance to get funds for development and expansion.
The program is open for applicants until March 15
Businesses applying for the program must have fewer than 25 full-time employees.
The applicants must also have been in business for at least a year, and they have to be in good standing with the State of Kansas.
Recipients of the program can receive from $500 to $3,000. They also have to have enough financial capital to match what they receive, which could be up to $3,000.
The grants are for development and expansion
The money from the program is intended to go toward a variety of things, such as expansion, staff development, improving a physical business space or upgrading technology.
That could include tasks like training, funding internships, undergoing repairs, painting the space, or getting new equipment.
Libbey Tucker, senior vice president of economic development for the chamber, said the program comes as part of the chamber’s ongoing efforts to create resources specific to small business needs.
Supporting small businesses is part of the Chamber’s Opportunity NOW, a long-term community and economic initiative.
Ultimately, she said, $35,000 is available to be rewarded as part of the grant program.
In her experience, Tucker said, some of the challenges that might draw a smaller business to a program like this could be initial marketing (like creating a website or signage), or bringing interns onboard.
“Early signs are that (the program) is going to be popular and needed,” she said. “Making a difference is really what it kind of comes down to, and I think this will allow us to do that.”
Benefitting the community
One applicant already knows how he’d use the financial support.
If his business is a recipient, Joe McConnell, owner of The Culinary Center of Kansas City in downtown Overland Park, said the center would use the grant to refresh its Santa Fe Drive facade.
Having an up-to-date and presentable entryway, he said, is front of mind in anticipation of increased foot traffic due to the newly-reopened Overland Park Farmers’ Market and the World Cup this summer.
McConnell said he’s hoping for $3,000, the program’s maximum.
“It’s large enough that it allows us to do things that we wouldn’t do otherwise, and allows us to do things that I think are actually beneficial to the overall community,” he said.
Downtown Overland Park is home to several small businesses like McConnell’s. The way he sees it, if his business benefits, his neighbors do too.
“I think that there is a kind of a beautiful harmony in terms of the businesses that are down here,” he said, adding that customers from neighboring Kate Smith Soirée or Crafted Fair Trade often stop into the Culinary Center afterward.
“The more that businesses in this area can do to support that traffic, support the other businesses, and just support downtown Overland Park as a whole,” he said, “the better off we all are.”
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