Today the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) board approved an incentive agreement to aid in the growth and expansion of Mercury Broadband. GO Topeka confirmed that the expansion, previously referred to as “Project Gateway,” is expected to produce up to 168 new full-time jobs, with an average yearly wage of $43,000, including benefits, over the next five years. The total economic impact expected in the next 10 years is $520 million with a return on investment of 712%. “The field of technology is always growing, especially within the arena of internet service. With this incentive we hope to dramatically increase our staff and provide specialized training so that they may… Read More
Continue ReadingJ-SIX ENTERPRISES TO EXPAND IN TOPEKA & SHAWNEE COUNTY; EXPECTED ECONOMIC IMPACT OF $150M
Today the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) board approved an incentive agreement to aid in the growth and expansion of J-Six Enterprises, Parent Company of Fairview Mills. GO Topeka confirmed that the expansion, previously referred to as “Project Central,” is expected to produce up to 50 new full-time jobs, with an average yearly wage of $40,000, including benefits, over the next five years. Capital investment includes building and facility expenditures and employee training programs of $9.5 million. The total economic impact expected in the next 10 years is $150 million. “I want to take a moment to thank JEDO and GO Topeka for all the support they’ve given us thus… Read More
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NOW ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE 2021 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS
The Greater Topeka Partnership is happy to announce the winners of the 2021 Small Business Awards! This year we recognized local small businesses, a nonprofit agency and an entrepreneur for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the Topeka & Shawnee County community. These award recipients include: Emerging Entrepreneur of Distinction Award Dialogue Coffee – Caitlyn Halsey, Owner Dialogue Coffee House has been in business for two years and operates with a staff of intellectually and developmentally disabled adults. Non-Profit Award of Distinction Capper Foundation – Jim Leiker, CEO Capper Foundation serves individuals of all ages living with disabilities-intellectual, physical, developmental, and behavioral – with medically based pediatric therapies for the infants through young adults and day/residential services… Read More
Continue ReadingHOST PROGRAM CLOSES HAVING DISTRIBUTED OVER $1 MILLION IN SHAWNEE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF
The Greater Topeka Partnership’s and GO Topeka’s HOST Relief Program expended its funding in April 2021, after distributing more than $1 million in public and private relief to Shawnee County Small Businesses since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the program’s kickoff in late March 2020, a total of $1,247,410 was distributed to 350 small businesses through HOST private donation or public grants. HOST, or Helping Others Support Topeka, was created to provide emergency, recovery funding for local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Throughout the pandemic, Topeka proved itself to be a survivor,” said Scott Hunsicker, lead HOST organizer and owner/president of Kansas Financial Resources, Inc. “This community… Read More
Continue ReadingBRING BACK THE BOULEVARD RECEIVES $5K WORTH OF DONATIONS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES
To date, a taskforce under the Momentum 2022 strategy, “Bring Back the Boulevard,” has received $5,000 in donations from South Topeka businesses who are in support of the initiative and progress put forth by the group. Donations were made to Bring Back the Boulevard’s Keep America Beautiful 501c(3). Donor businesses include Heartland Motorsports Park; JC Entertainment, LLC; Thunder Over the Heartland, LLC; SunFlower Paving; and Vaerus Aviation, Inc. Bring Back the Boulevard is made up of local volunteers; the group meets Momentum’s strategic objective 2.3.2: “Continue to improve gateways into Topeka-Shawnee County, particularly those connecting the community to population centers.” For the entire list of strategic objectives, visit https://www.topekapartnership.com/mo22/mo22-objectives/. “The donations we have… Read More
Continue ReadingWALL STREET JOURNAL AND REALTOR.COM RANK TOPEKA AS BEST EMERGING HOUSING MARKET IN KANSAS
The Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com released its Emerging Housing Markets Index, ranking Topeka as the number one housing market in Kansas. A collaborative effort on the part of both entities, the index ranks metro areas according to real-estate market data, economic health and quality of life. Topeka ranked in the top 20 percent of American metros, #57 of 300 evaluated. “The Wall Street Journal collaborated with Realtor.com to rank which housing markets are expected to provide both a strong return on investment—and are a nice place to live,” wrote David M Ewald, Wall Street Journal. “While other market-by-market comparisons focus only on housing metrics, the WSJ/Realtor.com Emerging Housing Markets Index also looks… Read More
Continue Reading2021 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Today, the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council and GO Topeka’s Women & Minority Business Development program announced the finalists in six award categories for the 40th Annual Small Business Awards. “These local businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofits have gone above and beyond to provide excellent service in their community,” said Dr. Amber Beckley, chair of the Small Business Council. “Although there will only be one award recipient per category, each of the nominated finalists serve as models in their own recognized categories.” The award categories and finalists are: Capital City Business of Distinction – An individual who owns 51 percent of a small business and is responsible for the principal operations… Read More
Continue ReadingTOP CITY INTERNS 2021 PROGRAM TO COMMENCE IN JUNE
The 2021 Top City Interns program will return for its fifth year on June 1 with a kickoff celebration at Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center. In all, 70 in-person interns and a total of 200 interns will be working throughout the summer. Presently, 18 different Topeka area companies are involved. At the June 1 kickoff event, interns will gather to socialize, learn more about Topeka, and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Zoo from Director Brendan Wiley. With this and other Top City Intern events occurring throughout the summer, interns will be able to witness Topeka’s quality of life while also gaining professional and social experiences. “We believe internships are not only… Read More
Continue ReadingJEDO SMALL BUSINESS GRANT RELIEF PROGRAM TO PROVIDE AID TO LOCAL BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY PANDEMIC
The Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) and GO Topeka announced today that Shawnee County small businesses may now apply for funds through the JEDO Small Business Grant Relief Program. The JEDO Small Business Grant Relief Program is a grant program of GO Topeka and JEDO to provide relief to businesses suffering financial losses due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Grants range from $5,000-$30,000 and are dependent on the small business’ employee count. “There are still a large number of our local small businesses that are deeply hurting because of the effects of the pandemic,” said Glenda Washington, senior vice president of the women & minority business development program, GO Topeka. “These grants will ensure that they… Read More
Continue ReadingINAUGURAL DOWNTOWN TOPEKA RESTAURANT WEEK TO HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY PANDEMIC
Downtown Restaurant Week, presented by Downtown Topeka Inc. and AIM Strategies LLC, will be serving up special menu items and discounts to patrons from April 14 to 28. The purpose of this inaugural event is to help benefit Downtown Topeka restaurants who suffered financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Downtown Restaurant Week promises to be a benefit for all,” said Rhiannon Friedman, president of Downtown Topeka Inc. More people will have the opportunity to try out these fantastic downtown dining establishments and, in doing so, they’ll be able to help inject some much-needed capital into these local businesses that were severely impacted by the pandemic.” “We are ready to continue the… Read More
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