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
Continue ReadingTOPEKA RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE TOP 20 HOTTEST CITIES IN THE U.S. FOR GEN Z RENTERS
TOPEKA EARNED A SPOT ON RENTCAFÉ’S LIST OF TOP 20 CITIES FOR GEN-Z RENTERS IN 2020 Topeka was ranked among the top 20 most popular cities in the U.S. for Gen Z renters in 2020, according to a report published last week by RENTCafé, an online listing website for rental properties. Nearly 3 million renter applications were analyzed as part of this study, 22% were from applicants born after 1997 — also known as Generation Z, or Gen Z. The oldest of this demographic would have turned 23 in 2020. The Greater Topeka Partnership, the region’s leading collaborative economic development agency, sees this recognition as a testament to the benefits Topeka offers young… Read More
Continue ReadingHOLISTIC COMMUNITY STRATEGY, MOMENTUM 2022, ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY SURVEY KEY FINDINGS
Today the Greater Topeka Partnership announced the findings of the Momentum 2022 annual community survey. Titled “Back 2 Momentum” the survey conducted between August and December of 2020 assessed the community’s priorities at the halfway point of the Momentum 2022 strategy that began in 2018. Available in English and Spanish, the organization received 2,165 responses. The key recommendations from the community survey include the need to address enhancements in education, economic development, quality of life, and diversity. “Key findings include the continued focus on small business support and entrepreneurial initiatives; with regard to education, there was a desire for more career preparedness offerings,” said Michelle Cuevas-Stubblefield, senior vice president of strategy, Greater Topeka Partnership. “There was also a need for more diversity and collaboration.” Other key findings include the noted lack of… Read More
Continue ReadingFORGE YOUNG TALENT ANNOUNCES 2021 FORGE LEADERSHIP TEAM CHAIR AND CHAIR-ELECT
Forge Young Talent is pleased to announce that Del-Metrius Herron, realtor with Keller Williams Realtor Partners, LLC, and Justin Moore, principal at Royal Valley USD 337, have assumed the roles of the 2021 Forge Chair and Chair-Elect, respectively. These roles support Forge’s Leadership Team, a volunteer base that leads many of Forge’s initiatives (referred to as “Herds”). “I am thrilled to have both Del-Metrius and Justin representing Forge in their new roles. I know they will elevate the organization while also helping to propel us forward in 2021 and beyond,” remarked Kelli Maydew, executive director of Forge. “The Topeka community is extremely lucky to have these two, and I am looking forward… Read More
Continue Reading40TH ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS UNTIL MARCH 12
The Greater Topeka Partnership’s Small Business Council, GO Topeka’s Minority and Women Business Development and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce are seeking nominees for the 40th Annual Small Business Awards Presented by Envista. The event recognizes small businesses that have made significant contributions to the Topeka community through demonstrated excellence in the following categories: Emerging Entrepreneur Award Non-profit Award of Distinction Minority Owned Business of Distinction Women Owned Business of Distinction Innovation Award Capital City Business of Distinction Nomination forms and category descriptions are available online at www.topekapartnership.com/work/2021-small-business-awards/. Submissions will be received through March 12, 2021. This year’s Small Business Awards Luncheon and ceremony is set for Tuesday, May 11, 11 a.m. at the… Read More
Continue Reading‘CHOOSE TOPEKA’ EXTENDED WITH FUNDING INTO 2021
GO Topeka, a Greater Topeka Partnership organization, announced that the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) approved the extension of the Choose Topeka Relocation Initiative Incentive, allotting $300,000 in incentives meant to attract specialized talent to move to the Capital City. Additionally, 40% of this amount will be allotted to the remote workers arm of the incentive program. Recipients of these incentives are eligible to receive a maximum of $15,000 to be used in their moving expenses. In its first year, Choose Topeka attracted 40 workers and created a $3.2 million regional economic impact. To date, 40 people making average wages of $80,000 per year participated in the program, relocating from cities across… Read More
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TOPEKA WINS BEST CITIES FOR NEW HOME BUYERS AWARD
Topeka is the recipient of a 2021 Insurify’s Best Cities for New Homebuyers Award in Kansas. Cities were evaluated on real estate demand, employment levels, public school enrollment, and driver and pedestrian safety. The Greater Topeka Partnership, the region’s leading collaborative economic development agency, sees this recognition as a major lure to visitors and talent looking to move to the area. “Finding the right community to call home is everything – especially when looking for your first home. From its easily accessible amenities to positive drivers scores, and multiple other benefits, the Topeka community has so much to offer people who are starting this incredibly pivotal part of their lives,” says Barbara… Read More
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