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
Continue ReadingGreater Topeka Partnership CEO Celebrates Five Year Anniversary
The Greater Topeka Partnership is pleased to share that today marks CEO Matt Pivarnik’s five year anniversary with the economic development organization. Pivarnik, a Tulsa, Oklahoma native, previously served as the executive vice president and COO for the Tulsa’s Future Economic Development Organization, Tulsa Regional Chamber, Visit Tulsa, Tulsa’s Young Professionals, Tulsa Sports Commission, Tulsa Film and Music Commission and the Tulsa Small Business Connection. “This anniversary marks so much more than starting a new job in Topeka. It represents the anniversary of my family joining this community. This leadership position has allowed me to meet amazing people and participate in the growing momentum we’ve seen in Topeka,” said Pivarnik. “This community… Read More
Continue ReadingThe GTP Moves to Crosby Building
New year, new home! After months of planning, the Greater Topeka Partnership will be putting down roots on the fifth and sixth floors of the Crosby Building, 719 S Kansas Avenue. That’s right! The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, GO Topeka, Downtown Topeka Inc, Visit Topeka and Forge will be under the same roof. And we couldn’t be more excited! Moving will take place in two stages. The Visit Topeka offices will relocated on December 14, and the remaining organizations will be moving on December 20. The transition to the new location should be complete by the beginning of the new year. We are thrilled about our new home and… Read More
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GTP Hires Senior Vice President of Innovation
Topeka, KS, August 2, 2018– Katrin Holzhaus has accepted the position of Senior Vice President of Innovation with the Greater Topeka Partnership and 712 Innovations. Ms. Holzhaus is an accomplished leader and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in operational execution, project management, and financial accountability. Focused on early-stage startups and small businesses with high growth potential, she most recently worked closely with CEOs and their senior management teams to achieve medium-term and long-term growth objectives by establishing systems, processes and metrics that keep the business performing at its peak, help attract the right talent, and become an attractive target for investors. Ms. Holzhaus has held a number of… Read More
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