Norton County E-Community / NetWork Kansas

Norton County Named as a NetWork Kansas 2011 Entrepreneurship (E-) Community

Norton County was selected as a 2011 Entrepreneurship (E-) Community and was awarded tax credits that were sold, enabling the Norton County E-Community to establish a loan fund used to assist local businesses. As of January 2020, 19 loans have been made to local businesses. This program has been a great tool to keep the local economy vibrant and growing.

The Norton County Entrepreneurship (E-) Community emphasizes development of community resources to create a flourishing entrepreneurial environment.

The E-Community’s three fundamental principles are:

1. In order for rural and distressed communities to survive, they must grow from within by fostering local leadership.
2. Organizations involved in community development need to empower businesses with the assets they need to succeed, including education, expertise, and economic resources.
3. Diversify and strengthen the county’s economy with new and existing entrepreneurial businesses.

Local representatives from throughout Norton County will serve on the E-Community Leadership Team. This team determines the strategy and vision for the E-Community.

The Financial Review Board will evaluate prospective loan applications from local businesses.

The Norton City/County Economic Development office will provide assistance with the application, and the staff is also available for consultation on starting a new business or expanding an existing business.

Application Process

• Norton City/County Economic Development receives application
• Application verified as complete
• Application is distributed to the Leadership Team for review and recommendation
• Application is distributed to the Financial Review Board for loan determination
• Applicant interview may be scheduled for additional information
• Approved loan application submitted to Northwest Kansas Planning & Development for loan administration
• Approved applicants notified
• Denied applicants notified by letter with reason of denial

Norton County E-Community Contact

Mike Posson, Executive Director

Norton City/County Economic Development

205 S State Street

Norton, KS 67654

785.874.4816

nortoned@nortoncountyks.gov

NetWork Kansas E-Community Summary

A NetWork Kansas Entrepreneurship Community has made a commitment to cultivate an entrepreneurial environment by identifying and developing resources to help local entrepreneurs start or grow businesses. An E-Community has a locally controlled loan fund to assist entrepreneurs with capital and connectivity to resources to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses.

About NetWork Kansas:

NetWork Kansas was established as a component of the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to further entrepreneurship and small business growth as a priority for economic and community development in the State of Kansas. Backed by more than 480 partners statewide, the NetWork Kansas service promotes an entrepreneurial environment by connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the expertise, education and economic resources they need in order to succeed. For more information about NetWork Kansas, visit www.networkkansas.com, or call 877.521.8600.

To learn more about the E-Community Partnership, Contact:

Erik Pedersen, Director of E-Communities
epedersen@networkkansas.com
316.425.8841

Strategic Planning/Strategic Doing

In late 2014, community leaders from all entities met to discuss community needs, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses in order to create a comprehensive community strategy. The Norton County community continues to plan and implement positive changes throughout the county based on the Strategic Doing process which involves annual community input and implementation planning sessions. Projects identified through this planning process receive vital funding through the Norton County Community Foundation's - Community Grant Funding Program. The 2015, 2016 and 2017 Community Needs summary worksheets are available here. Community participants in the annual Strategic Doing process are provided annual updates on the many investments and positive community impacts that have been implemented each year.

All files are saved in the PDF format. If you have difficulty viewing the documents, please contact the Norton City/County Economic Development office at nortoned@nortoncountyks.gov or call 785.874.4816.