North Central Kansas Rural Development Initiative

This program has been made possible by the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004. Project funding arises from donations made to NCKCN, the region’s 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to community development, by individuals and businesses having a state income tax obligation in exchange for Kansas state tax credits. Kansas Department of Commerce administers the overall program at the state level.

How Do I Apply?

To apply for funding, please submit a detailed letter and supportive documentation to the North Central Kansas Rural Development Initiative. It must address the following:

Who You Are

• Organization name;
• Brief history; and,
• Examples of Past projects (if applicable)

Project Description

• Purpose of the project;
• Goals of the project; and,
• Specifically what the funding will provide

Total Detailed Budget – Including all sources and uses of funds

Who Else is Committed to Providing Funding – Provide written commitments of that

When Funding is Needed

If the project is determined to be qualified and of benefit to all or part of the region, additional information may be required.

When May I Apply?

The program currently accepts requests for funding at any time. Keep in mind projects that are deemed worthy of receiving funds will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis .

Who is Eligible for Funding?

Any project serving business sector or directly or indirectly creating businesses and employment in the following counties: Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Geary, Jewell, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Mitchell, Morris, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Saline, Wabaunsee, and Washington.

Cities, counties, and non-profits are eligible to receive grants or loans or combinations thereof. $50,000 is the maximum grant available for these entities. A low or no-interest loan project example is a small infrastructure upgrade to support business developments or expansions.

No direct granting of funds will occur to for-profit enterprises. Low-interest loans are possible. In most instances, for-profit businesses are eligible for no more than $50,000 in loans or equity injections or combinations thereof. NCRPC has a checklist of loan documentation it will provide for these types of projects.

All entities must show proof of organization existence and documentation of its status through the Kansas Secretary of State office.

Matching sources of funding at or greater than the funding request are desired in all cases. Therefore, written proof of such matching funds is encouraged in order to better ensure a commitment from the tax credit initiative.

Not all projects may qualify for funding even if the applicant is eligible to apply. Examples include a large city/county infrastructure involving significant job creation or retention that is otherwise qualified under federal or state programs. Similarly, for-profit businesses must be able to prove they are not eligible to receive bank financing. If you have questions about whether or not your project does qualify, please contact the NCRPC to discuss your situation. Office staff might know of other funding sources to underwrite your project.

What Type of Projects are Eligible for Funding?

Projects must be able to exhibit some regional impact and/or appeal. Categories under which projects may be funded include:

• Leadership Development
• Business Service / Technology Access or Development
• Job Creation/Retention

To aid possible applicants the review committee offers the following as examples of the types of projects most likely to receive funding in each category

Leadership Development

• Reaching broader audiences with particularly emphasis on crossing typical geographic boundaries
• Exposing citizens to a broader, deeper understanding of leadership models and particular leadership in the regional context
• Development of a skill set amongst residents that is transferable to other situations or problems
• Activity that includes or targets the attraction and development of youth and/or new leaders
• Focus on government or non-profit leadership

Business Service/Technology Access or Development

• Benefit provided to more than one business
• Experimentation with new, emerging or advancing technology that shows promise for future benefit
• Application of technology in a new way
• Development of a model for applying technology that is transferable to other industries
• Technology that is critical to business retention or expansion
• Application of technology that facilitates access to new markets

Job Creation/Retention

• Businesses developing a new product or service not yet widely available
• Project development that is likely to be a growing industry or market and has potential to continue to generate additional employment
• Business that is likely to spin-off benefits to other businesses in the region
• Jobs created or retained paying 150% or higher than the current median wage for the area
• Projects meeting some or all of the above criteria that are unable to access sufficient traditional finances

What is the Review Process?

Requests for amounts less than $15,000 can typically be approved with staff review, usually within 30 days of receipt. Requests for amounts at or more than $15,000 require board review, which in most cases can occur within 60 days of receipt. Once approved, you will receive a letter of award and/or contract.

Where Do I Send My Application Letter?

Letters may be sent to the following:

North Central Kansas Rural Development Initiative
Attn: Doug McKinney, NCRPC Director
or Deb Carlson Ohlde, Assistant Director
109 N. Mill Street, P.O. Box 565
Beloit, KS 67420

Need More Information?

Contact Doug McKinney electronically at dmckinney@nckcn.com , Debra Carlson Ohlde, Assistant Director, electronically at dcohlde@nckcn.com , or Debra Peters, Business Finance Manager, electronically at dpeters@nckcn.com or at 785-738-2218.

More questions? Check our Frequently Asked Questions Page