Topeka earns grant to encourage minority businesses

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The City of Topeka announced on Tuesday that it had been awarded $30,000 to assist minority businesses and entrepreneurs.

The City of Topeka was awarded $15,000 to encourage minority businesses to make commitments to contract with anchors, institutions like the city, state agencies, hospitals and universities. Funding comes from the city's participation in the City Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE) program.

The remaining $15,000 will encourage entrepreneurship from Topeka's Hispanic and Latin American citizens.

The goal of the CIE program is to encourage cities to create the right policies, programs and practices that drive inclusive, entrepreneurship-led economic growth in their respective communities. By making these two public commitments, the City of Topeka is creating a shared vision for local stakeholders to rally around, positioning itself as an active leader in the innovation economy in Topeka, and highlighting the opportunity for partners to connect with us to help everyone reach a shared goal.

Excerpt from a City of Topeka press release.

A city spokesperson said the city is planning to offer educational resources to small and diverse business owners.

"In order to encourage more Hispanic community members to explore entrepreneurship opportunities, the city will work towards reducing barriers and promoting opportunities to create a more vibrant and diverse business community in Topeka," the press release said.

For more information on the CIE program, click here.

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