Special to the Leader & Times
Lt. Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced Wednesday the official launch of the Kansas Small Business Office. The division is dedicated to empowering small businesses across the state with the resources, connections and support they need to prosper, serving as a vital link between entrepreneurs and state government.
“While large corporations relocating or expanding in Kansas tend to grab the headlines, we fully acknowledge small businesses are key drivers of our state’s robust economy,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “With the creation of this new division, we are committing resources to double down on that growth.”
The focus is warranted, as more than 99 percent of all businesses in Kansas are small businesses.
The Kansas Small Business Office consolidates key Commerce resources and creates a centralized point of contact in state government for entrepreneurs navigating business development, certifications, permitting, capital access, mentorship and more. One of the office’s unique offerings will be ConnectKS, a new online platform that will simplify access to business resources statewide. Powered by EcoMap, ConnectKS is designed to help entrepreneurs, small business owners and ecosystem builders connect with programs, funding opportunities, support organizations and events.
The platform provides a real-time, searchable database of resources available across the Kansas entrepreneurial ecosystem. The digital hub is tailored to meet the needs of users at every stage of business development.
“The Kansas Small Business Office is making it easier than ever for Kansans to find the resources they need to start and grow a business,” Kansas Small Business Office Director Taylor Overton said. “Whether launching a first venture or scaling a successful company, our office provides clarity, connectivity and confidence to our Kansas businesses.”
For more information about the Kansas Small Business Office, visit https://www.kansascommerce.gov/small-business-and-entrepreneurship/.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
