Entrepreneurship (E) Communities

Selected as an E-Community in 2008, Bird City is a small, active, agricultural community located in Cheyenne County (in Northwest Kansas.) Despite its small size (population 482), Bird City continues to pursue a number of progressive projects for the benefit of the community.
Rawlins County (E-community since 2007) is home to a growing group of agricultural producers and hunting and tourism businesses that are developing direct markets to the Rocky Mountain Front Range.
Thomas County was selected as one of the first six E-Communities in 2007. With the goal of developing a new, diversified economy, the people of Thomas County have aggressively invested in infrastructure improvements capable of serving the future needs of new and existing businesses.
One of the first to become an E-Community in 2007, Great Bend is located in Barton County and has past and future ties to the land. Natural resources are the foundation of its vitality, both economically and in terms of quality of life.
In 2007, Kiowa County was devastated by tornadoes, and the county seat and largest city, Greensburg, was almost completely destroyed. In the agonizing months that followed, the residents decided not just to rebuild Greensburg, but to rebuild Greensburg as a model of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Anderson County was one of the first six communities selected to become an Entrepreneurship Community (E-Community) in 2007. It has a diverse culture with strong Amish, German Baptist, and Mennonite heritage within its farming communities.
Selected to become an E-Community during the first round in 2007, Cowley County is a progressive area just south of the Wichita metro area that is poised for growth while preserving its history and natural beauty.
Sterling and Alden were one the first six communities selected to participate in the E-Community program in 2007. This E-Community includes the South Central Kansas cities of Sterling and Alden, both located in Rice County.
The City of Augusta became a NetWork Kansas Entrepreneurship Community (E-Community) in 2008. Augusta is located in Butler County, and has an estimated population of 8,500.
Chase County is a unique and vibrant community for many reasons and became an Entrepreneurship Community (E-Community) in 2008. Located in the heart of the Flint Hills, Chase County is home to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, the only national park in Kansas.
Linn County, an E-Community as of 2008, has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century; the township of Trading Post is thought to be one of the oldest continuously-occupied locations in the state.
Marion, Kansas, the seat of Marion County, became an E-Community in 2008. It was founded June 1860 when settlers in five covered wagons were told by surveyors at Emporia that the best land in the territory was to be found about 60 miles to the southwest.
Hillsboro
Greeley
Scott County
Finney County
Salina
Inman
Pottawatomie County
Osage County

The NetWork Kansas Entrepreneurship (E) Communities Partnership is a partnership with existing communities designed to create a more entrepreneurial environment in each community. By connecting entrepreneurs and existing businesses to resource partners who can help each business with their particular need, entrepreneurs and existing businesses are better prepared to start a business or expand an existing business. NetWork Kansas E-Communities also have local matching funds that serve as match money to loans provided by NetWork Kansas funding partners.

If you are an entrepreneur or existing business owner in one of these communities, click the following tab to find out the following information.

1. E-Community Local Contact.

2. Application Process for Applying for E-Community funds.

3. NetWork Kansas resource partners in each area that can assist with business plan development, incentives for business expansion, and funding partners.