Spotlighting eCommunities Montgomery County
Elements of a thriving eCommunity
2. Drive
1. Vision
Montgomery County exemplifies the three traits of a thriving eCommunity. Their connections to the program can be traced back to 2006, when Jim Correll, creator of the Innovative Business Resource Center (IBRC), attended one of the first town hall meetings hosted by Network Kansas. Montgomery County has been an eCommunity since 2013. IBRC’s approach of using an experienced, personal touch to connect businesses with essential financial resource and entrepreneurship programs helped accelerate engagement in the Montgomery County eCommunity. The program has provided more than $2 million in gap financing to more than 50 businesses. IBRC boasts one of the most resilient eCommunity portfolios in the state, with below-average delinquency rates and above-average businesses that have paid off their loans in full.
3. Capacity
Perhaps the best explanation for the significant number of successful entrepreneurs in Montgomery County is IBRC’s own entrepreneurial efforts, including a partnership with Network Kansas to raise funds through the Entrepreneurship Tax Credit. In the past five years, IBRC has received more than $230,000 in partner grant funds to help equip entrepreneurs. The IBRC-Network Kansas partnership has enabled businesses to gain the knowledge, talent, and capital they need to succeed. The result is a resilient business network, providing community and economic benefits to Montgomery County. IBRC’s use of the tax credit partnership created a strong foundation for providing essential financial resources, valuable relationships, expert knowledge, and experience to Montgomery County entrepreneurs for years to come.
Montgomery County Programs Pioneered the Maker Space Bootcamp
Funded entrepreneurs to attend Destination Bootcamp
Offered the Entrepreneurial Mindset class
Launched the Life Skills Academy
Hosted the SE Kansas Foodpreneur Bootcamp
9 13
Celebrating
years