Lending Programs

The Chamber provides access to funding through micro loan programs and programs to assist small businesses through the Small Business Administration (SBA). So far, the programs have created or retained 185 jobs and have issued 38 loans totaling $827,500. DBE programs are funded by the one-half cent economic development sales tax.

Of the 38 micro loans issued since November 2002, only three have been written off, says Thomas Officer, loan manager. This less-than-8% failure rate is much lower than the 50% rate the SBA (Small Business Administration) predicts for small-business failures. Officer attributes the Chamber/GO Topeka's high success rate to the educational services provided by the Chamber/GO Topeka, Washburn University's Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and SCORE are housed at the Chamber to offer assistance for small businesses or individuals wanting to start or expand a business.

• First Connection Opportunity Fund
• SBA Loans

The Chamber gave me a jump start. They gave me the small loan I needed, not only to expand my business, but to establish credit for my business.
--Josh Gorrell, Kansas Audio Video