Local Incentives

Entrepreneurship E-Community Loan

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce administers the Bourbon County E-Community program through NetWork Kansas.  Part of the program is loan funding for entrepreneurial startups or expanding businesses.  The loan process is fairly painless and approved locally by the Loan Approval Committee of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. 

The E-Community program was created through a Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship Tax Credit Program.  It is a project to encourage entrepreneurial activity in the State of Kansas and communities like Fort Scott and Bourbon County.

Qualifying entrepreneurial projects may include startup businesses, as well as existing business purchases and/or expansions.  The minimum loan request is $5,000 with a $45,000 maximum amount available per applicant business (subject to availability). The loans are intended to be gap financing, as 40% of the qualifying project has to be funded by a bank loan or other regional funding source such as a loan through the SEK Regional Prosperity Foundation.

Contact the Chamber with questions or for more information, 620-223-3566, or email information@fortscott.com.

Click here to learn more about Network Kansas and E-Communities.unity through Network Kansas, 

Downtown Building Improvement Grant

This program is currently on hold by the City of Fort Scott - may be reinstituted in the future.

The City of Fort Scott Downtown Building Improvement Grant is to serve as an incentive for full occupancy of buildings in the Historic District by assisting building owners with the financial burden of maintaining and improving the structures. Grant monies will fund 50% of a qualifying improvement project, up to the amount of a building’s current, annual property taxes.

Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) 

City of Fort Scott program for properties within the contiguous city limits.  Property owners who make improvements to their property that result in a valuation increase of at least 15% are eligible for a tax rebate on the increase in property taxes resulting from the improvements.

Residential Rebates

Residential properties are eligible for a 100%, five (5) year rebate on the portion of taxes generated as a result of the improvement if the improvements result in the minimum threshold of a 15% increase in appraised value. Five (5) percent of the rebate is to remain in the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund to cover administrative costs.

Commercial Rebates

Commercial properties are eligible for a 100%, ten (10) year rebate on the portion of taxes generated as a result of the improvement if the improvements result in the minimum threshold of a 15% increase in appraised value. Five percent (5%) of the rebate is to remain in the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund to cover administrative costs.

Historic Rebates

Renovation of any property within a Historic District on the National Historical Register will be eligible for a 100%, fifteen (15) year rebate on the portion of taxes generated as a result of the improvement if the improvements result in the minimum threshold of a 15% increase in appraised value. Five percent (5%) of the rebate is to remain in the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund to cover administrative costs.

Revolving Loan Fund

The purpose of the City of Fort Scott Revolving Loan Fund is to encourage business development and job growth by offering gap financing at low cost to businesses.

BEDCO Economic Development Assistance

BEDCO is currently in an organizational transition and not currently offering forgivable loans - but can offer support of economic development projects during this time.

The Bourbon County Economic Development Council offers forgivable loans based on job creation for new and expanding businesses.  For more information, contact Interim President Gregg Motley at 620-223-1200.