Local Incentives

Downtown Building Improvement Grant

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.

Downtown Paint Grant

Private grant funded by Steve and Elaine Buerge to help downtown building owners spruce up their building facades with a fresh coat of paint.  The grant covers the cost of paint up to $500.  

BEDCO Economic Development Assistance

The Bourbon County Economic Development Council offers forgivable loans based on job creation for new and expanding businesses.  For more information, contact Steve Buerge at 620-224-8411.

Entrepreneurship E-Community Loan

New in 2019!

Bourbon County was selected as a new E-Community through Network Kansas, click here for the June 2019 press release, click here to learn more about Network Kansas and E-Communities.

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 Bourbon County E-Community loan application is in the process of being finalized and approved by the Leadership Team.  A draft application may be found here.