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, 

GROW KS Loans through the Chamber/NetWork Kansas

Rural/Urban Distressed, Minority/Women-Led Starter Loans, Community Asset, Target Sector Loans .

Application would be completed and submitted to the Chamber for approval by our local loan committee.

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 95% (100% less 5% retained for administrative costs), 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. 

Commercial Rebates

Commercial properties are eligible for a 95%, 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 95%, 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.