Choose Topeka

• • Choose Topeka is a talent pilot program that will offer up to $15,000 of matching incentives by partnering with
    employers to encourage talent to move to Topeka & Shawnee County. Choose Topeka was created with the
    intention of investing in employees to live and work in the Topeka & Shawnee County, so that we may foster an
    intentional community, and help promote positive population growth.Link: https://choosetopeka.com

Capital Investment

• • Land/Facility – Cash incentives for real property investments may be offered pending scope and size of the project. Incentive is paid upon proof of required investment.
  • Equipment – Cash incentives for equipment investments may be offered pending scope and size of the project. Incentive is paid upon proof of required investment.
  • Infrastructure – GO Topeka may offer to assist in infrastructure costs for necessary improvements such as extension of utility lines and road improvements required for development.

Additional Incentives

• • Training – GO Topeka may offer a training cash incentive as part of the incentive package.
  •  Employment – Based on the scope of the project and the projected average annual salary of the jobs created, GO Topeka may offer an aggressive performance based cash incentive per new job added payable over five years as earned.

                     Link: https://gotopeka.com/incentives

Small Business Incentives Program

• • Marketing Incentive – To incentivize businesses to develop high-quality marketing materials to grow their businesses and generate economic impact. Expenditures require pre-approval.
  • Global Markets Matching Grant – To incentivize businesses to utilize resources for growing their companies through developing international customers for their goods or services and becoming more competitive in international markets with the results of importing dollars into the Topeka and Shawnee County economy.
    Expenditures require pre-approval.
  • Construction and Renovation Incentive – To incentivize construction and renovation projects that will enable businesses to start, expand, or modernize to meet growth objectives or long-term business sustainability. Qualifying expenses must be related to the business’s growth, startup or sustainability, generating economic impact, and become part of the business’s real property. Expenditures require pre-approval.
  • Architect and Design Incentive – To assist businesses that are working with the City of Topeka or Shawnee County to enable construction or renovation projects for business starts and expansions.
  • Equipment Incentive – To incentivize businesses to invest in equipment to help start, expand or modernize production of goods or delivery of services. The incentive is to be used for equipment needed for the production of goods or delivery of services for the industry to which the business belongs and important for the growth, startup or sustainability of the business. Expenditures require pre-approval.
  • Professional Services or Consultancy Directly Related to Commercialization – To incentivize growth-oriented companies that are entering new markets or taking new products to market. Commercialization is the process of bringing new products or services to markets with the aim of achieving large-scale commercial success. Funds are not for general business operating expenses. Expenditures require pre-approval.
  • SBIR Grant Writing Incentive – To incentivize businesses to become competitive at pursing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants and develop Topeka as a hub of innovation. Expenditures require preapproval.
  • SBIR or STTR Matching Grant – To incentivize businesses to apply for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants and to help to develop Topeka as a hub of innovation.
  • Proof of Concept Matching Grant – To incentivize research and development of innovative technologies with large scale commercial market potential by furthering the impact of qualified external funding and to help develop Topeka as a hub of innovation. Expenditures require pre-approval.

                     Link: https://gotopeka.com/small-business-incentives

Topeka/Shawnee County First Opportunity Fund (T/SC FOF)

• • The purpose of the T/SC FOF is to grow the community by helping local businesses create jobs and increase production. T/SC FOF is designed specifically for business owners who want to grow, but who do not qualify for loans at conventional financial institutions.

                     Link: https://gotopeka.com/first-opportunity-fund

Community Improvement Districts (CID)

• • Community Improvement Districts (CID) – CID’s are created to promote, stimulate, and develop the general economic welfare and quality of life in the City of Topeka. A CID involves public financing of all or a portion of a project within the district that provides public benefit such as strengthening economic development and employment opportunities; enhancing tourism; upgrading older real estate through redevelopment or rehabilitation; or promoting sustainability. Currently active CID’s include: Holliday Square, Cross Winds, Cyrus Hotel, SE 29th St, Wheatfield Village, Wanamaker Hills, and Sherwood Crossing.Link: https://www.topeka.org/finance/community-improvement-tax-increment-financing-districts/

Tax Increment Funding Districts (TIF)

• • Tax Increment Funding Districts (TIF) – The City of Topeka has established 4 TIF districts College Hill, Sherwood Crossing, Wheatfield Village and the newly approved Downtown TIF district. TIF’s are put in place to help drive economic development in significant areas across the city. Downtown Topeka, Inc. (DTI) and the City of Topeka establish a Tax Increment Financing District in 2020 encompassing downtown and riverfront area. The City of Topeka recognizes the importance of TIF’s and the value they bring. The link above outline the guidelines, application process, and procedures put in place around TIF’s.Link: https://www.topeka.org/finance/community-improvement-tax-increment-financing-districts/
    Link: https://cot-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/finance/DynamicCoreTif.pdf

Permitting Cost Assistance 

• • Permitting Cost Assistance – Code 109.6 The City of Topeka code allows the City Manager the option to waive fees for economic development projects up to 25%. This assistance is reviewed case by case and is pending on the scope and type of project that is being pursued.Link: https://topeka.municipal.codes/TMC/14.20

COT Utility Reductions

• • COT Utility Reductions – Sewer and water infrastructure improvements may be extended within the Municipal Service Area (MSA), as funds are available through capital improvement funding. Sewer and water rates are charged accordingly based on monthly water consumption. Reductions may be provided up to as much as 25% (on the system fees) for projects promoting economic development, as determined by the City Council. The City storm water fee may be reduced by as much as 40% depending upon showing of storm water best management measures implemented by the property owner to retain 100% of runoff onsite.

Neighborhood Revitalization Program

• • The COT Planning & Development Department administers the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan (NRP), which provides tax rebates to property owners making improvements that raise the appraised value of residential property by 7 | 10% and of commercial property by 20%. The program is intended to promote the revitalization of the City’s Intensive Care/ At Risk neighborhoods and Downtown by creating an incentive for the rehabilitation, conservation, and redevelopment of these areas.Link: https://www.topeka.org/planning/neighborhood-revitalization-plan/

Neighborhood SORT Program

• •  The Stages of Resource Targeting (SORT) program is lead by the City and provides resources to help the recipient neighborhood develop a comprehensive Neighborhood Plan that outlines the current conditions of the neighborhood, identifies goals for the future, create a future land use map, and includes neighborhood-specific elements (e.g., Infrastructure, housing, and other quality of life improvements). SORT funding allows for implementation of the priority infrastructure projects outlined in the Neighborhood Plan.Link: https://www.topeka.org/neighborhoodrelations/community-engagement/neighborhood-sort-program/

Empowerment Grant

• •  The Stage