Franklin County eCommunity is a non-governmental organization (NGO) devoted to the growth of entrepreneurship & small businesses in our community

eCommunity Loans

The Franklin County eCommunity, with Network Kansas, helps local entrepreneurs and small businesses access affordable gap financing to start, purchase, expand, or strengthen businesses. Since 2022, over a dozen businesses have used the program, deploying more than $500,000 locally. These funds provide gap financing alongside a bank or approved lender, not in place of it.

Loans up to $50,000

Fixed interest rates starting at:

4% for 1–5 year terms

6% for 6–10 year terms

Gap financing helps cover project costs beyond traditional lender funding.

Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) is an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to develop and showcase a business, product, or service idea. Whether they already have a business or are starting with an idea, YEC provides a hands-on approach to help students learn about entrepreneurship, business planning, and presenting their ideas.

The competition consists of four components:

• Executive Summary: Explain your business idea, what you offer, who your customers are, etc.
• Trade Show: Create a booth or display to showcase your business and interact with members of the community.
• Elevator Pitch: Give a brief, engaging pitch that introduces your business idea and explains its potential.
• Presentation: Give the judges a more detailed look at your business, including how you plan to make it successful.

The first-place winner will receive $1,000 and the opportunity to compete at the state level for additional prizes. Students do not need to have a complete business or have everything figured out prior to registering. YEC is designed to help students develop and gain valuable real-world entrepreneurial experiences along the way.