Rightfully Sewn awarded first government grant to expand workforce development effort

Jennifer Lapka, Rightfully Sewn, photo courtesy of Rightfully Sewn

A $25,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration is expected to help push Rightfully Sewn closer to its goal of community impact through seamstress training. The Crossroads-based venture — with its glimmering atelier focused on economic development via the fashion industry — was among 12 winners of the SBA’s Makerspace Training, Collaboration and Hiring…

Read More

Is government helping startups enough? Founders feel isolated, Kauffman survey finds

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation startup growth

Early stage entrepreneurs struggle with the technical steps to getting started, a new Kauffman survey found, and founders don’t believe the government is helping them. The prevailing sentiment that entrepreneurs view themselves as isolated from assistance is understandable, said Melissa Roberts, vice president of strategy and economic development at the Enterprise Center in Johnson County.…

Read More

Bill to boost veteran entrepreneurship advances

Federal legislation that allows veterans to use their G.I. Bill benefits to launch a business is finding traction with lawmakers. Introduced by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., the Veterans Entrepreneurial Transition Act of 2015 has unanimously advanced through its originating committee and was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Monday. The bill — S. 1870 — would allow…

Read More

KC joins White House in “Startup in a Day” effort

Kansas City has joined a national effort to streamline the process of registering and licensing a new business for entrepreneurs. The City of Fountains has pledged to the White House and Small Business Administration to make launching a business an easier process via the “Startup in a Day” initiative. “Navigating the maze of licensing and…

Read More