SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVES INCREASE GO

Topeka is grateful to Topeka and Shawnee County’s Joint Economic Development Organization for increasing the annual budget for the Small Business Incentives Program from $300,000 to $500,000. This is great news for small businesses in the community looking to make monetary investments in their businesses. Approval for the increased budget was based on several factors, including demand and the focus on impact creation through a competitive application process. For more on the incentive program, visit www.GoTopeka.com/small-business-incentive/.

On June 1, Nadia Arbelo, with the Washburn Small Business Development Center, became interim regional director for the Washburn SBDC, which offices out of the Greater Topeka Partnership. Arbelo's appointment followed the retirement of previous director Karl Klein. A week after being named interim regional director, Arbelo was nominated as the Kansas SBDC State Star. It's an award presented at the annual America's SBDC Conference, which will be held this year in Nashville. The SBDC State Star award honors employees who exhibit exemplary performance, make significant contributions to their state or regional SBDC programs, and show a strong commitment to small business. Arbelo received the most nominee votes from colleagues across Kansas, which consists of six SBDC centers and about 45 employees. Arbelo will accept the honor in Nashville this September. Then, in February, she will have the opportunity to travel with Kansas SBDC's state president and associate state director/CFO to Washington, D.C. as Kansas' State Star, representing the commitment shown to small businesses and to meet with Congressional members and others on Capitol Hill.

2023 Athena Award

Congratulations to Washburn University President Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, the inaugural recipient of the community’s Athena Award. The Athena Award was introduced in 1982 and was presented for the first time locally at The Partnership’s 2023 Annual Meeting. The award is given to a professional woman who leads by example and creates opportunities for other women. This award showcases inspiring examples of leadership in our community and will become an annual award for Topeka moving forward.

Wise Women Mentorship Program

With help from GO Topeka, a new program, WISE Women, was recently launched in USD 501 high schools. The WISE Women Mentorship Program provides mentorship opportunities to high school girls and is designed to engage and inspire young women who are considering careers in STEM fields. Women in the STEM Economy (WISE Women) brings together a consortium of diverse women from all aspects of STEM, who are using their voices and expertise to increase diversity, equity and inclusion within the economic framework of Topeka and Shawnee County. The goal is to build a community of Women in the STEM Economy, whose ideas help drive the conversation regarding women in STEM, underrepresented communities in STEM, and the future of STEM in Topeka and Shawnee County. High schools interested in participating may apply at www. GoTopeka.com/wise-women.