Entrepreneurship
Equitable Entrepreneurship
Douglas County provides annual funding to assist minority for-profit businesses and non-profit entities looking to obtain funding for business projects. This no-match program was created to increase more equitable access to funding for historically/systemically marginalized entrepreneurs. To learn more about this program visit the Diversify Douglas County website.
In February 2023, Douglas County participated in the Forward Cities E3 Nation Tour, which was designed as a 3-day comprehensive, interactive experience, featuring workshops, Town Halls, and guided discussion of equity-centered entrepreneurial ecosystems. This engagement was funded by a $35,000 ARPA grant from Douglas County, with additional funding from the City of Lawrence, Douglas County Community Foundation, the Lawrence Chamber, and Network Kansas.
The most significant outcome of the E3 Nation Tour was the creation of the Entrepreneur Listening Project (ELP). The ELP was designed to document and elevate the stories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs in Douglas County, with the goal of influencing local decision-making, policy development and resource allocation.
A key component of the ELP was to capture stories of entrepreneur experiences in our community through a video. The video, which includes translation from non-English speaking interviewees, is designed to spark discussions on systemic barriers and opportunities for real change.
The ELP included representatives from Douglas County, City of Lawrence, KU Small Business Development Center, Douglas County CORE, under the leadership of local entrepreneur, Nicole Rials. Additional support to facilitate project completion, including the video, was provided by Forward Cities.