1. CloudCorp- Cloud County Economic Development
Ashley Hutchinson, Executive Director

2. Who we serve For Profit Corporation
Contract with the City of Concordia and Cloud County
Funded 1/3 through the city, 1/3 through the county, and 1/3 through private contributors
County Population 9200, city population is 5200

3. My Topic Areas
Small Business Development
Downtown Development

4. Small Business Development

5. Small Business Development

6. Our Goals Create wealth locally
Keep the investment in Cloud County even if the business fails
Increase valuation of the county
Fix our aging downtowns

7. Largest Small Business Grant in Kansas

8. Rules Application and interview process. Mentorship component
Funds can only be used to build new or renovate an existing building.
Funds can only be used on permanent improvements
Funds must be used within a year.
Can fund 50% of the total project costs up to $50,000

9. Results 29 new businesses or existing business expansions
Projects in 5 out of the 6 municipalities
17 Projects to improve downtown buildings in 5 municipalities- restoring structural integrity
$600,000 awarded
83% of grant funds spent with local vendors
Total project costs: $4,264,696.58

10. My Favorites

12. Downtown Development

13. Downtown Problems Clear out at night Empty Storefronts
Buildings too costly to improve

14. Solutions we’ve adopted
Encourage and promote downtown living
Incentivize building owners to improve (Get in the Cloud, Downtown Improvement Program)
Encourage small businesses that:
Don’t sell stuff you can buy cheaper on the internet
Be an EXPERIENCE- Bar and entertainment district
Create a walkable downtown and events that bring people to where the businesses are