Small Business Incentives
Project RISE
Small Business Incentives
Project RISE
The City of Roeland Park is excited to offer new incentives through the City’s Business Development initiative Project RISE. Designed for businesses with 10 or fewer employees, these small business incentives offer a range of assistance to help foster growth, promote local entrepreneurship, and enhance the vibrancy of business in the City. This pilot program represents an exciting opportunity for Roeland Park’s diverse and local small business community.
- Incentives available to existing small businesses include sponsored chamber memberships for one year for new chamber members and sponsored participation in select chamber leadership development programs.
- Incentives available for incoming small businesses include microgrants of up to $2,000 for qualified expenses.
- Incentives available for incoming small businesses also include city licensing/permitting fee waivers.
- Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis and are subject to budget availability and eligibility requirements.
- Please note that you need to have a Roeland Park Business License to qualify for a Microgrant or incentive unless you are applying for a business license fee waiver. Don’t have a business license, no worries! Sign up here.
Ready to Get Started?
Available Incentives
Below is a list of incentives available to new and existing small businesses through Project RISE. Expand the sections below to learn more.
Those who apply, can join the Northeast Johnson County Chamber, the Hispanic Chamber, the Black Chamber, or the LGBTQ Chamber for one year as part of a sponsorship from the City of Roeland Park. Those who are accepted commit to being an active participant in Chamber related functions and events to ensure they are gaining the maximum benefit possible from their membership.
This is open to Leadership NEJC through the Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce or the Metzler Mentorship Program through the Mid-America LGBT Chamber. To qualify, the individual must be a business owner or local on-site manager for the small business. Only one participant per business is permitted every three years. Priority will go to local businesses (non-chains) and those that identify as a Diverse Business Entity. A Diverse Business Entity is a business where at least 51% of the ownership, operation and control of the business is by members of a socially or economically disadvantaged group. This includes ownership by one more: minority racial group, women, veterans, disabled individuals, or a member of the LGBTQ community. Please keep in mind that each leadership program runs on different timelines. For example, the next Leadership NEJC will start in 2026 and the Metzler Program runs June 2025 to May 2026 with applications due May 2025.
The City will provide a microgrant for small businesses with a retail storefront in Roeland Park for assistance with purchases that would advance their business needs. Grants will be up to $2,000 each. This include but will not be limited to:
- Marketing assistance
- Employee training
- Business software or hardware purchase
- Consultant assistance with legal, human resources, accounting, etc.
- Physical improvements to the retail space
- Security upgrades to hardware/software
- Building Permits for Tenant Finish/new construction: The City will discount tenant finish new construction permits up to $1,000.
- Sign Permits: The City will waive the fee for sign permits for new small businesses.
- Business Licenses: Business license fees for the first year will be waived.
