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KCSourceLink’s resource partners can help you find new customers and new markets, whether want to expand your service line or your circle of influence.
Tap the expertise of our Resource Partners for help with
Tap the expertise of our Resource Partners for help with
Social media networking
Freight and distribution
Check ClassLink for information on upcoming workshops from our resource partners.
Call us or use the Resource Navigator to find the right resource, right now. Or check in with the resource partners listed below.
Regional chambers of commerce are a great way to connect with the issues, businesses, vendors, and customers in your community.
Many of our area’s chambers host networking events and give business owners and their employees access to educational resources. Membership fees and the variety and scope of activities vary.
Use the Resource Navigator to find your community’s chamber of commerce right now.
Chambers represent most of Kansas City’s communities, from Independence to Olathe. Business owners can also tap the resources and networking muscle of these groups:
Government and corporate contracts back to top
Why court government contracts? Because the government is a good customer. In fact, it’s the world's largest. They buy everything and spend billions. And because of the Small Business Act, part of those sales are reserved for small businesses.
The path to becoming a government contractor, however, is paved with a long road of registrations and certifications.
KCSourceLink’s resource partners can help you
- Register your business through the Central Contractor's Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA).
- Navigate state, county, and city registration requirements and processes.
- Determine if you’re eligible as a minority- or women-owned business, a small disadvantaged business, service-disabled veteran-owned business, or 8(a), or if you fall into a historically underutilized business zone.
- Find and bid on government and corporate contracts.
Government Contracts
Heartland Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Who: Business owners in southwest Missouri and Kansas
What: The Heartland PTAC helps viable businesses with potential market expansion through government contracts.
Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Who: Missouri business owners interested in government procurement
What: MO PTAC assists businesses — including small, disadvantaged and women-owned firms — in obtaining federal, state, and local government contracts.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Great Kansas City
Who: Hispanic business owners
What: HCC’s programming ranges from business planning, advertising, sales and marketing, procurement, and certification processes.
Kansas Department of Transportation
Who: Any business interested in local transportation contracts
What: The site provides information for prospective vendors, contractors, and consultants.
Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Purchasing Division
What: The site outlines the process for business that want to bid on contracts from the Kansas City, Kansas government.
Local Certifications
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Great Kansas City
Who: Hispanic business owners
What: HCC’s programming ranges from business planning, advertising, sales and marketing, procurement, and certification processes.
Office of Minority and Women Business Development
Kansas Department of Commerce
Who: Minority and women business owners in Kansas
What: The commerce administers the Kansas Statewide Certification Program, which helps women and minority businesses become certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and Women Business Enterprise (WBE). They also help with procurement, contracting and subcontracting, financing, and business management.
Kansas Department of Transportation
Who: Any business interested in local transportation contracts
What: The site provides information for prospective vendors, contractors, and consultants.
MidAmerica Minority Business Development Council
Who: Minority business owners
What: MAMBDC helps enhance the growth and development of minority-owned business enterprises (MBEs) through participation in private and public sector procurement programs.
Missouri Department of Transportation
Who: Any business interested in bidding on highways
What: The site outlines how to become a MoDOT vendor or consultant and offers resources for contractors.
Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity
State of Missouri Contract Compliance
Who: Minority and women business owners in Missouri
When: The office helps women and minorities find opportunities to contract with the state through certification, education and outreach, and matchmaking services.
Federal Certifications
HUBZone Program
Who: Small businesses located in economically distressed areas
What: This SBA program helps small businesses in economically distressed communities navigate the process for government contracts.
Corporate Contracts
MidAmerica Minority Business Development Council
Who: Minority business owners
What: MAMBDC helps enhance the growth and development of minority-owned business enterprises (MBEs) through participation in private and public sector procurement programs.
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
Who: Women business owners
What: WBE National Council provides information to help women business owners secure WBE certification and advocates for women-owned businesses as suppliers to U.S. corporations.
Second-stage market research back to top
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs and SBTDCs) across the region help established companies and start-ups meet the challenges of today’s marketplace, including second-stage market research. Their branch locations across the state offer easily accessible classes and counseling.
In addition to providing general SBDC business counseling and training services, the MO SBTDCs have specially trained counselors and a specific focus in the areas of high-growth and high-technology companies.
The SBTDC at the University of Missouri-Kansas City provides a mentoring program for second stage businesses. The SBTDC at the University of Central Missouri provides services in patent/trademark information for new products and product development.
Second-stage market research back to top
Why export? Because nearly 95 percent of the world's consumers live outside our borders, according to the Kansas Department of Commerce. Reaching these buyers can boost your sales, promote your brand, and diversify your consumer base.
Through their resources, seminars, advocacy, and consulting services, our resource partners can help your company
- Conduct market research
- Find international contacts and partners
- Coordinate with other state, federal, and international agencies
- Find and follow foreign trade leads
- Locate export financing packages
International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City
provides trade education programs in trade finance and insurance, legal and compliance, shipping and transportation, sales and marketing, and more.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City
The Hispanic Chamber’s International Committee keeps members aware of opportunities in international markets and helps them network with businesses outside of the United States.
SBA Export Resources
The SBA's Office of International Trade facilitates access to capital to support international trade; ensures that the interests of small business are considered and reflected in trade negotiations; and contributes to the U.S. government's international agenda.
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce World Trade Center
The Chamber’s World Trade Center is member of the World Trade Center Association (WTCA), a not-for-profit, non-political association that represents 281 centers in 80 countries worldwide. The World Trade Center is committed to focusing on trade education, building global business leadership, and promoting a unified voice of the business community to our international investors and the Kansas City region.
Kansas Department of Commerce, Trade Development Division
The Trade Development Division provides individualized counseling and expertise to Kansas companies expanding their export markets.
U.S. Commercial Services
The U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce is a federal government agency dedicated to helping small to medium-sized Kansas and Missouri companies develop international markets.
If you have an idea that you want to turn into a product—or if your company wants to trim your manufacturing processes to open the doors to new business, these resource partners can help.
Mid America Manufacturing Technology Center offers seminars, workshops, and consulting services to help companies implement integrated process improvements, explore technical innovations, and test and develop products.
Missouri Enterprise helps business improve their manufacturing and business processes and their quality management systems.
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