Programs and Services

As the only CDC in the Greater Kansas City area engaged in the creation of economic development initiatives for the Latino community, HEDC has developed a continuum of services that are not only unique but also essential to Kansas City’s growing Latino community.

IMPACT OF HEDC PROGRAMMING AND SERVICES

Our clients’ needs, potential and opportunities are always growing, which requires a constant effort to ensure that we measure the impact of our programs as well as the quality of our service delivery. We consider the numbers of clients served, businesses created, jobs created, and overall economic benefit of our clients. This is accomplished through ongoing support and alumni services, which allows for the tracking of clients’ progress and challenges.

HEDC offers the nationally recognized entrepreneurial training programs, First Step FastTrac and Primer Paso FastTrac (Spanish language version) business courses are for aspiring entrepreneurs who have an idea for a new business and are just starting out or those that have an existing business or a technology-based venture that are being positioned for growth. FastTrac offers a comprehensive set of resources to help start and grow successful businesses.

The 36 hour course employs an experimental “how-to” hands on approach where students complete a plan for their business or business concept. Some of what is covered in the program includes: marketing, market penetration, price and profitability, budgeting, researching competition and business financials.

FastTrac is one of America’s leading entrepreneurial learning programs and remains on the cutting edge by providing programs that are written by entrepreneurs, facilitated by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.

All that complete either the First Step or Primer Paso FastTrac programs will continue to receive technical assistance through the HEDC business development program. The ultimate goal is the creation of healthy businesses. These business development components create a true continuum of services

HEDC provides one-on-one technical assistance by appointment to current and aspiring entrepreneurs needing help with starting, sustaining or growing a business. Among the services provided include:

  • Start up assistance
  • Business plan assistance
  • Strategic growth plans
  • Financial analysis
  • Loan packaging
  • Market research and analysis
  • Marketing and sales strategies
  • Real estate location assistance
  • Products and services pricing
  • Obtaining business licenses and permits
  • D/M/W/B/E application assistance

The HEDC Computer Lab curriculum is a 12 hour course completed in 3 weeks.  The course includes a basic digital literacy program essential to the understanding of a computer and its components. The course is appropriate for individuals who have little or no computer knowledge. The curriculum comprises of basic knowledge of Windows 7, Internet usage, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Publisher. Classes take place 2 times per week in 2 hour increments.

New classes take place each month. Individuals interested in participating in a computer class may contact our office

The HEDC Computer Lab curriculum is a 12 hour course completed in 3 weeks.  The course includes a basic digital literacy program essential to the understanding of a computer and its components. The course is appropriate for individuals who have little or no computer knowledge. The curriculum comprises of basic knowledge of Windows 7, Internet usage, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Publisher. Classes take place 2 times per week in 2 hour increments.

New classes take place each month. Individuals interested in participating in a computer class may contact our office.

The HEDC computer center in partnership with the Mission Economic Development Corporation uses a centralized managed network to provide computer training and adult education through a standardized English-Spanish training curriculum. Classes are offered in both intermediate and advanced levels.

  • Introduction to Computers
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

For computer center information, please call the HEDC main office at 816.221.3442.

HEDC provides small business workshops in English and Spanish which are open to current and aspiring entrepreneurs. The workshops are held in Jackson County in Missouri and Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas and emphasize personal and professional development, interactive learning and business information and education.

To determine topics for the workshop, more than 50 businesses are interviewed in the counties in which they will be held. Topics have included: financial control for small businesses, marketing tips for your small business, how to create a business plan and how to start a business.

HEDC and La X 1250 AM have partnered to produce the only weekly LIVE call in show in the Greater Kansas City area focused on Hispanic business. The show El Momento Empresarial “The Entrepreneurial Moment” with the tag line “the more you listen, the more you learn” can be heard on Mondays at 6:00p.m.

The show’s primary objective is to educate and inform listeners of current issues related to starting, sustaining or growing a business.