Kansas announces new commerce funding

? Kansas is receiving $13.2 million from a federal program to help create jobs in the private sector.

The funds come from a program called the State Small Business Credit Initiative.

Gov. Sam Brownback and Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George said Wednesday the funds will support state-level small-business lending programs. The funds will leverage $132 million in private lending to help businesses invest in their operations and create jobs.

More than $10 million of the federal money will go to the Kansas Capital Multiplier Loan Program, which provides matching funds through private lenders.

The rest will be used by the Kansas Capital Multiplier Venture Fund, which aims to encourage capital investment in existing small businesses and entrepreneurs.