Category Archives: Business

Female Business Owners Support System: Dare to Dream Seminar

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is located at 104 N. National Avenue. Submitted photo.

Local female business owners will be speaking on the challenges of ownership of a business or hope to help those that want to start one.

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is sponsoring the Dare to Dream Seminar: The Unique Challenges of a Small Business on  February 8 at 5:30 p.m.  at 104 N National in Fort Scott.

“This… seminar is for ALL women of ALL ages who have a business or is interested in starting a business, Rachel Carpenter, director of the The Center for Economic Growth at the HBCAT office.

“Our goal is to bring these woman entrepreneurs together to help create a support system of women supporting women. We bring in local woman leaders to share their expertise on how they have become successful.

The keynote speaker will be Erin Vann, of Highway Three.

Erin Vann is the keynote speaker at the Dare to Dream Seminar on Feb. 8. Submitted photo.

“She will speak on the challenges that her business had to overcome to get to the success story it is today,” Carpenter said. “We also have panel speakers Kelly Perry of Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store and Angela Simon of Bids and Dibs. They will share about managing a business banking account and how to get through the low seasons of business.”

Kelly and Thaddeus Perry, owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store. Submitted photo.
Angela Simon, owner of Bids and Dibs. Submitted photo.

A part of the agenda is devoted to discussion.

“We will have HBCAT and Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center staff available to answer questions about starting a business and about the grant opportunities available through HBCAT,” Carpenter said. “We will also have staff from City State Bank that will answer questions about cash flow. Our keynote speakers and panelist will be available to answer any questions at that time as well.

Free Meal, Child Care and a Raffle

Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store will be catering a lasagna meal for the evening, and there is childcare available upon request.

“We will be raffling off a business starter kit and a printer,” Carpenter said. “This event is free we just ask that people register prior to the event using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dare-to-dream-unique-challenges-of-a-small-business-tickets-510878690917″

 

Event Funded By

The support for the seminar is grant funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas, she said.

Rachel Carpenter can be reached at The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, phone: 620-215-2562

 

Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic Opens Jan. 16

Dr. Amanda Brown stands in one of her exam rooms of her new veterinary clinic in Fort Scott.

Dr. Amanda Brown opens her Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic on Jan. 16 after months of preparing a new building and  also having a baby.

Hours of operation are Monday-Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon, Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed for lunch daily from noon to 1.

She and her husband, Eric, welcomed a third child into their family in December, following her purchase of the building earlier in the year at 6 East 13th. (13th and National Avenue).

The business has a primary focus of wellness and medicine for small animals, she said.

“We  have an in-house lab, digital x-ray and ultra sound,” Dr. Brown said. “We have the ability to hospitalize pets.”

“My true passion is client education and managing chronic pain,” she said.

Ever since she was child she has had a desire to help animals get better, she said.

Employees of the clinic are Loren Carmine, registered veterinary technician; Wendi Jensvold, assistant and Jacki Lape, receptionist.

Brown is a 2008 Fort Scott High School graduate with a bachelors degree from Kansas State University in 2013. She earned her doctorate from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015.

“I worked at Animal Care Center here in Fort Scott right after graduation for over five years and I worked at a busy, fast paced clinic in Webb City for two years after that,” she said in a prior interview. “I have over seven years combined as a veterinarian and almost 20 years in the veterinary field.”

To view the prior feature:

Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic to Open January 2023

From left, Jacki Lape-receptionist, Wendi Jensvold-assistant, Dr. Amanda Brown-DVM and owner,Loren Carmine-registered veterinary technician.

To contact the clinic: 620.224-2840 for the office. 620.215-1778 for the clinic cell phone or email [email protected]

Deloney Promoted to President at Mid-Continental Restoration

Matt Deloney Promoted to President by Mid-Continental Restoration Co. Inc.

January 13th – Mid-Continental Restoration Co. Inc., a leading provider of building restoration and preservation services, is proud to announce the promotion of Matt Deloney to the position of President and Chairman of the Board.  In this new capacity, Deloney plans to utilize his experience along with that of their strong leadership team, to continue the growth of the organization, ultimately benefiting the employee-owners of the company.

 

Since first joining Mid-Continental Restoration back in 1990, Deloney has filled many roles, from work in the field, as a craftsman, to most recently serving as our Vice President and managing the Central Region. Since 2007, Deloney has worked to expand the company’s footprint opening offices in Kansas City and Tulsa to meet customer demand and grow the company.

 

This promotion is part of a strategic succession plan developed over the past several years.  “We are excited about this change, and Matt has definitely earned the opportunity to lead our great team,” says outgoing President Frank Halsey, who will move into a semi-retired role while assisting with business development and marketing.  “We fully expect Matt will continue to develop the culture that employee owners deserve and expect, while maintaining the professional service our customers deserve and expect.”

 

“I am thrilled to be taking on this new role with the management team at Mid-Continental Restoration,” says Matt Deloney. “I get the benefit of being able to step into a role that has had strong leadership for many years allowing me to focus on continual growth and delivering stronger experiences for our staff and customers.”

Local Producers Featured at Makers Market This Saturday

The first Makers Market, hosted by Mmm Flavor Shop owners Emelia Whiteaker and Addi Foster is this Saturday, January 14th from 10 am to 3 pm. The event is in the Cloverleaf Event Center at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street.

“This is for people who produce and make things local” to showcase and sell their products,  Foster said.

They are hosting these events because they are hoping to establish a spice store and don’t have a business space, Foster said.

In addition they are sponsoring a fundraiser for a new dog agility club.

“Lunch will also be available for purchase with the proceeds going to help purchase dog agility equipment for the newly created Momentum Dog Club,” Whiteaker said.  “Those youth interested in joining the Momentum Dog Club can stop by and get more information.  They must be at least 7 years of age to join, and no experience is needed.”

The two sisters are planning a market each second Saturday of each month, until May. “Different vendors will be participating each month,” Whiteaker said.  “There will be a variety of locally made products for sale including food, soaps, lotions, knitted items, sewed items, and starters for indoor plants.”

“The menu that will be available is chicken and noodles made with locally raised chicken from Freedom Farms in Bourbon County, Mixed Bean Soup with Grains, Butternut Squash Soup, Mediterranean Vegetable Stew with Couscous,” Whiteaker said. “For dessert offered is Citrus Olive Oil Cake with Orange Chocolate Glaze, and Carob Brownies made two ways.”

Citrus Olive Oil Cake, pictured, will be offered for sale at the Makers Market.Submitted photo.
Addi Foster is co-owner of MMM Flavor Shop. Submitted photo.
Emelia Whiteaker is the owner of Momentum Indoor Training and also co-owner of MMM Flavor Shop. Submitted photo.

 

Mary Kay Consultant Open House Jan. 15

Sending on Behalf of Chamber Member
Lauren Wagner – Mary Kay Consultant…
Come and enjoy an at home experience with your local
Mary Kay Consultant.
1516 S. Main Street Fort Scott, KS 66701
There will be hot coco, coffee, peppermint sticks, and cookies!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

New Electric Transmission Line Will Travel Through Bourbon County

From the NextEra Energy website.

An electric utility business wants to get feedback on a proposed transmission line that will going through the county.

NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest (NEET Southwest) is  hosting a public meeting in Fort Scott on Jan. 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main.

“A series of informational stations will be staffed by NEET Southwest employees and contractors to answer questions and provide information to attendees,” said  NextEra Senior Communications Strategist Sarah Borchardt.

“The purpose of the meeting is to provide an in-person opportunity for landowners to ask questions about the transmission line project directly, as well as for NEET Southwest to obtain feedback on the proposed project route from landowners,”  Borchardt said.

The Project

“NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest will develop, construct, own, operate and maintain the approximately 94-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission project that will connect the Wolf Creek Substation in Kansas which is owned by Evergy; and the Blackberry Substation in Missouri, owned by Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.,” she said. “The project route traverses Coffey, Anderson, Allen, Bourbon and Crawford counties in Kansas, and Barton and Jasper counties in Missouri. The transmission project is expected to be in-service in Jan. 2025.”

“The line is approximately 94 miles, with approximately 85 miles located across five counties in Kansas,” according to Borchardt.  “The line was identified as being needed by the Southwest Power Pool, which plans the electric transmission system for the state of Kansas and for a larger region that stretches across the middle of the U.S. from Texas up to North Dakota.”

“SPP determined that the line would provide significant economic and reliability benefits to Kansas customers and to SPP customers as a whole, and SPP selected NEET Southwest to build the project after a competitive bid process,” she said.

“The Wolf Creek-Blackberry Project is part of Southwest Power Pool (SPP)’s 2019 Integrated Transmission Plan to address the needs for a more reliable and cost-effective grid,” she said. “SPP is a non-for-profit, regional transmission organization (RTO) mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure safe, reliable and cost-effective transmission infrastructure in the central region of the country. The transmission line will allow power to flow more efficiently to customers in Kansas and Missouri.”

“The project is permitted by the Kansas Corporation Commission at the state level, and not by individual counties,” she said. “NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest’s proposed route is intended to minimize or avoid impacts across a few factors, including landowners, environmentally sensitive areas, other utility and public infrastructure, airports, and tribal lands, among others.”

“ Where possible, portions of NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest’s proposed route will parallel existing rights of way,” she said. “NEET Southwest is securing options for easements from landowners whose land will be crossed by the transmission line. NEET  Southwest will work with landowners on an ongoing basis throughout the construction, clean up phase of the project, and beyond.”

Submitted photo.

KCC: Beneficial Effect on Kansas Customers

“The Kansas Corporation Commission agreed that the line is needed to serve the public interest in Kansas,” she said. “NEET Southwest is planning to file an application with the KCC to get approval of the specific line route.”

The Kansas Corporation Commissioners agreed the project provides benefits for Kansans, according to its website:

https://kcc.ks.gov/news-8-29-22

Here is the conclusion from the KCC:

“Based on the testimony received, the Commission finds that the Transmission Project will have a beneficial effect on customers by lowering overall energy costs, removing inefficiency, relieving transmission congestion and improving the reliability of the transmission system,” according to the KCC website.

“The line will provide economic benefits to all of Kansas, by allowing power to be produced more efficiently and cost-effectively, which will provide access to more affordable energy for Kansas customers,” according to Borchardt.  “In addition, construction jobs will be created within the communities along the proposed route, and NEET Southwest will make property tax payments to the respective counties going forward.”

https://www.nexteraenergytransmission.com/subsidiaries/neetsw/projects/wolf-creek-blackberry.html

 

“The project is part of the 2019 Integrated Transmission Plan approved by SPP in October 2019 to address the needs for a more reliable and cost-effective grid. This project will reduce congestion and provide market efficiencies and benefits to ratepayers,” according to the NextEra Energy website.

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Newsletter

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!

January 5th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

Museum of Creativity

Upcoming Hours & Events

Click here! Great place to burn some

energy indoors during the cold!

The Artificers

Upcoming pottery class/workshop

schedule, something for all ages!

January Special at Hedgehog.INK! Buy 2 Get 1 Free on any action, detective, mystery, Christian, or fiction. See flyer below for more info!

1/05 ~ Seniorcise-Senior Exercise at Credo Senior Living, every Thursday at 10:30am,

click here for more info.

1/05 ~ Lego Club – Museum of Creativity,

$2/person, ages 13+ meets from 4-6pm, ages 7-12 meets from 4:30-5:30pm. Click here for more info.

1/05 ~ Ladies Craft Night – Museum of Creativity, $5/participant, 6-8pm. Click here for more info.

1/05 ~ BINGO hosted by American Legion #25 at Memorial Hall , doors open at 6pm and

Bingo starts at 7pm. Click here for more info.

1/06 ~ Friday Fun Night – Museum of Creativity, 3:30-7:30pm,$1/per person.

Click here for more info.

1/06 ~ Game Night – Museum of Creativity,

6-10pm, $1/ per person. Click here for more info.

1/07 ~ Story Time at Hedgehog.INK!, stories and activities will be provided, 16 S. Main, 10:30am. See flyer below for more info!

1/09 ~ Winter League at M’axe Throw House, 6-8pm, Hatchet on Mondays $100, Big Axe on Tuesdays $60, Per Team Members for duals on Mondays $40, Knives on Tuesday $60, Vikings league (age 10 to 17) Wednesdays $50, these fees cover your dues for an 8 week period for throw and you get a league discount on throw outside of league.

Click here for more info.

1/10 ~ Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet, hosted by the Chamber at Papa Don’s,

10 N. Main, 8:30-9:30am. Click here for more info.

1/10 ~ NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest is hosting an Open House to discuss the Wolf Creek to Blackberry 345kV Transmission Line Project, 6-8pm, Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St.

1/12 ~ Chamber Coffee, Gordon Parks Museum, 2108 S. Horton St., 8am ~ first Coffee of the year!

1/12 ~ Celebrating the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. The Film Showing “Martin”, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Gordon Parks. 8-10am at the Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton.

Click here for more info.

1/13 ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Lunch & Learn at the Gordon Parks Museum, 12-1pm.

1/14 ~ Makers Market at Bourbon County Fairgrounds, Monthly shopping event with local creators, makers, and producers, 10am-3pm

Click here for more info.

1/15 ~ Fort Scott Open/ Novice Girls Tournament, Come cheer on the Fort Scott Kids Wrestling team! Admission: $5 Adults / $1 Students & Kids / 4 Under free,

Breakfast and Lunch Concessions available.

Click here for more info.

1/16 ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Lunch & Learn at the Gordon Parks Museum, 12-1pm.

_________

SAVE THE DATE!

1/21 ~ Jeff Leeson Comedy Tour, Memorial Hall, fundraiser for the Splash Pad, doors open click here for details.

1/22 ~ Simmer Pot Class at Sunshine Boutique, 18 E. Wall. This is a building class that is $15/person with everything provided including wine and snacks. Click here for more info.

1/28 ~ Commercial Real Estate Auction, 10 S. National Ave, live & on-line bidding available, starting at 1pm. Click here for more info.

1/28 ~ Grand Opening Gala at The Artificers, Ribbon Cutting 5:30pm, Gala 6-9pm.

_________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!

Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Facebook Share This Email
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LinkedIn Share This Email
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Artificers Celebrate Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on January 28

The Artificers, a local art gallery at 8 N. National Avenue,  will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting gala  on January 28. At 5:30 p.m. will be the ribbon cutting. The gala is from 6 to 9 p.m.
An artificer is a skilled or artistic worker or craftsman, according to Webster’s Dictionary.
Cocktail attire is recommended for the gala event.
The owners, Kate and Trent Freeman, have been renovating the storefront for several years and still have some work to do, but the first floor is ready for the classes the Freeman’s will offer.
To view a prior feature:
Trent and Kate Freeman. Submitted photo
The classes start February 1 as part of the The Artificers Teaching Studio, and offer a wide range of classes for any age or ability.
“We will start off with clay sculpture and pottery wheel throwing classes, but soon will add a variety of classes from our extensive list of master artists, that includes painting, watercolor, airbrush, graphite drawing, mixed media collage and more,” Kate said.
Trent Freeman. Submitted photo.
“We are so excited to host a variety of artists throughout the coming year and display their superior craftsmanship that has taken them thousands of hours to develop,” she said.
A clay sculpture. Submitted photo.
The hours of operation for the art studio/gallery business are Tuesday- Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are extended hours during classes and special events.
About The Artists

Trent works to create art in mixed media: clay, glass, wood, metal; Kate works in clay and acrylic painting.

“We had our studio in Kansas City for 22 years,” Trent said. “I’ve been a professional for 28 years. We’ve done everything from gallery to commission to art festivals all over the country. Most of our work is commission now.”

Trent said when Kansas City shut down businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic, they began coming to their farm, west of Fort Scott.

Trent’s parents, Ed and Jackie Freeman built a house near Bronson and retired there, and so Trent and Kate have been coming here for 20 years, he said. “And we loved the town.”

Eventually the Freeman’s purchased the building at 8 North National Avenue, on October 2, 2020, and have been working on the renovation  since.

To view the business website:

Eco Devo Visioning Groups Have Goals For 2023

Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.
In 2022, the Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. group held visioning meetings to find the perceived needs of the community.
These meetings were in August, October and November and focused on specific areas: labor, housing, retail, and an in-depth sales tax revenue study.
“These sessions brought community and business leaders together to work through important issues that we face today,” said Rob Harrington, director of REDI. “On average, we had 40 participants at each event and the dialogue was very thought provoking.”
“In the final session the hard work and dedication of all who attended these visioning sessions came to three very specific projects which the group felt were the most important,” he said.
Bailey Lyons, CEO of Lyons Realty Group, was chosen by the housing group to lead a group that will encourage more housing developments in the county.

“A separate committee decided that having a quality place to live was just as important, and would help with growing our housing possibilities as well,” Harrington said. This group  is being lead by Brad Matkin, Interim Fort Scott City Manager, and will be working on the planning and construction of a tennis court complex in Fort Scott.

Training the youth in the county  was another issue the visioning group thought was important.
“This group decided to work with the three different education boards (USD 234-Fort Scott, USD 235-Uniontown and Fort Scott Community College) to develop more technical training for our youth,” he said. “This group is being led by Susan Bancroft Chief Financial Officer of Bourbon County.
The groups have been asked to meet throughout 2023 to work on each of these goals.
“At the end of next year the same group of people will be asked to reconvene and discuss with the group all of their progress on each goal,” Harrington said. “At which time, if goals have been reached others can be developed.”
“This was the first time a group of leaders across the entire county had been brought together to target and address concerns and opportunities for our communities as a whole,” Harrington said. “Bourbon County REDI was honored to be the host organization, and look forward to the continued work by this and other groups.”
The Bourbon County REDI mission is to build a vibrant county through business, economic and tourism development, and ongoing community development throughout the county, according to its website.

The Bourbon County REDI is housed on the second floor of Landmark Bank, 200 S Main St Suite 200, Fort Scott, KS 66701 and can be contacted at (620) 644-7966.

Landmark Bank Fort Scott houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.

Downtown Meet and Greet Jan. 10

Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet scheduled for January 10th!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Meet & Greet will be held Tuesday, January 10th from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Papa Don’s,
10 N. Main St.
These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotion and anything related to downtown.
Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Weekly Newsletter

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!

December 29th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

Museum of Creativity

Holiday Hours & Events

Click here! Great place to burn some

energy over the holidays!

12/26-31 ~ All gently used books 50% off at Hedgehog.INK! Book Store.

12/29 ~ Lego Club – Museum of Creativity,

$2/person, ages 13+ meets from 4-6pm, ages 7-12 meets from 4:30-5:30pm. Click here for more info.

12/29 ~ Ladies Craft Night – Museum of Creativity, $5/participant, 6-8pm. Click here for more info.

12/29 ~ BINGO hosted by American Legion #25 at Memorial Hall , doors open at 6pm and

Bingo starts at 7pm. Click here for more info.

12/30-31 ~ Kansas City T-Nuts Model Railroad Club – Museum of Creativity, Friday December 30th from 9am-10pm and Saturday December 31st from 10am-6pm, free will donations are welcome. Click here for more info.

01/01 ~ Happy New Year from the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce!

01/01 ~ Potluck Dinner with First Presbyterian Church, guest will be FSCC Men’s

Basketball Team, sign – up by calling 620.223.3180 or email [email protected], please bring a dish to share, 11:30am-1pm.

Click here for more info.

01/05 ~ Seniorcise-Senior Exercise at Credo Senior Living, every Thursday at 10:30am,

click here for more info.

01/05 ~ Lego Club – Museum of Creativity,

$2/person, ages 13+ meets from 4-6pm, ages 7-12 meets from 4:30-5:30pm. Click here for more info.

01/05 ~ Ladies Craft Night – Museum of Creativity, $5/participant, 6-8pm. Click here for more info.

01/05 ~ BINGO hosted by American Legion #25 at Memorial Hall , doors open at 6pm and

Bingo starts at 7pm. Click here for more info.

01/06 ~ Friday Fun Night – Museum of Creativity, 3:30-7:30pm,$1/per person.

Click here for more info.

01/06 ~ Game Night – Museum of Creativity,

6-10pm, $1/ per person. Click here for more info.

01/09 ~ Winter League at M’axe, 6-8pm, Hatchet on Mondays $100, Big Axe on Tuesdays $60, Per Team Members for duals on Mondays $40, Knives on Tuesday $60, Vikings league (age 10 to 17) Wednesdays $50, these fees cover your dues for an 8 week period for throw and you get a league discount on throw outside of league.

Click here for more info.

_________

SAVE THE DATE!

1/13 ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Lunch & Learn at the Gordon Parks Museum, 12pm.

1/16 ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service at the Gordon Parks Museum, 9am-2pm.

1/21 ~ Jeff Leeson Comedy Tour, Memorial Hall, fundraiser for the Splash Pad, doors open click here for details.

1/28 ~ Grand Opening Gala at The Artificers, Ribbon Cutting 5:30pm, Gala 6-9pm.

_________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!

Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Facebook Share This Email
Twitter Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

New Business: Helpful Hands Errands and Delivery Service Targets Help for Seniors

Teresa Cummings. Submitted photo.

Teresa Cummings, 53, moved with her family from California to Fort Scott in May 2020, when her husband retired. “It was the best thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “We have more conservative values than the San Francisco Bay area.”

In October 2022, she started her business Helpful Hands Errands and Delivery Service.
She is hoping to fill a need for senior citizens who might need a little help shopping and running errands.
“I will deliver to anyone, but what got me started is I wanted to help older people,” Cummings said. “They are walking history and have done a lot for their families. Some people don’t have a lot of family to help them out.”
Cummings delivers from any restaurant and will shop at any store in town.
“I do additional errands, such as prescription pick-up, pick-up or drop-off of items to friends and family, in-home meal prep, party and holiday decorating, and more,” she said. “
Whatever the  errand or personal service need, she will accommodate.
Her hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Sunday and Monday by appointment only.
The business contact is 620.224.7604.
The service area for the business is the Fort Scott area.
Her pricing for shopping service:
1-5 items $3.50
6-10 items $5.50
11-15 items $7.50
16+ items $11/hour (one hr. min.)
Delivery (for example: restaurant, prescription pick-up, etc.) $3.50
All other errands (example party prep, holiday decorating, in-home meal prep, etc.): $11/hour
15% discount for Veterans
This fall, Cummings was helped by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team with the start up of her business.
“Rachel Carpenter and Dacia Clark helped me to go through each step to set up the business,” she said. “They were absolutely wonderful. I would recommend to anybody trying to start a new business.”