Category Archives: Business

New Staff at Common Ground Coffee Shop

Common Ground Coffee Shop, 12 E.Wall.

Common Ground Coffee Shop is a place to sit a spell, have a cuppa and relax. The shop’s specialty is coffee, baked goods, breakfast and lunch.

They sell special order cookie trays as well.

It has been a community gathering place since its inception in 2013 by the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

To view the first story on the business by fortscott.biz:

Common Ground Coffee Co. offers community a gathering place

Common Ground employees are from left to right: Dawson Korinke, Barista; Brightin Eads, Barista;, Lauren Ogran, Barista; Chandler Endicott, Barista; Michelle Keyes, Cook; Heidi Dixon, Manager, Samantha Racy, Asst Manager and Hannah Dunn, Bookkeeper. Submitted photo.
 Not in the picture: Payton Atwood, Barista; Ella Maher, Barista;  Skylar Mohler, Barista
and Hannah Keyes, Barista.

New Staff

Heidi Dixon, 52, started as the new manager of Common Ground Coffee Shop on Dec. 19.

Dixon grew up in Fort Scott, moved away and moved back.

She has been a general manager for Fort Scott Taco Tico, operations manager for Dave and Buster’s Restaurant in Kansas City and worked at several other restaurants through the years.

The Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene board oversees the coffee shop and selected Dixon as the new manager.

Hired as assistant manager is Samantha Racy, 22.

“I volunteered for about a week,” Samantha said. “There was a period the coffee shop was struggling. Others from the church helped. My whole family volunteered.”

Samantha Racy is an esthetician at Healing Hands Therapeutic Massage and Salon and also works at the coffee shop.

In addition, several high school students work there.

The business is searching for an additional cook.

“There is an assistant manager and a manager to take a load off of one person,” said Stacy Racy.

Racy has taken on the scheduling of the Loading Dock, the big rental room, in the rear of the shop.

 

The Loading Dock

Stacy Racy is hoping to have an event in the Loading Dock at least once a month, she said. Stacy is Samantha’s mother.

In December they had two events: a 1940s Christmas Concert on Dec. 16 and a Photo With The Grinch event on Dec. 17.

The Loading Dock has a stage area and an outside patio area.

To rent the event center costs $60 for four hours during business hours, eight hours will cost $100. To rent the space during in off- business hours is $150 for six hours, she said.

For small groups there is a conference room with a large table in a private area, and it is free, she said.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday.

To contact the Common Ground Coffee Shop, call 620.223.2499.

Visit the shop’s Facebook page and webpage to see the shop’s latest news.

 

 

 

 

Local Bookstore Has End of Year Sale

Hedgehog INK!
End of the Year Sale!
50% off on ALL gently used books!
December 26 ~ 31
Hedgehog INK! Bookstore
16 S. Main.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Hedgehog INK!
End of the Year Sale!
50% off on ALL gently used books!
December 26 ~ 31
Hedgehog INK! Bookstore
16 S. Main.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Data Received: Bourbon County Eco Devo Moving Forward

Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.
 Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. hired a consulting company to do local studies on retail, housing and labor in the county. That study was completed this fall.
“Last year, REDI was able to work with both Goldstone Consulting and O’Brian and Associates on the Retail, Housing, and Labor studies,” Rob Harrington, REDI CEO said. “These studies were able to provide us with the necessary data to move forward on several initiatives in 2023.”
“One of those initiatives is a Small Business Retention and Expansion Program for our local businesses,” he said. “We will be working throughout this next year to visit and create ways to help these companies continue to grow within Bourbon County. “
“We will also begin working with a group of citizens throughout Bourbon County on housing development initiatives,’ he said. “This housing committee will be instrumental in creating ways for us to not only attract developers but also new residents and marketing our communities to outside markets”.
REDI will continue to work to bring new developments in commercial and industrial business to Bourbon County by using the data from these reports as well as building on the partnerships that have grown over the last two years, Harrington said.
“All of the reports were paid for by Bourbon County REDI and we will continue to use our funds to help grow our county and ultimately work towards lowering taxes for everyone who lives and owns businesses in Bourbon County,” he said.
Landmark Bank Fort Scott houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.

Kevin Allen Purchases Aunt Toadies Restaurant

Alisha Jamison is the new manager and Kevin “Skitch” Allen is the new owner of Aunt Toadie’s Restaurant. Submitted photo.

Kevin “Skitch” Allen purchased Aunt Toadie’s Restaurant in October but officially took over the business on Dec. 12, 2022.

Aunt Toadies Restaurant.

“My heart is on the east side of town,” he said.

Allen started his construction business and car wash on the east side of Fort Scott. Nineteen years ago he demolished a house on the west side of the Aunt Toadie’s restaurant property for the former owners Larry and Mary Jane McHenry.

That started a relationship with the McHenrys. Then two years ago he started dating their niece Alisha Jamison.

“One evening we were talking to Mary Jane and Larry and discovered they wanted to work less hours,” Allen said. “Alisha and I talked about it. She was interested in running the eating business and I am interested in eating.”

“I’ve never owned a restaurant before,” he said. But the McHenry’s have stayed on to help the transition until the end of December.

“Thankfully, Larry and Mary Jane made it a success,” he said. “It’s one more way to help out on my side of town.”

Allen has been doing work on the outside of the restaurant on East Wall since purchasing it.

Kevin Allen works on the new parking lot on the west side of Aunt Toadies on Dec. 13.

The west side of the building will have an addition, which will double the size of the eating area.

“It will be called the Lily Pad,” he said. “That will be for people who enjoy watching (sport) games on TV. Possibly with beer, in the future with dining.”

Possible futuristic plans are a pickle ball court to the north of this new addition, he said.

“You’ll be able to walk out to a pickle ball court,” he said. “Playing off the idea of chicken and pickle ball.”

On the east side of the restaurant there will be table and chairs for an outdoor eating area in warmer weather.

Inside, he has purchased a new soft-serve ice cream machine and discovered an old milk shake machine which will be put to use once again.

“We plugged it in and it went,” Allen said.

Alisha Jamison is the new manager and they are keeping the current wait staff. Matt McHenry, Larry and Mary Jane’s son, has decided to stay as cook.

“That’s a blessing,” he said. “He has worked there since he was a child.”

“I’m the taste tester,” Allen said.

The hours and menu will remain the same, but there might be additional hours on Monday and Saturday in the future.

There may be some additions to the menu because “we’ve got some good cooks thinking up ideas,” he said.

Larry and Mary Jane McHenry, left, Alisha Jamison and Kevin Allen. Submitted photo.

“I want to thank the McHenry’s  for allowing us to take over their family business,” Allen said. “We are going to work hard to keep the family food atmosphere.”

“And thanks also to Fort Scott customers for the years of patronage, we know they won’t be disappointed,” he said.

 

Hot Wok Restaurant Open on Christmas Day

Sending on Behalf of Chamber Member
Hot Wok Chinese Buffet…
Hot Wok is Open on Christmas Day!
Make Reservations or head over for their all day buffet!
Hours are 11am-8:30pm.
Gift Certificates are also available for those last minute Christmas shoppers!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Sixty-four Years as Partners in Life, Business and Ministry

Helen and Chub Bolling. Submitted photo.

Sixty-four years as husband and wife. And 64 years as business and ministry partners, that’s Helen and Raymond (Chub) Bolling’s story.

Last week they celebrated their anniversary.

Chub and Helen met in high school at Bronson, KS and were attracted to each other at age 15 and 17.

Chub said he felt the Lord pointed her out to him.

They married December 14, 1958,and “she’s been taking care of me since,” Chub said.

Chub and Helen Bolling on their wedding day, December 14, 1958. Submitted photo.

They purchased the Bronson Locker in 1966.

“My husband’s father had a slaughter house,” Helen said. “We bought the town’s (meat)locker from Oscar Burris.”

In their business journey they sold the locker and were completely out of the business for 10 years, Helen said, then bought it back.

Helen and Chub Bolling stand in front of some meat in their business, the Bronson Locker. Submitted photo.

For 40 years of marriage they worked at both the locker and as pastors at Fulton United Methodist Church and Elsmore United Methodist, then 26 years at Paint Creek Church of the Brethren, south of Uniontown. Today their grandson, Seth Bolling, pastors that church.

Together they raised three children, Amber Ericson,  Micheal and Mitchel Bolling; and now have six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

What advice does this seasoned couple give couples starting out in marriage?

“I know one thing, you have a lot of ups and downs and you just have to work through them,” Helen said. “Remember your wedding vows and stay with them.”

Couples must be mindful of the words they say to each other, Chub said.

“When tough times come, you’ve got to see them through.” he said. “Plan on that. That’s our marriage.”

They have a little farm with livestock that Chub takes care of everyday, but he and Helen help out at the locker to “keep things moving” in the busy times, he said.

The Bronson Locker. Submitted photo.

The Bronson Locker has several family members working together.

From left: Tom Bradbury, who worked at the locker for over 30 years but is not family, then Chub Bolling, Tyler Ericson (Ethan’s wife), Helen Bolling, then Amber Ericson with Ethan’s two children, Julian and Jamison, Mike Bolling, Ethan Ericson, Garrett and Mandie Ericson.

Their grandson, Garrett Ericson and wife, Mandie, are going to purchase the locker when Helen and Chub decide to fully retire, possibly in a year, Helen said. Garrett and Mandie manage the business now.

The business has expanded from 4 to 14 employees through the years, and many of them are family members.

Beside Garrett and Mandie, Amber and her other son, Ethan, and his wife, Tyler, work there. Micheal Bolling is the butcher. Then there is nephew Jim Kuns and  Randall, Robert and Jessie Kuns and Mandie’s mom, Mary Ridge who all work there.

Son, Mitch and family have businesses in Allen county.

Mitch and Sharon Bolling  own the Bollings Meat Market with co-owner Cara Thomas.
Mitch owns the Moran Locker.
Mitch, Seth and Austin Bolling manage the Moran Locker.

 

In addition, Amber and some of the women of the family opened a furniture/antique store just down the street in downtown Bronson, called THRAMS.

THRAMS Antiques, 504 Clay Street, Bronson. March 2022.

THRAMS Antiques, A Picker Family

“Bourbon County has been very good to us,” Chub said.

 

 

Aunt Toadies Restaurant Changed Ownership

From left: Larry and Mary Jane McHenry,  Alisha Jamison and Kevin Allen. Submitted photo.
Larry and Mary Jane McHenry started  transferring ownership of Aunt Toadies Restaurant in October, 2022.
The restaurant is located on Fort Scott’s east side at 1411 E. Wall.

Aunt Toadies has been in business almost 20 years.

 “Our original plan was to get the restaurant to this point and step back a bit and let our children run it, with our help,” Mary Jane said.  “We are ready to step back and slow down.”
Their children weren’t interested in taking over the business, she said.
But their niece, Alisha Jamison was.
“Alisha was one of the first we hired as a waitress, when she was in high school,” Mary Jane said.
For Mary Jane, the best part of the restaurant was working with family, she said. And since they opened in 2003 they have hired nieces and nephews on both sides of the family to work for them.
Her sister-in-law, Debbie Ballou and her daughter Kelly McHenry, along with son Matthew McHenry still work at the restaurant.
“I will miss a lot of the customers that we’ve become acquainted with over the years,” she said.
But after working 80 hours a week at the restaurant, Larry and Mary Jane will be looking for “jobs that don’t require so many hours and being on our feet.”
They sold the restaurant to Kevin “Skitch” Allen and Alisha will be managing it.
Kevin Allen is working on the new parking lot on the west side of Aunt Toadies on Dec. 13.

New owner Kevin Allen was doing outside work on the restaurant property this week.

He said they will be expanding the restaurant and parking lot.

There will be feature on the new owner’s plans in the near future on fortscott.biz.

Mary Jane wants the public to know that they have stayed, since the new owner purchased the business, to train the cooks the way they prepared food.

“The menu won’t change,” she said.

The most popular meal sold is their country-fried stead dinner and also their desserts, she said.

On Dec. 13, five different pies were being offered, which is an everyday occurrence. In addition, in the winter, bread pudding and cobblers are the specialties; in summer it’s their strawberry shortcake.

Restaurant hours are:
Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and
Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
History of Aunt Toadies Restaurant
The restaurant was started in 1952 and called Bright’s Grill, she said.
“The restaurant had been empty for two years before we bought it in 2003,” Mary Jane said.
They named the restaurant after Larry’s mother, Virginia McHenry.
“She was a tow-head, and her father called her Toad, which was eventually changed to Toadie.”
Mary Jane said Virginia would announce to nurses, as she was in and out of the hospital in her later years, that she was the Toadie of Aunt Toadie’s.
“She loved eating here,” she said. Virginia died in 2011.
When they purchased the restaurant, her dad gave her a (art) frog to display. Through the years, customers have donated their frogs to where they currently can’t display all of them, Mary Jane said.
Larry and Mary Jane will work at the restaurant until the end of 2022.

Evergy Announces Dec. 28, 2022, Transfer to Nasdaq Stock Market

Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 15, 2022 – Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) today announced it will transfer its stock exchange listing from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to the Nasdaq Global Select Market, effective as of the opening of trading on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. The last day of trading on the NYSE will be Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. Evergy’s common stock will continue to trade under the ticker symbol “EVRG.”

 

“Evergy prides itself on innovation and providing cost-effective power and clean energy to our customers, while bringing value to our shareholders,” said David Campbell, Evergy President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our stock exchange move will allow us to benefit from Nasdaq’s cutting-edge technology and information in serving our shareholders, and we are excited to be joining a wide range of innovative companies listed on Nasdaq.”

 

About Evergy

 

Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG), serves 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. Evergy’s mission is to empower a better future. Our focus remains on producing, transmitting and delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the benefit of our stakeholders. Today, about half of Evergy’s power comes from carbon-free sources, creating more reliable energy with less impact to the environment. We value innovation and adaptability to give our customers better ways to manage their energy use, to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace for our employees, and to add value for our investors. Headquartered in Kansas City, our employees are active members of the communities we serve.

 

For more information about Evergy, visit us at http://investors.evergy.com.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

Statements made in this Document that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking, may involve risks and uncertainties, and are intended to be as of the date when made. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Evergy, Inc.’s strategic plan, including, without limitation, those related to earnings per share, dividend, operating and maintenance expense and capital investment goals; the outcome of legislative efforts and regulatory and legal proceedings; future energy demand; future power prices; plans with respect to existing and potential future generation resources; the availability and cost of generation resources and energy storage; target emissions reductions; and other matters relating to expected financial performance or affecting future operations. Forward-looking statements are often accompanied by forward-looking words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “seeks,” “intends,” “proposed,” “projects,” “planned,” “target,” “outlook,” “remain confident,” “goal,” “will” or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information.

 

In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Evergy, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Evergy Companies”) are providing a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to: economic and weather conditions and any impact on sales, prices and costs; changes in business strategy or operations; the impact of federal, state and local political, legislative, judicial and regulatory actions or developments, including deregulation, re-regulation, securitization and restructuring of the electric utility industry; decisions of regulators regarding, among other things, customer rates and the prudency of operational decisions such as capital expenditures and asset retirements; changes in applicable laws, regulations, rules, principles or practices, or the interpretations thereof, governing tax, accounting and environmental matters, including air and water quality and waste management and disposal; the impact of climate change, including increased frequency and severity of significant weather events and the extent to which counterparties are willing to do business with, finance the operations of or purchase energy from the Evergy Companies due to the fact that the Evergy Companies operate coal-fired generation; prices and availability of electricity and natural gas in wholesale markets; market perception of the energy industry and the Evergy Companies; the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on, among other things, sales, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows, and also on operational issues, such as supply chain issues and the availability and ability of the Evergy Companies’ employees and suppliers to perform the functions that are necessary to operate the Evergy Companies; changes in the energy trading markets in which the Evergy Companies participate, including retroactive repricing of transactions by regional transmission organizations and independent system operators; financial market conditions and performance, including changes in interest rates and credit spreads and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on derivatives and hedges, nuclear decommissioning trust and pension plan assets and costs; impairments of long-lived assets or goodwill; credit ratings; inflation rates; the transition to a replacement for the London Interbank Offered Rate benchmark interest rate; effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual commitments; impact of physical and cybersecurity breaches, criminal activity, terrorist attacks, acts of war and other disruptions to the Evergy Companies’ facilities or information technology infrastructure or the facilities and infrastructure of third-party service providers on which the Evergy Companies rely; Impact of the Russian, Ukrainian conflict on the global energy market; ability to carry out marketing and sales plans; cost, availability, quality and timely provision of equipment, supplies, labor and fuel; ability to achieve generation goals and the occurrence and duration of planned and unplanned generation outages; delays and cost increases of generation, transmission, distribution or other projects; the Evergy Companies’ ability to manage their transmission and distribution development plans and transmission joint ventures; the inherent risks associated with the ownership and operation of a nuclear facility, including environmental, health, safety, regulatory and financial risks; workforce risks, including those related to the Evergy Companies’ ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, maintain satisfactory relationships with their labor unions and manage costs of, or changes in, wages, retirement, health care and other benefits; disruption, costs and uncertainties caused by or related to the actions of individuals or entities, such as activist shareholders or special interest groups, that seek to influence Evergy, Inc.’s strategic plan, financial results or operations; the possibility that strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, and long-term financial plans, may not create the value that they are expected to achieve in a timely manner or at all; difficulties in maintaining relationships with customers, employees, regulators or suppliers; and other risks and uncertainties.

 

This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors. You should also carefully consider the information contained in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed by the Evergy Companies with the SEC, and from time to time in current reports on Form 8-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed by the Evergy Companies with the SEC. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. The Evergy Companies undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

 

Investor Contact:

Pete Flynn

Director, Investor Relations

Phone: 816-652-1060

[email protected]

 

­Media Contact:

Gina Penzig

Manager, External Communications

Phone: 785-508-2410

[email protected]        

Media line: 888-613-0003

 

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Chamber Coffee to be hosted by City of Fort Scott

 

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee event this Thursday, December 15th at 8 a.m. hosted by The City of Fort Scott, 123 S. Main Street.

At this week’s Coffee, the City staff will provide a recap of the year 2022, and give a preview of what is to come in 2023.

 

Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to door prize drawings.

 

Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2022 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].

 

Chamber Selling Table Tent Ads

The Chamber puts out Table Tents every 2 months with a community calendar. There are 4 business card size ads available on each table tent for $50.00. The table tents are out for a 2 month period. We distribute roughly 500 to different businesses throughout the community; restaurants, hotels, Briggs Auto, Fort Scott Community College, and more!

Click here to reserve an ad space!

Please note that ad spaces are only for

Chamber Members. If you would like to become a Chamber Member click here for information or give us a call at 620.223.3566

Below is a sample table tent:

If your business or organization has any events for Jan/Feb events calendar please let us know!

Thank you to our Chamber Champion Members!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

December 13: Boost Your Business

Rachel Carpenter is the director of  the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center for Economic Growth. Submitted photo. 

The Healthy Bourbon County Team center is hosting an event, Boost Local Business, that will be held at Healthy Bourbon County Action Teams’ office at 104 National Avenue on December 13 at 6 p.m.

The event is to help local business owners learn of the resources available to them.

An additional event with the same information will be offered on December 20th at noon, for those unable to attend tomorrow’s meeting.

The event’s purpose is to showcase different ways to support employees and employers, according to Rachel Carpenter, the director of Healthy Bourbon County Team’ s Center for Economic Growth program.

“Southeast Kansasworks is a hidden gem for businesses and community members,” Carpenter said.  “At this event they will share about their services and the different ways they can support employees and employers. They strive to help individuals be in the careers they want to be in by supporting them in getting education and certifications.”

“Business owners and community members are welcome to attend this event,” Carpenter said. “They register through an Eventbrite link found on the Facebook event or at HBCAT.org. The event is free and there is a for $40 gas voucher for each participant, food will be provided, and free childcare.”

“HBCAT contracted with Kansas University Medical Center… for their grant funded program COPE (Communities Organizing to Promote Equity) in Bourbon County,” Carpenter said. “This helped establish the LHEAT (Local Health Equity Action Team) in Bourbon County. The LHEAT is comprised of community organizations, Community Health Workers, and community members.”

“The LHEAT has started off with $40,000 to help support the initiatives that the LHEAT strategizes,” Carpenter said. “One event that the LHEAT has done in the past is distribute produce boxes through out Bourbon County back in May.”

This event is also being sponsored by the Local Health Equity Action Team and Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and Kansasworks.

The event will include a  HBCAT overview, a KANSASWORKS overview, an explanation of business services offered and info on  a registered apprenticeship.

Brandi Galbreath. Submitted photo.

Speakers are Brandi Galbreath – Outreach Manager (Presenting 12/13/22) on KANSASWORKS Services

 

Jim Jenkins. Submitted photo.

Jim Jenkins – Business Services Director (Presenting 12/13/22 & 12/20/22) on KANSASWORKS Business Services

 

Dustin Troth. Submitted photo.

Dustin Troth – Business Services Representative (Presenting 12/13/22 & 12/20/22) on KANSASWORKS Business Services)

 

Nadia Qureshi. Submitted photo.

Nadia Qureshi – Outreach Coordinator (Presenting 12/20/22) on KANSASWORKS Services

 

Chastity Troxel. Submitted photo.

Chastity Troxel – Registered Apprenticeship Program Manager (Presenting on 12/13/22) on Kansas Registered Apprenticeship.

 

 

Carpenter graduates this semester with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Fort Hays State University. She previously received certification in Community Development and Grant Writing also through Fort Hays State University.

Large Increase in Evergy’s Capital Plan

The Kansas Corporation Commission will hold a workshop
tomorrow to discuss large increase in Evergy’s Capital Plan

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is holding a workshop tomorrow (December 13) beginning at 9:30 a.m. to give Evergy officials the opportunity to explain a large increase in the company’s capital expenditure projections. Evergy’s capital investment plan, filed with the Commission earlier this year, showed a $1.2 billion increase in projected spending compared to its Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP) presented last year.

Commission Staff expressed concern over the increased spending projections. The Commission echoed those concerns in an order issued on September 15, stating, “Evergy’s Capital Improvement Plan affects the majority of Kansans and thus requires public scrutiny.”

During the workshop, Evergy will be asked to explain the reasons for the increase and how it would impact ratepayers, as well as answer questions from KCC Commissioners, Commission Staff and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB).

The workshop is informational only and no Commission action will be taken. The cost of capital investments and any proposed changes to rates are reviewed by the Commission during a rate case. Evergy has not filed for a rate case.

The workshop will be conducted virtually by Zoom and is available for public viewing on the Commission’s YouTube channel. The workshop will also be recorded for later viewing.