Category Archives: Business

Business, Government, Kansas

COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Is Coming

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Governor Laura Kelly Urges Kansas Small Businesses to Prepare for COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Program

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that her administration is launching the application process for the COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief program in October. She urged Kansas small business owners to verify they are registered for a federal Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) ahead of the application process opening.

“The financial assistance provided through this program will give Kansas entrepreneurs resources to continue to grow and invest in their businesses,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Proactively verifying UEI registration will help small business owners receive this relief quickly and efficiently once the program’s application portal opens in October.”

In June, Governor Kelly signed bipartisan House Bill 2136, investing $50 million to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Program is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which requires a UEI registration to be completed for a business to be eligible to receive assistance. UEI registration ensures the accuracy of information and the security of funding being used for this program.

The UEI is a unique 12-character identifier assigned to all entities and is used as the primary means of entity identification for Federal awards and for those doing business with the federal government. The UEI is issued at no cost through the federal System for Award Management website (SAM.gov).

If a business is already registered in SAM.gov, no additional action is needed to obtain a UEI. UEI registration can be confirmed by logging into SAM.gov and verifying that the business’ Entity Status states “Active Registration.”

Please note that due to recent increases in the number of entities registering with SAM.gov it may take up to 25 business days for new registrations to be processed. For any issues related to registering with SAM.gov or obtaining a UEI the Federal Service Desk can be reached at 866-606-8220.

Information detailing the application process and dates for the COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Program is forthcoming from the Kansas Department of Revenue. The application will provide definitions, explain the assistance process in detail, and will specify exactly what information must be submitted in support of the application.

Claimants will have until April 15, 2023, to file an application for this financial assistance.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Sept. 1 at Perry’s Store in Bronson

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Join us for the Chamber Coffee & Ribbon Cutting this week
hosted by Perry’s Pork Rinds & Country Store!
Thursday, September 1st, 8am
702 Pine Street, Bronson, KS.
Click herefor their Facebook page to learn more about them!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Jobs

Need Money: Job Fair Today at FSCC’s Elllis Center

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JOB FAIR

FORT SCOTT – BOURBON COUNTY

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31ST

10AM-2PM

ELLIS FINE ARTS CENTER ON THE CAMPUS OF

FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2108 S. HORTON ST.

STOP BY TO APPLY OR JUST VISIT WITH LOCAL EMPLOYERS!  ALL ARE WELCOME!
Employers registered include the following,

for a printable flyer click here:

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)

Ascension Via Christi

CHC/SEK – Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Crossland Construction

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

Heartland Behavioral Health

Integrity Home Care and Hospice

Kansas Department of Transportation

Labconco

MyShift, Inc.

Nevada Regional Medical Center

Niece Products

Peerless Products

Sharky’s Pub & Grub

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center

T-Mobile

Twister Trailer

USD-234 School District

Valu Merchandisers Company

Walmart

Ward-Kraft, Inc.
Positions Available

Thank you to the employers below who have

registered to have a booth at the Job Fair!
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
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Area News, Business, Government

Energy Transmission Line To Pass Through Bourbon County

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KCC grants NextEra public utility status to build a 94-mile Wolf
Creek to Blackberry transmission line, but with added conditions

TOPEKA – In a special business meeting August 29, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) granted a certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) to NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest, LLC, enabling the company to do business as a transmission only public utility in the State. The company filed an application for the certificate in February in order to construct a 94-mile, 345 kV transmission line from Wolf Creek to the Blackberry Substation, less than one mile over the state line in Southwest Missouri. The proposed line runs through five Kansas counties: Coffey, Anderson, Allen, Bourbon and Crawford. The final route has not yet been approved by the Commission.

The Wolf Creek to Blackberry project was identified by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) as a necessary economic project to increase the transmission capability and relieve congestion from western Kansas east to SPP load centers. SPP is a regional transmission organization (RTO) mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and competitive wholesale prices on behalf of its members. SPP serves 17 states, including Kansas.

In issuing today’s order, Commissioners agreed the project provides benefits for Kansans.

“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.”

Justin Grady, KCC Chief of Revenue Requirements, Cost of Service and Finance testified that Kansas customers could see an increase of $0.04 to $0.05 per month to cover the cost of the line beginning in 2025, but when the benefits of the project are considered, they should see a reduction of $4 to $7 for every dollar spent on the line over its 40 year operating life.

Grady also addressed misconceptions about the financing and purpose of the transmission line. He said the cost of the line will be allocated equally across the entire 14 state SPP region based on transmission customer load share. Kansas is paying 16.5% of the cost.

As for concerns that the line will be shipping nuclear or wind power out of Kansas to states outside of the SPP footprint, Grady said there is no evidence to support that.

While granting the certificate, the Commission imposed additional requirements and conditions on NextEra designed to protect ratepayers and to explore ways to minimize the impact of landowners along the proposed route. One of the conditions calls for NextEra to evaluate the feasibility of double circuiting the line with an existing 25-mile Evergy 161 kV transmission line and report back before a line siting application can be filed with the Commission. A double circuit line has two independent circuits on the same structure eliminating the need for an additional easement and reduces structure costs.

“The public interest of Kansans, especially including the landowners that would be affected along this portion of the preliminary route of the line, will not be served if this issue is not comprehensively reviewed by all parties before NEET Southwest files its line siting request with the Commission. To reiterate, failure to earnestly and completely review the double circuit option may result in a proposed route that the Commission cannot approve as reasonable, which the Commission wishes to avoid.”

Today’s order can be viewed here.

A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring Commissioner comments on the order, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Food

Uniontown’s Old Settler’s Picnic and UHS Class Reunion This Weekend

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The annual Old Settler’s Picnic committee is gearing up for this weekend’s activities, with events for people of all ages. In addition, the Uniontown High School Alumni Association has planned events for Saturday.

On Labor Day, Sept. 5, “There will be new food trucks and vendor booths”,  Becky Shinn, Secretary-Treasurer of the committee said. The vendors will be scattered around the town square of the town of less than 300 people. The town doubles and sometimes triples in size for this annual event.

Also in the park on Labor Day will be the picnic offerings. In addition to the food trucks, the Uniontown High School FFA will be serving BBQ food, and the Methodist Church, a chicken dinner.

The announcer for this year’s event is Adelay Martin.

The children’s parade will line up starting at 9:50 a.m. on Sept. 5 on the east side of the town square and prizes will be awarded for best theme, decorated  bike, child costume, pet and battery operated toy. No gas powered vehicles are allowed in the children’s parade, which will start at 10:15 a.m.

Uniontown High School Cheerleaders board their float for the 2019 Old Settlers Picnic Parade.

The theme of the parade this year is “Back to the Old School Days”, and entries are invited to decorate their vehicles and hay wagons to showcase their organizations. There are prizes for best church float, best theme oriented float, school floats, All Terrain Vehicles (they must be clean and decorated), antique tractors and cars.

Horses are always welcome in the parade, but riders are asked to unload them at the rodeo arena, west of town on Hwy. 3. The horses be last in line up in the parade and are asked to line up at the Methodist Church.

The Uniontown High School Class of 1959 wait to board their float for the 2019 Old Settlers Picnic Parade on Labor Day, 2019.

Throughout the day there will be raffles with drawings for cash prizes.

The Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the square.

For further info, click below.

Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show Sept. 5 in Uniontown

There is no baby contest this year.

For the kids is the traditional turtle race at 11:30 a.m., so be on the look out for a fast turtle! An egg toss competition, along with foot races and water races are planned for people from pre-kindergarten age to 100 years old on the south side of the square.

As is the tradition, there will be a recognition of the oldest man, oldest woman, longest married couple, former resident that traveled the farthest distance, and the resident who has had a Uniontown address the longest time.

May be an image of text that says 'Old Settler's Picnic HOSTED BY THE UHS CHEERLEADERS FEATURING TURTLES RACING, EGGS TOSSED WATER RACES, AND FOOT RACES! AGES: PREK-2ND -2ND 3RD-5TH 6TH-8TH -8TH FRESH-SENIOR 19-100 STARTIME 11:30 Let the Games Begin...'
Graphic from the Old Settler’s Picnic Facebook page.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at the Hwy. 3 arena, west of town, there will be rodeos to entertain. See the flyer above for more information.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, coffee, milk and donuts will start the fellowship time of the Community Church Service at 10:30 a.m., this year presented by the Uniontown Methodist Church. Please bring lawn chairs for the service.

As part of the family game night on Sunday evening, the UHS Cheerleaders will be hosting a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament as a fundraiser. Additionally, there will be a bubble gum chewing contest, watermelon eating contest and cornhole contest, with events starting at 5:30 p.m.

May be an image of text that says 'D LET THE GAMES BEGIN! 3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT A fundraising event for the UHS Cheerleaders SEPTEMBER 4TH AT CITY PARK. SIGN UP STARTS AT 5:30 $5.00 per person 3peope max team Games are minutes long Come out and enjoy 0 fun night of basketbal and other games!'
Graphic from the Old Settler’s Picnic Facebook page.

High School Reunion

This year the Uniontown High School alumni are having their reunion on Saturday, Sept. 3, in conjunction with Old Settler’s Picnic weekend celebration.

A “Welcome Back” Reception at the UHS Commons area at the high school is scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Cookies and drinks are provided as well as an opportunity to tour the school. All alumni, and current and retired faculty and staff are invited to attend.
All-School Reunion Alumni will host a party at Uniontown City Park from 6 p.m. to midnight, with a Disk Jockey presenting music and a food truck. Coolers of beverages are welcome, but no glass containers.
Business, Food, Government, Kansas, Youth

Grant Opps for Childcare/Senior Programs, Community Vibrancy, Food Retail, Libraries

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Kansas Department of Commerce Announces New Grant Opportunity to Support Economic Development in Smaller Communities

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland announced a new grant opportunity today that will help support economic development and revitalization efforts in smaller communities across Kansas through investments in quality-of-life initiatives.

The brand-new Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) program will make grants between $5,000 and $50,000 available to communities in 78 designated counties with a population of 5,000 or less. Grants will be available in the following categories:

  • Childcare and senior programming – projects that support or enhance these services, such as building improvements, educational materials, supplies and equipment;
  • Community vibrancy – projects that refresh, re-energize and unlock the attractiveness of rural communities, such as art installations, murals and signage;
  • Food retail – projects that support access to food retail establishments, including development, renovation and/or expansion; and
  • Libraries – projects that support providing free and open access to a broad range of materials and services, including reading material, technology, furniture and building improvements.

“The Department of Commerce is very pleased to offer this new grant opportunity to our smallest communities across Kansas,” said Lt. Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland. “The SEED grants will offer communities a boost that will help them prosper and thrive. Quality-of-life investments help create vibrant communities that attract more people to live and work in Kansas.”

Local governments, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and other organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide a minimum 10 percent match and complete the project within 12 months of receiving grant funds. Funds will be distributed half at the beginning of the grant cycle and the balance upon successful completion of the project.

Funding for the SEED program, which is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, is provided through the Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions (TEFFI) Development and Expansion Fund. The TEFFI Act was enacted in 2021 through bipartisan legislation to promote economic development throughout the state.

Earlier this year, the Beneficient Company Group, L.P. received its full charter and became the first technology-enabled fiduciary financial institution in Kansas pursuant to the TEFFI Act. Beneficient’s first contribution to the grant program totaled $2.7 million.

SEED grant applications will open Monday, August 29, and close at 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 30. Grant awardees will be announced in October.

An informational webinar on the SEED grant will be available to the public at 10:00 a.m. (CST) Monday, August 29. Registration for the webinar, guidelines for the grant application, and a list of eligible counties can be found at www.kansascommerce.gov/seedgrants.

Applicants can contact [email protected] for any questions regarding this funding opportunity.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Jobs

Local Job Fair August 31at the FSCC Ellis Center

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JOB FAIR
FORT SCOTT – BOURBON COUNTY
NEXT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31ST
10AM-2PM
ELLIS FINE ARTS CENTER ON THE CAMPUS OF
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2108 S. HORTON ST.
Employers registered so far include the following,
any employers wanting to register may click here:
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
Ascension Via Christi
Crossland Construction
Heartland Behavioral Health
Kansas Department of Transportation
Labconco
MyShift
Nevada Regional Medical Center
Niece Products
Peerless Products
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
USD-234 School District
Valu Merchandisers Company
Ward-Kraft, Inc.
Positions Available
Thank you to the employers below who have registered to have a booth at the Job Fair! Any other employers wanting to attend may click here!
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Business, Fort Scott

Happy Kids Daycare and Preschool Opens

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Taken from the business Facebook page. Lindsay Knopp and Afton Brown.
 Lindsay Knopp  and Afton Brown are the new owners of Happy Kids Daycare and Preschool, INC. at 1502 Scott Avenue, the former New Generations building.
The business provides daycare for children ages two weeks and up.
“We are pretty much full,  with a waiting list of 50-plus,” Knopp said.
“We… have our normal daycare settings and preschool during the school months and then daycare and summer program during the summer months,”  Brown said.
The hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Currently in the preschool there are 37 students, Knopp said. “This includes the USD 234 (students).  They lease a space to serve more preschool age kids and the majority of those students are also served in our daycare the other half of the day.  In daycare we currently have around 60.”

“We are still waiting on our license, but we signed on the building June 16th,” Knopp said.

To contact the business call (620) 223-1506 or email:
The Happy Days Daycare and Preschool people mover sits outside the facility. Taken from the business Facebook page.

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

New Exterior Building Cleaning Service Is Offered

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Jake Province. Submitted photo.

Local resident Jake Province, started Influx Services, a building exterior cleaning service in late May of this year.

“We provide house washing, pressure washing, exterior cleaning, and restoration services,” Province said. “We provide … driveway and concrete cleaning, deck and fence cleaning, and restoration services such as oil and rust stain removal.”

Service to other businesses are offered by Province as well.

“We also offer all services to commercial clients,” Province said. “We offer reasonable prices, professional service, and use appropriate cleaning techniques to prevent damage to your home or building.”

“I started this business because I’ve lived in Fort Scott and the
surrounding areas for most of my life, and like all of us, I want to
see it grow and improve,” he said. “Providing quality pressure washing, house washing, and exterior cleaning to the people of the town at reasonable prices is my way of giving back, and I hope to see my efforts cause more people to appreciate the town and the local businesses here.”

A before and after cleaning services. Submitted photo.

The business serves Fort Scott and all surrounding areas.

Those interested in residential or commercial cleaning can get a free
quote by calling (620) 407-3008,
or emailing [email protected]m

A before and after home driveway cleaning. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County, Business, Food

New Grocery Store Opens in Bronson

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Kelly and Thaddeus Perry.

Kelly and Thaddeus Perry opened their store, Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store on July 31 in Bronson, Kansas-population 309.

The store is located right on Highway 54 that runs through the town.

Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store, Bronson.

The mom and pop operation has people sign a guest book when they come in. “This is for Kansas Tourism,” Kelly said. “There have been a ton of people coming in.”

“We sold over 200 pounds of (her homemade) fudge in the first three days we were open,” she said.

Kelly Perry runs the cash register at the store.

Mama K’s fudge, made by Kelly Perry on site, has the capability of making 200 flavors of fudge.

“The fudge takes two hours to make with real cream and butter,” she said. “It’s from the same company that made Ozark Land and Silver Dollar City fudge.”

“We are wholesaling fudge and doing fundraisers (for community organizations),” Kelly said.

Their best seller at the store is their pork rinds, which along with the fudge is made in the back of the store.

Thaddeus said to make the pork rinds they order from a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture site.

“Then it’s cooked until done, then seasoned, then cooled and then bagged,” he said.

“It took two-and-a-half years to get to produce rinds and fudge on site,” Thaddeus said. “People have been asking  us for six to eight months when we were going to open.”

Store items and freezer storage for milk, eggs and more,  in Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store.

In addition to their signature products,  “We now carry milk and eggs, that will be from local vendors,” Kelly said. “We will be getting eggs and frozen chickens from Freedom Farms ( a Bourbon County farm) and all our ground beef, brats, hot dogs and bacon are from Bronson  (Meat)  Locker.”

Fresh produce stands are front and center in the country store.

And important to locals and those passing by, is the ability to purchase local fruits and vegetables.

“The first weekend we sold 28 watermelons and 60 pounds of tomatoes,” she said.

A white board lists the meals served each week at the store. This was last week’s offerings.

A hot meal is also served everyday from 11 a.m. “until it’s gone,” she said. A list of the week’s offerings are on a whiteboard near the inside door of the store.

The Perry’s have eight employees, some part-time and some full-time.

“We just hired three new employees for the front store,” Thaddeus said.

The store is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

To contact the store:  620.224.2052.

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Sales Tax Holiday Weekend In Fort Scott Continues Today

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Sales Tax Holiday Weekend

in Fort Scott
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces an opportunity for shoppers to save money this weekend, August 5th-7th!

With no “official” Sales Tax Holiday weekend in the State of Kansas, we have our own holiday here where these local retailers pay the tax for you!

Save 9.4% this weekend at these local merchants:

Angie Dawn’s Boutique

Bids & Dibs

Hedgehog.INK!

Museum of Creativity Gift Shop

Papa Don’s Pizza

Ruddick’s Furniture & Flooring

(up to $500 of sales/$50 of Sales Tax)

Shirt Shack

Sunshine Boutique

These stores offer a variety of merchandise including apparel, home furnishings and décor – both new and repurposed, school supplies and much more!

There is no need to cross the border during this

No Sales Tax Holiday Weekend.

Save money, shop local, shop Fort Scott!

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Business, Fort Scott

Local Business Selected For Accelerator Program

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Nedra Barr.

Nedra Barr, Spyder CEO, of Spyder, announced today that they were selected to be included in the NXTSTAGE Accelerator program in Kansas.

“We are excited to collaborate with this program and the other awardees in the program,” she said.  “This allows Spyder a larger stage in the State of Kansas to sell our new software products geared towards small business.”

Spyder CTO Mike Upright said, “Spyder’s small business product is scheduled to be released in September and will include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.  These tools are not widely available to small business’ today, but we see it differently.  Small Business’ need these types of solutions to put them on more of a level playing field.  Small business’ are the lifeblood of our U.S. economy, so helping them get to a level playing field is an important mission of Spyder!”

To learn more:

08 04 22 NXTSTAGE EES Release