|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Category Archives: Business
Help For Businesses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Pop Up Shop At Old Factory Connections Storefront
Local crafts people will have a place to sell their wares at a newly created holiday pop-up shop.
The Creative Sugarplums Pop-up Holiday Shop will be open at the former Factory Connections storefront weekends from November 20 to December 26 along with the weekdays the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The store is located on South Main (aka Hwy. 69) next door to Tractor Supply.
“Due to Covid-19 many individuals who create gifts out of their homes are not able to attend their usual events,” owner Emilia Whiteaker said. “This is my way of helping them.”
There will be community vendors and vendors from neighboring towns, she said.
” We have many great vendors, Locust Hill Lamanchas Goat Milk products, Sew Special Creations, Simply Blessed, Tom’s Benches, 2 Southern Ladies, CR Rustic Creations, RustnStuf and more.”
“We will also have Bijou Confectionary from Humboldt and Sweet Designs Cakery from Pittsburg creating sweet treats to go along with our old fashion candy.”
“Customers can also Adopt a Grandparent by purchasing an ornament and we will deliver them to all the residents at Fort Scott residential care facilities,” she said.
“Momentum Youth Development Foundation will have a photo where, for a donation, families can take their Christmas photos.”
There are also youth crafters involved.
“The youth vendors have handmade soaps, crocheted items and more,” she said.
“Visitors can also view the Christmas displays featuring vintage toys, ” she said.
There is still space available for both youth and adult vendors.
Contact Whiteaker through e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Lowell Milken Center Announces Four New Exhibits in Collaboration with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is pleased to announce the installation of four new exhibits in the Hall of Unsung Heroes museum in downtown Fort Scott.
The Attraction Development Grant received from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, & Tourism made this new addition to the Lowell Milken Center possible. The grant and matching funds allowed the Lowell Milken Center to update and improve the exhibit area and increase connections with visitors.
The Lowell Milken Center staff has had the opportunity to explore new avenues to reach visitors, teachers, and students while continuing their mission during the last nine months. Through social media outreach, virtual tours, Zoom presentations, and special video clips, the Lowell Milken Center continues to make the exhibit area relevant for teachers, adults, and students
. The inspiring stories of Unsung Heroes and positive role models need to be heard.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism Attraction Development Grant is designed to provide assistance in the development of new tourism attractions or the enhancement of existing attractions within the State. Their purpose is to provide strategic economic assistance to public and private entities and not-for-profit groups that are developing new tourism attractions or enhancing existing ones.
The new panels feature the inspirational stories of Jackie Ormes, Doug Hegdahl, William Matthews and Harry Hue.
Watch for a virtual unveiling of the new exhibits to take place in March.
About the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes:
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes works with students and educators across diverse academic disciplines to develop history projects that highlight role models who demonstrate courage, compassion and respect.
Through our unique project-based learning approach, students discover, develop and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on the course of history.
By championing these Unsung Heroes, students, educators and communities discover their own power and responsibility to effect positive change in the world.
Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more or visit the Lowell Milken Center exhibits in downtown Fort Scott.
Support Small Business Saturday Nov. 28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UMB Donates to Wreaths Across America
UMB Bank staff have announced the business has contributed $1,000 to the local Wreaths Across America for the Fort Scott National Cemetery.
This campaign allows a wreath to be placed on veteran’s graves for the Christmas season.
KC Mart: Gas Station Service to Northern Bourbon County
A gas station has reappeared on Soldier Road at HWY. 69, which had been closed for some time.
It is a welcome sign for those who travel to Kansas City because there are very few gas stations right off the highway in this section of Hwy. 69. It is also welcome to the rural residents who live nearby.
.
The K.C. Mart convenience store sells gasoline, meals, cigarettes, beverages, and beer, along with “truck stop, automotive items,” said Harjit Kaur, owner.
She and husband, Biender Singh, live in Olathe and commute daily to the store at 2191 Soldier Road.
The store opened on Oct. 23, 2020, and has five employees, she said.
Customer Brian Wade, who sent the story idea to fortscott.biz said, “I’m excited. Sure will save some miles when you need just lawn mower gas or diesel.” He has even purchased a pizza from the store, that he said was “great!”
Kaur has lived in America for almost 20 years, she said, after coming from India.
Previously, she worked for a transportation company in Kansas City and this is the couple’s first venture into a convenience store business, she said.
“We were trying to pick a business (to purchase), she said. “It was selling for a good price. And it’s a good community around here.”
Maycumber Receives Community Block Development Grant
Chris Maycumber. owner of Mayco Ace Hardware, 205 Scott, is the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant to repair his building. The grant was for $225,000, with Maycumber matching with $75,000.
According to the website: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs :
“The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program allows the Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community.
CDBG awards are given in four primary categories:
- Annual Competitive Grants
- Water and Sewer
- Housing Rehabilitation
- Community Facilities
- Economic Development Grants
- Commercial Rehabilitation Grants
- Urgent Need Grants”
Maycumber’s grant is for rehabilitating his building.
“It’s to fix up the appearance of the building exterior,” he said. “The roof, windows, doors, and anything that will get the building up to city code.”
The CDBG process began in 2018, he said.
“After a few snafu’s and the COVID-19 pandemic, it put us behind,” Maycumber said.
When the state does a CDB Grant, the project is put into a state-wide website, where contractors can bid on the specifications.
Although he can’t determine the contractors for the project, Maycumber said he hopes to use local businesses.
Currently, Agricultural Engineering Associates, Uniontown, is providing the building specs, he said.
“The state hasn’t put their money up yet, then we do, then the process to bid begins,” Maycumber said.
Thirty days after the project has let bids, they will know who the contractors are.
“Hopefully, by the end of November,” he said. “Then they will have so many days to finish the project.
The storefront at 203 State, north of the hardware store is the focus of the grant.
The last store in that building was Dollar General Store, who left in 2015, he said.
The 203 and 205 State building is owned by Maycumber with his mother, Joyce Maycumber.
Fort Scott Holiday Open House Nov. 12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING SMALL & SUPPORTING LOCAL!
|
|
New Employment Help Center Opens in Old Kress Building, Grocery Store Will Open Soon
A resource center in the former Kress Building, 17 S. Main is open in downtown Fort Scott.
The center is called the BWERC which stands for Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center.
The first floor is currently being prepared to sell groceries, while the second floor is open for business as a multi-partner center to help with COVID-19 related issues.
Downtown Grocery Store
BAJA Investments LLC, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and a local farm and ranch food cooperative grocery store will be located on the first floor, according to info from Hoener.
BAJA Investments will manage the grocery store that will open sometime in the second half of December 2020, said Bill Michaud, developer for the business. The store is as yet not named, Michaud said on Nov. 3.
The first-floor space will have shelving, coolers and freezers for
local produce and meat.
This will increase access to healthy food, and make more food available for local food assistance programs, Hoener said.
To view a recent story on the grocery store, click below:
New Grocery Store In Downtown Fort Scott Is Coming
Employment Related Services
Through a multi-partner collaboration of Bourbon County government , Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center www.pittstatesmallbusiness.com, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce http://fortscott.com/, Fort Scott Community College http://www.fortscott.edu/ , Kansas Works http://sekworks.organd BAJA Investments LLC , the hope is to address the urgent COVID-19 related crisis needs in Bourbon County, according to information provided by Jody Hoener, economic director for the county.
The building will be used for distance learning and teleworking and also a place for childcare businesses to become legal and thus help in childcare relief during the pandemic, Hoener noted.
The plan is to give businesses the tools and technical assistance needed for increased online capabilities and the assistance to
obtain the money needed to sustain their business.
There is also unemployment and job-seeking assistance.
Chamber After Hours at E3 Ranch Store
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Shop Looking For Vendors For Nov. 20
The Creative Sugarplums Holiday Shop is looking for vendors. Many events have been cancelled this year for public health reasons. To help local vendors and businesses The Creative Sugarplums Holiday Shop will be open this holiday season for these individuals to showcase and sale their products. The opening date is scheduled for November 20th and will be located in the space recently vacated by Factory Connection. Anyone interested in becoming a vendor can e-mail [email protected] or text (620) 224-8442 for more information.
Thanks,
Emelia Whiteaker