Monthly Archives: November 2024

Government, Kansas

Commerce Announces New Housing Workforce Development Grant

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced the launch of the Fostering Residential Advancement through Mentoring and Education (FRAME) grant program, a groundbreaking initiative that will address both housing needs and workforce development in Kansas. This new opportunity will provide up to $2 million to qualified Kansas technical and community colleges to build and renovate residential homes, while training the next generation of well-skilled trade workers.

“Kansas has ushered in unprecedented levels of business investment, unlocking more workforce opportunities than we’ve ever seen before, but we don’t want a housing shortage to limit our potential,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This new grant opportunity will help build more housing in Kansas and create more opportunities for skilled professionals to put down roots in our state.”

FRAME was developed in response to a housing study conducted by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. The study highlighted the critical shortage of housing and skilled workers needed to meet the state’s growing demand. Existing contractors are stretched thin, and there is an urgent need to recruit and train a new workforce to ensure Kansas communities can build, grow and thrive.

“We believe the FRAME grant program has the ability to transform communities across the state,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “Not only will we see added housing, but we are creating a pipeline of skilled workers who are essential to the future of our economy.”

Key details of the FRAME include:

  • Funding Amount: $2 million in total funding is available, with individual awards ranging from $250,000 to $1 million per college
  • Eligibility: Open to technical and community colleges in Kansas with existing construction programs
  • Purpose: Funds will support the construction of new homes or renovation of existing homes while providing training in skilled trades such as construction, plumbing, electrical work and more
  • Application Period: Opens on December 1 and closes on February 14, 2025
  • Awards Announcement: Recipients will be notified in March 2025

Those applying should clearly demonstrate how the funds will be used to expand or develop housing programs, add residential housing in Kansas, and train students in various skilled trades. Colleges must outline a sustainable plan for future growth and how they will partner with local high schools, community organizations and industry professionals to engage students and ensure employment opportunities.

To learn more about the FRAME grant, click here. Commerce will present an informational webinar at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 3. To register, click here.

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, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

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Bourbon County, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

The Beacon Sees An Increase In Local Families In Need

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The Beacon is located at 525 E. Sixth Street, Fort Scott. Submitted photo. Ashley Heathman, assistant director, David Gillen, director, and Destiny Holderfield, food administrator.

 The Beacon is an interfaith, not-for-profit network in Bourbon County that has been in existence for 40 years. They assist community residents with food, utilities, and other necessities during times of need.

“We are dedicated to providing an efficient link between churches, civic groups, and other service organizations to those in need,” according to Dave Gillen, the director.

This time of year, the community gears up to give gifts and food to those who need it.

“The Adopt-A-Family program is a project that The Beacon takes great pride in,” said Gillen. “We help local Bourbon County families bring Christmas to their homes. After the application is filled out, we make the families available for the public and organizations to come in and ‘adopt’.  They then purchase gifts for the children and The Beacon puts together a rather large holiday meal package for the family. The children’s Christmas gifts are purchased, wrapped, and tagged with the family number and dropped off at Community Christian Church, where we sort into the proper family group.”

Those who want to adopt a family can come to The Beacon, 525 E. Sixth, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday from 9  a.m. to 1 p.m. to pick the family they want to adopt or call 620-223-6869.

Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton is where the Adopt A Family gifts are sorted and distributed.

There is an increase in the number of local families in need this year.

 “This year we have 112 families, which includes 290 children that will be up for ‘adoption.’These families are current Beacon clients or families needing help in Bourbon County. Last year we had 77 families for the Adopt-A-Child program so we had a major increase in local families in need this year.”

“This program could not be possible without the help of individuals, businesses, organizations, and our local fire department,” he said. “It takes many volunteers to transfer and sort food from The Beacon to the Community Christian Church gym.” 

“The Beacon also helps supply food items for the Elk’s Christmas Basket that is delivered the Sunday before Christmas,” he said.

“We are very busy this time of year with food and toy donations, sign-up, and just everyday activities,” he said. “We average about 25 to 30 families a day for food distribution and do some financial assistance to help residents of Bourbon County. The Beacon celebrated our 40th year helping Bourbon County this year. “

“We are dedicated to providing an efficient link between churches, civic groups, and other service organizations to those in need.“

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation to Host 2nd Annual Match Day Event: Dec. 3

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The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) is hosting its second annual Match Day on National Giving Tuesday, December 3. Match Day is an exciting fundraising campaign to support local nonprofit organizations and the work they do in our region. This year, the Community Foundation, through a generous grant from the Patterson Family Foundation, is offering up to $25,000 in matching funds for contributions made to eligible funds.

 

“Our first Match Day in 2023 was a wonderful success, and with the matching funds grant, we added a total of $89,551 to our participating funds. We are very excited to have the opportunity to participate again this year, and we invite to the community to give together during Match Day 2024,” said FSACF Chairman Becky Tourtillott. “The support of our community donors, combined with the match dollars, allows us to grow the endowments and provide ongoing support for our charitable partners. These local organizations and the services they provide are important to Bourbon County and make a true difference.”

 

Community contributions support each organization’s endowed fund held at FSACF. The funds are invested to produce present and future income, which organizations can use for operations, programs, or special projects. The $25,000 match pool will be divided among the participating organizations’ endowments in proportion to their share of community contributions, subject to a 20% limit. The full 100% of each donation will be placed in the organization’s endowed fund, and the match amount will be made available to the organization immediately.

 

Donations for Match Day can be made in three different ways:

  • Online at FortScottGives.org or
  • In person, delivered to Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall, on or before Tuesday, December 3 or
  • By check, mailed to FSACF, P.O. Box 901, Fort Scott, KS 66701 with a postmark date no later than December 4, 2024. Please make checks payable to: Fort Scott Area Community Foundation

 

Funds participating in Match Day are: Anna Faye and Robert Gordon Steele Memorial Funds, Care to Share Cancer Support Endowed Fund, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Fort Scott Endowment, Fort Scott Area Chamber Foundation, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation General Endowment Fund, Fort Scott Area Public Parks Endowment, Dr. Pratt & Pauline Irby Endowment, John Valentine & Patricia Jean Neff Health Care Fund, Shepherd Family Endowment Fund, and the Shirley Yeager Animal Friends Foundation.

 

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More information at FortScottGives.Org

Opinion

Something To Crow About by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

 

Something to Crow About

 

Why do roosters crow? Well, there’s a variety of reasons, but generally they do their wake-up call just before sunrise because of their God-given instinct to sound their alarm clock. Roosters will also crow whenever they feel like it because crowing is simply their way of expressing themselves. Since they don’t have vocal cords, they can crow all day for no reason at all and not get hoarse or lose their “voice.“ Basically, roosters crow because they can.

 

During this season of thanksgiving, I am absolutely not going to let a rooster outdo me. I’ve got something to crow about too, and so do all believers. There’s a variety of reasons why we should praise the Lord and thank Him for all He’s done. “Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever” (Psalm 106:1 NLT.) When life gets bad, God remains good. And His faithfulness remains great and steadfast even in today’s chaotic world.

 

It’s right to thank God for material things such as a roof over our head, food on the table, and shoes on our feet. But let’s be sure to thank Him for spiritual things as well: “May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people who live in the light. For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, Who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:11-14 NLT.)

 

Andrae Crouch may have captured the grateful heart of every believer when he composed the lyrics and music for ‘My Tribute:’ “How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me — Things so undeserved, yet You give to prove Your love for me? The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.”

 

In Psalm 116, King David asked the rhetorical question, “What can I offer the Lord for all He has done for me?” His answer was to praise the Lord’s name. Believers can bring praise, honor, and glory to God by representing Him well in everything we say and do. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17 NKJV.) If what we do doesn’t match up with what we say, then we probably shouldn’t crow quite so loud.

 

Let’s remember to thank and praise God every day, not just at Thanksgiving time. Roosters crow because they can’t help it. (I wonder if anyone has ever tried to muzzle a rooster.) We should praise and thank God because we simply can’t help it. During Jesus’ triumphal entry, some of the Pharisees among the crowd told Him to rebuke His followers for their praises. “But He [Jesus] said, ’If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise’” (Luke 19:40 MSG.)

 

God has done so many wonderful things for me, I want to praise and thank Him with all my being.

 

The Key: I don’t want any roosters or rocks doing my job!

Business

Walgreens To Close January 22nd

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Walgreens has announced that the Fort Scott store will close on January 22nd. Employees say they weren’t given a reason for the closure other than it was a decision made by corporate.

In October, Walgreens announced they would be closing 1,200 stores without specifying which stores would be affected. The Pittsburg store will remain open.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Melany Felt

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Melany June Felt, age 54, resident of Kincaid, Ks passed away Monday November 18, 2024, in a tragic accident 4 miles south of Iola, Ks.

She was born February 23, 1970, in Fort Scott, Ks the daughter of Thomas and Beatrice Powell. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1988. Melany worked as a waitress, owned her own clothing store in downtown Fort Scott, then worked as an in-home caregiver for the last several years.

She loved her kids, grandkids, and her dog Harley.

Melany’s favorite hobbies included playing with and loving on her grandbabies, tinkering on cars, and helping anyone in need.

 

Melany leaves behind her beloved companion Harley, brother Jerry Powell, sister Sherri Clark, son Tyler Felt and wife Skylar Felt, daughter Haley Arnold and husband Adam Arnold, and seven wonderful grandchildren, Waylon, Knox, Easton, Creek, Olivia, Coy, and Maci. She was preceded in death by her son, Scott Felt, and her parents.

 

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 10:00 Wednesday, November 27th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Melany Felt Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Key Annual Warehouse Sale Starts Tomorrow

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Annual Key

Warehouse Sale

November 23-30th
The Annual KEY Warehouse Sale is just around the corner – November 23-30. Find great deals on discounted workwear and outerwear for the whole family!

The sale is at the same location as last year, 2400 S. Main, Suite 200, Fort Scott (previously Shoe Sensation) in the shopping center next to T-Mobile.

They are closed Sunday (November 24) and on Thanksgiving (November 28).

Gear up and grab a deal at the KEY Warehouse Sale November 23-30 at 2400 S Main, Suite 200 in Fort Scott.

To learn more click here for KEY Facebook page.

Click here for the KEY event page

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 US
 
Government, Kansas

Private Sector Investment In Kansas Since 2019: $20 Billion

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Governor Kelly Announces $20 Billion in
Private Sector Investment Since 2019


TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly announced on Friday that since the start of her administration in 2019, Kansas has attracted more than $20 billion in committed private sector investment to the state. This historic milestone has resulted in commitments to create or retain nearly 70,000 jobs with 1,312 successful projects in 87 of Kansas’ 105 counties.

“My administration’s efforts to invest in all aspects that make Kansas the best place to live, work, and raise families has put our state back on top,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our laser-sharp focus has resulted in thousands of successful projects across the entire state, bringing more jobs to Kansas than ever before. We have created a solid foundation to continue landing investments here in the Sunflower State, allowing Kansas to climb higher than ever before.”

The Kansas Framework for Growth, Kansas’ economic development strategic plan, has guided an intentional development of the state’s economy. The plan’s comprehensive focus on all factors impacting economic growth has been a novel and effective approach.

“Since 2019, we have continued to make huge strides in wage growth and job creation, and we’ve risen up the rankings for business investment per capita,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Today, more businesses than ever are looking at and choosing Kansas for their companies’ growth and expansion. This historic milestone is a testament to our ongoing momentum and dedication to serving Kansans and unlocking hidden potential all across our state.”

Of the successful projects landed in Kansas since the implementation of the Framework, approximately 90% align with the five target industry sectors identified in the plan. Strategic investments by the state in these sectors are driving growth and prosperity across Kansas.

“Tapping into the Midwestern work ethic and quality of people in Philipsburg was key,” Amber Wave Chief Operating Officer Steve Adams said in reference to his company’s decision to build North America’s largest wheat protein plant in Phillips County. “It’s about creating opportunity everywhere and utilizing the Kansas strengths, which is what makes this facility and Amber Wave a natural fit. We are excited to be a part of the new future and growing out here in western Kansas.”

Businesses not only are looking for a site to serve their needs, but also for communities that their workforce can enjoy and put down roots in. Providing resources for housing development, broadband expansion, child care, arts, and other economic determinants of health that contribute to a dynamic quality of life has made Kansas more attractive and provided an advantage to landing businesses. Promoting the vitality, livability, and quality of these places has been essential to the momentum Kansas has already created and is necessary to continue the growth.

To further this goal, the Kansas Framework for Growth leverages four strategic pillars that power new opportunities across each of the sectors. These pillars focus on talent, innovation, community assets, and policy, which are critical to keep supporting the competitiveness and resilience of the target sectors and economic regions.

“In Kansas, we could not do the economic development we are doing without the quality-of-life issues being addressed, and it has been incredibly important for the state to help us focus on meeting those challenges that may be more difficult to do on the community level by themselves,” Dodge City and Ford County Development Executive Director Joann Knight said. “Quality of life is key to helping the state grow, and the partnerships that have been built between the Department of Commerce and local communities has helped make Kansas the most amazing place.”

The jobs associated with these economic development projects are contributing to the overall wage growth across the state. On average, the 69,706 jobs created and retained pay 7.7% more than the overall average private sector wage in Kansas. This upward momentum in wages demonstrates that Kansas is creating good-paying jobs with reliable and stable salaries.

To hear more about the historic $20 billion milestone, watch the Kansas Department of Commerce video here.

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Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor:
Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

Fall Extravaganza To Benefit FSHS’s FFA Program: Find Those Holiday Gifts Here

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Submitted graphic.
Monday, November 25 is the annual Fall Extravaganza, put together this year by the Fort Scott FFA Chapter as a fundraiser.
The event is at the Fort Scott Middle School from 5-8 p.m.
Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.

“The event started in 2009 by the Fort Scott Middle School VIPs to raise money to support the middle school,” said Sydney Cullison, Fort Scott High School FFA Advisor.

The event is where local businesses or crafty individuals showcase and sell their products and the students running the event get some money for their cause, it’s a win-win proposition.

Cullison said “The last couple of years the event was coordinated by the Fort Scott High School Swim Team to raise money for uniforms. This year, the Fort Scott FFA Chapter took over the planning of the event.”

The chapter officers are in a class called Ag Leadership and have been planning this event with the help of Cullison.

Much work has been done by the students and teacher leading up to this event: They must determine how much to charge for booth spaces, make an application form, collect payments from vendors, create a vendor layout map, create flyers and do social media advertising for the event.
Thus far 55 vendors are coming and will have a 10-foot by 10-foot booth space for $25.
The proceeds from the event will pay for the annual FFA membership dues for the 2024-25 school year, which are roughly $1,300 and are covered by the FFA Chapter.
The Fort Scott FFA group in 2023. Submitted photo.
“In 2021, the FFA chapter moved to an affiliate membership model meaning any student enrolled in an agriculture course is automatically an FFA member,” Cullison said. “The affiliate model allows all students to participate in FFA events to further skills learned in the classroom without paying an individual membership fee of $15. “
The Fort Scott High School FFA program has 106 students in grades 9-12.
The National FFA Organization’s mission is to help students develop their potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
Opinion

A Turkey or a Taco? By Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

“No one who loves as much gets as little.”

I recently found that scribbled on the bottom of an old newspaper clipping. The words, of course, refer to Jesus, and if Jesus doesn’t get the kind of love he deserves, why do I think that I am entitled to the kind of love that makes me happy?

Last night, some of us married folks were discussing Gary Chapman’s book “The 5 Love Languages” which challenges readers to find out what their mate’s “love language” is.

Dave and I found out early on that we were missing this understanding in our marriage when he asked me if I loved him and I answered that he should know I love him because I make him tacos every single day…even when I am in the mood for a tuna noodle casserole.  I still make tacos.  That should prove I love him.

“I don’t care about food,” he said.  “I eat to live.  What I want is affection.”

Say what?????  Who wants affection over food?  Does that include turtle cheesecake?

Clearly, I had much to learn about my man.

This year, Dave and I celebrated our 51st wedding anniversary.  If I have learned one thing (other than I needed to be more loving), it is to be thankful for my man.  Occasionally, I write funny stories about Dave and me. (Trust me, most do not get written.) What surprises some of my readers is that Dave typically helps me write them.  I love that (and many other things) about him. Still, ours has not been a perfect marriage, and although we have found humor in many of our disagreements, there have been some tough times.

Many marital situations are not funny.  Arguments. Divorce.  Financial loss.  Death.  Being thankful in the midst of such circumstances—while seeking to find good in difficult people—challenges even the most faithful Christian.

Yesterday, I heard someone say that God never gives us more than we can handle, a quote Christians frequently spout when trying to encourage someone going through a difficult time. Scripture does not say that.

 

In Dave’s and my case, sometimes our marriage has pushed both of our buttons, the red ones that yell “Stop!” Quitting would be easy, except the Bible says that we are given trials that we might prove faithful, that we might learn perseverance and ultimately, joy. What we do with those trials—as we trust that God is in charge and we aren’t—helps us grow closer to our spouse and to God…and that needs to be our ultimate goal.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving next Thursday, let us not forget to be thankful for our families, to pray for them daily and to recognize that God can use our differences to draw us closer to Him.  For me, the thought of a Thanksgiving turkey over tacos makes me grateful, even if it is just once a year.