Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Government

Minutes of the Bourbon County Commission from Nov. 22

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November 22, 2022,                                          Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the County Clerk present.

 

Anne Dare and Rob Harrington were present for some or all of the meeting.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous week.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.

 

Eric Bailey stated that the sidewalk project was underway.  They had to dig a little bit deeper than originally planned to find a solid sub-base. Will try to get the pour done this week if possible.  We are in the final stages of getting the bean pad built.  Had a meeting with representative from ADM to look at our area and waiting to hear back.  Eric stated they had a dump truck tip over on its side.  The operator was unhurt.  We set the truck back up ourselves and added fluids and were able to drive it off.  A little bit of cosmetic damage.  Eric requested an executive session.  Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(6) for preliminary discussion for acquisition of real property including three commissioners, Eric Bailey, Dustin Hall, and Justin Meeks for five minutes returning here at 9:09 a.m.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.  Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with action.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.  Clifton made a motion to allow Eric Bailey to pursue some road right-of-way with 3 different owners around 160th between Fern & Grand on a bridge we got a grant to redo the bridge so it’s approximately 3/4 of an acre.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.  Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(2) for consultation with attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship including three commissioners, Eric Bailey, Justin Meeks, and Dustin Hall for ten minutes returning here at 9:21 a.m.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.  Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with no action.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.

 

Section 1 Handbook – Discussion of approval.  Discussion regarding Mission/Vision statement ended with decision to exclude statement.  Ashley suggested references to the Mission/Vision statement throughout Section 1 be removed.  Commission agreed.

 

Jim asked for an executive session.  Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individuals nonelected personnel to protect their privacy job performance including three commissioners and Justin Meeks for 15 minutes returning here at 9:38 a.m.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.  Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with no action.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.

 

An amended copy of Section 1 of the handbook was presented to the commission.  Clifton made a motion to approve.  Nelson seconded.  Clifton stated he had some issues with the history part of this section.  The statement “it is 638 square miles with open prairie comprising 90% of the area.  The native forest comprised of remaining 10% of timber belt contains hackberry, hickory, oak, pecan and walnut trees.”  Clifton stated he feels this is an untrue statement and should be removed.  Clifton made a motion that part be redacted.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.

 

Justin Meeks was contacted by an attorney yesterday regarding assignment of lease for the hospital building.  Justin requested an executive session.  Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(2) for consultation with attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship including three commissioners and Justin Meeks for three minutes returning at 9:47 a.m.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.  Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with action.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.  Clifton made a motion to allow Justin to do the leases to finish up the lease assignment for the hospital building.  Justin stated he is working on the deeds for the property of 201 S. Crawford.  We are working on the deeds now and should be done next week and should be transferred into the county.  I’ve been in it and it is in very bad shape.  I think it should be scrapped.  With your permission I’ll get with Eric to get in his que to get that ready to be torn down.  Discussion regarding the future of the lot was had.  A parking lot with a possible basketball hoop to give the youth a place to play.  Justin continued with discussion of the Land Bank with shared services in that the person would work for the land bank but also help with tax sales.  The Land Bank is requesting that the county supply an office space in the courthouse.  I’m asking permission from the commissioners to allow this person to use office space and will also make it convenient to be close to the Deed’s office as deeds and abstracts are worked on.  They plan to open this position in a few days.  Jim made a motion to allow the Land Bank Manager to share Justin’s office with him.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.

 

Shane Walker – No Comment.

 

Public Comment: No comment

 

Commission Comment: Jim stated that he would like to schedule a town hall meeting in the River Room in January.  One of the topics will be housing.  I’m going to invite the city commissioners, contractors and real estate people.  The public is encouraged to attend.  Other topics can be included as well.  Clifton made a motion to allow all three commissioners to attend a work session with the city commissioners.  It will be an open meeting.  It will be at noon with public welcome.  There will be no action taken.  Nelson seconded.  All approved.

 

Brian Allen announced from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the hospital in the McAuley Room and discuss the flood plain maps for Bourbon County.  Anyone who is concerned about their property are encouraged to attend.  All public is welcome.  This is Federal and State not Bourbon County.

 

At 10:01 a.m. Clifton made a motion to adjourn.

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

___________________, Chairman

___________________, Commissioner

___________________, Commissioner

ATTEST:

 

 

 

Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk

_______________, Approved Date

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission on Dec. 6

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Agenda (see attachments below)
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: December 6, 2022
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 9:00AM.
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• KDOR PVD Compliance (via phone at 9:15am)
• Renodry Representative
• Approval of Accounts Payable
• Jim Harris – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual
nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer
o 2022 Budget Amendment
o Financials Ending 10/31/22
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
• Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
• Susan Bancroft – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of
individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Attachments:

Bourbon County meeting data

2022 Budget Amendment

Financials Ending 22.10.31

Compliance Statistical Measures Explained

006 Bourbon Scorecard 2022

Bourbon County, Youth

Child Court Advocates: Voice of Neglected or Abused Children

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As  of November 2022,  there are 36 Bourbon County children who have been abused or neglected and need a volunteer to advocate for them in the court system.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.

” Bourbon County CASA has been providing CASA volunteers to the children of Bourbon County for over 32 years,” said Christa Horn, director.  “CASA Volunteers undergo extensive background checks and over 30 hours of training to become certified.  CASA’s are assigned by the court to advocate for and be the voice of children who are involved in the court system due to abuse and neglect, through no fault of their own.”

“Currently 36 children who have been victims of abuse or neglect are assigned CASA Volunteers,” Horn said.  “Over 980 children here in Bourbon County have benefited from having a CASA volunteer by their side, fearlessly advocating for their needs.  Sadly there are at least 36 more children who need a CASA volunteer.”

“Children can be referred by  interested parties, attorneys and DCF/or it’s private contractor and then are assigned by the Court,” she said.

“CASA volunteers meet with their assigned child(ren) on a consistent basis getting to know the child and their circumstances perhaps better than any other professionals involved in the case,” Horn said. “They gather information from all individuals involved in a child’s life, from parents, foster parents, teachers, therapists, doctors, family members, case worker.  CASA then submits written reports to the court at each court hearing detailing events and facts in a child’s life and case and makes recommendations on what is believed to be in the child’s best interest.  CASA volunteers remain assigned to their child until the child is reintegrated back home or reaches permanency through adoption, permanent custodianship.”

The amount of time spent as a CASA volunteer varies.

“Hours vary case by case, but on average a volunteer will spend 6 to 8 hours a month devoted to their assigned case,” she said.

“Currently Bourbon County CASA has 23 certified volunteers,” she said. ” Volunteers are assigned only one child or sibling group at a time, allowing them the time to focus on only one case at a time.”

Contact Bourbon County CASA, PO Box 146, Fort Scott.   Phone:  620-223-2407 or 620-215-2769;  Email:  [email protected];  Program Director Christa Horn

Tomorrow is the deadline for an annual fundraiser for CASA.

You are cordially invited to a Christmas Celebration
to benefit Bourbon County CASA on Friday, December 9th, 2022
7-9 pm.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres and a full bar will be provided.
The holiday party fundraiser  will be at the Cullor Lake Home
810 195th Street, Fort Scott.

Reservations are requested by Friday December 2nd.
Giving Levels:
Sponsor: $25 per person, $50 per couple
Guardian: $50 per person, $100 per couple
Guardian Angel: $75 per person, $150 per couple
Friend: $125 per person, $250 per couple
Benefactor: $500 and over
Mail your RSVP and giving level payment to:
Bourbon County CASA, PO Box 146, Fort Scott, KS 66701
or call Christa Horn at 620.215.2769 with any questions.

 

 

Bourbon County, Church news, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Grand Ole Opry Veteran Daryl Mosley comes to Ft. Scott!

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Waverly, TN – The community is invited to attend a concert by singer, songwriter, and storyteller Daryl Mosley on Wednesday, December 7 at First Southern Baptist Church, 1818 S. Main Street, Ft. Scott, KS.

The First Southern Baptist Church, 1818 S. Main.

From countless appearances on “The Grand Ole Opry” to classic shows at the famous Bluebird Cafe to a touring schedule of over 150 concerts per year, singer/songwriter Daryl Mosley has been sharing his songs and his stories with America for over 30 years.  Daryl has written three Song of the Year award winners, eight of his songs have made it to number one, and he has twice been named Songwriter of the Year! His songs have been recorded by dozens of artists ranging from bluegrass legend Bobby Osborne to country star Lynn Anderson to Southern Gospel’s The Booth Brothers, and have been featured on television shows ranging from “American Idol” to “The View.”  One of his best-known songs, “(Ask the Blind Man) He Saw It All,” was named one of the top Southern Gospel songs of all time!

Gospel music legend Bill Gaither calls Daryl “a poet-and we don’t have many poets left!” Daryl says, “I just write and sing songs about real life and real people; songs about faith and home and community are the foundation of my music because those are the things that are most precious to me.” Daryl’s concert is an intimate opportunity to hear his songs of life and faith as well as the entertaining stories of the people and events that inspired them.

The concert is free to the public but a love offering will be taken.  For additional information, contact Patty Lindley at 502 262-0428.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

KDOT: Owl Creek and Paint Creek Bridges to Be Replaced in Bourbon County

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KDOT announces approved November bids
The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. The letting took place Nov. 16, 2022, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

District One — Northeast

Jefferson ‑ 24‑44 KA‑5105‑01 ‑ U.S. 24, from approximately 1,056 feet east of the K‑237/U.S. 24 junction east to approximately 211 feet west of Elm Street in the city of Perry, includes the replacement of bridge #009 over the Delaware River located 4.26 miles east of K‑237, grading, bridge and surfacing, 5.0 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $12,613,929.42.

Leavenworth ‑ 24‑52 KA‑6564‑01 ‑ U.S. 24/4th Street and U.S. 24/Star Drive in Tonganoxie, ADA curb, ramps and signals, Gunter Construction Company, Kansas City, Kansas, $215,155.00.

District Four — Southeast

Bourbon ‑ 39‑6 KA‑3908‑01 ‑ K‑39, bridge #044 over Owl Creek located 2.14 miles east of the east K‑3 junction, bridge replacement, Bridges Inc., Newton, Kansas, $1,992,442.43.

Bourbon ‑ 3‑6 KA‑3909‑01 ‑ K‑3, bridge #024 over Paint Creek located 1.58 miles north of the Crawford County line, bridge replacement, Bridges Inc., Newton, Kansas, $1,824,955.40.

Cherokee ‑ 69‑11 KA‑6708‑01 ‑ U.S. 69, from the Oklahoma/Kansas state line north to the south city limits of Columbus, and from the north city limits of Columbus north to the K‑7/U.S. 160/U.S. 69 junction, milling and overlay, 12.0 miles, Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. And Subsidiaries, Columbia, Missouri, $3,282,750.10.

Crawford ‑ 47‑19 KA‑6624‑01 ‑ K‑47, from the Neosho/Crawford county line east to the west city limits of Girard, recycle and overlay, 12.5 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $3,520,005.77.

Franklin ‑ 59‑30 KA‑6579‑01 ‑ U.S. 59, from the north I‑35/U.S. 59 junction north to the Franklin/Douglas county line, overlay, 7.8 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $15,177,572.95.

Greenwood ‑ 400‑37 KA‑6594‑01 ‑ U.S. 400, from the east K‑99/U.S. 400 junction east to the Greenwood/Wilson county line, overlay, 15.2 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Kansas, $12,927,592.19.

Neosho ‑ 47‑67 KA‑6623‑01 ‑ K‑47, from the west city limits of St. Paul east to the Neosho/Crawford county line, recycle and overlay, 5.5 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $1,765,476.74.

Neosho ‑ 47‑67 KA‑6707‑01 ‑ K‑47, beginning at the U.S. 169/K‑47 junction east to the north U.S. 59/K‑47 junction, overlay, 11.1 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $2,863,827.07.

District Five — South Central

Harper ‑ 39 C‑5005‑01 – Bridge over Rush Creek, located 3.8 miles west and 3.0 miles north of Anthony, bridge replacement, 0.2 mile, L & M Contractors Inc., Great Bend, Kansas, $929,127.75.

Harvey ‑ 40 C‑5136‑01 ‑ 28 intersections located throughout the county, signing, 2.0 miles, Cooper Construction LLC, Emporia, Kansas, $29,144.20.

Harvey ‑ 50‑40 KA‑1827‑05 ‑ U.S. 50, from 5 miles east of the U.S. 50/RS‑305 junction (at the east end of existing passing lanes) east 0.8 mile, grading and surfacing, 0.8 mile, Pearson Construction LLC, Wichita, Kansas, $1,954,995.79.

Reno ‑ 50‑78 KA‑6719‑01 ‑ U.S. 50, bridge #007 located 6.7 miles west of K‑14, bridge repair, Wildcat Construction Co. Inc. & Subsidiaries, Wichita, Kansas, $123,305.40.

Sedgwick ‑ 235‑87 KA‑3232‑02 ‑ I‑235, I‑135, K‑254 and K‑96 interchange (Gold Project) in northeast Wichita, grading, bridge and surfacing, 6.1 miles, Bergkamp King, A Joint Venture, LLC, Wichita, Kansas, $140,775,519.17.

 

 

The following bids were approved from the Oct. 19, 2022, letting.

Douglas ‑ 23 TE‑0472‑02 – From Elm Street to the historic Santa Fe Depot on High Street, within the Midland Railway right of way in Baldwin City, pedestrian and bicycle paths, 0.5 mile, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $699,036.25.

Chase ‑ 9 U‑2403‑01 – Strong City Safe Routes to Schools Priority 1 Improvements, primarily on 5th Street and near Chase County Elementary School, pedestrian and bicycle paths, 0.8 mile, Prado Construction LLC, Valley Center, Kansas, $790,626.08.

Butler ‑ 8 N‑0692‑01 ‑ 159th Street, from U.S. 54/400 east to Central Avenue in Andover, grading and surfacing, 1.0 mile, Pearson Construction LLC, Wichita, Kansas, $5,511,222.11.

Morton ‑ 65 C‑5124‑01 ‑ Intersections of RS-1000 with RS-1488 and with RS-482, intersection improvement, 1.0 mile, Cooper Construction LLC, Emporia, Kansas, $61,154.00.

Wabaunsee ‑ 99 C‑5112‑01 ‑ Bridge over Maple Hill, located 1.0 mile east and 0.2 mile north of Maple Hill, bridge replacement, 0.2 mile, A M Cohron & Son Inc., Atlantic, Iowa, $1,807,094.15.

Marion ‑ 57 C‑5069‑01 – 190th Street and Nighthawk Road intersection, intersection improvement, 1.0 mile, Bruce Davis Construction LLC, Emporia, Kansas, $333,977.10.

Allen ‑ 1 C‑5001‑01 ‑ Bridge over stream, located 1.0 mile south and 2.0 miles east of Carlyle, bridge replacement, 0.1 mile, J & J Contractors Inc., Iola, Kansas, $235,798.30.

Montgomery ‑ 63 C‑5082‑01 ‑ Bridge over Illinois Creek, located 2.0 miles north and 0.1 mile west of Havana, bridge replacement, 0.1 mile, B & B Bridge Company LLC, St. Paul, Kansas, $988,276.50.

Anderson ‑ 59‑2 KA‑5422‑01 ‑ U.S. 59, from W 4th Avenue to K‑31/W Park Road in Garnett, pavement reconstruction, 0.5 mile, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $1,554,874.55

Reno ‑ 78 C‑5116‑01 ‑ Bridge over Cow Creek, located 0.5 mile west and 2.0 miles north of Willow Brook, bridge replacement, 0.1 mile, King Construction Company Inc. & Subsidiaries, Hesston, Kansas, $970,188.30.

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This information can be made available in alternative accessible formats upon request. For information about obtaining an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, 700 SW Harrison St., 2nd Fl West, Topeka, KS 66603-3745 or phone 785-296-3585 (Voice)/Hearing Impaired – 711.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Youth

Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Week

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In collaboration with USD 234 & USD 235, Bourbon County officially declared the week of November 28th as Bourbon County Reads to Preschoolers Week during the County Commission meeting on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

This proclamation coincides with Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Month, which is an annual event celebrated in November to promote reading to children under the age of five.

USD 234 & USD 235 encourage the reading of books to students of all ages but stress the importance of reading as a part of early childhood development.  Early childhood education is critical to a student’s future success in school.

 “This week we will be celebrating reading to preschoolers,”

Gina  Shelton,  USD 234 Finance Director/Board Clerk said.

“Grab those books and help a kiddo on their educational journey.”

Gina Shelton. Submitted photo.

 

 

Bourbon County, Food

Bronson: Soups and Santa on December 3

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Bronson Pride Committee is having a fundraiser this Saturday.
Visits with Santa start at 11 am to noon.
Soups, drinks, dessert  will be served from 11 am-2 pm for a free will donation.
  All money collected will be used for future Bronson Day events!
Several gift certificates & gift baskets are available for raffle as well you do not need to be present to win.
We will have a variety of things going on and volunteers are needed for serving food as well as donations for any desserts would be appreciated.
“As always we encourage all our community members to step in and help participate as much as they can to make our small community the best it can be,” said Kelly Perry, secretary for the  Bronson Day organization. ” Serving together with purpose.”
 
Bourbon County, Youth

CASA Holiday Party: Change A Child’s Story

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Sending on behalf of Chamber member
Bourbon County CASA…
You are cordially invited to a
Christmas Celebration
to benefit Bourbon County CASA
Friday, December 9th, 2022
7-9pm
Heavy hors d’oeuvres & full bar provided
At the Cullor Lake Home
810 195th Street
Fort Scott, Kansas
RSVP by Friday December 2nd!
Giving Levels:
Sponsor: $25 per person, $50 per couple
Guardian: $50 per person, $100 per couple
Guardian Angel: $75 per person, $150 per couple
Friend: $125 per person, $250 per couple
Benefactor: $500 and over
Mail your RSVP & giving level payment to:
Bourbon County CASA, PO Box 146, Fort Scott, KS 66701
or call Christa Horn at 620.215.2769 with any questions.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Nov. 29

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Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: November 29, 2022
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 9:00AM.
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Ashley Shelton – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of
individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
• Approval of Accounts Payable
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
• Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Bourbon County

Heartland REC awards $2,000 to Hammond Community Building

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Linda Minor-Hammond Community Center Board Member, Doug Graham-Heartland
 Communication Specialist -, and Alice Helton-Hammond Community Center Board Member.. Submitted photo.

Linda Minor wrote a grant that was awarded for the Hammond Community Center$2,000 from Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative for roof and HVAC repairs.

“I am a Hammond Community Center board member,” Minor said. “The building has been struggling financially with upkeep.”

The Hammond Community Center, 2275 Soldier Road, rural Fort Scott, is about 30 years old.

“Hammond Community Center is the only community center left in the Osage Township of Bourbon County,” she said. “The facility has been serving the Hammond area since the closing of the Hammond School.  The center is often used for birthday parties, reunions, and wedding receptions along with the monthly meetings of the Northeast Scott 4H Club.”

 
The Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative’s Concern for Community Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for capital improvement projects throughout the cooperative’s service area, according to a Heartland press release. Applications are accepted during a defined application period each year.

 

The Hammond project was one of 10 selected to receive a funding boost through Heartland’s Concern for Community grant program, according to a Heartland press release.

“I often say that we’re not in the business of selling electricity, we’re in the business of powering rural lifestyles,” said Mark Scheibe, Heartland CEO. “Part of that is supporting the communities our consumer-members live in and around. This grant program is a great way to do just that.”

The Concern for Community program provides grants of up to $5,000 for capital improvement projects throughout the Heartland service area, which covers parts of 12 counties in eastern Kansas. Capital improvement projects are those that involve investment in structures or equipment that will last for many years.

 

As a non-profit, member-owned cooperative, Heartland issues capital credits to members each year, but sometimes those capital credits go unclaimed. Because those monies were intended to be returned to the communities from which they came, Heartland’s Board of Directors decided to use those unclaimed funds for community grants and started the Concern for Community program in 2019.

This year, 10 applications out of 26 received were approved for funding by the Heartland board. Heartland distributed a total of $37,000 in Concern for Community grants this year.

Other Heartland REC projects selected for funding are as follows:

  • Cato Historical Preservation Association, Inc. was awarded $2,500 for painting at the Cato Christian Church between Fort Scott and Pittsburg.
  • Crawford County Fair Association was awarded $5,000 for new lights and wiring at the fairgrounds outside Girard.
  • Crawford County Fire District # 4 was awarded $5,000 to help purchase a virtual fire extinguisher training system to be shared with area fire departments and businesses.
  • Fairview Chapel outside Moran was awarded $2,500 for new bathrooms.
  • Hammond Community Center in rural Fort Scott was awarded $2,000 for roof and HVAC repairs.
  • Jayhawk USD 346 was awarded $2,500 for new curtains for the auditorium.
  • Linn County Fair Association was awarded $5,000 for new animal pens at the fairgrounds in Mound City.
  • Moran-Marmaton/Osage Fire Department was awarded $2,500 for new hoses and nozzles.
  • Mound City Historical Society, Inc. was awarded $5,000 for roof repairs on historical buildings.
  • Woodson County Fair Association was awarded $5,000 for renovations to the swine barn at the fairgrounds in Yates Center.

Applications were accepted in the month of September and selected by the Heartland Board of Directors in October. Heartland plans to reopen applications in summer 2023 for the next round of funding.

About Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes consumer-members in 12 counties, including Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.

Heartland REC traces its roots back to three original rural electric cooperatives: Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company, Sugar Valley Electric Cooperative Association, and Sekan Electric Cooperative Association. Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company joined with Sugar Valley in 1975 to form United Electric Cooperative; United Electric Cooperative joined with Sekan Electric Cooperative Association in 1996 to form Heartland.