Category Archives: Business

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Bourbon County Leadership Class Graduates

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Chamber Celebrates LEAD Bourbon County Class with Graduation

The 2018-2019 LEAD Bourbon County group wrapped up their training with a graduation ceremony at Liberty Theatre Thursday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m. The group consisted of individuals nominated by their employers to participate in the leadership training program called “LEAD Bourbon County.” They have been meeting every month, starting back in September of 2018.

Trainers/Facilitators for the Lead Bourbon County Training were:

Lindsay Madison, Executive Director, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

Deb Needleman, SPHR, IPMA-SCP, Director of Human Resources, City of Fort Scott
Robert Uhler, IOM, CAE, Community Development Director, City of Fort Scott

Participants in the LEAD Bourbon County Program included –

  • Zach Adams, Marketing and Customer Service Manager, Craw-Kan Telephone
  • Kellye Barrows, Culture and Customer Experience Officer, AVP, Marketing, Landmark Bank
  • Thomas Cook, Production Scheduler, Timken
  • Lewis Dunkeson, Site Coordinator, Fort Scott High School (Communities in Schools)
  • Scott Flater, Superintendent, Water Production, City of Fort Scott
  • Daniel Koppa, USD 234 Facilities Director
  • Dustin McClure, Vice President of IT, Union State Bank
  • Virgil Peck, Pastor, Fort Scott Nazarene
  • Allyson Turvey CVB, Group & Convention Sales, City of Fort Scott
  • Hope Workman, SAP Data Clerk, Timken
  • Russ Souza, Director of Advising and Retention, Fort Scott Community College

During each monthly session the LEAD Bourbon County group learned new techniques and models of leadership, that leadership is not a position but an attitude, and that everyone can lead. The purpose of the curriculum was to stretch the boundaries of thought regarding leadership and to help each individual learn how to get the most out of meetings, individuals, resources, and circumstances.

The past few months the group has also been working on a community project collecting donations towards purchasing park benches for key locations in the area. The group collected a total of $2,687.50, which was enough to purchase 5 park benches for the following locations: three benches in Fort Scott at Riverfront Park and two benches in Uniontown at the Walking Trail.

The LEAD Bourbon County group would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for their most generous donations towards the purchase of these benches –

  • City of Fort Scott
  • Cheney Witt Funeral Home
  • CrawKan
  • Kiwanis
  • Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial Chapter 514
  • Timken

The plan is to have the installation of the new benches completed by the end of June.

 

Bourbon County, Business

Paint Creek Realty Welcomed by Uniontown Ruritan

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Uniontown Ruritan welcomes Paint Creek Realty Owner Linda Wilson, during a ribbon cutting May 11. From left: Luke George, Ruriteen; Joe, Lawrence and Raymond George, Ruritan, Linda Wilson, Paint Creek Realty; Henry Homan and Mark Warren, Ruritan.

Paint Creek Realty owner Linda Wilson was welcomed to the community by Uniontown Ruritan on May 11.

Wilson specializes in agricultural listings and offers client support, financial assistance, market analysis, drone aerial photos, and has been in the business since 2005.

“The market is very strong at the present time,” she said. “We have a demand for sellers with a home on a small acreage outside city limits.”

Linda Wilson, Paint Creek Realty.
Linda Wilson’s business card.
“My goal is helping dreams become reality,” Wilson said. “I want to give a very special thank you to all sellers and buyers for their support.”
Some of her properties for sale:
Imagination Station – 678 Maple Rd Uniontown – 40 Child Care Capacity.
Uniontown Car Wash & Storage  – 111 3rd Street – 2 Bay Car Wash – 20 Unit Storage
Horseman Dream Property – 1000 N Main St. Mapleton – Home, Barn/6 Stalls. Arena, Acreage
Nice Large Victorian Home on 40 M/L Acres – Uniontown Area
Very Well Maintained 160 Acre Pasture/Ponds/Corral/Work Chute/Water Meter
142 Acre Ag Property, Possible 80 Ac to be Tilled/Balance Pasture
Totally Renovated Home in Uniontown – 2 Bed/1Bath
Nice Brick Home in Ft. Scott – Great Location. Updated Recently, 3 Bed/1 Bath
Awesome Ranch Home in Ft. Scott – Very Large Yard
14 Ac Home, Extra Large Shop, Several smaller buildings, On Pavement. Uniontown
Well Established Restaurant in Garnett, Tastefully Renovated – 5,880 Sq. Ft. Bldg in 2009 – Turn Key Operation, 125 Capacity Venue Facility, Area Catering in Place, Living Quarters
View Listings & Other Buyer Information at her website: http://PaintCreekRealtyks.com
Contact her at 620 654 7413.
Business, Housing, Opinion

Presbyterian Village Raises $28,000 For Community Seniors

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Presbyterian Village thankful for volunteers, bidders who raised more than $28,000 for community seniors

By Presbyterian Village Executive Director Ginger Nance

While I drove to work this morning reflecting on the many people who helped to make this event possible, my mind quickly went to a story in the Bible (paraphrased to my own understanding) of the three men who were each given a financial gift/s (a talent) and were told to use it to their best ability. After some time, their master returned and asked them what they had done to multiply the gifts (talents and resources) they were given. The story goes on to explain that the men who had used his money and resources to multiply and help the most number of others were blessed beyond measure.

I feel like, in reflection, that is what our community came together to do. We all had small amounts of different gifts & talents that we had been given and we worked together as a community to multiply those small things and we turned them into something great that will help many in need!

A huge thank you goes to the dozens and dozens of volunteers who donated their time baking, boxing and serving delicious cakes, the many who helped set up and be ready for the auction, those who sold tickets, who were live on the radio to tell their story, who donated water, pop, the vacation and items for the auction, those who sponsored, who shared our posts with friends and hung fliers to help with advertising, who boxed dinners, who ran their legs off during the event to get more than 565 meals where they needed to be in the drive-through and lobby spaces, those who auctioneered and caught bids, who directed the flow of traffic and parking, who purchased tickets and bought items at the auction, and the list goes on and on…. without you the success to help our seniors in need would not be possible!

Each task (talent) of those who helped with the Good Samaritan fundraising event, though they may have individually viewed at the time as small and insignificant, made a great impact to our seniors and your gift will multiply beyond what you can see.

Everything seemed to align perfectly for the event. The rain finally broke a few days prior and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a nice evening to come together.

A record number of meals were served this year, along with ticket sales for the seven-day vacation to beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico.

More than $28,000 was raised and will remain in this community to help “bridge the gap” of a financial need that exists today among some of our seniors who reside at the Presbyterian Village.

“Thank you” are not sufficient words to express the deep gratitude felt by the outpouring of love and support we witnessed at this event at the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village. Being a part of this community is a blessing that I could only hope others in our world could experience. What an amazing town we live and work in! Thank you to all of you, who together worked to multiply small portions (talents) into something powerful to help others in need.

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Niece Hosts Chamber Coffee May 23

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee

Hosted by:

Niece Products

Location:

3904 Liberty Bell Rd.
Thursday, May 23, 2019  at 8:00 a.m.
Visit Niece Products’

web page by clicking HERE.

 

Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
May 30 – Good Ol’ Days Committee (at Skubitz Plaza)
June 6 – Lowell Milken Center (D-Day 75th Anniversary)
June 13 – Accent Dental
June 20 – Bourbon County Garden Club
Business

Westar Energy Recognized as 2019 Best Employer

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Westar Energy was recently recognized as one of America’s Best Employers for 2019 by Forbes.

In partnership with market research group, Statisa, Forbes surveyed 50,000 Americans working for companies with 1,000 or more employees. Participants rated how likely they’d be to recommend their employer to other job seekers. Participants also nominated other employers in their industry. Forbes used this information to create a list of the best large and midsize companies. Westar was recognized in the midsize category.

“We work every day to create a culture of engagement and inclusion, where our employees can grow and succeed. We’re grateful to be recognized by Forbes as a top employer,” said Jerl Banning, senior vice president and chief people officer.

Career opportunities can be found at www.westarenergy.com/careers-overview.

-30-

About KCP&L and Westar Energy:

Serving approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L), KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company and Westar Energy are the electric utilities of Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG). Together we generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.

 

Business, Fort Scott

Young Entrepreneur: Brian Griffin

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A wall inside Brian Griffin’s bike repair facility, Brian’s Backyard Bike Shop, located on Judson Street. Submitted photo.

This is the first in a series featuring young people who found a need and are seeking to fill it with a business venture.

To nominate local young entrepreneurs, send name, phone number/email to [email protected].

Brian Griffin: Bike Fixer

Fort Scott High School Student Brian Griffin, 16, loves all things bicycles.

Brian Griffin works on repairing a bike at his shop. Submitted photo.

” I began fixing bikes because I love bikes, I love to ride, build trails, tinker with bikes, ” Griffin said.  “I’ve even built three bikes from the frame up! It helps me relax in such a stressful world.”

“My training/ experience started at a young age of around eight, fixing chains, airing up tires and other basic stuff,” he said. “I didn’t really get into the hard depths of the hundreds of small parts and how to fix, replace, and maintain them until late 2017, thanks to the help of Frank Halsey and other bicycle enthusiasts!”

 

A business idea came from Halsey.

 “The idea first came to mind by a good friend and mentor Frank Halsey,” Griffin said. “He and I were talking back in the summer of 2017, about an operation to get small kid’s bikes going to make sure kids are on their bikes having fun, instead of finding trouble. I started to buy tools and extra parts and advertising that I’ll fix kid’s bikes for free, which is still in effect.”
Brian Griffin works on a repair with a youth. Submitted photo.
“Last year I came up with the name,” Griffin said. “Brian’s Back yard Bike shop or the Triple B. I chose this name because I started in my back yard. I have since upgraded to my own section of the building.”
Brian’s Backyard Bike Shop
“There are several ways that people can get in contact with me if they wish to do so,” Brian said. “My phone number is (620)215-2247. Or my Facebook page Brian’s Backyard Bike Shop. I’ll also have an Instagram for the shop soon!”
“Thankfully I’m conveniently placed only a few blocks (on Judson Street) away from some of the finest mountain bike trails in Kansas, at Gunn Park,” he said. “So if any anyone has trouble, I could even bring some of my bike shop to them!”
Editor’s note: I recently needed my bike repaired and Brian Griffin did an excellent job-Loretta George
Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Effective Leadership Training June 4

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REMINDER:
TEAM 2.0
Effective Leadership for First Line Managers and Supervisors
How to Build Engagement,
Reduce Conflict,
and Increase Cooperation
A Bill Drury Seminar, hosted by the
Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
8am to noon
“EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP FOR FIRST LINE MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS”
This workshop will help your business go to the next level of teamwork and cooperation.
To register for this seminar, click HERE.
Register by 5/28 for $149/person.
Discount for 5 or more, $129/person
After 5/28, $169/person
Discount for 5 or more $149/person
Empress Event Center
7 N. Main St., Fort Scott
Tuesday, June 4th,2019
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(parking in front and back entrances)
The speaker, Bill Drury, has received rave reviews from over 400 of the Fortune 500 companies. He has delivered over 2,000 presentations in the last 20 years.
This half-day workshop is a continuation of last year’s seminar hosted by the Chamber,
“A Passion For Service”.
Don’t miss this opportunity
to rev up your company’s sales/growth engine!
Business, Government, Kansas

G & W Spotlighted by Ks. Department of Commerce

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Awards Spotlight Kansas Businesses

 

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce is proud to announce the beginning of Business Appreciation Month by announcing several award winners, including the finalists for the Governor’s Award of Excellence.

The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Business Appreciation Month program has been in place since 1995 and serves as a statewide tribute to Kansas businesses for their contributions to our state. Individuals and organizations are invited to nominate businesses that contribute jobs and support their local communities.

Businesses are nominated in one of four categories:

  • Service
  • Retail
  • Manufacturing/Distribution
  • Hospital/Non-Profit

One winner in each category is chosen from each of the seven designated regions of the state by a panel of judges from the business and economic development community.

Once regional winners are determined, the judges select the top nominees as the finalists for the Governor’s Award of Excellence, which is the highest award given to a business by the state of Kansas.

Before the judging team makes its final recommendation for the winner of the Governor’s Award of Excellence, the finalists are given a chance to make presentations to the panel of judges. This gives the finalists an opportunity to expand upon the information that was submitted in their nomination.

The following companies are finalists for the Governor’s Award of Excellence:

  • Leeway Franks of Lawrence, KS
  • Mi Rancho Tequila of Kansas City, KS
  • Morningstar Care Homes of Fredonia, KS
  • ColdPoint Logistics of Edgerton, KS

The official selection for this award will be announced at the Team Kansas Awards Banquet on June 4 at the Kansas State University Alumni Center in Manhattan, KS.

Alongside the Award of Excellence, the Department of Commerce is announcing awards in the Regional and Merit categories.

 

The following companies are this year’s Regional Award Winners:

  • Backroad Atlas
  • Clay County Medical Center
  • CleaverFarm and Home
  • Courser Lap Clinical and Family Services
  • Cumbernauld Village
  • Florence Corporation
  • Fox Home innovations, LLC
  • Gella’s Diner and LB. Brewing Co.
  • Genco Manufacturing, Inc.
  • Guardian Home Health, LLC
  • Kimbroy’s Properties
  • Kowpoke Supply
  • Pars Consuting/ Pars Bioscience
  • Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy, LLC
  • Rooks County Health Center
  • Standard Beverage Corporation
  • The Building Center
  • Union Bank & Trust
  • Wichita State University and Innovation Campus Expansion

 

The following companies are this year’s Merit Award Winners:

  • 6th Avenue Boutique & Bronze
  • Arthur’s Pizza and Mexican Foods
  • Artistic Works by Lu
  • Atchison Community Health Clinic Inc.
  • B-Hive
  • BlackHawk Development
  • Bourbon & Baker
  • Brant’s Market
  • Caney Drug
  • Chestnut Ave Venue
  • CK Pharmacy (Moundridge, McPherson & Peabody)
  • Clorox (M&M Manufacturing)
  • Coast to Coast Title company
  • Crop Service Center-Beverly
  • Downs Community Garden
  • Downtown Hays Development Corporation
  • Driscoll Law Office
  • E & K Retail Inc
  • Elite Physicals
  • Ernest-Spencer Metals, Inc
  • Flame Engineering
  • Forte Products
  • Fredonia Outdoor Equipment
  • G & W Foods
  • Harvest Video
  • Heartland Hay
  • Hiawatha Ford
  • Insurance Smart
  • Irsik & Doll Feed Services, Inc
  • J&J Precision Machining LLC
  • JenRus Freelance
  • Kansas Barbed Wire Collectors Association, Inc
  • Kansas Country Store
  • Kanza Mental Health and Guidance Center
  • KC Hemp Co.
  • KJ’s Pizzeria
  • LaHarpe Communications
  • Land Pride (division of Great Plains Manuf.)
  • Mcarty Office Machines, Inc
  • Melby’s Home Center
  • Midland Marketing
  • Monroe 816
  • Moundridge Communications Network
  • Muir Law Office
  • Old 40 Bar and Grill
  • Outback Guidance Division of Hemisphere GNSS(USA) Inc
  • Pine Village
  • Porto do Sul
  • Potwin Store/ Nuser Foods
  • Prairie Land Gamebirds
  • Pratt Glass Enterprises LLC
  • R and R Manufacturing
  • Regeena’s Flowers and Events
  • Rejuvv Spa
  • Republic County Hospital
  • Russell Food Bank
  • Ryan Disbrow State Farm Agency
  • Saint John Hospital
  • ServPro of Leavenworth & NW Wyandotte County
  • Silly Swedes Cycle Source
  • SKOL South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad
  • Solid Rock Café
  • Soul Sister Ceramics
  • State Farm (Hiawatha)
  • The Bean Coffee Company
  • The Bradbury Group
  • The Closet Boutique
  • The Depot
  • The Hideout Coffeehouse
  • S. Stone Industries
  • Village Lines
  • World’s Largest Things
  • Young Sign Co. Inc

 

 

Ryan Brinker

Public Information Officer

[email protected]

 

Kansas Department of Commerce

1000 SW Jackson St. Ste. 100

Topeka, KS 66612-1354

Phone: 785-296-4931

Cell: 785-276-9723

 

 

 

 

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Lowell Milken Center Celebrates 75th D-Day Anniversary on June 6

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The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes invites you to attend the 75th D-Day anniversary events throughout the day of June 6th.
The Center will honor unsung hero, Andrew Jackson Higgins with the following events:
8 am Chamber Coffee
10 am  The unveiling of the new Higgins children’s book by author, Cathy Werling
3 pm Question and Answer with Skipper Higgins
4 pm Wine and Cheese.
All events are at the Center, 1 South Main Street in Fort Scott.
Hope you can attend!
Business, Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Sports

Woodland Hills: One of Top Ten In Kansas

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Fort Scott’s Community Development Director Robert Uhler listens as Woodland Hills Clubhouse Manager Shannon O’Neil tells of upcoming events during the weekly Chamber of Commerce Coffee May 9.

Fort Scott’s publicly owned golf course is one of the best in Kansas.

“It’s one of the top ten in the state,” Fort Scott’s Community Development Director Robert Uhler told the weekly Chamber of Commerce Coffee attendees on May 9 at Woodland Hills Golf Course.

To view others on the list of top ten golf courses in Kansas, click below.

https://bestthingsks.com/public-golf-courses/?fbclid=IwAR0T2ujyKdgy8wgaNo2x6zw6pBF3

Golf carts are lined up in front of the Woodland Hills Golf Course, ready for rental. There are 30 carts for public rental, Clubhouse Manager Shannon O’Neil said.

Woodland Hills Golf Course is busy with community events.

“The next Saturday’s are busy,” Clubhouse Manager Shannon O’Neil told the coffee attendees, “The Kiwanis Golf Tournament is May 18, there is a three-person scramble on Memorial Day weekend May 25 and a Tiger Baseball Fundraiser on June 1.” The Kiwanis fundraiser is for student scholarships and the Tiger baseball fundraiser benefits the local baseball team, he said.

O’Neil is also the head golf professional at the course.

An introductory course for beginning golfers ages 8-13 begins Tuesday, June 11, for six weeks of one-hour group lessons.

Coffee attendee, Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston said the college has a great partnership with the golf course. This partnership has allowed two girls to hone their skills to excel at the sport.

“In our first year with a golf team, two girls have qualified for nationals,” she said.

City Manager Dave Martin commended  Golf Course Superintendent Jon Kindlesparger for his work on upgrading and maintaining the picturesque course.

“We hired him when the course was in disrepair,” Martin said. “Jon, with his experience has done a lot of great work out here.”

Jon Kindlesparger, Woodland Hills Golf Course Superintendent.
The board at the Woodland Hills Clubhouse lists all the fees.
Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

1516 E. Wall For Lease

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(Sending below on behalf of
Chamber member Bill Brittain)
Commercial Building
for Lease
1516 E. Wall St.
For Lease: 1,200 sq. ft. building
1516 E. Wall St.
(formerly East Side Liquor)
Great location for retail, food, or catering facility. The building has a small walk-in cooler refrigeration unit if needed, and some equipment that may be purchased as well.
A drive-through window could be built into the west side of the building if desired
(the property owner has the land behind the building where a drive could go through to 1st Street).
We are willing to start the right person or group off with a lower rent to help them get started at just $500/month!
For more information,
call Bill Brittain at 620-224-8657
or click HEREto send an email.