Category Archives: Business

Business, Kansas

Newly Created Position: Kansas Regulatory Ombudsman For Businesses

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Governor Jeff Colyer announces the hiring of new Regulatory Ombudsman for Kansas Businesses

Topeka – Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., today announced the hiring of Tom Arpke to fill the role of Regulatory Ombudsman at the Kansas Department of Commerce. Tom will help businesses looking to expand or start operating in Kansas to navigate the regulatory process and resolve questions or concerns.

“Kansas needs to be attracting more businesses and taking excellent care of the businesses that are already here,” said Gov. Jeff Colyer, “As I have traveled the state listening to business owners, they have told me they need a more direct line of communication when they have questions or concerns about regulations and other aspects of running a business in Kansas. This new position will ease that burden for business and Tom is just the man for the job.”

As Regulatory Ombudsman, Arpke will work as a liaison between the state and new and existing businesses evaluating all sides of an issue and helping identify options and strategies for resolution.  He will also be able to escalate issues when necessary directly to the Governor and his Chief Operations Officer.

“I am grateful to Governor Colyer for the opportunity to serve in this new role for our state,” said Arpke, “As a business owner myself, I am looking forward to being able to assist new businesses as they look to open their doors in Kansas, as well as helping existing businesses find simple solutions to their concerns so they can spend more time focused on growing their business.”

Arpke received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Microbiology from Florida State University. He has been actively serving the state of Kansas for the past six years, first as a Kansas State Representative from 2011-2013, followed by four years as a Kansas State Senator from 2013-2017. Since 2008 he has also been the owner of Arpke Inc. performing plant audits for environmental compliance and safety.

Businesses needing to contact the Ombudsman may use the following contact information. Phone: (833)765-2002, Email Address: reg.ombudsman@ks.gov.

Business, Fort Scott

New Life To Condemned Building

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A renovation has begun on the Hole in the Wall Liquor Store project at Wall and Scott streets.

The building at the corner of Scott and Wall streets has seen better days.

But with the purchase of the property formerly known as the “The Spoiled Brat” building, there will be new activity. Spoiled Brat was the name of the beauty salon that was located there years ago.

Roy and Jody Hoener own the property now.

The Hoener’s envision this to be breathing new life into a previously condemned structure that sits at a gateway to Fort Scott.

The Hoener’s own The Hole In the Wall Liquor Store, currently located at 13 W. Oak.

The business has been in the family for three generations, Roy Hoener said.

“My grandpa, Roy Louderman, bought the business in 1985,” Roy said. “My mother, Connie Hoener, bought the one-half interest in 2005. In 2015 Jody and I took it over from my mom when she retired.”

But come October they are hoping to be moved to the new site at 124 E. Wall, Jody Hoener said.

“We are doing pretty good on the timeline,” Roy said.

Over the next month’s several local businesses will be helping the Hoeners transform the once blighted and deteriorating building into the store and in addition, apartments on the second floor.

The liquor store will be 24 by 84 foot in dimensions, Roy said, with the apartment space above having the same dimensions.

“We are trying for two apartments,” Roy said. “That will be down the road.”

Behind, to the south of the store, will be an event space,  Roy said.

“It will be for wine tastings, etc.,” he said

Those businesses hired by the Hoeners are Hofer and Hofer and Associates Inc.-general contractor, Agricultural Engineering Associates-structural engineers overseeing the entire project, RII Concrete Construction LLC-steel work outside, Geiger Plumbing-plumbing, KTK Electric LLC-HVAC and new wiring and lights, Great Expectations LLC Restoration Company—inside floor joists, Murphy Roofing-roof,  Kirby’s Cabinets-counter and display, Miles Woodworking-shelving, and Perry Cannon-interior painting.

Contact info for the public is Facebook: Hole in The Wall Liquor;  or on the web: http://hole-in-the-wall-liquor.business.site/ or by phone: 620-215-0016.

 

 

Business, Government

Online Sales Tax Being Considered In Kansas

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Senator Richard Hilderbrand, Republican, Senator from Galena, can be contacted by email richard.hilderbrand@senate.ks.gov or cell phone 417.529.3262 .

The United State Supreme Court ruled recently ruled that states can now collect online sales tax from out-of-state vendors, according to a press release from Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena).

“Before the Kansas Legislature moves forward, we must look closely to see how this will impact hardworking Kansans,” Hilderbrand said.

“The Supreme Court opinion on online sales taxes would work like this,” he said. ” Any taxing entity in the U.S; can now collect sales tax from any business that sells online to a customer that resides in their taxing jurisdiction.”

“This will put a huge burden on small businesses that currently sell online,” Hilderbrand said. “They will now have to answer to thousands of taxing entities. They will have to know what each sales tax rate is, and will also be subject to audits from those taxing entities.”

“Because this is an interstate commerce issue, it will be up to our U.S. Congress, and U.S. Senate to address this situation,” Hilderbrand said. “The state will have to decide on whether or not to start collecting taxes on out of state businesses that sell online to Kansas citizens. If the state decides to start collecting that sales tax, it will be another tax increase on Kansas citizens.”

“We cannot place another tax hike onto Kansas taxpayers for the third year in a row.  An implementation of online sales tax must be coupled with a decrease in the overall sales tax rate. It is an embarrassment that Kansans pay some of the highest sales taxes in the Midwest. Our first priority should be to ease the financial burden on families by making Kansas a more affordable state,” according to the press release.”

“In 2017, the legislators passed a $1.2 billion retroactive income tax increase on the citizens of Kansas,” Hilderbrand said. “In 2018. the legislators failed to pass a tax-reform bill that would have allowed the citizens of Kansas to take advantage of the federal revenue windfall.”
“In failing to pass this legislation a significant number of Kansans, who previously benefited from income tax relief by itemizing deductions on Kansas returns, will no longer be able to do so because they will not be able to itemize at the federal level,” he said.
“The result of not passing this bill, is another income tax increase, specifically on Kansas homeowners who claimed the mortgage interest and property tax deductions in years past,” he said.
“The Senate passed this bill 21-19, but it failed in the house on a 59-59 vote. By not passing this tax-reform bill, it will lead to a tax increase of almost $500 million over the next three years,” Hilderbrand said.
“In 2019 the legislators will now be faced with this U.S. Supreme Court opinion and how it will affect our citizens. There are a lot of legislators that want to collect that extra tax and spend it. If that happens that will make it three years in a row that Kansans’ would have had a tax increase. If we are going to be serious about allowing our business’s in Kansas to be more competitive with our neighboring states, we cannot continue to be the highest sales tax state in the midwest.”

“The sales tax rate must be lowered so Kansans can keep more of their money in their pockets instead of being forced to send more and more money to Topeka,” Hilderbrand said.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Al Niece Buys The Buffalo Grill

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The Buffalo Grill, 3 W. Oak, was purchased in May 2018 by Al Niece.

Al Niece, the owner of Niece of Kansas Inc., purchased the Buffalo Grill, 3 W. Oak in May 2018 from Dean Mann.

“It’s a fantastic building, lots of options are open” for the development of the property, Niece said.

“The building looked too good a building to be left unattended,” Niece said.  “In talking with people in the community and the city, there are not many large eating facilities in the town.”

“When I walked in earlier this year, I was amazed at the condition,” he said.

Conventions, graduations, weddings, Christmas parties “and who knows what else” can use the River Room on the second floor of the building, Niece said. “We’ve already booked events for fall, two weddings and Christmas parties.”

The River Room name will stay the same for the second-floor event space, he said.

“The restaurant will be an additional component to it,” Niece said. “There are a lot of options for that. We don’t know whether we will keep the name Buffalo Grill or not.”

“We are talking to a couple of franchises,” Niece said.

In addition, the business suite on the north-west side of the building is up for rent, with 2,400 square feet of space.

The restaurant will likely be open in the third quarter of 2018 he said.

Jared Leek is the manager of the facility for Niece and can be reached at 620-224-9787.

 

 

 

Area News, Business, Schools

Degree Without Debt Offered to Walmart Employees

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Walmart Fort Scott, 2500 S. Main.

In May, Walmart announced a new associate education benefit program designed to help employees to enroll in college and graduate from college in certain fields of study, according to a press release.

Benefits include free college credit for Walmart Academy training and options for employees to earn a college degree without student loan debt.

Walmart employees will be able to access affordable associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in business or supply chain management.

These programs are available to full-time, part-time and salaried Walmart U.S. store, supply chain, home office and Sam’s Club employees.

Degrees will be offered through the University of Florida at Gainesville; Brandman University, Irvine, California; and Bellevue University, Bellevue, Nebraska. These schools were selected for their focus and strong outcomes on serving working adult learners, according to the press release.

Program highlights include:

AFFORDABLE
The associate contribution toward a college degree would be just $1 a day. Walmart will subsidize the cost of tuition, books, and fees, which helps get rid of student loan debt, according to a press release.

 

Also, associates can start their path by earning college credit for paid training at Walmart Academies. Hundreds of thousands of associates have already undergone skills training equivalent to more than $210 million in college credits. This will save associates both time and money in completing their degree.

RELEVANT
Walmart selected universities with a specialized focus on serving working adult learners and top outcomes for the working adult demographic. Walmart is also collaborating with these universities to tailor the curriculum to relevant skills for jobs and advancement across industries for today and in the future.

ACCESSIBLE
The goal is for all employees who apply for admission to be accepted, and the three selected universities have a dedication to high graduation rates for their students.

SUPPORTED
Employees will receive support from a  coach on everything from the application and enrollment process to selecting the appropriate degree. This kind of academic counseling has been shown to help students complete their degree.

Walmart kicked off a scalable approach to creating educational opportunity for America’s workforce,  said Rachel Carlson, chief executive officer and co-founder of Guild Education, with whom Walmart is collaborating to provide the program.

Guild Education helps people gain an education through their employer’s tuition benefits which lead to increased employee satisfaction and retention, according to http://www.guildeducation.com

Walmart is also leading innovation in workforce development and higher education to help associates earn college credit for on-the-job training, Carlson said.

The Lumina Foundation has agreed to research and measure the impact and effectiveness of the program and will work with the Walmart team to share findings.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING OFFERINGS
Walmart’s new education program underscores the importance of education in helping employees prepare for the future with degrees in supply chain management or business. This is part of a broader approach to preparing the workforce to succeed today and into the future.

Initiatives include:

· Developing a broad suite of offerings across roles from frontline to executive levels develop job-related skills for advancement.

· Covering the complete cost for employees and eligible family members for earning a high school diploma or GED.

· Offering employees and eligible family members access to tuition discounts, financial aid assistance, and education coaching across Guild’s broader network of more than 80 accredited, nonprofit university partners, including schools such as The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Columbia University and Purdue University. These institutions are made available through EdX.

· Giving access to professional development courses including college prep, leadership training, and ESL.

 

Walmart associates can learn more by visiting WalmartOne.

 

Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Walmart Reduces Hours

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Walmart Fort Scott, 2500 S. Main.

Fort Scott’s Walmart, 2500 S. Main, is no longer open 24-hours a day.

As of June 2, the store is closed from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., according to an assistant manager at the store.

“We’re continually looking at how we can best serve our customers,” according to a statement sent to fortscott.biz. ” Based on a recent review of shopping patterns at our Fort Scott store, we are adjusting hours and reallocating resources to better serve our customers during peak shopping hours.”

Business, Kansas, Submitted

Training Costs For Employers, Apprentices and Institutions

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Kansas awarded $1.2 million additional grant funding for Statewide Apprenticeship Program

 

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce been awarded $1.2 million in additional grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship to help grow the statewide Registered Apprenticeship Program. This new funding follows an initial $1 million in grant funding the agency earlier received. The funds are being used to offset training costs for employers, apprentices and training institutions.

The Registered Apprenticeship Program is built upon an employer-driven model that combines on-the-job learning with the related technical instruction that increases an apprentice’s skill level and wages. It is a proven model for businesses to recruit, train and retain highly skilled workers.

“Since the reinvigoration of the program two years ago, we have observed a marked increase in advanced manufacturing, medical, electrical, plumbing and other high demand occupations in need of trained employees,” says Gary Westerman, State Manager of the Registered Apprenticeship Program. “The Registered Apprenticeship Team has taken several steps in identifying needs of Kansas employers and determining which fields are in the greatest needs of a workforce trained through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.”

There are presently 1,743 registered apprentices in Kansas, receiving both on-the-job training and paid employment with 393 apprentices achieving “Journeyperson “status within the past 18 months from ­­­246 employers. Through this program, apprentices receive on-the-job training from an experienced mentor for at least a full year, providing a living wage while training for a career position. They also earn credentials which can be carried forward throughout their careers. At the same time, employers benefit by meeting their growing need for a trained workforce, experience lower turnover costs, and higher productivity and reduce their costs of recruiting personnel.

“Registered Apprenticeship can improve a company’s workforce situation dramatically, including staff retention, skill knowledge, and safety, along with reducing training costs and increasing a company’s ability to develop their own talent pipeline,” said Westerman.

Currently, the Kansas Department of Commerce staff, the Registered Apprenticeship Team, and Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) partners are working with local high schools and military installations across Kansas to demonstrate that receiving technical training and certification is a valid option to a traditional four-year college path — especially in meeting today’s workforce needs.

For more information on the Registered Apprenticeship Program, visit ksapprenticeship.org.

Business, Fort Scott

First Ever Local Lavender Festival June 16

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Betsy Reichard points to one of the varieties of lavender grown on her farm, The Lavender Patch, 22376 Locust Rd.

Lavender has been a sensory, culinary and decorative herb for thousands of years.

But for Betsy and Davin Reichard, an idea to grow it spawned approximatley ten years ago when they first visited a lavender farm.

They had purchased a property in 2008.

The Reichard’s talked the idea over with family members, and in 2009 did research on the subject and visited other lavender farms, Betsy said

In 2010 the Reichard’s planted their first plants in the ground, half of which died.

Experimenting they planted 800 plants in 2012, 300 of which were mounded, which is planting the lavender in hills.

“The 300 that were mounded, died,” she said.

In 2013 they planted 1000 plants in a different spot and “they all died,” Reichard said.

The Reichard’s enlisted the help of Kansas State University, who told them this loss was due to weather conditions.

The Tri-Valley Developmental Services Horticulture Therapy Program propagates the lavender for the Reichards.

In 2014 they moved to a different pasture.

“It’s been a heck-of-a-lot more work than we imagined,” she said.

But finally, success in 2014.

That year they started making lavender products: lotions, soaps, bath salts, sachets, and spritzes.

“It takes lavender three years to mature, and it’s very labor intensive,” she said. “It’s a Mediterranean plant.”

“People have said lavender is a natural antiseptic, some say it’s a natural flea and tick repellant,” Reichard said of the products made on the farm.

The Reichards children: Jacob, Andrew, Joseph and wife, Tori, Rebecah and Aaron Houser and Levi, have helped through the years with the farm, as have other family and friends, Betsy said.

“For so many years we’ve had many troubles, so it’s finally good to see results,” Betsy said.

In their other lives, Betsy is a teacher in Nevada, Missouri, and Davin is a comptroller at SEKAN Printing Company, she said.

The Lavender Patch Festival

This Saturday is the first lavender festival that the Reichard’s are hosting at their Lavender Patch Farm at 2376 Locust, just east of Fort Scott.

The Lavender Patch Festival is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $5 admission. Children under five years old are free.

Parking will be at 2396 Locust, with signs to designate.

“Bring a lawn chair and comfortable walking shoes, this is a working farm,” Betsy said.

There will be tours, demonstrations, vendors, games, and live music by Bob (Pavey) Lovett and Red Letter Edition playing throughout the day.

You can pick your own bundle of lavender from several varieties for $5, or purchase a lavender plant for $7.

They have converted their garage into a gift shop and will be selling their lavender products.

Lunch will be sold with some lavender recipes featured.

Martha Scott will demonstrate how to make lavender wands and presentations will be by Reichard on lavender products, how to plant lavender, and how to make lavender wreaths.

Vendors will be Bobbie Kemna, featuring her pottery; Black Dog Farms featuring their honey;   and Jean Strader spinning wool.

Bourbon County Conservation will give a presentation on wildlife pollinators at the festival.

“It will be a relaxing day so come out with family and friends, listen to some wonderful music, enjoy the craftsmanship of our vendors, smell and touch the lavender,” Betsy said.

The Reichard’s can be contacted at 620-223-1364, www.lavenderpatchfarm.com, TheLavenderPatch@gmail.com or on Facebook, The Lavender Patch.

 

 

Bourbon County, Business

Arby’s Is Coming In September

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A new Arby’s Restaurant will be located at 2101 S. Main Street, the site of the former Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant.

“I’m told by our construction and development team that we are on track to open our new restaurant there in September of this year,” said Fred Fleischner, Corporate Communications Vice President for United States Beef Corporation, doing business as Arby’s, Tulsa, Oklahoma. ” And we can’t wait.”

‘This restaurant will feature Arby’s Inspire design,” Fleischner said.  “The Inspire design increases energy efficiency and delivers an upgraded guest experience. The design also includes authentic features such as wood tones, white brick, subway tiles,  stainless steel finishes, and upgraded lighting and landscaping. We are converting our new restaurant from what was a former KFC/A&W combo restaurant.”

Fleischner said Arby’s can’t share the exact rendering of what the restaurant will look like but the Fort Scott site will be very similar to the Monett, Missouri site, which is featured at the top of the story.

For employment opportunities at US Beef and in Ft. Scott,  go to www.work4arbys.com for more information.

About United States Beef Corporation

United States Beef Corporation, dba Arby’s, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the largest franchisee of Atlanta-based Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., now operating more than 365 restaurants serving Arby’s famous slow roasted beef sandwiches and unique menu items to hungry guests in nine states throughout the Midwest and the Western United States. It is a family-owned and operated business that opened its first Arby’s restaurant in 1969 and has now grown to over 8,000 employees. US Beef also owns six Taco Bueno restaurants in Northwest Arkansas. To learn more about United States Beef Corporation, visit www.usbeefcorp.com.

About Arby’s®

Arby’s, founded in 1964, is the second-largest sandwich restaurant brand in the world with more than 3,400 restaurants in seven countries. The brand is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit Arbys.com

 

 

 

 

Business, Government, Kansas

Seeking Nominations of Women and Minority Businesses

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Kansas Department of Commerce accepting nominations for Minority Enterprise Development Week awards

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Minority and Women Business Development is accepting nominations for Kansas minority and/or women-owned businesses, advocates, young entrepreneurs, and corporations. These nominations celebrate National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, October 14-20, 2018. Nominees and winners will be recognized at the annual Kansas Minority and Women Business Awards Luncheon to be held on October 11, 2018, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka.

“Minority and women-owned businesses are essential drivers of our Kansas economy, and this special awards ceremony will honor the tremendous accomplishments of these amazing entrepreneurs in our state,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The deadline to nominate a business or individual is June 15, 2018. Online nomination forms can be accessed at KansasCommerce.gov/MEDweek.

 

The 2017 award winners included:

Kansas Women-Owned Businesses

  • MySmartPlans – Kansas City (Construction Firm)
  • Advanced Welding Technologies, LLC – Wichita (Manufacturing Firm)
  • FSC, Inc.- Overland Park (Professional Service Firm)
  • Toronto Lumber Company – Toronto (Retail Firm)
  • Sage Restoration LLC – Overland Park (Service Industry Firm)
  • International Express Trucking, Inc. – Kansas City (Supplier/Distributor Firm)

 

Kansas Minority-Owned Businesses

  • Recyclable Materials Relocating, LLC – Kansas City (Construction Firm)
  • Quik Tek Machining, LLC – Wichita (Manufacturing Firm)
  • LaborMax Staffing KC Metro – Kansas City (Professional Service Firm)
  • Paleterias Tropicanas – Kansas City (Retail Firm)
  • Project Fitness LLC DBA Project Fitness CrossFit – Garden City (Service Industry Firm)
  • Sarin Energy Solutions – Overland Park (Supplier/Distributor Firm)

 

Minority Business Advocate

  • Sandra Olivas, Bank of Labor – Kansas City

 

Women Business Advocate

  • Debra Kunz, Center for Deliberate Growth™ – Mission

 

Young Entrepreneur

  • Paul Kaster, Crooked Branch Studio – Leawood

 

Corporation of the Year

  • Textron Aviation – Wichita

 

About the Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Minority and Women Business Development

The Office of Minority and Women Business Development provides assistance in business management, identifying resources for financing and establishing contacts in the public and private sectors. The office is responsible for certifying minority- and women-owned businesses as small disadvantaged businesses for procurement and subcontracting opportunities.

 

For more information: http://www.kansascommerce.gov/322/MED-Week-Awards

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Business Pick of the Week: Mercy Health For Life

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The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce has selected Mercy Health For Life business pick of the week.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MERCY HEALTH FOR LIFE FOR BEING THE PICK OF THE WEEK!!!

Mercy Health For Life is located at 405 Woodland Hills Blvd. in Fort Scott. They provide many opportunities to help you perform your very best! Come check out this wonderful business and thank you for 20 years of health and fitness services you have provided for this town.

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