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Category Archives: Business
December 13: Boost Your Business
The Healthy Bourbon County Team center is hosting an event, Boost Local Business, that will be held at Healthy Bourbon County Action Teams’ office at 104 National Avenue on December 13 at 6 p.m.
The event is to help local business owners learn of the resources available to them.
An additional event with the same information will be offered on December 20th at noon, for those unable to attend tomorrow’s meeting.
The event’s purpose is to showcase different ways to support employees and employers, according to Rachel Carpenter, the director of Healthy Bourbon County Team’ s Center for Economic Growth program.
“Southeast Kansasworks is a hidden gem for businesses and community members,” Carpenter said. “At this event they will share about their services and the different ways they can support employees and employers. They strive to help individuals be in the careers they want to be in by supporting them in getting education and certifications.”
“Business owners and community members are welcome to attend this event,” Carpenter said. “They register through an Eventbrite link found on the Facebook event or at HBCAT.org. The event is free and there is a for $40 gas voucher for each participant, food will be provided, and free childcare.”
“HBCAT contracted with Kansas University Medical Center… for their grant funded program COPE (Communities Organizing to Promote Equity) in Bourbon County,” Carpenter said. “This helped establish the LHEAT (Local Health Equity Action Team) in Bourbon County. The LHEAT is comprised of community organizations, Community Health Workers, and community members.”
“The LHEAT has started off with $40,000 to help support the initiatives that the LHEAT strategizes,” Carpenter said. “One event that the LHEAT has done in the past is distribute produce boxes through out Bourbon County back in May.”
This event is also being sponsored by the Local Health Equity Action Team and Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and Kansasworks.
The event will include a HBCAT overview, a KANSASWORKS overview, an explanation of business services offered and info on a registered apprenticeship.
Speakers are Brandi Galbreath – Outreach Manager (Presenting 12/13/22) on KANSASWORKS Services
Jim Jenkins – Business Services Director (Presenting 12/13/22 & 12/20/22) on KANSASWORKS Business Services
Dustin Troth – Business Services Representative (Presenting 12/13/22 & 12/20/22) on KANSASWORKS Business Services)
Nadia Qureshi – Outreach Coordinator (Presenting 12/20/22) on KANSASWORKS Services
Chastity Troxel – Registered Apprenticeship Program Manager (Presenting on 12/13/22) on Kansas Registered Apprenticeship.
Carpenter graduates this semester with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Fort Hays State University. She previously received certification in Community Development and Grant Writing also through Fort Hays State University.
Large Increase in Evergy’s Capital Plan
The Kansas Corporation Commission will hold a workshop
tomorrow to discuss large increase in Evergy’s Capital Plan
TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is holding a workshop tomorrow (December 13) beginning at 9:30 a.m. to give Evergy officials the opportunity to explain a large increase in the company’s capital expenditure projections. Evergy’s capital investment plan, filed with the Commission earlier this year, showed a $1.2 billion increase in projected spending compared to its Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP) presented last year.
Commission Staff expressed concern over the increased spending projections. The Commission echoed those concerns in an order issued on September 15, stating, “Evergy’s Capital Improvement Plan affects the majority of Kansans and thus requires public scrutiny.”
During the workshop, Evergy will be asked to explain the reasons for the increase and how it would impact ratepayers, as well as answer questions from KCC Commissioners, Commission Staff and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB).
The workshop is informational only and no Commission action will be taken. The cost of capital investments and any proposed changes to rates are reviewed by the Commission during a rate case. Evergy has not filed for a rate case.
The workshop will be conducted virtually by Zoom and is available for public viewing on the Commission’s YouTube channel. The workshop will also be recorded for later viewing.
Young Couple Produces/Sells Locally Produced Beef and Pork: Still Waters Farm
Still Waters Farm is a new business started by Ethan and Katie Holly, who have been involved in agriculture their entire lives.
The Holly’s began their a new business in 2020 when they started selling home raised chickens directly to friends.
“We value knowing where the meat we are eating comes from and how the animals have been taken care of from birth to finishing stages,” Katie said. “It is rewarding to us to feed our friends and family with meat that has been directly raised on our farm.”
“In the past two years we have grown more in the beef and pork side of selling farm raised meats,” Katie said. “Poultry processing fees continued to increase and we were looking to stay more local with our processing. We have processed chickens on our farm the past couple of years for customers, but offer a very limited supply, once a year, of chicken.”
In late 2020, the Holly’s started selling whole and half beef shares to some friends in the area.
In the Spring of 2021 they started offering individual beef cuts at The Fort Scott Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.
“It was a goal for 2022 to open a space where customers could shop our meats year round, not just during the Farmers Market Season,” she said. “We are grateful for all the help of family, friends, and our loyal customers who have supported our small farm business to help make this possible for us.”
“This past year we have raised pigs and offered a limited supply of pork weekly at the farmers market to customers in our mobile meat trailer,” she said. “Having the mobile meat trailer at the farmers market helped us keep the meats frozen and offered a space for customers to shop from the cuts of meat we offer.”
This month, the Holly’s added a farm store on their property to sell their beef and pork products.
“This October we started renovating a small farm shed into a store front to sell our beef and pork from… a small building located right on our family farm just west of Fort Scott at 2014 Locust Rd.,” she said. “Currently parking is limited at the farm store as we finish up a few ongoing projects on the farm.”
The building is a way to retain customers through the winter months and offer space for customers to shop their meats year round.
“Another service we offer is porch delivery weekly to the Fort Scott area, which is simple and hassle free,” she said. “Our order form link is listed on our Facebook page and orders can be placed online, invoices are sent to customers, reminder texts are sent for customers to simply leave a cooler by their door, then orders are delivered directly to customers. The porch delivery service has been a favorite by many of our customers. We plan to continue this service throughout the year.”
The Farm Store will be open on Saturday mornings 9 a.m. to noon.
If there are questions about the business, contact via email [email protected] or find Still Waters Farm on Facebook for more information.
“We are humbled by the support we have had from this community and excited for the plans we have for 2023,” she said.
The Family’s Background
The young couple grew up in agriculture and have a passion for helping the next generation understand where their food comes from and the hard work that goes into farming, according to Katie.
Ethan has a Bachelors Degree in Ag Business and works as a Fort Scott bank loan officer, and Katie has a Bachelors in Elementary Education, and cares for their children while managing the daily farm chores.
Their two young children help with the farm chores of feeding and caring for the animals they raise.
The family is involved in the local 4-H program, their local church, and a few other committees within the community.
USDA Loans and Grants to Create and Expand Rural Businesses
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas State Director for Rural Development Christy Davis today announced that the Department is investing $7,168,490 in loans and grants to help create new and better market opportunities and expand essential services for rural people, businesses and entrepreneurs in rural Kansas communities.
For example:
- A $6,971,000 loan will help refinance debt held by another lender for Triple Crown Jayhawk LLC of Gove County. Triple Crown Energy specializes in acquiring, developing and operating oil and gas properties in a variety of basins in the Continental US. One of Triple Crown’s subsidiaries, Triple Crown Jayhawk LLC, owns and operates producing wells in Ness, Gove and Hodgeman counties.
- A $178,607 grant will help provide technical assistance to rural grocery stores transitioning to mutually owned business models, including the cooperative model in rural communities. The Rural Grocery Initiative will work with Kansas State University and partners across Kansas to enhance and deliver cooperative development services. The primary objective is improving the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative development. This project will assist 30 businesses and save two jobs.
- An $18,883 grant will help provide technical assistance to West Central Missouri Community Action Agency to advance its START HERE revolving loan fund and Business Acceleration Network in Appleton City, Missouri. This project will help serve microentrepreneurs in West Central Missouri and Southeast Kansas. This project is expected to assist 20 small businesses.
Submitted by
Allen Pickert
Public Affairs Specialist
State office, Rural Development
United States Department of Agriculture
1303 SW First American Place, Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66604
Phone: 785-271-2700 Cell: 785-207-1171
“Together, America Prospers”
Stay Connected with USDA:
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Bids and Dibs: Largest Resale Boutique In Kansas
A local consignment store is celebrating 10 years serving the community, and has acquired some recognition.
In conjunction with the anniversary, they are hosting the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8.
To learn more about the special deals/discounts:
Angela Simon opened Bids and Dibs on December 3, 2012 inside 19 S. National Ave.
On Halloween day 2018, Jason and Angela Simon purchased 108 S. Scott Ave.
Bids and Dibs opened its doors at the Scott Avenue building in January 2019.
“Bids and Dibs started as a local online auction platform,” Simon said. “That original business model evolved into full-service resale. Our services include: transparent consignment- where every consignor has access to their account online and their account balances never expire. Balances can be used as cash or credit at anytime.”
Bids and Dibs offers full consignment services, outright buys, and estate liquidation services to the community.
“Outright buys are where people can bring items in for sale and receive a cash offer based on brand, condition and current needs of the store. “
“Customized Estate liquidation… (is another) service,” she said. “No two situations are the same. People will contract with us to help them downsize the family home, moving out of town, or cleaning out the personal effects of a loved one that has passed. This service is especially popular with families that live outside the Bourbon county area who need to downsize or clear out things for a loved one who can no longer do it for themselves.”
Bids & Dibs, Inc. employs on average 10-14 people at any given time.
“We have plans to add an additional two full-time employees during 2023 to handle the expansion of our online sales,” Simon said.
Upgrading Technology in January 2023
“When we started 10 years ago we purchased the best consignment software in the industry,” she said. “Unfortunately that company did not keep pace with available technologies and we have now outgrown that point-of-sale service. In January 2023, we will be upgrading our systems to a cloud based service that will allow our consignors 24-hour access to their accounts that update instantaneously.”
“We have always offered online access to consignors, but our current system needs to be backed up and restarted before it shows current reliable data to the consignor. It is not always possible for us to do that as frequently as some users would like.”
“Our new system will allow them to watch in live time as we process and sell their items. It will also grant us the ability to add inventory offsite. That feature will make processing estates much faster. It will also allow multiple family members to follow along in the process. This is very valuable tool to families who live outside the local area. “
“Even in the most tight knit of families, contentions can arise when you’re dealing with estate items. Our service helps families work through these issues by being a neutral and transparent third party.”
Distinction in Business
Bids and Dibs received the small business of the year award from the Fort Scott area Chamber of Commerce in 2019.
“Besides the local Chamber, we are members of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Stores (NARTS) and NextLevel Resale. Due in large part to the resources and mentorship these groups provide, Bids & Dibs has become the largest resale boutique in Kansas that offers consignment, outright buys and estate liquidation.”
“Bids & Dibs will start leaning into this distinction in our marketing efforts for 2023 and beyond. Resale has became one of the largest growing industries in the world. The popularity of buying sustainably in North America has made destinations out of resale stores. Our marketing goal is to bring more outside dollars into the Bourbon County community, thus putting more money directly into the pockets of our consignors.”
HBCAT Newsletter
Bids and Dibs 10th Anniversary Celebration Kick Off Dec. 8 At Chamber Coffee
Bids and Dibs will kick off its 10th anniversary celebration on Thursday December 8th at 8 AM by hosting a Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee and Open House.
There will be refreshments and a full coffee and hot cocoa bar.
“We will also have a drawing for several door prizes to be given away that morning,” owner Angela Simon said. “The celebration will continue December 8 through the 10th.”
“The first 50 customers in-store all three of those days will receive a scratch off ticket with discounts up to 30% off,” she said. “Consignors will receive an extra 10% off when they use their account credit to pay. All Customers will receive a free gift with every purchase and an entry to win a filled, giant Christmas Stocking valued at over $100!”
The shop will be open Christmas Eve day from 8 AM to noon.
“We will re-open the day after Christmas on the 26th for our annual half price sale,” Simon said. “Everything in the store is 50% off nothing is held back. That sale runs for two days the 26th through the 27th.”
“After the year end sales are finished we will close until the second week of January to implement our new consignment system,” she said. “We will start the 2023 consignment year then. Please watch for updates on our policies and procedures.”
Cocoa and Caroling Dec. 9 Downtown Fort Scott
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Chamber Coffee to be hosted by Bids and Dibs on Dec. 8
Chamber Coffee to be hosted by Bids and Dibs
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee event this Thursday, December 8th at 8 a.m. hosted by Bids and Dibs, 108 Scott Ave.
The Chamber encourages everyone to come out and celebrate Bids & Dibs 10-year anniversary. The Chamber Coffee will kick off special events the store will be hosting December 8-10th where they will offer prize drawings, discounts, and a free gift with every purchase.
Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to a door prize drawing. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Jingle Bell Mart 2022
Bourbon County Christmas shoppers, here is a stop.
The 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Holiday Mart is Saturday, December 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street. The event is hosted by the Bourbon County Fair Association.
Discovery Music Studio students will be playing throughout the day for your listening enjoyment
The list of vendors includes:
| Vendor | Person | Products |
| Returning | ||
| Happy Little Candle Factory | Lori Craig | Homemade Candles, Wax Melts, Chapstick |
| Flying P Ranch | Abbie Powell | Jewelry and Western Accessories |
| Micki Kraft | Home Sewn Items | |
| Tessie’s Nails | Tessie Tucker | Color Street Nails |
| Blue Dog Winery | Sarah Johnson | Bottles of Wine and Wine Related Merchandise |
| Locust Hill Lamancha | Sue | Goat Milk Products |
| New | ||
| Plexus | Samantha Bauman | Health and Wellness Products |
| Tupperware by Melinda | Melinda Miller | Tupperware, and wood craft items |
| Scentsy | Lakin Brittain | Scentsy Products |
| Donna Jo’s | Donna Jo Beerbower | Homemade Fudge and Baked Goods |
| Be-You-Tiful Designs | Kristi Beene | Vinyl and Sublimation |
| ButterBone Bakery, Paolo, KS | Randi White | Home Baked Dog Treats |
| Buckin’ A Ranch | Karleigh Arndt | Clothing, décor, accessories |
| 2 Crafty Twisted Sisters | Shawna Holstine | Crafts, Tumblers, Christmas Décor |
| Twigs and Berries | Suzanne Griffin | Cotton Candy and more |
| Mmm Flavor Shop | Emelia Whiteaker
Addi Foster |
Hot Beverage Bar |
| Discover Music Studio | Audry Eberhard | Music throughout the day |
There will be a tasting of Blue Dog Winery samples (with valid identification).
MMM Flavor-Emilea Whiteaker will be hosting a hot cocoa and tea bar with other products.
Locust Hill Lamanches, which sells goat products, will be hosting the goat cheese tasting table.
Also fudge, cotton candy and other food items will be available for sale.
Dog treats from Butter Bone Bakery will also be available for furry friends.
Dancers Open Pop-Up Shop Dec. 1
Tracy and Kathy Dancer will give a preview starting Thursday of the micro retail concept that they will be creating next year at the former Scottish Rite Temple at 110 S. Main.
The pop-up business is being operated by Bourbon County Handcrafted doing business as 110 South Main Mercantile and Market, which is owned by the Dancers. Attendees will enter through the main entrance / lobby of the old Scottish Rite Temple.
The pop-up will be open December 1st, 2nd, 3rd from noon until 8:00 p.m.
“We might add days since we have additional artisans and producers wanting to be featured in the space,” Kathy said.
Micro retail site is coming
“The idea for the 110 South Main Mercantile and Market pop-up was born from the micro retail/ retail incubator concept,” Kathy said. “Next year, we will be offering retail spaces for small businesses that are either just getting started or operating on a micro level and do not need their own dedicated space.”
“The pop-up will give the community a chance to preview the micro retail concept that we will be implementing next year at 110 South Main,” she said. “We want feedback from the community about the products we have sourced for the pop-up and what artist and handcrafters they would like to see in the future.”
Items for sale
“Most of items featured in the pop-up are handcrafted in Kansas,” she said. “We are featuring Kansas products such as jewelry, perfumes, beard care products, candles, candies, and preserves.”
“We also have items produced outside of Kansas, but featuring Kansas themes such as clothing, bison artwork, and children’s books,” she said.
“Finally, we are bringing in some products that we will be offering in the cafe and distillery space next year including craft drink mixes, custom pint glasses, and fudge,” Kathy said. “The pop-up shop will also have pieces from local and area artisans including dimensional wood art, handcrafted accent furniture, epoxied glass, and hand embellished decor items.”
Tracy Dancer is a software architect and also currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserves. Kathy is a former school administrator and currently works in educational consulting.
They purchased the historic building in January 2021.
They are currently renovating the cafe space in the building, with hopes of an opening in 2023.
To view a prior story on the Dancers and the building: