Category Archives: Business

Bourbon County, Business

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team to Award $49,000 in Grants

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Health is economic stability. The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc. (HBCAT) aims to increase access to wealth building opportunities to Bourbon County residents through our local and regional partnerships at the Action Team’s Center for Economic Growth.

Providing local businesses expertise and guidance, particularly in these very turbulent times, has shown to be a critical resource to
increase the number of business start-ups and number of available quality jobs.

HBCAT will be awarding nine grants totaling $49,000 on August 23 rd in their office at 104 N National Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 at 12 pm. The event will be broadcast live on Facebook and is also open for the public to attend in person and celebrate the grant awardees.

With the support of the Patterson Family Foundation, the HBCAT has awarded a total of $195,000 to low-income, minority owned, women owned or food-based businesses in the past two years. Each grantee is a client of the Pittsburg State Small
Business Development Center (PSU SBDC) at the Action Team’s Center for Economic Growth.

There has been a total of four grant cycles in the past two years.
Please join us in congratulating following businesses:

Restaurant/Food Retail Recipient ($7000):
Brick Street BBQ
Brick Street BBQ, a women-owned start-up has a mission is to bring quality BBQ to Bourbon County.
“Fork tender and delectable” describe the smoked offerings found at Brick Street BBQ. It’s not just the meats that get a new twist, but also the sauces which come in nontraditional tasty flavors. They have a wholesale agreement with E3 Meat Co. to sell E3 Beef Products.

Lotus Express
Lotus Express, a minority-owned business, is a staple Chinese restaurant in Fort Scott. Families can dine in with generous servings and affordable prices, or they can take out and eat it at home watching their favorite movie!

Lotus also has a drive-through for those on-the-go families that need a quick, quality meal. Lotus’ menu has many different options of Chinese entree staples like General Tso, Sweet and
Sour, Chicken Lo Mein, and the local favorite, Meme’s Chicken. All meals are cooked from scratch and made fresh for their customers. Lotus is looking forward to establishing local connections through
farmers/ranchers and other small businesses to support the community.

7 Low-Income, Minority, or Women Owned Startup Businesses Recipients ($5,000 each):
The BEE Better Health Club
BEE Better Health Club, a low-income startup, will provide a variety of fitness classes at their gym located just south of Fort Scott, Kansas. Some of the classes offered are group fitness, personal training, kid sessions, and nutrition training. At this health club, the community members are tight-knit, which will serve as accountability for everyone to strive for a healthier life. This gym will increase access to physical activity in Bourbon County, giving another option for community members to better their
health. There are different memberships offered that will fit the different needs of the clients. BEE Better Health Club will also offer classes for youth. The importance of routine fitness throughout the
summer is important, especially for youth .

Country Kids Daycare
Country Kids childcare, a women-owned establishment, is available to children aged 3 months to 12 years of age. Country Kids encourages positive childhood development by providing opportunities for children to meet new friends, try out new activities and learn through play. Children’s happiness,
security, social and cognitive development are Country Kids Daycare main objectives.

Morning Birds Daycare
Haley Ellis is the owner of Morning Birds Daycare, a woman-owned childcare provider, and has recognized the need for childcare in Bourbon County. She decided to open a KDHE-licensed daycare,
Morning Birds Childcare, LLC, on August 28th, 2022. At Morning Birds Childcare, the children’s health and education are priorities. Haley makes sure that the kids are active and eating healthy foods. The daycare will be accepting DCF in the near future. She makes sure that she has the max capacity for infant care, because of the great need in Bourbon County.

Organized by Karis
Karis Poyner started the business Organized by Karis, a woman- and minority-owned startup business at the beginning of 2023. She realizes the importance of having a clean, quality place
to live. The clients she helps often aren’t able to clean or organize their belongings, or they don’t have the time and energy. She’s providing the services to fulfill that need and reduce
health risks that can come from irregular cleaning.

Refine MedSpa
Kayla Boyd, owner of the woman-owned startup Refine MedSpa, received services at HBCAT’s Center for Economic Growth. With the beauty industry growing quickly, the need for more advanced
medical spas is increasing drastically. The business will be offering these advanced services to Bourbon County and surrounding areas, including Botox®, filler, micro needling, cryotherapy, and vitamin
injections. Laser hair removal, other laser therapies, and additional advanced medical spa services are planned as future offerings. Refine MedSpa’s goal is to increase their patients’ happiness with their complexions and health. Refine MedSpa will have affordable prices for these luxurious services that will attract people from all over.

Hulbert’s Jewelry dba Bartlesmeyer Jewelry
Krysta Hulbert worked with the Center for Economic Growth team to prepare loan documents to open this new woman-owned business. Krysta is the sole owner of the business. After learning the unique skills from John Bartelsmeyer, her husband will become a full-time employee. Hulbert’s Jewelry will
purchase the inventory from Bartelsmeyer as a part of the business acquisition. “We are keeping the name Bartelsmeyer Jewelry for the store,” she said. “We know that the store’s name carries ahistory of honesty and integrity, and we are excited to carry on that legacy.”

Tiny Green and Herbs
Tiny Greens and Herbs, LLC is a new woman-owned microgreens business located in Fort Scott, Kansas.
Tiny Greens and Herbs will provide Bourbon County families and community members with convenient, year-round access to locally grown, nutrient-packed greens and herbs. This startup produces sustainably grown microgreens, which are tiny, immature vegetable and herb plants that are packed with up to 40 times more nutrients than their full-grown counterparts. Sometimes these nutrients are referred to as phytonutrients, phytochemicals or antioxidants. These plant-produced compounds provide health benefits to the body. Along with antioxidants, microgreens are loaded with vitamins, minerals, flavor, and are easy to prepare and fun to eat!

The HBCAT grant program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation with the intent to increase access to local resources that help provide opportunity for economic stability and reduced poverty, with a broader goal of encouraging upward mobility in employment. Each applicant is required to enroll with
the Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University (PSU SBDC.)

Located at the university’s Center for Economic Growth, the applicant will work with a local team to develop a
sustainable business plan with three-year financial projections.
To build more resilient food systems, grants to food retail, restaurant and farmer/rancher have an additional eligibility requirement to build and document wholesale relationships.
Supporting local foods and local food production offers multiple benefits:
• Providing incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation;
• Expanding consumer choice and fresh food access;
• Improving negotiating power to local producers;
• Supporting rural economic revitalization; and
• Protecting the food system against severe shocks through decentralization of production.

According to Smart Growth America, in today’s world, business growth is driven by collaboration among
many types of entities that must interact frequently and work together creatively. Operating within this
new model, the Center for Economic Growth is a multi-partner collaboration of the HBCAT, Fort Scott
Area Chamber of Commerce, PSU Small Business Development Center (PSU SBDC), Southeast
KANSASWORKS and multiple local business owners.
PSU SBDC is available to businesses in southeast Kansas to provide technical assistance for the
development of business plans needed to secure capital and increase the chances of successful
ventures. Southeast KANSASWORKS is the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) that serves 17
counties in southeast Kansas, including Bourbon County. Southeast KANSASWORKS contributes to
economic growth and business expansion by ensuring the workforce system is job-driven, matching
employers with skilled individuals.
For more information about services provided at the Center for Economic Growth, please contact Rachel
Carpenter by emailing [email protected]
Find us on social media! On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter #healthybbco
Background of The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy
Kansas Community. Its mission is to increase access to healthy food and physical activity,
promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance quality of life and encourage economic
growth. The problems of health inequity and social injustice are complex in nature and
inextricably linked to key economic indicators. A healthy workforce is a prerequisite for
economic success in any industry and in all cities.

Contact information:
Jody Hoener, President and CEO
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc
620-215-2892
[email protected]

Rachel Carpenter, Program Coordinator
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc
620-215-2562
[email protected]

Mary Hunt, Interim Operations Director
Southeast KANSASWorks
Desk: 620-232-1222
Cell: 620-670-0006
Website: www.sekworks.org

Dacia Clark, Assistant Director, PSU SBDC
[email protected]
785-445-2537

Lindsay Madison, President and CEO
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
(620) 223-3566

Continue reading The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team to Award $49,000 in Grants →

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee/Ribbon Cutting hosted by Structure by Margo on August 24

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting Thursday, August 24th at 8am hosted by Structure by Margo located at 19 S National Ave. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to a door prize drawing.

Structure by Margo is a full-service salon that consists of Owner/operator and stylist Margo Davis, stylist Lucas Runyon, stylist Jordyn Huff, stylist/nail technician Apachelynn Severance, and esthetician Avery Dorsey. They offer cuts (barbering included), color, chemical, shampoos, waxing, skin care, special occasions etc. Structure not only aims to provide exceptional professional services to the Fort Scott Community, but also wants to help recent cosmetology graduates find a salon home.

Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Cohn’s Cafe to Open in Repurposed Historic Temple Building on September 1

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Tracy and Kathy Dancer purchased the Scottish Rite Temple at the Bourbon County Tax Sale in January 2022.

The former Scottish Rite Temple at 110 S. Main is being repurposed by Tracy and Kathy Dancer.
Tracy and Kathy Dancer in the entrance to 110 S. Main, now called Mercantile and Market and Cohn’s Cafe.

Since the purchase of the historic building in downtown Fort Scott, the Dancers  opened a Mercantile and Market at 110 S. Main in February 2023 and in the next few weeks will be opening a cafe in an adjoining room.

“The shop is called Mercantile and Market and Cohn’s Cafe,” Kathy said. “It was run from 1926 to 1948 by Sidney Cohn and his wife as a cafe, in the exact space.” The cafe is adjacent, south, to the mercantile.

For many years, the space was used for fundraisers for Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs.

This week, they will have a reservation only preview, no walk-in patrons, from August 22-26.

The grand opening to the rest of the public is September 1.

Kathy Dancer in the Cohn’s Cafe, at 110 S. Main.

The preview this week is to train new staff.

“This will be to train new staff on the menu,” she said. “To give our staff a chance to adjust things before we open. This is practice so when we do our grand opening, we will be prepared.”

There are 10 employees, not counting Tracy and Kathy.

The business phone number is 620-418-6209.
Hours are 8 a.m to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with cafe table service.
From 2-6 p.m. (during the mercantile hours)one can order take-away food and drinks.
On Sunday the cafe will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Customers will be able to call or text for reservations,” Kathy said.  “We will also accept call-in orders for grab-and-go from the cooler.
Customers will be able to pick up these orders until 5:45 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.”

 

The cafe will use locally sourced ingredients to make fresh breakfast and lunch dishes: quiche, crepes, bakery items, salad, soup, sandwiches, and other featured meals, plus drinks.

The meats, eggs, and veggies are lined up from local suppliers and the menu will be adjusted based on seasonal availability, she said.

The current Cohn’s Cafe menu.

On the horizon for the cafe are syrups made from local orchards and additionally a tea service.

Kathy will be starting a tea pot collection to begin a tea service in the cafe. Here are some of her antique tea pots on display in the cafe.

“It will be a pot of tea that comes with scones, biscuits, and tea sandwiches,” she said. “We will be starting a tea pot collection for our tea service.”

People will pay for the meal in the mercantile section, much like a Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

Following a conversation with a downtown resident, the cafe will be selling milk, eggs and bread from a cooler she purchased.

This cooler was purchased to sell milk, eggs and bread, at the request of a downtown resident.
Bourbon County, Business

HBCAT Grant: Organized By Karis

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This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.

The Heathly Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team located at 104 N. National.
This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The grant award ceremony is August 23 from noon to 1 p.m. at the HBCAT office, 104 N. National.
To learn more: GRANT CEREMONY: bit.ly/3qikzOq

 

Karis Poyner. Submitted photo.

 

Kris Poyner opened her business, Organized by Karis, in February 2023.
“I have always had a passion for organizing and cleaning,” she said. “I wanted to help people who can’t do it themselves.”
She provides organizing of closets, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, etc. weekly cleanings, bi-weekly cleaning, monthly cleaning, one-time cleans, move-out cleans,  and move-in cleans.
Contact  email is [email protected] and phone number is 620-704-9547
“I am going to use the grant money to buy better equipment so I can provide the best quality of services to my clients,” she said.
A before picture of a garage organization. Submitted.
The after photo. Submitted photo.
Art, Bourbon County, Business, Youth

Young Entrepreneur: Devlin Cole

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This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community.

Following the first set of stories on young entrepreneurs in our community, an anonymous donor  wrote fortscott.biz that he wanted to grant each one of the featured youth with $50.

To view the prior story: Young Entrepreneurs Series Spawns An Anonymous Benefactor

If you know of a child, under 18 years of age, that is creating products or providing services to sell to the public, please send their name and phone number to [email protected]

Fortscott.biz wants to  encourage the youth who are learning business by doing it.

Devlin Cole.

Devlin Cole, 15,  started a leather works business about a year ago,  called DRC Leatherworks.

He hand stamps and hand cuts leather to make bookmarks, rings, bracelets, key rings.

His grandmother, Vicki Waldron, owner of ViCon, a sewing business, and he both got interested at the same time, and he works out of her shop on Maple Road, rural Fort Scott. His sister, Mackenna, has encouraged him in his business, he said.

“I started sewing when young,” Cole said. “I like hands-on personalizing and being a craftsman on something that is personal.”

He is currently creating a stock pile of leather work articles for the Children’s Business Fair on September 30.

“I used (his leather) bookmarks at school, when reading and friends noticed and ordered a few,” he said.

At a recent band event, some of his friends helped Cole select a name for his business and he has been working on pricing, business logo and a business email.

Submitted graphic.

Belts are $10, keychains and pendants are $5, bookmarks are $7, rings are $3, and bracelets are $4.

“That is the prices I have thought of at the current moment not 100% sure on the belts due to leather costs but the rest is pretty set in stone,” he said.

At a recent Children’s Business Fair workshop, he developed a busniness plan and got all his ideas on paper, he said. Next was cash flow and payment options.

He will be selling, along with other young enrepreneurs, at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on September 30.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Youth

Young Entrepreneur: Benjamin Shead

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This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community.

Following the first set of stories on young entrepreneurs in our community, an anonymous donor  wrote fortscott.biz that he wanted to grant each one of the featured youth with $50.

To view the prior story: Young Entrepreneurs Series Spawns An Anonymous Benefactor

If you know of a child, under 18 years of age, that is creating products or providing services to sell to the public, please send their name and phone number to [email protected]

Fortscott.biz wants to  encourage the youth who are learning business by doing it.

Benjamin Shead. Submitted photo.

Benjamin Shead,13, has an online tutoring  business.

“Some classes I have guided other students in are geometry, Latin, sixth grade math, formal logic, algebra 1 and 2,” he said.

“Most of my clients contact me through Facebook,” Benjamin said. “I also take students when my sister’s (Katy Shead) schedule is too busy.”

“I started tutoring when my sister’s schedule was getting packed with students,” he said. “This showed me that I enjoyed helping other people in their educational trouble areas.”

“I tutor so that I can revisit material that I enjoyed learning but am no longer being taught,”  he said. “Tutoring gives me the ability to experience a class again, this time on a deeper level, the level of teaching the material. I also enjoy finding new ways to explain a concept and tutoring gives me a purpose for the exploration of these ways.”

“One subject I really enjoy tutoring is Formal Logic,” Benjamin said. “It is awesome to learn how to explain proofs by comparing them to a hidden treasure or something else that the student understands better than proofs.”

“While it is a lot better for kids to be tutored, if they need it, across the school year, I sometimes help kids in last-minute cramming sessions for math and logic finals,” he said. “These sessions provide a last-minute review, and it gives kids confidence to try their best on this last assignment.”

Benjamin lives just outside the Fort Scott city limits with his sister, Katy and parents Mark and Haley Shead.

Benjamin Shead works on collatz conjecture. Submitted photo.

Benjamin submitted this photo of him working on a math problem called a collatz conjecture.

Here is his explanation of collatz conjecture:

“The collatz conjecture is a theory about mathematics which is believed to be true but no one has been able to prove yet,” Benjamin said. “It states that if any odd whole number is plugged into the formula (3n+1)/2, if any even number is divided by two, and every number is plugged back into one of these formulas, a formula will eventually reach one.”

 

 

 

Art, Business, Fort Scott

Artificers Kids Still Life Painting in Sept. 16, Glaze Day is Sept. 23

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Logo

Calendar Correction!

Sorry for the inconvenience.

The kids still life painting is on 9/16 and glaze day is 9/23
Register For Classes Here!
Art, Business, Fort Scott

The Artificers In September

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The Artificers In September

September is almost here! Check out the calendar below for all the

classes and events happening this next Month!
September Classes Here!

Master Artist

Amy Smith

Mixed Media Artist

Master Artist Classes!

We have two unique classes Amy will be teaching September 2nd!

Both classes are ages fourteen and up! We cant wait to see you there!
Sign up Here!

Later in the Month…

DARRELL WILLIAMS

GRAPHITE & AIRBRUSH ARTIST

OPENING RECEPTION SEPTEMBER 29TH 6-9pm

MEET THE ARTIST SEPTEMBER 30TH 11-4pm

Darrell Williams has been creating artwork since childhood. His first commissions were for custom painted Hot Wheels cars. He has been perusing his interest in art and automobiles ever since. His mediums include airbrush, graphite, oils, and colored pencil. He composes pieces that have a sense of nostalgia highlighting his interest in classic vehicles and Americana. Williams will gladly create a custom piece for you. He also offers custom work on vehicles.
Check out all of our awesome classes here!
Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

FSCC Business Expo August 16

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Fort Scott Community College…

Fort Scott Community College Business Expo!

2108 South Horton, located in Bailey Hall

Fort Scott Community College is planning for their annual Business Expo to welcome returning and new students to the campus and community, and would like to invite businesses and organizations to have

a FREE booth!

The Business Expo is planned for Wednesday, August 16th, with set up at 7:30am and the Expo from 8-11:30am. You can expect to have approximately 400 students come through during that timeframe. You can set you and provide anything you would like as far as a display, brochures, job applications if you are hiring, coupons, giveaways, ect.

Please contact Marcus Page at FSCC if you are interested at 620-223-2700 x-3520 or email [email protected].
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Fort Scott Rides on Aug. 10

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ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

Fort Scott Rides

Thursday, August 10th

8am

702 E. Wall Street

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting to celebrate the new and expanded location of Fort Scott Rides, 702 E. Wall Street. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.

Fort Scott Rides LLC is a family-owned dealership that opened its doors in September 2022. Matt Harvey, Owner, and son Tyler Harvey, Manager, sell pre-owned cars, trucks, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, and more. If they don’t have what a customer is looking for in stock, they will help find it. They also started offering tire sales and repair services as of this week and hope to add auto detailing in the future. Hours of operation are 8:30am-5:30pm Monday through Friday and 9am-1pm on Saturday. Visit their website fortscottrides.com for current inventory or follow their Facebook page.

Chamber Coffees are held each Thursday at 8am for members to network, make announcements, and learn about the host business or organization. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information or to inquire about available dates for hosting a Coffee.

Click here for their Facebook page!

We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Business, Fort Scott

Courtland Hotel: Working to Become Destination

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The Courtland Hotel, 121 E. First.

The owners of the Courtland Hotel and Spa have worked to make the place a destination.

Frank and Cheryl Adamson own the 117 year old hotel at 121 E. First in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District.

Frank and Cheryl Adamson from her Facebook page.

“We are a destination for couples because we have the ability to provide multiple services at a given time, that sets us apart,” said Cheryl, who is a massage therapist at the hotel/spa.

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic ended, she has hired another massage therapist and two nail designers to make this service accessibility possible.

“We offer massages, manicures, pedicures for married couples, mother/daughters, girlfriends, etc.” she said. “It’s a destination to come and relax and enjoy the charm and history of Fort Scott.”

“We are the place to be and the place to stay because we are in the middle of everything,” she said. “Fort Scott restaurants and shopping are all within walking distance.”

The Courtland Spa door is west of the main door of the hotel at 121 E. First.

Adamson has been a massage therapist for 26 years.

Bobbie Brown tells about the Cryoskin Therapy in her massage therapy space at the Courtland Hotel. Pictured is the Cryoskin machine.
This is the pricing sheet for Cryoskin Therapy.

The Adamson’s added massage therapist Bobbie Brown in 2020. Brown offers Cryoskin, a therapy with massage that reduces fat and tightens skin.

Brown said she offers pain management, sports injuries, facials, and deep tissue massage as part of her therapies menu.

She received her education from Colorado University through U.S. Careers in 2019, and also training from the National Laser Institute in Dallas.

Her hours are Monday-Saturday by appointment. Text for an appointment to 620-704-4256.

Joy Kuns gives a client a pedicure on July 26. Submitted photo.

Joy Kuns, 23, started at the Courtland Spa in June 2023 as a nail artist.

One of Joy Kuns nail design. Submitted photo.

She graduated from Fort Scott School of Cosmetology School and has four years experience as a nail artist.

Kuns hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Wednesdays off.

To schedule an appointment with Kuns, call 620.215.6831.

The following graphic is the list of services and their costs, that both Kuns and Townsend offer.

Pricing for nail design services at the Courtland Spa.
Sandy Townsend works on a pedicure for a customer on July 26.

Sandy Townsend, 43, is a nail artist at the Courtland Spa, since May 2023.

She has 14 years cosmetology experience, and four years as a nail artist. She graduated from the B Street Design School of Cosmetology, Manhattan, KS.

Townsend is available for nail services Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 on Saturdays.

Contact her at 620.215.1433.

 

Area News, Business

Tips to Prevent Digging Accidents

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Unearthing Safety: 811 Day (Aug. 11) Promotes Safe Digging
and Preventing Costly Mistakes Kansas Gas Service provides 5 helpful tips to prevent digging accidents
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Aug. 7, 2023 – Aug. 11, National 811 Day, is almost here!

This date, 8/11, serves as a valuable reminder about the importance of safe digging practices and
preventing damage to underground facilities.

“On Aug. 11 and throughout the year, we remind homeowners and professional contractors alike
to use the free 811 service before digging to reduce the risk of accidentally hitting an
underground facility,” said Sean Postlethwait, Kansas Gas Service vice president of Operations.
“Our highest priority is safety, and the best way to prevent injuries or disrupting service in your
neighborhood and community is by contacting 811.”

How 811 Works

Contacting 811 connects you to the local one-call center, which notifies utility companies of
your digging plans. These utilities may include natural gas, electric, water, sewer, cable and
telecommunications. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the
approximate locations of underground lines using flags, spray paint or both.

It’s a free service that only takes a few minutes and helps keep your community safe.

Kansas Gas Service encourages everyone to put safety first when undertaking any digging
project – whether large or small.

For a safer digging experience, here are 5 helpful tips to follow:

1. Contact 811. Call 811 or submit an online request at Kansas811.com at least two full
working days before you start your digging project. (If you hire a contractor, make sure
they have contacted 811.)

2. Verify the Marks Are Fresh and Complete. Verify that all utilities have marked their
facilities and wait for confirmation that the markings are complete by reviewing your
ticket with 811. Ensure the markings are not from a previous project.

3. Respect the Tolerance Zone. The tolerance zone is the area located 24 inches on either
side of the underground facility. Always hand dig within this area to avoid contact or
damage.

4. Only Dig within the Project Area. By contacting 811, the project area can be defined
and helps ensure digging occurs within that area.

5. Smell Gas, Act Fast! If you smell gas while digging or damage a natural gas line, leave
the area immediately then call 911 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950.

To learn more about safe digging, visit BeADigHeroKansas.com.

About Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 642,000 customers in
Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-
percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.”

ONE Gas is included in the S&PMidCap400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the
United States.

For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit
kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube