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Category Archives: Business
Kansas Small Business Grant Program Starts
Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Small Business Research & Development Grant Program
TOPEKA – Today Governor Laura Kelly announced a new program that will help Kansas small businesses innovate, bring new products and services to market, and compete at a global level. The Small Business Research & Development Acceleration Grants, which were approved by the 2022 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Kelly, are being made available through the Kansas Department of Commerce.
“These grants enable small businesses to enter new markets and stay ahead in our rapidly changing economy,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “My focus since Day One has been to strengthen the Kansas economy. By spurring innovation, we’re helping Kansas companies reach new levels of growth and prosperity.”
The Small Business Research & Development Acceleration Grants are designed to assist Kansas small businesses in advancing a product or service to commercialization; modifying a product or service to enter a new market; or gaining a new client by leveraging higher education facilities, equipment, and expertise.
Prospective grant recipients will work with a Kansas public higher education institution to conduct research and development and receive a 50/50 matching grant up to $25,000.
“Coupling the research and development power of the Kansas higher education system with individual companies will prove transformational in our state’s already strong business climate,” said Lt. Governor David Toland. “This is a classic example of how good public policy can positively influence economic development.”
The grant program is open to Kansas registered businesses headquartered in Kansas with 50 or fewer full-time employees with at least 60 percent of its workforce, including contracted staff, in Kansas. For every dollar received from the Small Business Research & Development Acceleration Grant, the company must contribute a dollar of its own resources. Up to 50 percent of the match may be an in-kind contribution if it is provided by a public higher education institution and approved by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Approved projects must be completed within one year.
The fall 2022 application window is open now through October 17 and grants will be announced in November. For more information and to complete an application, please go to: https://www.kansascommerce.
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New Specialty Food Shop Opens
Sisters Emelia Whiteaker and Addi Foster have started a specialty food store from an office at the South Main strip mall, and are calling it Mmm Flavor Shop.
“After a major health diagnosis in the family, I started doing my continuing education credits as a Certified Athletic Trainer on nutrition,” Whiteaker said. “Unfortunately, a lot of the herbs, spices and grains were not available in the quality needed to get the nutritional value.”
Whiteaker reached out to friends who are Registered Dieticians and Certified Nutritionists to see where they get their spices and dried herbs.
“This led me to a small family-owned wholesaler in Arizona,” she said. “Our wholesaler freeze dries as much of their herbs that they can, and they order straight from the farms insuring a higher nutritional content. Everything just kept going from there.”
“In April, we launched our products at the Home Show in Fort Scott,” Whiteaker said. “Throughout the rest of the spring and summer we have been doing vendor shows and markets.”
The business office is in the area on the backside of Tractor Supply Store, that Whiteaker has her athletic training business in.
“We have a converted office space inside Momentum Indoor Training that we use as our prep room, she said. “Our ultimate goal is to have Mmm Flavor Shop support an exercise pool for those individuals who have chronic health diagnoses that benefit from aquatic exercise which is not covered by most insurance.”
They just finished work on their website.
“We launched our website this month www.mmmflavorfs.com or we will take text orders through direct message on Facebook or text messages at (620) 224-8442,” she said. “If we don’t have it in stock we can usually order it and get it within a week.”
The products of the business include spices, dried herbs, house made spice blends, non-wheat flours, ancient grains, rices, dried beans and lentils, instant oatmeal, ready-to-make-packets, dried fruits, and nuts.
“We mix most of our spice blends, insuring there are no additives or preservatives.” Whiteaker said.
” We also have superfood powders such as spirulina, spinach, acai berry, and more,” she said. “In October we will be adding herbal teas, Turkish teas, and homemade candies.”
FSHS Organization to Sponsor Job Fair
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The Fort Scott High School Chapter of SkillsUSA is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, April 25, 2023 from 8 a.m. to noon in the high school auxiliary gym.
The purpose is to acquaint students with career opportunities available in the region. Michelle Laubenstein is the advisor for the group and can be reached at [email protected] or call 620.223.0600.
The FSHS SkillsUSA club is one of 23 Fort Scott High School student organizations, here is a list of the rest.
Storytime at Local Bookstore: Oct. 1
Ann Stark Retires After 43 Years at Atkins Insurance
After 43 years at a downtown Fort Scott business, Ann Stark has retired.
“My last day was May 27,” Stark said. “The co-workers had a retirement party for me on August 19.”
Stark has worked at Atkins Insurance Agency since 1979.
“I was hired by Ron Dodson in February 1979,” she said. “My first position was clerical, customer service.”
“I liked the small office and meeting clients one-on-one,” Stark said.
She then earned a license in property, casualty, life and health insurance in 1980.
After Ron Dodson died she and Patty West purchased the business from his widow.
“We kept the same phone number and same customer service,” she said. “It was working, why change it?”
Through the years she took classes to improve her service to the customers.
“The laws and policies change and you are required to take continuing education classes every two years,” she said.
And this year marked her 43rd year with the business.
Stark says she does miss the interaction with her clients, since her retirement.
“You know their kids and grand kids,” she said. “I also miss working with Patty West and Chrystal Cowan, they are mother and daughter.”
But Stark said she is enjoying spending more time outside and being able to go see her grand kids more frequently, with her husband, who is also retired.
Chamber Coffee, Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Varia
Chamber Coffee, Grand Opening, & Ribbon Cutting hosted by Varia Quality Resale Clothing & Accessories
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee, Grand Re-Opening, & Ribbon Cutting hosted by Varia Quality Resale Clothing & Accessories, Thursday, September 15th at 8 a.m. at 114 E. 23rd St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win a special drawing. Ribbon cutting will immediately follow.
Varia just moved to a new and expanded location and has over 4,000 items in stock! They are open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm.
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.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
Arkansas Family Purchases Safe Valley Outfitters
Craig Whitmire and his son, Caleb, have been coming to Safe Valley Outfitters, Uniontown, since 2015 to hunt.
Craig is a businessman and farmer from Strawberry, Arkansas.
He and his son liked it so much they came every year since, Craig said.
The Whitmire’s purchased the business from Ron Eldridge and Terry Kirby in January 2022.
“We feel fortunate to purchase it,” Craig said.
For those who don’t know, a hunter outfitting business provides equipment, supplies and guides for hunting trips, according to Webster Merriam Dictionary.
Caleb takes the hunters to the sites on the approximately 8,200 acres they have leased from local landowners for hunting.
“I show them where they (the wild game) are and let them have at it,” he said.
“The landowners and farmers are a vital part of the success of this business,” Caleb said.
Caleb gets help from his brothers-in-law, Will Smith and Tyler Murphy to prepare the land for hunting.
Craig has three daughters ranging in age from 25 to six years old.
“Caleb and the boys (son’s-in law) do scouting, they put up blinds, tree stands and cameras and put out corn (for the deer),” Craig said.
Whitmire said the family business is contributing to the local economy.
“We buy corn from local guys,” Craig said
They also have a bank account in town, eat in local eateries in Bronson and Fort Scott, which also adds to the local economy, he said. They will also pay taxes on the several buildings on the property site, on Uniontown’s square.
The Whitmires are farmers, and Strawberry, Arkansas is about the size of Uniontown, both with a population 300 people Craig said.
Whitmire has several other businesses.
“We run 1.2 million broiler chickens through the year,” Craig said. “We are contract growers through Poultry Egg Company.”
He also has a commercial hay business and a chicken litter business and in addition, a fabrication shop.
But the father and son enjoy hunting and are looking forward to having a successful outfitters business in Kansas.
First Hunt This Season
They had their first Youth Hunt starting on Labor Day.
A Kansas Youth Hunt is for 17 year olds and younger, who possess a valid deer permit and may hunt while under the immediate supervision of an adult 18 or older, according to Kansas Wildlife and Parks online information.
“We had seven hunters with their dads,” Craig said. “From our hometown area in Arkansas.”
They will have hunts until December, then turkey hunting season starts in April-May, he said.
They have packages for archery, muzzle loader, and rifle hunts that include lodging, meals and the guide service.
The lodge has six recently-remodeled bedrooms and an on-site processing building for hanging up the deer for butchering, Craig said.
The Whitmires purchased the building just north of the lodge for a home while they are here running the business.
Craig and wife, Reina, along with Caleb’s wife, Kortni are the cooks for the groups. Caleb and Kortni were married this last March.
Parts of the family will live on-site during the hunting seasons.
Upcoming hunters are coming from Alabama, New Jersey, Mississppi, Louisiana and Georgia, Craig said.
Most of their clientele have heard of the business through their Facebook page and some are repeat clientele.
“This area is a premier hunting location,” Craig said. “The area has a potential for trophy white tail deer. The ratio between bucks and does is really good.”
“The deer are bigger here,” Caleb said.
Contact information: 870.844.1898.
Spyder: Informational Sessions Offered
Come learn about Spyder!
Spyder will be hosting information sessions open to the general public to learn about Spyder and how we will help the Fort Scott/Bourbon County community. We invite you to see our offices and learn what we are all about.
These 45 min sessions are informational only with light refreshments served. We have limited seats (12 per session) so interested people may reach out to [email protected] to reserve your seat.
Session dates & times:
Thursday, Sept 29th 11am & 1pm
Friday, Sept 30th noon
Location: Spyder Headquarters – 102 W. 2nd St, Fort Scott (DMV building)
What we will discuss:
Who are we?
What do we do?
Why are we important to the community?
How can we assist the community to attract a hospital?
How will we impact the local economy?
| www.spyderloop.com | Nedra Barr
CEO at Spyder, Inc (816) 820-8579 (voice / text) |
Integrity Home Care and Hospice Earns Patient Satisfaction Award
Integrity Home Care & Hospice has earned the 2021 SHPBestTM “Premier Performer” Patient Satisfaction Award
Ft. Scott, Kansas, 9/12/2022 – Integrity Home Care has been recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a “Premier Performer” for achieving an overall patient satisfaction score that ranked in the top 5% of all eligible SHP clients for the 2021 calendar year.
The annual SHPBest™ award program was created to acknowledge home health agencies that consistently provide high quality service to their patients. The 2021 award recipients were determined by reviewing and ranking the overall satisfaction score for more than 2,500 home health providers. With the largest HHCAHPS benchmark in the nation, SHP is in a unique position to identify and recognize organizations that have made patient satisfaction a priority and have been rewarded for their efforts with high marks on the HHCAHPS survey.
“SHP is proud to present the SHPBest awards to our top-performing customers. We commend these organizations for their continuous focus on delivering the highest quality of care to their patients,” said Rob Paulsson, President of SHP.
Integrity’s Fort Scott home health team is thrilled to receive this award and expects to see more in the future. “Our team is proud to receive this recognition. Our primary goal is ensuring our patients’ ability to remain comfortable in their home environment while receiving restorative care and skilled services. I feel like these consistently high patient satisfaction scores validate that we’re meeting our goal while providing quality care. We will continue to partner with our patients on their journey towards wellness and improved independence,” said Integrity’s Fort Scot Home Health Administrator, Becky Davied.
Read more about the SHPBest awards program, including methodology and award recipient lists at https://www.shpdata.com/home-health/shpbest-hhcahps.
About Integrity Home Care + Hospice
Integrity Home Care & Hospice is passionately dedicated to improving the healthcare system, because everyone has had a personal experience with the struggle that comes with a change in health. They are here to help and support you and your family as you seek to improve or simply maintain your health and independence at home.
Integrity’s mission is to identify and meet your home care needs and the needs of its employees with unmatched skill, compassion, and integrity.
About Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP)
Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) is a leader in data analytics and benchmarking that drive daily clinical and operational decisions. Our solutions bring real-time data to post-acute providers, hospitals, and ACOs to better coordinate quality care and improve patient outcomes. Since 1996, SHP has helped more than 7,000 organizations nationwide raise the bar for healthcare performance.
Discovery Music Studio: Individual and Group Piano Lessons
Audry Eberhard is the sole owner and employee of Discovery Music Studio, located in the basement of her home at 410 Sunset Drive.
“I have been giving lessons for over 20 years, eight of which have been in this area,” she said. “I am just now starting to give lessons and classes in my home studio.”
She gives both individual and group piano lessons.
“I have 3 pianos in my studio, so I can do a group of three students,” Eberhard said. “I have a curriculum that I am going to use that includes ensemble pieces. Playing in a group affords students the chance to develop accuracy while playing, because you need to get the rhythm correct as well as play correct notes.”
“Students are more motivated to practice as well because they want to sound like their friends and not make any mistakes,” she said. “It also gives students the chance to learn from each other as well as the teacher. I teach music theory in the form of a game to make the learning time more fun and games are more fun when you play them with friends.”
The cost of an individual lesson is $50 a month with more details on her website. The cost of the group classes is $30 a month.
“I have several different group classes: Group Piano, Preschool Group, and a beginning music group for 5-8 year olds,” she said.” I presently have openings for the Preschool Group on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. My Beginning Music Class presently has 3 openings and meets Thursday’s at 4:15 p.m.”
“If people are interested in other group times I do have openings in my schedule, they would just need to contact me via my website for other available time frames,” she said. “My schedule and openings are constantly changing as more people contact me.”
Eberhard said she “wanted to figure out a way to bring in a little more income and yet do something that I loved to do. I have always enjoyed lessons in the over 20 years that I have given them.”
“I needed to build up my client base and as part of that I thought it would be better if I could have an area dedicated to my lessons rather than just a piano in my living room,” she said. “In researching, I came across the idea of group lessons for piano teaching. I have taught groups of kids other kinds of music in previous job settings so it was an intriguing idea to use this in piano teaching.”
“God blessed me with two more pianos at very reasonable costs so now I have the means of doing group piano” Eberhard said. “I am excited to see how the students respond in the group setting. There is an energy and excitement when students are learning and discovering things in a group setting.”
“I use various instruments, games and hands on activities to teach musical ideas and concepts,” she said.
She can be contacted through her website discoverymusicstudio.
Ribbon Cutting for Pizza Republic on Friday, Sept. 9.
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