Spyder, Inc, Fort Scott, KS has launched a rebranding scholarship program that is open to Kansas Colleges and Universities. The project runs through September with the winning individual or team winning a $1000 scholarship.
Spyder has made the decision to rebrand with a new name going forward says CEO Nedra Barr. “While we love the Spyder name, we are unable to get all of the social media handles needed as well as Spyder is a pretty common name. We need to move to a name that is more unique and representative of who we are and what we provide in the market.”
Letters with project definitions and guidelines went out Tues, Sept 6th. We’d like to have the individuals or teams known to us by the end of this week or at least by Monday, Sept 12th.
The project entails coming up with a new Company name, checking to make sure we are able to secure the domain as well as the social media handles, and creating a graphic logo by Sept 30th. Winners will be announced at the end of October.
This is truly exciting to work with local Kansas Colleges & Universities on our rebranding project, says CTO, Mike Upright. Our solutions will be running in the market for years to come so we want the business leaders of tomorrow to help come up with a cool, fun name for our Company.”
This project provides the students with a real-life Company branding exercise. This experience will be valuable to the students in their future business endeavors. We welcome any and all, college students who wish to participate. Interested participants may respond with their intent to participate to [email protected]
Good luck to all and we can’t wait to see what our new name will be!
Varia, means variety in the French language, and the Varia Shop carries a variety of used clothing at less than retail pricing.
The store was opened by Robin Kendrick on June 8, 2021 and has expanded to the point of needing more space.
As of September 6, the store will be located in the same building, but two doors east of the present store front.
The new address is 114 E. 23rd, just behind the Taco Bell Restaurant on Main Street.
Hours the shop is open: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on Sunday and Monday.
“We provide the community quality used name brand clothing at affordable prices,” Kendrick said. “Nothing is above $11.50. We opened because we see a need for more clothing stores in Fort Scott.”
Kendrick buys clothing directly from the public and online.
One can make an appointment with her to sell clothing to her.
“I will look items over, to see if I think I can sell it,” Kendrick said.
When they opened in 2021 they had 300 items and now have over 4000 items, she said.
“We are moving to a bigger space because we have outgrown our current place,” she said. ” We are moving starting on Sunday (Sept. 4) and will ready for business on Tuesday, Sept. 5.”
Governor Laura Kelly Urges Kansas Small Businesses to Prepare for COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Program
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that her administration is launching the application process for the COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief program in October. She urged Kansas small business owners to verify they are registered for a federal Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) ahead of the application process opening.
“The financial assistance provided through this program will give Kansas entrepreneurs resources to continue to grow and invest in their businesses,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Proactively verifying UEI registration will help small business owners receive this relief quickly and efficiently once the program’s application portal opens in October.”
In June, Governor Kelly signed bipartisan House Bill 2136, investing $50 million to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Program is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which requires a UEI registration to be completed for a business to be eligible to receive assistance. UEI registration ensures the accuracy of information and the security of funding being used for this program.
The UEI is a unique 12-character identifier assigned to all entities and is used as the primary means of entity identification for Federal awards and for those doing business with the federal government. The UEI is issued at no cost through the federal System for Award Management website (SAM.gov).
If a business is already registered in SAM.gov, no additional action is needed to obtain a UEI. UEI registration can be confirmed by logging into SAM.gov and verifying that the business’ Entity Status states “Active Registration.”
Please note that due to recent increases in the number of entities registering with SAM.gov it may take up to 25 business days for new registrations to be processed. For any issues related to registering with SAM.gov or obtaining a UEI the Federal Service Desk can be reached at 866-606-8220.
Information detailing the application process and dates for the COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Program is forthcoming from the Kansas Department of Revenue. The application will provide definitions, explain the assistance process in detail, and will specify exactly what information must be submitted in support of the application.
Claimants will have until April 15, 2023, to file an application for this financial assistance.
KCC grants NextEra public utility status to build a 94-mile Wolf
Creek to Blackberry transmission line, but with added conditions
TOPEKA – In a special business meeting August 29, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) granted a certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) to NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest, LLC, enabling the company to do business as a transmission only public utility in the State. The company filed an application for the certificate in February in order to construct a 94-mile, 345 kV transmission line from Wolf Creek to the Blackberry Substation, less than one mile over the state line in Southwest Missouri. The proposed line runs through five Kansas counties: Coffey, Anderson, Allen, Bourbon and Crawford. The final route has not yet been approved by the Commission.
The Wolf Creek to Blackberry project was identified by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) as a necessary economic project to increase the transmission capability and relieve congestion from western Kansas east to SPP load centers. SPP is a regional transmission organization (RTO) mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and competitive wholesale prices on behalf of its members. SPP serves 17 states, including Kansas.
In issuing today’s order, Commissioners agreed the project provides benefits for Kansans.
“Based on the testimony received, the Commission finds that the Transmission Project will have a beneficial effect on customers by lowering overall energy costs, removing inefficiency, relieving transmission congestion and improving the reliability of the transmission system.”
Justin Grady, KCC Chief of Revenue Requirements, Cost of Service and Finance testified that Kansas customers could see an increase of $0.04 to $0.05 per month to cover the cost of the line beginning in 2025, but when the benefits of the project are considered, they should see a reduction of $4 to $7 for every dollar spent on the line over its 40 year operating life.
Grady also addressed misconceptions about the financing and purpose of the transmission line. He said the cost of the line will be allocated equally across the entire 14 state SPP region based on transmission customer load share. Kansas is paying 16.5% of the cost.
As for concerns that the line will be shipping nuclear or wind power out of Kansas to states outside of the SPP footprint, Grady said there is no evidence to support that.
While granting the certificate, the Commission imposed additional requirements and conditions on NextEra designed to protect ratepayers and to explore ways to minimize the impact of landowners along the proposed route. One of the conditions calls for NextEra to evaluate the feasibility of double circuiting the line with an existing 25-mile Evergy 161 kV transmission line and report back before a line siting application can be filed with the Commission. A double circuit line has two independent circuits on the same structure eliminating the need for an additional easement and reduces structure costs.
“The public interest of Kansans, especially including the landowners that would be affected along this portion of the preliminary route of the line, will not be served if this issue is not comprehensively reviewed by all parties before NEET Southwest files its line siting request with the Commission. To reiterate, failure to earnestly and completely review the double circuit option may result in a proposed route that the Commission cannot approve as reasonable, which the Commission wishes to avoid.”
The annual Old Settler’s Picnic committee is gearing up for this weekend’s activities, with events for people of all ages. In addition, the Uniontown High School Alumni Association has planned events for Saturday.
On Labor Day, Sept. 5, “There will be new food trucks and vendor booths”, Becky Shinn, Secretary-Treasurer of the committee said. The vendors will be scattered around the town square of the town of less than 300 people. The town doubles and sometimes triples in size for this annual event.
Also in the park on Labor Day will be the picnic offerings. In addition to the food trucks, the Uniontown High School FFA will be serving BBQ food, and the Methodist Church, a chicken dinner.
The announcer for this year’s event is Adelay Martin.
The children’s parade will line up starting at 9:50 a.m. on Sept. 5 on the east side of the town square and prizes will be awarded for best theme, decorated bike, child costume, pet and battery operated toy. No gas powered vehicles are allowed in the children’s parade, which will start at 10:15 a.m.
The theme of the parade this year is “Back to the Old School Days”, and entries are invited to decorate their vehicles and hay wagons to showcase their organizations. There are prizes for best church float, best theme oriented float, school floats, All Terrain Vehicles (they must be clean and decorated), antique tractors and cars.
Horses are always welcome in the parade, but riders are asked to unload them at the rodeo arena, west of town on Hwy. 3. The horses be last in line up in the parade and are asked to line up at the Methodist Church.
Throughout the day there will be raffles with drawings for cash prizes.
The Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the square.
For the kids is the traditional turtle race at 11:30 a.m., so be on the look out for a fast turtle! An egg toss competition, along with foot races and water races are planned for people from pre-kindergarten age to 100 years old on the south side of the square.
As is the tradition, there will be a recognition of the oldest man, oldest woman, longest married couple, former resident that traveled the farthest distance, and the resident who has had a Uniontown address the longest time.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at the Hwy. 3 arena, west of town, there will be rodeos to entertain. See the flyer above for more information.
At 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, coffee, milk and donuts will start the fellowship time of the Community Church Service at 10:30 a.m., this year presented by the Uniontown Methodist Church. Please bring lawn chairs for the service.
As part of the family game night on Sunday evening, the UHS Cheerleaders will be hosting a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament as a fundraiser. Additionally, there will be a bubble gum chewing contest, watermelon eating contest and cornhole contest, with events starting at 5:30 p.m.
High School Reunion
This year the Uniontown High School alumni are having their reunion on Saturday, Sept. 3, in conjunction with Old Settler’s Picnic weekend celebration.
A “Welcome Back” Reception at the UHS Commons area at the high school is scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Cookies and drinks are provided as well as an opportunity to tour the school. All alumni, and current and retired faculty and staff are invited to attend.
All-School Reunion Alumni will host a party at Uniontown City Park from 6 p.m. to midnight, with a Disk Jockey presenting music and a food truck. Coolers of beverages are welcome, but no glass containers.
Kansas Department of Commerce Announces New Grant Opportunity to Support Economic Development in Smaller Communities
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland announced a new grant opportunity today that will help support economic development and revitalization efforts in smaller communities across Kansas through investments in quality-of-life initiatives.
The brand-new Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) program will make grants between $5,000 and $50,000 available to communities in 78 designated counties with a population of 5,000 or less. Grants will be available in the following categories:
Childcare and senior programming – projects that support or enhance these services, such as building improvements, educational materials, supplies and equipment;
Community vibrancy – projects that refresh, re-energize and unlock the attractiveness of rural communities, such as art installations, murals and signage;
Food retail – projects that support access to food retail establishments, including development, renovation and/or expansion; and
Libraries – projects that support providing free and open access to a broad range of materials and services, including reading material, technology, furniture and building improvements.
“The Department of Commerce is very pleased to offer this new grant opportunity to our smallest communities across Kansas,” saidLt. Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland. “The SEED grants will offer communities a boost that will help them prosper and thrive. Quality-of-life investments help create vibrant communities that attract more people to live and work in Kansas.”
Local governments, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and other organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide a minimum 10 percent match and complete the project within 12 months of receiving grant funds. Funds will be distributed half at the beginning of the grant cycle and the balance upon successful completion of the project.
Funding for the SEED program, which is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, is provided through the Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions (TEFFI) Development and Expansion Fund. The TEFFI Act was enacted in 2021 through bipartisan legislation to promote economic development throughout the state.
Earlier this year, the Beneficient Company Group, L.P. received its full charter and became the first technology-enabled fiduciary financial institution in Kansas pursuant to the TEFFI Act. Beneficient’s first contribution to the grant program totaled $2.7 million.
SEED grant applications will open Monday, August 29, and close at 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 30. Grant awardees will be announced in October.
An informational webinar on the SEED grant will be available to the public at 10:00 a.m. (CST) Monday, August 29. Registration for the webinar, guidelines for the grant application, and a list of eligible counties can be found at www.kansascommerce.gov/seedgrants.
Applicants can contact [email protected] for any questions regarding this funding opportunity.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
Lindsay Knopp and Afton Brown are the new owners of Happy Kids Daycare and Preschool, INC. at 1502 Scott Avenue, the former New Generations building.
The business provides daycare for children ages two weeks and up.
“We are pretty much full, with a waiting list of 50-plus,” Knopp said.
“We… have our normal daycare settings and preschool during the school months and then daycare and summer program during the summer months,” Brown said.
The hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Currently in the preschool there are 37 students, Knopp said. “This includes the USD 234 (students). They lease a space to serve more preschool age kids and the majority of those students are also served in our daycare the other half of the day. In daycare we currently have around 60.”
“We are still waiting on our license, but we signed on the building June 16th,” Knopp said.
To contact the business call (620) 223-1506 or email:
Local resident Jake Province, started Influx Services, a building exterior cleaning service in late May of this year.
“We provide house washing, pressure washing, exterior cleaning, and restoration services,” Province said. “We provide … driveway and concrete cleaning, deck and fence cleaning, and restoration services such as oil and rust stain removal.”
Service to other businesses are offered by Province as well.
“We also offer all services to commercial clients,” Province said. “We offer reasonable prices, professional service, and use appropriate cleaning techniques to prevent damage to your home or building.”
“I started this business because I’ve lived in Fort Scott and the
surrounding areas for most of my life, and like all of us, I want to
see it grow and improve,” he said. “Providing quality pressure washing, house washing, and exterior cleaning to the people of the town at reasonable prices is my way of giving back, and I hope to see my efforts cause more people to appreciate the town and the local businesses here.”
The business serves Fort Scott and all surrounding areas.
Those interested in residential or commercial cleaning can get a free
quote by calling (620) 407-3008,
or emailing [email protected]m