Category Archives: Business

Bourbon County, Business, Jobs, Schools

The Business Retention and Expansion Survey Summary

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Executive Summary
The Business Retention and Expansion Survey (BRES) was
conducted by HBCAT in collaboration with the City of Fort Scott
to assess the local business climate. The survey gathered 34
responses and six in-person interviews, reflecting ongoing
challenges in the region due to business closures.
Key Findings:
• Industry Composition: The largest sectors represented were Services (37.1%), Retail
Trade (22.9%), and Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate (14.3%).
• Employment Trends: 24% of businesses reported employment growth, 59% remained
stable, and 18% experienced declines.
• Workforce Challenges: 73% of respondents struggled with recruiting and retaining
workers, especially unskilled (38%) and semi-skilled employees (35%).
• Business Expansion & Financing: 18% of businesses plan to expand within two years,
while 15% reported forgoing expansion due to lack of financing.
Business Information Needs
Local businesses expressed a strong desire for more information on:
• Small business and entrepreneurial support resources tailored to the needs of startups and
local business owners.
• Workforce and job training programs to improve access to skilled labor and reduce hiring
challenges.
• Local market matching programs to connect businesses with regional suppliers,
customers, and partners.
• Access to capital and financing to support expansion, equipment upgrades, and working capital needs.
• Improved communication between local and state governments and businesses, to increase transparency and responsiveness.

Possible Actions Local Government Could Take:
1. Improve Marketing of the City – Increase promotional efforts to attract new residents, visitors, and businesses by showcasing Fort Scott’s assets, events, and opportunities.
2. Enhance Communication – Create clearer, more consistent communication channels between the City and the business community, including regular updates and outreach.
3. Develop Incentive Programs – Introduce or expand financial and regulatory incentives for new and existing businesses looking to launch or grow in Fort Scott.
4. Increase Workforce Development Efforts – Collaborate with HBCAT and other partners to create stronger pipelines for skilled labor and job training programs.
5. Address Housing as a Critical Need – Prioritize policies, partnerships, and development strategies that expand housing options for workers and families to support long-term
economic stability.

Next Steps for The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:
1. Launch an Employer Learning Collaborative – Convene local employers to clarify their workforce needs, discuss shared challenges, and identify specific skill gaps, particularly around unskilled and semi-skilled labor. HBCAT may host panel discussions
and is seeking facilitation support to guide this effort.
2. Engage High School Students Through Mentorship and Incentives – Partner with high school business classes to connect students with the RCP Mentorship Program and Community Health Workers, and link them to financial incentives available through the
City’s small business grant program and local community college resources.
3. Explore Soft Skill Curriculum Implementation – Evaluate the existing soft skills curriculum used by SEK KANSASWORKS in other districts to determine cost and feasibility of implementing it in Fort Scott schools, with the goal of aligning with local employer expectations.

Submitted by Jody Love

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc.

Rural Community Partners

President and CEO

Office: 620-224-2563 Ext. 4

Cell: 620-215-2892

104 North National

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Art, Business, Fort Scott

The Artificers July Newsletter

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The Artificers

in July!

Check out the calendar below for all events happening SOON!

Paint & Enjoy Margaritas

with Katie Hueston!

July 17th, 6pm
Sign up Here!

Schedule your own Private Workshop!

How to schedule a private workshop?

  1. 5 people or more!

  2. Pick party option!

  3. Pick time & date!

  4. $150 deposit to reserve your spot!

  5. Have fun in the clay!!
Email us!
Call us!

Call for 2026 Artists,

Have your Art Collection in our Gallery!
Apply Here!

Glaze your creations!

Bring in your creative pieces on July 26th from 10am-3pm!

$10/creative piece

if you created a ceramic piece but do not want to glaze,

please pick up your pieces to free up space in our studio!
8 N National Ave, Fort Scott, KS

Can’t Make it in?

SHOP ONLINE!
Shop Online Gallery Now!

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T.E.Freeman Studio

8 North National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701
Business, Government

Local Lenders Recognized by USDA As Top Lending Leaders

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USDA Rural Development in Kansas Recognizes Top
Guaranteed Rural Housing Lender Partners

TOPEKA, June 25, 2025 – USDA Rural Development announced the 2025 Lenders of the Year today, to recognize the work of its top lending partners supporting rural homeownership. These lenders helped rural families and individuals buy homes across the nation, including in Kansas last year through USDA Rural Development’s Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program.

“We are proud of these innovative lending partners and our collaborative efforts to boost the availability of rural housing in Kansas,” said Gimmie Jo Jansonius, Rural Development State Director for Kansas. “Thank you to all of our lending partners of all sizes from across the state for supporting the rural communities that make Kansas great.”

The top 5 Kansas lenders were:

  1. Flat Branch Mortgage, Inc.
  2. Landmark National Bank
  3. Community National Bank & Trust
  4. Guild Mortgage Company LLC
  5. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp

 

USDA is a proud partner to all lenders who work with the agency to support rural homeownership. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page. Follow us on X, @RurDev_Kansas

 

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Art, Business, Exercise, Fort Scott

New Self Defense Classes Offered in Fort Scott

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Brandon Pfannenstiel and Noah Terry. Submitted photo.
For those interested in learning self-defense techniques, a new business has opened for teaching those techniques.
The Fort: Bjj and Self Defense co-founders and owners, Noah Terry and Brandon Pfannenstiel, opened to the public on May 8.
“We offer Jiu Jitsu classes for both kids and adults,” Terry said. “We also offer MMA and striking classes as well. All with an orientation towards self-defense.”
For those unfamiliar with these martial arts, here are explanations.
“Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques and skills from a mixture of other combat sports to be used in competition. The rules allow the usage of both striking and grappling techniques while standing and on the ground. Competitions allow athletes of different disciplines of martial arts to compete under a set of unified rules,” according to https://www.ufc.com/intro-to-mma
“Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a predominantly ground-based martial art, using the principles of leverage, angles, pressure, and timing, as well as knowledge of the human anatomy, to achieve a non-violent submission of one’s opponent. Unlike other martial arts that focus on strikes and/or kicks, jiu jitsu focuses on close-contact grappling holds and techniques, and the application of chokes and joint manipulations,” according to https://www.essentialbjj.com/about-us/what-is-jiu-jitsu/
“I started training four years ago out of a desire to better myself through discipline and technique,” Terry said. “Brandon started training his sophomore year of high school at a gym called Mid-America Martial Arts. He walked in untrained and eager to learn at the age of 15. This was about 2003. He gathered an 11-1 amateur and 7-1 pro MMA record, and received his black belt in February 2025.”
Lessons are taught at 123 S. National Avenue at a converted church building.
‘

 

The current schedule is:
JIU JITSU: Monday through Friday from 6-7 a.m.
Sparring class: Tuesday is  6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
Open mat: Saturday from  7 to 8 a.m.
KIDS CLASS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.
MMA: Monday is from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
STRIKING CLASS: Thursday, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
 Contact: (913) 475-4321 + www.thefortfs.com
Business, Fort Scott

The After Affect Has A New Building In the Works

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From left, owner Shelly Bradley and long-time employee Debi Fritter stand in front of the current salon site. A new building for the salon is being constructed about 14 blocks east.

Shelly Bradley, owner of The After Affect Salon, said the business will have an “18 and on-our-own party” to celebrate the relocation of her business to a newly constructed building.

“We hope to be open in August (at the new site),” she said. “August will be the salon’s 18th anniversary, and we want to have a party to celebrate.”

“My husband, Zach, had tried to talk me into buying or building a new salon, to invest in our own property, and have our own parking.”

The current salon is located in the Historic Downtown Fort Scott district at 14 E. Wall, and parking can be competitive at times.

The new shop is being built and is located at 1416 E. Wall.

Shelly Bradley opens the door to her new salon at 1416 E. Wall on June 18. Completion is slated for August 2025. The salon door is on the east (left) and the other services door is on the west (right) of the front of the building.

“My Grandma Martha Cook offered to sell a lot next to her house to me. The time was right. God’s timing is perfect, and everything fell into place.”

The new 40-foot-by-40-foot building will have parking for 13 cars.

This will be needed with the additional services she will be offering in the shop: red light therapy, and tanning services, including stand-up, lay-down, and automated. All will have their private work room and additionally, two bathrooms, a utility room/kitchen/storage room, a room for retail products, and a waiting room. In addition, there will be a designated nail technician room.

“I feel so blessed with our amazing clientele that has made this a possibility and can’t wait to offer more for our community,” she said. “I am blessed that my husband has the talent and patience to help me build my dream. And I’m excited to be next door to my Grandma’s house.”

Those working on the build are Gieger Plumbing, KTK Electric, and Thomas Concrete and Construction, all of Fort Scott. She has been working with the City of Fort Scott on an economic development grant.

Bradley started the business in 2007, and Debi Fritter started offering services with her in 2010.

Riley Findley will be the new nail technician, and Debi’s daughter, Dani, will help in the tanning area.

 

 

Art, Business, Fort Scott

The Rockballet Dancers Present “Jet Set To Wonderland” June 20-21

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Reserved Tickets are now on sale for a show of talent you
do not want to miss! Call 855-222-2849 (the number on the flyer is not correct)

https://www.etix.com/ticket/o/8277/rockballet

Kristin Lewis Gorman will present her Rockballet dancers
in their 5th annual production, “Jet Set to Wonderland” ,
this Friday and Saturday, 7:30 PM at the Ellis Family Fine
Arts center, in Fort Scott.

Kristin was a New York City based career performer and
choreographer for 25 years before coming back to open
Rockballet, sharing her knowledge and love of singing,
dancing and acting with students in her hometown.
Kristin teaches every genre of dance and every class at
Rockballet.

As always, each number in the show is her original
choreography, created exclusively for her students.

Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Hosted by State Farm Insurance on June 19

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Join us for Chamber Coffee

hosted by

State Farm – Kale Nelson

Celebrating 20th Anniversary
Thursday, June 19th

8am

at

1805 S. National Ave.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Kale Nelson State Farm, celebrating twenty years in business in Fort Scott. The Coffee and celebration will be held at the State Farm office, 1805 S. National Ave., this Thursday, June 19th at 8am. Coffee, juice, and refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win a special drawing.

Kale Nelson is excited to celebrate twenty years with State Farm along with his wife, Kelly, and his team members, Peter Brody, Rita Schroeder, and Monica Walden. Kale opened his agency on July 1, 2005, at 20 W. Wall St., which is now the site of the new Kansas Department for Children and Families. In 2012, Kale moved his office to the 5 Corners complex at 12th and Hwy. 69 and finally settled at his current location, 1805 S. National Ave., in 2019. Kale and his team offer auto, home, life, health, and other insurance and financial services.

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.

Click HERE to visit State Farm – Kale Nelson

Facebook Page!

Click HERE to visit State Farm – Kale Nelson website!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Business, Sports, Youth

Hercules Hobby Opens in Fort Scott

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20 Scott Avenue houses the Hercules Hobby store. Submitted photo.

Hercules Hobby,  a store that sells sports cards, autographed memorabilia, helmets, Pokemon, and Magic The Gathering cards, opened in Fort Scott on June 13.

The store is located at 20 Scott Avenue.

“I had 25 kids in here on our soft opening,” said Phil Jackson, owner of the store.  “Some kids play tournaments with Pokémon and MTG cards. There may be tournaments possible at a later date.”

“I have been a collector my entire life; my grandpa, who passed away, was a collector,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about a brick and mortar store for a while—something fun for kids to do on the weekend.”

“My grandfather will be in the soul of this store,” he said.

Hours of operation currently are 4-8 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Other days and times to be determined at a later date.

“It’s something we don’t have around here,” Jackson said. “I bought and sold items at shops in Kansas City. There is none like this in our area.”

Levi Qualls, left, is the manager, and Phil Jackson is the owner of Hercules Hobby. Submitted photo.

He hired the manager, Levi Qualls, following a conversation at Faith Church, where they both attend.

“Levi shares the same love of this hobby that I do,” Jackson said.

For more information, contact Jackson at 515-512-3883.

This new business is under Jacksons Enterprise LLC.

 

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott

La Hacienda Restaurant Owners Celebrate 15 Years In Fort Scott

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Lupe and Mirna Santana in front of La Hacienda, 24 N. Main.

 

Sixteen years ago, Mirna and Lupe Santana moved to Kansas from Georgia. Lupe had family in Parsons who owned a Mexican restaurant, and they decided to venture into that business, so Lupe began looking in other towns in the area.

In Fort Scott, they discovered that a Mexican restaurant had recently relocated from the downtown area, and they believed this would be an ideal location.

In 2010, they moved into 20 S. Main, Mirna said. By 2015, they were looking for a different location because of the condition of the building.

“We moved into 24 N. Main in 2015,” she said. “And we are celebrating 15 years in Fort Scott.”

“We enjoy when we see people happy and thankful they had a great meal,” she said. “That makes us feel proud.”

Mirna has her father living in their home, and Lupe has his mom and dad in town, and that requires a lot of time, she said. They enjoy having their parents so near,  but it is a challenge, because “We think about the business 24/7,” she said.

But despite this challenge, “We hope to keep La Hacienda open for another 15 years. We just want to work.” And they are thankful to own their own business.

Her mom and dad were in the food business as well.

“My daddy used to be a baker and my mama used to put a table out on the street and sell food, and I helped her,” she said.

One of their son helps care for her father, and another son, nephew, uncle, and daughter-in-law work with them in the restaurant.

Last month, the restaurant reopened on Sundays after a year-long break.

“We invite you to come and try, we cook with lots of love,” Mirna said.

The history of Mirna and Lupe is told on a page in their menu.

The “mom and pop”  restaurant is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The restaurant also does catering.

To contact: (620) 223-4400 or
The La Prima on their menu is the favorite dish of Fort Scottians.

 

La Prima is the number one requested dish in Fort Scott, she said.

“It’s whatever meat you want, over a bed of rice with cheese sauce, served with tortillas,” she said.

 

Business

25th Annual Friends of Tri-Valley Raffle Drawing to be held on June 20

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Some lucky person will be the new owner of a brand new 2025 Ford F150 Platinum Edition SuperCrew 4 x 4 Truck—and the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation is hopeful the individual will be from Kansas.  This is the agency’s twenty-fifth year for a raffle give-away.  The event is a fund-raiser for the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation, a charitable organization that raises money to build homes for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services in Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.

 

“Everyone likes the idea that for a $50 donation they may win a brand-new truck.” Comments Tricia Campbell, Special Projects Coordinator.   Entries in the drawing are limited to 3,000.  “Those are pretty good odds; better than the lottery,” Campbell said.

 

The Friends of Tri-Valley purchased the truck from Steve Faulkner Ford in Chanute, KS.

“The truck is really luxurious, with lots of unique features,” Campbell said.   “We are excited to be able to giveaway a truck that will last for years and bring so much enjoyment to its new owner.”

 

The lucky winner’s name will be drawn at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20th, at the Foundation’s offices at 521 W. 35 Ch Pkwy, Chanute.

“Even though it only takes a second to pull the winner’s name, it’s always exciting,” Campbell said.  “And it’s really fun when we call the winner to let them know!”

 

Proceeds from the annual drawing have helped the Friends of Tri-Valley build five houses and acquire ten homes and one duplex for individuals with developmental disabilities.  The houses are located in Buffalo, Chanute, Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Neodesha, and Moline and are “home” for 82 individuals served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services.  The Foundation is licensed through the state for the annual raffle, license number RAF000005.

 

 

Information about entering the drawing may be obtained by calling Campbell at 620-431-7655, emailing [email protected], or by visiting Tri-Valley’s website, www.tvds.org/truck-raffle.

Business, Fort Scott

Charley McKay: New Sharpener Services in Fort Scott

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Charley McKay, from his Facebook page.

Need a blade upgraded? Charley McKay can do it.

About two years ago,  McKay moved to Fort Scott from Hutchinson and found he needed something to do with his time.

His son-in-law, Kale Nelson, had some chainsaw blades that needed sharpening, so McKay worked on them.

Nelson then told some of his friends about the service, and this turned into a new business, called Sharpen It.

He can sharpen “about anything with a blade”, McKay said. “Knives, chainsaws, lawnmowers, Dado… about anything, I have a sharpener for it.”

Before he retired in 2001, he was a refrigeration and air conditioning serviceman in Hutchinson. “Then I worked as a bus driver for Nickerson School District for 14 years before I moved here.”

Most people bring the items that need to be sharpened to his workshop at 738 Osbun, on Fort Scott’s northwest side of town.

“If I have to pick it up, I charge about $1, depending on how far I have to go,” he said.

His sharpening prices: $4-12 for knives, $6-12 for chainsaws, and $5 a piece for lawnmower blades.

“I always make sure that I charge a little cheaper than what’s normal,” he said.

“It might be a day or two out before I get to it,” he said.

However, he said he provides the added service of cleaning the blades before sharpening.

This week is McKay’s vacation, but you can text him at 620.960.6059 and leave a message with your phone number for him to call back.

McKay’s sharpening business, Sharpen It, is at his residence. Submitted photo.

 

Art, Business

Plan your Friday Night at The Artificers!

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Plan your Friday Night

at The Artificers!

Check out the calendar below for all events happening at your favorite

Art Gallery & Teaching Studio!

Join us for an Artist Opening Reception!

June 6th, at 6:00pm!

Meet Roxi Hardegree & Trent Freeman!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!

Thank you to our 2,000 followers

on Facebook!

We are giving away a spot for YOU

and YOUR FRIEND for

Trent’s Raku Firing Experience!

Join Trent on a Raku Firing Experience!

Friday, June 13th, 6-8pm!

How to Enter the Drawing?

1.Go to Facebook @ The Artificers!

2.Give us a Follow!
Click HERE:

3.Tag your two favorite people in the comments!

4. Have your two favorite people and yourself included, follow us on Facebook on BOTH, @ Bourbon County Clay & @ The Queens Muse! ( We will check!)

5. Share our Post!

You have until Saturday, at Midnight to enter!

Announcement will be Monday!

Perfect opportunity to hang out with your dad for Father’s Day Weekend!!

Only 6 spots limited per class!
Sign up Here!

Keep up to date with what’s going on

at The Artificers!

Follow us on Socials for more Giveaways!
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T.E.Freeman Studio

8 North National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701