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~ Peerless Expansion Represents Largest Job Announcement in Allen County Since 1994~
IOLA – Governor Laura Kelly today celebrated the announcement of Peerless Products, Inc., purchasing a 150,000-square-foot facility in Iola to expand its production capability.
Peerless estimates the expansion will create 100 to 120 new full-time jobs in Iola over the next five years, with a capital investment of $10.35 million.
“Peerless is a fantastic, homegrown Kansas company with a long history in Fort Scott. I appreciate its leadership team recognizing all that Iola and the entire Southeast Kansas region has to offer, and for choosing to expand in Allen County,” Governor Kelly said. “With our engaged team at the Kansas Department of Commerce, my administration will continue to identify new and dynamic business opportunities, build relationships, and support further economic projects in Allen County and across our state.”
Governor Kelly joined Scheduling and Purchasing Manager for Peerless Products Josh Granere, Iola Mayor Jonathan Wells, Thrive Allen County President and CEO Lisse Regher, and Secretary of Commerce David Toland for today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Kansas-based Peerless produces high-performance architectural aluminum windows and doors for new construction, replacement and historical construction for high-rise and institutional buildings. The expansion of its operations will allow the company to begin to diversify its product line by moving into commercial windows.
“I’m honored to help celebrate a significant economic development win for our state—one that marks the beginning of a new chapter for Peerless Products and the workforce in Iola and Southeast Kansas,” Secretary Toland said. “Congratulations to Peerless and to our local partners on making this ambitious vision for growth a reality.”
“With our continued growth in Fort Scott, where we currently have 400 employees, we needed to find additional space for the creation and production of our new G800 product line that we believe will be a leader in commercial low-rise windows,” President of Peerless Products Coby Jones said. “We pride ourselves in being best in class, and we intend to continue and build upon that reputation in Iola.”
The State of Kansas, City of Iola and Allen County partnered to secure the Peerless expansion project, which is the largest job announcement in Allen County since 1994.
The below photos are available for media use:
https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Peerless-1.jpg
https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Peerless-2.jpg
https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Peerless-3.jpg
https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Peerless-4.jpg
Kansas Small Business Development Center Offers New Business Support Kiosk to Bourbon County Residents
PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be launching their new Business Support Kiosk to provide no-cost consulting services to small businesses in the Bourbon County area.
The Kansas SBDC Business Support Kiosk will launch on November 2nd inside the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center located at 17 N. Main in Fort Scott, Kansas. The Kiosk will have a mixture of in-person support and daily walk-in video conference support. Support available will include COVID-19 business programs, steps to starting a business, industry research, training seminars, and access to additional SBDC experts across the state.
“We want to give current businesses the tools to build sustainable business models with the capital and resources needed,” said Jody Hoener, Bourbon County Economic Director. “The Kansas SBDC has a track record of supplying small businesses with industry reports, business planning templates, and resources needed for long term success.”
Hoener also stated that having the Kansas SBDC’s certified personnel is crucial for the community’s economy and small businesses moving forward.
“It’s nice helping bring this enhanced service to my hometown,” said Dacia Clark, Assistant Director for the Kansas SBDC at Pittsburg State University. “We want to give special thanks to the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County for their continued support of the Kansas SBDC program.”
About the Kansas SBDC: The Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University serves as the regional consulting resource for the small business owner. Whether it’s an existing business looking to boost sales or a start-up trying to get off the ground, we provide our customers with quality professional and personal care. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Kansas Department of Commerce, and Pittsburg State University, a majority of our services come at no cost to the local business. Learn more about the Kansas SBDC at http://www.pittstatesmallbusiness.com/.
A new round of grants for small businesses is available online as of today, Oct. 26, according to Jody Hoener, Bourbon County’s Economic Director.
This is a NEW grant opportunity for for-profit business and she advised applying before the Nov. 2 deadline, next week, she said.
“I haven’t applied for this specific grant and it is online,” Hoener said. “If anyone needs any help though, I would be more than willing to help.” Contact her at [email protected]
“Only small businesses located in rural communities are eligible at this time,” according to the website https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/small-business-assistance/rural-relief-small-business-grants/?fbclid=IwAR32Hywr90-CMVmhziFOfkQGynQQ–i3KqlfYX8Tvz-IH5bOfArVqtx3XGE “Rural communities are defined as having a population of 50,000 or less. A community is defined as the city/town/village where your business address is located. If the business is mobile (a food truck, fishing boat, rideshare driver, etc) please use the address where your vehicle is stored during non-business hours.”
All potential applicants are encouraged to review this FAQ and grant information before applying.
Non-profit organizations are ineligible for the relief funding program at this time but may be eligible for later rounds of funding.
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The family plans to open a museum with interactive components and call it Exploratorium.
“We will have fun, unique exhibits that all ages will enjoy, such as; Barbie, Model Trains, Lego, and more,” Lorina said. “We will have play structures and other hands-on activities. The building will also include a gift shop and eventually a snack bar. We are most excited about our classroom which is where we will host workshops and clubs to really get the community involved in teaching, learning and exploring new hobbies and talents.”
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She trained under Brittney Burnworth, nurse practitioner and owner of BB Aesthetics in Columbus Ohio, a top 250 medspa in the nation, she said. She is an Allergan Epic Advanced Training Injector Nurse Educator.
Dr. John Fox is co-owner and medical director for NewFox Wellness.
“Dr. Fox is well known and loved in this community,” Newkirk said. “It was a huge loss to our area when Mercy (Hospital) closed and he was forced to move his practice outside our area. NewFox Wellness is a way for us to give back to his wonderful patients and the community by offering services not provided in this area.”