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Chamber Coffee at Sleep Inn on Oct. 21
Category Archives: Business
New Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Employee: Rachel Carpenter
Rachel Carpenter, 23, started yesterday as the new program coordinator for the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
Carpenter earned an associate degree from Fort Scott Community College and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University in sociology. She has a certification in community development, program evaluation, and grant writing from FHSU and will graduate in the fall of 2022.
“I’ve been working in Honduras (in Central America) and decided to study sociology and am learning how to make data-driven decisions in how to help,” she said.
She interned with Jody Hoener, CEO of HBAT, and then applied for the full-time position when it became available.
“Rachel met all the minimum qualifications for the… position and brought additional skill sets to move our mission forward,” Hoener said. “She is passionate about our work and helping people, that’s the kind of culture we aim to nurture at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team. With everyone seeking employees right now, we consider ourselves considerably blessed to have an amazing skilled induvial as a part of our team.”
Carpenter’s salary comes from a $560,000 grant which will also provide grants for farmers and ranchers and start-up businesses, she said.
The grant will also help with development funding for the east side of Fort Scott and the historic downtown Fort Scott, Carpenter said.
The grant was from the Patterson Family Foundation, a family-led foundation extending the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson which strives to help lift rural communities through health care, education, economic opportunity, and beyond, according to its website How We Help | Patterson Family Foundation.
Carpenter is married to Jon, a Fort Scott Policeman, and is a nursery volunteer at Faith Church, Fort Scott. She is also the founder of the Carpenter’s Hands, a ministry to Honduras. Her hometown is Wichita, but she has lived in Bourbon County for five years.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team has a vision of a community where we feel safe, earn a living wage, find healthy food, have access to sidewalks, ride safe bike routes, have opportunities for recreation, and more according to its Facebook page
The HBAT is currently seeking community input to better fund development projects.
Bourbon County’s Health and Wellness Survey is open at
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Board consists of a cross-sector of community organizations, businesses, and governmental entities:
Jody Hoener, President, and CEO, Ex Officio
Craig Campbell, (Chair) Community leader and volunteer, Fort Scott Good Neighbor Action Team Chair
Lindsay Madison (Treasurer), President and CEO Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
Joy Miller, (Secretary) Kansas State University Extension Office
Sally Johnson, City of Uniontown Clerk, USD 235 Board
Alysia Johnston, President Fort Scott Community College
Chelsea Yount, Fort Scott Community College
Josh Jones, Mayor City of Fort Scott
Kayla Stewart, RN Coordinator Via Christi
Mayra Montanez, Downtown Business Owner, and Entrepreneur
Evergy seeks to add more wind energy
Midwest projects of 50 MW or larger requested
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Oct. 18, 2021 – Evergy (NYSE: EVRG) today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for wind energy to supply the needs of its customers.
The RFP solicits bids for Evergy’s purchase of wind resources of up to 1,000 megawatts (MW) that will be in service by 2026. Projects that achieve commercial operation by mid-2024 and year-end 2025 will be given preference. Wind resources must be a minimum of 50 MW and interconnect to the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). Siting preference will be given to projects located in Kansas.
Proposals are due by Nov. 23, 2021. Response and contact information are available online at www.evergy.com/2021rfp. Proposals selected from the RFPs are subject to appropriate regulatory approvals.
Evergy has outlined its plan to expand ownership of renewable energy and to retire fossil-fueled generation as the company works toward its 2045 target for net zero carbon emissions. These wind projects would fulfill the plan to add up to 1,000 MW of wind energy by 2026 with projects that benefit from production tax credits.
About Evergy, Inc.
Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We were formed in 2018 when long-term local energy providers KCP&L and Westar Energy merged. We generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.
Chamber Coffee At Hedgehog INK Oct. 14
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Downtown Meet and Greet Oct. 12
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Market Street Pavilion Project Kicks Off
The Market Street Pavilion Project kicked off Wednesday evening at Skubitz Plaza, with the presentation of a $50,000 check to the City of Fort Scott from T-Mobile.
T-Mobile, a company that provides wireless voice and messaging services along with data services, will be opening a retail store in late November in the strip mall at the 2400 block of South Main Street. Scott Hunsaker will be the manager of that store.
Local officials and company officials gave brief speeches in recognition of the grant, Fort Scott Community College Cheerleaders were there along with the public. T-Mobile provided one Luther’s BBQ dinner to the first 50 people who attended the event.
The company has been granting and will continue to grant other small towns in the nation, to help with revitalization projects, according to Matt Lane, T-Mobile Market Manager.
Fort Scott was selected this year to receive one of those T-Mobile Hometown Grants.
The Market Street Pavilion will be located west of the wooden square structure, north of downtown Fort Scott, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza.
To view the grant proposal from the city:
FortScott Hometown Grant Phase 1(1)
From the grant proposal:
“This project would return Market Street as a community place which was previously removed by Urban Renewal. It will improve underutilized green space and extend the use of the area for residents, and visitors including numerous events.
The initial phase of this project is an addition of an entrance pavilion and walkway to the Lunette Blair Block House.
The former Market Street was a central connection to the City from the original Fort grounds. Fort Scott’s downtown has
been the heart of the City since its discovery in 1842. Anchored by the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the purpose of this critical ground has changed over the years yet has maintained its extraordinary significance in history.“Named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas History, the Fort is a legacy of the city’s involvement combined with congressional support overcoming a multitude of obstacles led by an impressive group of visionary citizens.”
Evergy Warns Customers Regarding Recent Utility Scam Attempts
Imposters asking for immediate payment
KANSAS CITY, Mo., – Oct. 1, 2021 – Evergy has received customer reports today of individuals placing phone calls to customers and claiming to be Evergy representatives. The individuals are asking customers for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. These representatives are not employees of Evergy. For past-due accounts, calls from Evergy requesting payment are never made the same day as the disconnection.
Several customers have contacted us after receiving suspicious calls. In most cases, the caller claims to be an Evergy customer service representative and asks the customer to provide credit card information or other personal information, telling the customer a check has bounced or he or she has a past-due bill. Imposters will often ask customers to use a pre-paid card for payment. Evergy will never ask a customer to purchase a pre-paid debit card to pay for service.
Customers may verify an individual is from Evergy by asking to see company identification or by calling the Customer Contact Center before giving any information such as your Evergy account number or banking information. If you can’t verify that you’re speaking with an Evergy employee, do not give them this information. Evergy Missouri and Evergy Kansas Metro customers may reach customer service toll-free at 1-888-471-5275. Evergy Kansas Central customers may call 1-800-383-1183. Customers can also review their account status online by visiting www.evergy.com.
Evergy wants its customers to know how to identify Evergy representatives. Employees will carry Evergy employee identification. For a service appointment, they may be driving an Evergy vehicle or wearing Evergy branded clothing. Evergy does not perform door-to-door sales. Evergy employees rarely need to enter a customer’s home.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers have increased calls, texts, emails, and in-person tactics and are contacting utility customers asking for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. As a reminder, Evergy will never ask customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment mobile applications. If you feel you have been a victim of a scam, please work with your local law enforcement agency to report the crime.
Dan the Junk Man Will Haul Off Your Junk
An entrepreneur is seen as a source of a new service. One who sees a community need and works to satisfy that need.
Dan Turney is one of those people.
He started his business, Dan the Junk Man, this week and so far word of mouth publicity have kept him busy he said.
Turney saw the old washing machines or other discarded machines sitting in yards or on porches in Bourbon County and decided to provide a service to remove the unsightly items, for free.
“I thought I would start a business to help,” Turney said.
After he picks them up, he takes them to a small acreage and sorts through the metal, wires, copper, etc., and takes them to a recycler or the dump when finished, he said.
Things like old dryers, air conditioners, washing machines, rims of old tires, he will pick up for free.
Currently, he has no employees and does all the work himself, he said.
He is retired from the State of Indiana Highway Department and is currently living with relatives on a small acreage near Fort Scott, he said.
Turney can be reached at 620.215.3543.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott Oct. 1
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Miles Woodworking: “A Pretty Good Team”
Mike and Danyell Miles started their business, Miles Woodworking, in 2010 when they couldn’t find the right dining table.
“My wife showed me one and I built it,” Mike said. “Then I said ‘You know we could build and sell these.’ The rest is history.”
“We have been doing this for over 10 years now,” he said. “It’s fun and enjoyable because every order is different. Sometimes we get repeat orders, but mostly they are a different scheme.”
Dining tables, bedroom sets, buffets, cornhole sets, and shuffleboards up to 20 feet long, kitchen cabinets, kitchen islands, and desks are some of their past creations.
“We take custom orders,” Miles said. ” The client generally shows us what they want and we create that for them. My wife is the brains of the operation, she designs it. I build it. We make a pretty good team.”
The same year they began their business, they also started taking their creations to Sugar Mound Arts Festival, he said. “We showcase all of our new seasonal products there. That’s next weekend.”
For more information contact Miles Woodworking at 620.224.4724 or [email protected]
T-Mobile Awards Green Space Grant and Will Open New Retail Store in Fort Scott
T-Mobile is an American wireless network operator, who is working to have a presence in Fort Scott.
On Sept. 23, T-Mobile awarded a Hometown Grant to Fort Scott for creating a downtown greenspace with a pavilion and walkway on Skubitz Plaza, just off the northern section of downtown.
“The initial phase of this project is an addition of an entrance pavilion and walkway to the Lunette Blair Block House,” according to information provided by the City of Fort Scott.
Phase one will be completed within nine months of the grant award, according to the information provided by the city.
To view the complete grant proposal:
FortScott Hometown Grant Phase 1
This grant is one of the many initiatives underscoring T-Mobile’s commitment to rural America, according to a press release from T-Mobile. More than just bringing wireless, T-Mobile wants to be part of the community and help small towns thrive.
The T-Mobile Grant presentation will be at the site near the Lunette Blair Blockhouse, across from the Fort Scott National Historic Site on October 5th at 5 P.M., according to information provided by City of Fort Scott Finance Director Susan Bancroft.
New Retail Location Coming
In addition to the grant for the city, T-Mobile has plans to open a new retail location in Fort Scott slated for late November, the spokesperson said. The location is near South Main and West 23rd Street.
Background of T-Mobile’s grants
On Sept. 23, T-Mobile announced 25 small towns winning Hometown Grants to jumpstart vital community development projects to re-energize these towns and build upon what makes them unique, according to the press release.
Hometown Grants are part of T-Mobiles’ massive commitment to bring 5G to rural America, according to the press release.
Over the next five years, T-Mobile plans to hire 7,500 new employees in small towns and rural communities and provide $25 million in grants for community development projects.
Earlier this month the company unveiled the FIRST Hometown Techover winner, Woodstock, Ill. which will receive a prize package worth $3M and become the crown jewel of 5G for small towns across America.
And on Sept. 23, 25 additional well-deserving small towns were awarded a grant to improve their communities.
Chamber Coffee at Bourbon County Cars Sept. 23 For Ribbon Cutting
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Join us for this week’s Chamber Coffee hosted by
BOURBON COUNTY CARS
Thursday, September 23rd
8am
1810 S. Main St.
This Chamber Coffee will celebrate
the new location of Bourbon County Cars and a Ribbon Cutting will immediately follow the Coffee.
Clickhereto visit their Facebook page.
Click here to visit their website.
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