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Category Archives: Business
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team: 2025-2026
Submitted by Jody Love
HBCAT/RCP
President and CEO
To Our Communities and Partners:
“We’re not working to win Kansas. We’re working for Kansas to win.”
I recently heard Destany Wheeler with Elevate Kansas share this sentiment, and it perfectly captures how I feel about our work in Southeast Kansas.
We believe in abundance. We are not chasing recognition or competing for credit or resources. We are working for this region to succeed on its own terms. That belief carried us through a year marked by both meaningful progress and significant hardship.
In 2025, we navigated funding uncertainty, shifting policies, and economic pressures affecting families, businesses, and organizations across the region. We experienced pauses, delays, and moments that required us to rethink timelines and approaches. Quite frankly, this was a hard year. Each time we took a hit, we pivoted, picked ourselves up, and moved forward, guided by community need and shared responsibility.
At the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, we remained deeply committed to our mission: increasing access to physical activity and healthy food, promoting commercial tobacco cessation, enhancing quality of life, and encouraging economic growth. These priorities are not abstract goals. They are shaped by the lived experiences of residents across Southeast Kansas.
We are equally committed to responding to priorities identified by residents who live the reality of these decisions every day. Community trust, resident leadership, and equity remain central to how we design, implement, and sustain our work.
That commitment is visible through Rural Community Partners and our work to find, connect, and engage small business owners and entrepreneurs across Southeast Kansas. We meet entrepreneurs where they are, connect them to the right expertise, capital, and networks, and ensure they are not navigating fragmented systems alone. This approach reduces barriers, builds trust, and helps entrepreneurs move forward with clarity and confidence.
Despite the challenges, we expanded small business and entrepreneurship support, delivered hands-on technical assistance, helped unlock new capital, and strengthened workforce development partnerships. Together with Rural Community Partners, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, and Balloon Media, we elevated regional storytelling. With support from Kansas University Medical Center, we convened partners across counties and continued building coalitions focused on practical, community-led solutions. Our role as a regional convener and backbone organization grew, not because it was easy, but because it was necessary.
We also invested in the long view by advancing the Southeast Kansas Small Business and Entrepreneurship Endowment. This commitment to sustainability allows us to lead with integrity rather than urgency, remain accountable to communities rather than funding cycles, and speak honestly when systems fall short. It is a promise to Southeast Kansas that this work will endure.
We are change agents, and with that comes a responsibility to speak up when systems no longer serve the communities they were designed to support.
What makes our work different, and why does it endure locally and regionally where many well-intended efforts have struggled? Three things have mattered most:
- We remain financially independent and are not reliant on local or regional gatekeepers.
- Our work is guided by community need rather than access, favors, or external approval.
- We are willing to say what others won’t, even when it risks relationships, status, or funding.
Looking ahead to 2026, our vision is clear.
We will continue scaling entrepreneurship and mentorship efforts, strengthened by our partnership with the KU School of Business, Kansas Food Action Network, and BCBS Pathways to Healthy Kansas, while expanding access to capital and expertise. Working alongside partners such as WorkforceONE, we will deepen workforce pathways by listening directly to local employers. By supporting locally driven solutions, we will build resilience across counties while protecting the trust and relationships that make progress possible.
This role requires resilience, clarity, and courage. As Virginia Barnes, BCBS Pathways Director, reminded me earlier this year, it means acknowledging setbacks without being defined by them. It means staying focused on long-term impact and believing in the capacity of Southeast Kansas, even when circumstances test that belief.
Thank you to our partners, funders, donors, and residents who continue to stand with us.
Together, we are not working to win Southeast Kansas. We are working for Southeast Kansas to win.
Christmas Fair Tomorrow at The Fairground
The Bourbon County Fair Association is having a Christmas Fair tomorrow December 13th from 10 am to 3 pm at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, across from Fort Scott Community College on South Horton.Fifth Annual Jingle Bell Mart featuring local vendors:
Kos Kreations
Tracy Smith – handmade jewelry
Carell Collective
Locust Hill Lamanchas Goat Milk Products
Sally Kraft – hand-sewn items
Flying P Ranch
WriteOn!
Happy Little Candle Factory
Donna Jo Beerbower – homemade fudge
Kitty’s Kreations
Gran’s Denim Recyclables
Mmm Flavor Shop
Blessed B Creations
Uppa Creek Ranch – local, raw, honey
Christmas Display Competition – Come vote for your favorite Christmas Display. Votes are $1 each, with a portion of the sales going to the winners and the Cloverleaf Event Center.
A Hot Beverage Bar will also be available for a Free Will Donation with all donations going to the Cloverleaf Event Center.
Meet & Photos with Santa on December 14
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The Niece’s New Businesses Are About to Open
Al and Luanna Niece purchased the vacant building at the corner of 6th and Main Street in July 2023 and will open one of the new businesses housed in it this week.
Eventually, they will have several businesses in the circa 1889 building.
Lu’s Ice Cream shop will open on December 5 with flexible hours.
Ice cream, sundaes, malts, coffee, hot chocolate and eventually, when the kitchen is totally completed, sandwiches and soups will be served.
“The hours are…going to be flexible because of the weather, and it’s December, a cold time of the year, so probably from 4 to 8 p.m.,” Lu said.
No strangers to the community, Al owns Niece Products of Kansas, located in the Fort Scott Industrial Park on Hwy. 69, south of the city.
“Al has an existing business here, Niece Products of Kansas, that has been running for over ten years, so we have quite a bit invested in this town,” she said. “When we are here, we have become accustomed to Fort Scott in the way of living. We love it here, and we want to be part of the community.” They have a primary home in Texas.
Their original plans were for an ice cream shop on the first floor, two loft apartments on the second floor, and a “man cave” on the ground level.
“We are going to continue with the original plan to have two loft apartments on the second floor. One is going to be for us when we are here in Kansas, the other is going to be a rental.”
Lu’s Ice Cream Shop will have the entrance on 6th Street, under the red-striped awning. Additional parking will also be available in the rear of the building upon completion.
Nikki Regan is the manager of the ice cream shop, which will have eight flavors of Blue Bell Ice Cream, made in Texas. The Nieces have a home and business in Austin, Texas.
Lu’s Ice Cream Shop and the apartments are all complete.
The “man cave” is still under construction, with the hope of being completed by the end of 2026.
“We did a complete renovation (of the whole building). The only thing that was left was the four exterior walls, so basically, we had an open shell once we cleaned everything out. New roofs, new floors, new plumbing, new electric, new windows, and, really, just a whole new design to the building inside that’s more industrial modern.”
“It was a long haul, lots of very trying moments for all involved, but thanks to Koehn Construction, neighbors, workers, Niece employees, and Fort Scott, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Shultz-Payne Building was originally a publishing business of A.B. Payne, a writer, who at one time printed the biography of Mark Twain, and they “ended up being buddies,” Lu said.
To see the prior story on the build:
https://fortscott.biz/news/nieces-are-working-to-renovate-the-payne-building-at-6th-and-main
Meet The New Owners of Hedgehog Bookstore
Janet and Tim Miller purchased the Hedgehog INK Bookstore at 16 S. Main on December 1.
Even though they both have full-time jobs, Janet works for Network Kansas as a Community Entrepreneurship Manager serving Southeast Kansas, and Tim works as a history professor at Labette Community College, they decided to start the venture of owning a bookstore.
” We both love to read and enjoy stopping in bookstores anywhere we go – whether in a neighboring town or around the world.
“Hedgehog.INK has been a favorite, so we’re thrilled to take over ownership. And, we’re very thankful to Randi Witt and her family for entrusting us with the store moving forward!,” Janet said.
“We love the store and won’t be making any significant changes. In fact, the only changes you’ll see immediately are the faces at the counter and the business name, which we are changing slightly to Hedgehog Books.”
They are seeking individuals interested in employment at the store.
“We will be in the store a good deal; we will need some help running it day-to-day. If you or someone you know would be interested, please stop by or message us.”
Hours will remain 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, but will have extended hours several days this week for Christmas on the Bricks.
The store’s phone number is 620-670-2752, and the business email is hedgehogbooksllc@gmail.com.
Hours for this week, in conjunction with the Third Annual Christmas on the Bricks this weekend, are:
Tuesday, December 2nd – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, December 3rd – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, December 4th – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (start of parade)
Friday, December 5th – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Santa will be on hand from 5 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 6th – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Santa will be on hand from 12 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., and the Grinch will do storytime from 2 to 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 7th – 12 to 4 p.m.
Key Warehouse Sale Continues Until November 29
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Annual Key Warehouse Sale November 22nd-29th
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Chamber Coffee Hosted by Key Apparel on November 20
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Voice Your Opinion on the Atmos Energy Rate Increase Request
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New Businesses Open On East Wall
Julie and Brian Thurston had a shirt-making home business, and were asked to come to rodeos to sell their wares.
This, along with living in a rural community and having a local college with a rodeo program, prompted their newest venture, Grits & Grace Mercantile at 323 E. Wall.
They thought that with the many local rural communities, and rodeos ( a big fashion/decor trend) they would step out in this venture. Julie previously had designed decor for weddings.
Their boutique sells Western clothing for men, women and children, along with decor and furniture.
“A little something for everyone,” Julie said.
Julie said her husband’s brother has a funnel cake truck and they are hoping to have him at the business site during the upcoming Christmas on the Bricks festival, Dec. 4-7.
The Rest of the Building
They closed on the purchase of the two-story building, circa 1911, on October 24. Thurston said she heard that at one time there was a candy factory in the building and most recently, a rural real estate agent office.
Their storefront neighbor, Dr. Erin Crank, will continue her chiropractic business in the building.
Upstairs, they have been readying two living spaces for use as short-term vacation rentals.
There are two apartments: a two-bedroom, one-bathroom living space and a one-bedroom, one-bathroom living space.
She said they hope to have the rentals available by the holidays.
For more information:
Website: gritgracemercantile.com
The store is open Wednesday thru Saturday 10:00 AM — 7:00 PM
Phone: 620.215.4999
New Businesses Start on East Wall In Fort Scott
Julie and Brian Thurston had a shirt-making home business, and were asked to come to rodeos to sell their wares.
This, along with living in a rural community and having a local college with a rodeo program, prompted their newest venture, Grit & Grace Mercantile at 323 E. Wall.
They thought that with the many local rural communities, and rodeos ( a big fashion/decor trend, she said) they would step out in this venture. Julie previously had designed decor for weddings.
Their boutique sells Western clothing for men, women and children, along with decor and furniture.
“A little something for everyone,” Julie said.
Julie said her husband’s brother has a funnel cake truck and they are hoping to have him at the business site during the upcoming Christmas on the Bricks festival, Dec. 4-7.
The Rest of the Building
They closed on the purchase of the two-story building, circa 1911, on October 24. Thurston said she heard that at one time there was a candy factory in the building and, most recently, a rural real estate agent’s office.
Their storefront neighbor, Dr. Erin Crank, will continue her chiropractic business in the building.
Upstairs, they have been readying two living spaces for use as short-term vacation rentals.
There are two apartments: a two-bedroom, one-bathroom living space and a one-bedroom, one-bathroom living space.
She said they hope to have the rentals available by the holidays.
For more information:
Website: gritgracemercantile.com
The store is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 AM — 7 PM
Phone: 620.215.4999