Category Archives: Business
Help For Small Businesses in the County With Inventory and Capital
Bourbon County businesses with under 50 employees may soon apply for grant funds because of the financial effects of the pandemic.
These grants will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Rural small businesses should contact the county economic development director, who will apply for the grant.
“We are exploring business needs, outside of Fort Scott City limits, for the CDBG-CV grant opportunity, Hoenor said. “The goal of the grant is job retention. We are looking for all business in the county, outside of Fort Scott city limits, with 1 to 50 employees who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Funding can be used for inventory or working capital needed to reopen or help keep a business operating. “
“The City of Fort Scott will have the opportunity to apply for funding if they have used all their current funding,” she said.
Contact Hoener at [email protected] to get a business included in the grant application.
Under the Corona Virus Aid and Economic Security Act (CARES), Kansas will receive an additional $9 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used exclusively to support projects related to combating the impact of COVID-19, according to a press release from Hoenor.
Hoenor received notice of a public hearing yesterday and attended online.
The following is an email interview with Hoenor regarding the grants for small businesses in the county.
Who is the target for the grant?
There are four proposed activities with this specific grant. At this point, we are focusing on businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
What benefits will the grant give the applicant?
Applicants can use the grant funding for inventory or working capital needs.
What is the application process?
The county will apply for grant funds, identifying a general number of businesses we intend to help in our grant application.
Grant means no payback, right?
We have not seen the specific requirements but grants typically mean they do not have to pay it back unless the recipient does not fulfill the obligations the grant was intended for.
What is the timeline?
We were told the applications process will be online and hope to have available next week. It will be first come first serve.
County Seeking Businesses That Need Funding Due to COVID 19 For Grant
Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor is exploring business needs, outside of Fort Scott City limits, for the CDBG-CV grant opportunity. The goal of the grant is job retention.
” We are looking for all business in the county, outside of Fort Scott city limits, with 1 to 50 employees who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Funding can be used for inventory or working capital needed to reopen or help keep a business operating.”
“The City of Fort Scott will have opportunity to apply for funding if they have used all their current funding.” she said in a press release.
Please share and reach out to Jody Hoener, [email protected]
“So we can be sure to get your business included in our grant application,” she said.
Food + Cotton Candy and Snowcones: Sunshine Shack
Shayla Knight is a mother of six children and has a food trailer business that she started last year.
She has reopened her business, Sunshine Shack LLC in her driveway at 606 Sherman in Uniontown.
“It’s convenient with the kids,” Knight said. “They can be with mom while I’m working.
She also has the help of husband Kyle Knight, she said. “This is our home base address.”
Kyle works for the City of Fort Scott during the day.
“I have been in the food industry for 10 plus years,” Shayla said. “Ranging from fast food, fine dining, and schools. I enjoy serving the community and customer service is a high priority for me! I love to chit chat! “
She started her business in April 2019.
“My food trailer has the ability to move wherever I would need to be such as fairs, festivals, and other community events,” she said.
Sunshine Shack is currently open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays,” she said. This is… subject to change as we hope to attend some events throughout the season.”
“We are currently looking at the possibility of catering our fun stuff like cotton candy and snow cones for birthday parties,” she said.
When social distancing is over the Knights will provide a few picnic tables for people to sit and enjoy their food on the property, but not currently, she said.
The business Facebook page is Sunshine Shack LLC, or call 620-224-8493.
Pandemic guidelines especially important as businesses re-open
This news release from K-State Research and Extension is available online at www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2020/05/pandemic-guidelines-for-reopening-businesses.html
K-State expert outlines key tips during webinar for Kansas small business owners
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Many of the guidelines that helped Americans get through the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two months will serve as a good guide as businesses throughout the country slowly begin to re-open their doors.
In fact, Londa Nwadike, a food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension whose academic background is in public health, says avoiding close contact with others and washing your hands regularly will become even more important as Americans begin moving about more regularly.
“Ensure that you are following all guidance, especially as it is being provided by your local public health department,” said Nwadike, who holds a dual extension appointment with Kansas State University and the University of Missouri.
On April 30, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced a phased re-opening of the state’s economy, which continued to emphasize the importance of the six-foot social distancing guideline, and washing hands with soap and water. Kelly’s plan also encourages wearing face masks in public settings and staying home if you feel sick.
Nwadike spoke May 1 during a First Friday webinar hosted by K-State Research and Extension and targeted for Kansas business owners. Among the advice she shared:
- Listen to workers and customers regarding their concerns.
- Communicate your plans with workers, stakeholders and customers.
- Evaluate your situation and implement appropriate steps for re-opening.
“Business owners should actively encourage sick employees to stay home,” Nwadike said, adding that other steps businesses can take include providing protective equipment (face coverings and gloves, for example), providing tissues and trash cans, installing plexi-glass shields for cashiers, and other modifications specific to the business – such as additional space between restaurant tables.
Additional steps that businesses can take, some of which have already been seen in stores that were able to stay open in March and April, include:
- Disinfecting cart handles.
- Encouraging sick customers to not come in.
- Providing sanitizing wipes for customers.
- Placing marks on the floor near checkout areas to guide social distancing.
- Monitoring the number of people in the building.
- Cleaning and stocking bathrooms more frequently.
- Cleaning frequently touched surfaces often, such as door handles, shelves and the credit card terminal.
Nwadike said those practices are important since coronaviruses such as the new strain that causes COVID-19 are generally spread person-to-person through respiratory droplets. It is also thought that it may be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object with the virus on it, and then touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes – though, she adds, “this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
“Encourage your customers to shop with their eyes, not their hands,” Nwadike said. “The more we can keep people from touching shelves and products, the less likely we will pick up a virus.”
Nwadike cited a guide being distributed in the Kansas City area that provides good advice for businesses of all sizes. While the information is geared toward the greater Kansas City area, it is a good resource for all business, Nwadike said.
Nwadike and colleague Karen Blakeslee also have published a website, Food Safety and COVID-19, providing numerous resources outlining safe practices related to COVID-19.
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FOR PRINT PUBLICATIONS: Links used in this story
Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas, https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Reopen-Kansas-Framework.pdf
#SafeReturnKC, https://bit.ly/SafeReturnKC
Food Safety and COVID-19 (K-State Research and Extension), www.ksre.k-state.edu/foodsafety/topics/covid19.html
K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu
This news release from K-State Research and Extension is available online at www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2020/05/pandemic-guidelines-for-reopening-businesses.html
Sunshine Boutique Reopens Today Showing-Off Expansion
Sunshine Boutique has added space to their shop at 18 E. Wall and now has a storefront at 2 S. Main that is connected to it.
It is a small, family-run business with a wide variety of goods and services.
“We do fresh and silk flowers for all occasions, tuxedo rentals, decor, gourmet foods and coffees, clothing, jewelry, candles, and more,” Rillie Creollo, store manager, said.
Creollo is the grand-daughter of Georgia Brown, the store owner of the long-time boutique in downtown Fort Scott.
“We offer our community a friendly and personable place to hang out and shop,” Creollo said.
“2 S Main is the new addition and we are having a soft opening on Monday (today),” she said. “To keep ourselves and our customers safe we will be practicing social distancing and scheduling times to sanitize throughout the day.”
“We expanded to introduce some new inventory and give us and our customers a little more breathing room while shopping,” Creollo said.
Submitted photo.
The store manager has added new items during the expansion.
“A whole new line of clothing including Kancan jeans, crystals, plants, candles, sage, hand-blown crystal orbs, and Doterra essential oils,” Creollo said.
Operating hours will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Before and after hour appointments are available upon request.
To contact the store: 620-223-6007
Kansas Consumers’ Shopping Survey
Survey to Evaluate Kansas Consumers’ Shopping Practices
and Awareness of From the Land of Kansas Program
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s state trademark program From the Land of Kansas has released a public survey asking consumers about their shopping practices and preferences. Recent events have reminded all of us about the importance of local foods. This survey is seeking feedback from Kansas consumers on what they are looking for and how we can help them find local foods. The survey, which takes less than five minutes to complete, will inform the program’s efforts to better promote and celebrate agricultural experiences and products grown, raised or produced in the state of Kansas.
Participants who complete the survey will be entered in a gift basket drawing. The gift baskets contain a variety of Kansas grown or made products, valuing over $100. Three winners will be selected and notified in early June via the contact information they provide at the end of the survey.
Any Kansas resident is eligible and encouraged to take the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/KS-consumers.
From the Land of Kansas is designed to promote and celebrate agricultural experiences and products grown, raised or produced in Kansas. The program offers an array of incentives to Kansas companies — big and small — who grow, raise or produce products in the state. For questions about the survey, please contact Janelle Dobbins, marketing manager of the From the Land of Kansas program, at 785-564-6759 or [email protected].
Kenny Felt Photography Has New Digs
Kenny Felt Photography’s new address is 10 E. Wall St.
He is moving from a small studio on Main Street, around the corner.
“When I moved into the old location, it was really only meant to last until I found a bigger space,” Felt said. “It worked well for newborns and seniors but I really needed more space.”
Having the larger space will allow Felt to accommodate large groups and families “as well as expand on what I can do creatively in the studio.”
Felt has memories of this particular building.
“I’ve loved this building on Wall Street since 2001 when I began working at the Fort Scott Tribune as a photographer,” he said. “
“I sort of grew up here as a college student. My first job out of high school was as a photojournalist for the paper even though I had barely any knowledge of how to work a camera. Through a lot of dumb luck, I fell into photography and have loved it ever since. Even after leaving the Tribune, I regularly photographed subjects throughout the various open areas in the building. it’s always had great light coming through the large windows. Now that it’s been given new life, I’m excited to see what happens! “
Felt is impressed with the renovation project of Jennifer LaRoche.
“When I heard about the plans for renovation I had high hopes for what it would turn into but never did I imagine it would’ve turned out as beautiful as it has,” he said. ” It’s unreal how beautiful everything is.”
Felt can be reached by phone a 620-719-0249. His website is www.kennyfelt.com OR he can be found on Facebook or Instagram @kennyfelt
Felt provides all sorts of photography services.
“I do all varieties of photography but specialize in seniors pictures, weddings and newborns,” he said.
Sunshine Shack Open in Uniontown
Sunshine Shack has opened their new season with a new menu and new hours, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The food truck is located at 606 Sherman in Uniontown.
Livestream For Small Businesses May 6
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Kansas Is A Leader in Wind Energy
Topeka, Kan. – Kansas is once again a national leader in wind-generated renewable energy, according to the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) Annual Market Report.
Kansas ranks No. 2 in the nation for wind energy production as a share of total electricity generation, joining Iowa as one of only two states with more than 40 percent of the state’s total electricity produced by wind power in 2019.
Governor Laura Kelly noted the increase in wind energy production in the state.
“Wind energy is now the state’s largest source of electricity, which translates into savings for electricity customers – residences and businesses – across Kansas,” the Governor said.
Key metrics and rankings highlight the success of Kansas’ continued investment in wind energy.
- Wind energy as a percentage of total energy production: 41.40%, No. 2 in the nation
- Installed wind capacity: 6,128 MW, No. 4 in the nation
- Number of wind turbines: 3,160, No. 5 in the nation
- Direct wind industry jobs in 2019: 5,000-plus
- Capital investment in wind projects through 2019: $11.4 billion
“Not only is Kansas wind energy production good for the environment, it’s also good for business,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The wind energy sector employs thousands of Kansans and contributes billions of dollars in capital investment to our state each year.”
AWEA’s annual reports provide an in-depth look at U.S. wind energy each year. Wind is now the largest source of renewable energy in the U.S., reliably supplying more than seven percent of the country’s electricity.
For more information on wind energy in Kansas, visit www.kansascommerce.gov/wind.
Kansas Largest Source of Power: Wind Energy
New Report Reveals Wind Energy is Now the Largest Source of Power in Kansas and Driving Critical Economic Growth
The country’s top choice for new power continues to be a key driver of economic growth in Kansas in 2019, powering nearly two million homes as the largest source of electricity, serving as an extra source of income for farmers, and generating millions for rural communities
Kansas City, KS – Wind power in Kansas leaped ahead in 2019 as growing demand drove critical economic growth and solidified wind’s role as a reliable and competitive energy source. A new U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) shows how Kansas businesses, consumers, farmers, and local communities are benefiting from advancements in wind. Across the country, wind is creating jobs as the top choice for new power and Kansas is a national leader, with wind now servings as the largest source of electricity generation in the state.
AWEA’s report reveals that wind in Kansas now accounts for 41 percent of the state’s electricity, enough energy to power nearly two million homes. Over the past five years, Kansas had the largest increase in wind energy generation than any other state. Wind power is becoming the cheapest and fastest growing source of new electrical generation in many states around the country, and the local economy is responding. Powering Kansas, a statewide coalition of civic and business leaders supporting policies that expand wind energy investment in the state, reacted to the report by citing the economic benefits felt at the local level that are critical in today’s environment.
“Kansas has created a leading model for integrating wind power and harnessing the energy source to not just power our homes and businesses, but also our economy at large,” said State Representative Don Hineman. “Wind is now the leading source of electricity generation in our state, and the report’s findings further underscore how critical it is that our state remain at the forefront of wind power investment.”
Wind is not just powering Kansas’ homes and businesses. The emergence of wind power has created a ripple effect that is powering Kansas’ economy at record levels. Wind projects have amounted to $11.4 billion of private investment, $29 million in annual tax revenue, and $36 million in annual land lease payments across the state.
“Kansas is proving that we can build a modern economy around wind power right here in the heartland, and utilize the energy source to attract new business, build new revenue streams, and create an economic climate for success that produces results,” said State Representative Tom Cox. “We’re proud to be a leading state for the top source of renewable energy, and we’re committed to supporting wind through long-term, sustainable investments that will keep our economy supported for decades to come.”
Across the country, expanded innovation and development meant wind reached new heights in 2019 as America’s top choice for new power after building 9.1 gigawatts (GW), representing 39 percent of new utility-scale power additions. With these additions, operating wind power capacity in the U.S. now stands at over 105 GW, enough to power 32 million American homes.
To view the full report, please contact Jesse Dougherty at [email protected]. A press kit, including free-use images and b-roll of wind farms, community stories, infographics, and more is available.
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About Powering Kansas
Powering Kansas, an initiative of the American Wind Energy Association, is a statewide coalition of civic and business leaders supporting innovative policies that expand renewable and wind energy investment in the state. With commonsense federal and state policies, Kansas can continue to be a national leader in harnessing the power of wind and renewable energy development.
About the American Wind Energy Association
AWEA is the national trade association for the U.S. wind industry, the largest source of renewable energy in the country. We represent 1,000 member companies, 120,000 jobs in the U.S. economy, and a nationwide workforce located across all 50 states, AWEA serves as a powerful voice for how wind works for America. Members include global leaders in wind power and energy development, turbine manufacturing, and component and service suppliers. Visit AWEA’s website to learn more about the enormous economic benefits wind power brings to America and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.