Category Archives: Business
Via Christi Opens Clinic in Downtown Fort Scott Jan. 13
Dr. Katrina Burke’s first day at the new AscensionVia Christi Medical Clinic in downtown Fort Scott is Monday, Jan. 13.
She will be accepting new obstetrics and pediatric patients.
Burke will also see previous patients but is accepting no new adult patients, according to her receptionist Kristal Farmer.
Dr. Burke said that the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK), her previous employer, did not send out letters, telling of the change to her patients when she left on Dec. 31. She had given CHC a 90 days notice of her intent to leave CHC/SEK.
Hours for the clinic, located at 109 S. Main (north of the Liberty Theater) are 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday.
Thursday afternoon she is out of the office, but is in the office in the morning, according to her receptionist.
To contact the office call 620-223-7008.
New clinic employees are Farmer, Registered Nurse Rachel Judy, and Medical Assistant Chelsea Harrison.
For more information about the clinic, visit
viachristi.org/ftscott-clinic.
Via Christi Supports Expanding Medicaid In Kansas
Response to today’s announcement of a bipartisan agreement on Medicaid expansion
” Ascension Via Christi extends our appreciation to Gov. Laura Kelly and Sen. Jim Denning for
reaching an agreement on expanding Medicaid in Kansas. Ascension Via Christi, along with the
Kansas Hospital Association and many other healthcare organizations, have been advocating for
Medicaid expansion for the past eight years as a way to make sure that all of our citizens have
access to care.
Expanding Medicaid will bring hundreds of millions in federal dollars to our state, giving Kansans
residents increased access to health care coverage while supporting healthcare providers and our
entire Kansas economy.
Across Ascension’s markets we know that expanded Medicaid has enhanced access to coverage
and care, resulted in more appropriate utilization of services, and has created financial security
among the poor and vulnerable.
Our ministry’s support of Medicaid expansion is rooted in our mission to serve all persons, with
special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable, and to protect and promote the inherent
dignity of all human life from conception until natural death .”
-Submitted by Don King, chief executive officer, Ascension Via Christi
Farmers’ Market Workshop in February
Regional Farmers’ Market Workshops Scheduled for February
The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension will host six regional workshops in February 2020 to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers. Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. In 2019, 57 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.
“Farmers’ markets provide growers a wonderful opportunity to have real interaction with consumers, and a chance to tell their farm’s story,” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri. “It’s also important for farmers to understand certain legal, safety and financial parameters before choosing to sell at a farmers’ market.”
Workshop topics will vary slightly by location. Main topics include:
- Double Up Food Bucks Program and Accepting EBT
- Food Safety and Regulations on Selling Meat, Eggs and Poultry
- Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Certified Farmer Training
- Marketing Tips
- Produce Grower Panel
KDA’s weights and measures program will also offer free scale certification at the workshops for attendees.Dates and locations for the Farmers’ Market events are as follows:
Saturday, Feb. 1 — Iola: Allen Community College
Saturday, Feb. 8 — Wichita: Sedgwick County Extension Office
Friday, Feb. 21 — Olathe: KSU Olathe
Saturday, Feb. 22 — Hiawatha: Fisher Center
Friday, Feb. 28 — Beloit: Beloit First Christian Church
Saturday, Feb. 29 — Leoti: Wichita County Community Building
Registration for the February workshops is now open. The cost is $20 per participant to cover the cost of lunch. Lunch will only be guaranteed to those participants who register prior to the respective workshop date. Registration for the workshops can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMworkshop or at local extension offices.
Onsite registration for the workshops will open at 8:30 a.m. and the workshops will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude by 3:00 p.m. The Wichita workshop will begin onsite registration at 8:15 a.m. and the workshop begins at 8:45 a.m., concluding at 4:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Robin Blume, KDA’s education and events coordinator, at 785-564-6756 or [email protected]. The workshops are funded by the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, the Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, K-State Research and Extension, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. The Kansas Ag Growth Strategy has identified training for small companies via workshops as a key growth outcome for the specialty crop sector. The farmers’ market workshops will provide education through partnerships to help make Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses more successful.
Chamber Hosts Coffee Jan. 9
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Storytime at Hedghog.INK Jan. 11
New Bakery in Town: Moe’s Breads
Melissa McCurrey, Fort Scott, worked at 5-Corners Mini Mart before opening her new business, Moe’s Breads.
A random request from a customer started a new career for her.
“I was eating zucchini bread, from my Grandma Baguss’ recipe, at 5-Corners and a random customer asked if I could make a loaf of it,” McCurrey said. “It got bigger from there. I started baking two years ago. A year ago we were selling muffins at 5-Corners. On Dec. 18th I opened at the new storefront at 20 W. Wall Street.”
“Darcy Smith (5-Corners owner) encouraged me to start,” McCurrey said.
David, her husband is the co-owner.
Every morning she makes homemade biscuits and homemade gravy and starts selling it and other breads, cookies, muffins along with hot and cold drinks at 5 a.m.
There is a lounge area in the bakery with a couch, table, and chairs in an adjacent room.
“This is where customers and relax and enjoy,” she said.
When one steps into the store, a display of Melissa’s food for sale is in full view.
The fruit loaves include banana, pumpkin, blueberry, and zucchini. They sell for $6. Apple cinnamon and caramel pecan swirl loaves are $7.
Cookies include banana chocolate chip, peanut butter, chocolate cream for $4 a dozen, no-bake cookies sell for $6.
Yeast bread orders must be placed 24-hours prior and start at $5: white, wheat, French, challah, jalapeno cheese, ciabatta, cinnamon rolls, and sourdough.
Coffee can be purchased for $1.25 and tea for75 cents. Soda, milk, orange juice, and energy drinks are also sold.
Hours are from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To place an order, call 620-768-8009.
Want To Host A Chamber Coffee?
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Controversy Rises on Wind Farm Possibility In Bourbon County
The proposed wind turbine project in southwest Bourbon County has long term consequences for the economy of the area.
Jayhawk Wind, the wind energy company proposing the project, is looking to use 28,000 acres of land in the county to produce electricity in the region, including Bourbon and Crawford counties.
The Jayhawk Wind project is being developed by Apex Clean Energy.
Apex Clean Energy develops, constructs, and operates utility-scale wind and solar power facilities across North America. Their team of more than 200 renewable energy experts uses a data-focused approach, according to its website. Apex Clean Energy, Inc. is located at 310 4th St. NE, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22902
To see the Bourbon and Crawford County’s project analysis and a Jayhawk Wind press release which was published recently on FortScott.Biz, click below:
Jayhawk Wind – Economic Development Report Final November 2019(2)
Jayhawk Eco impact report 12 2019(1)
Wind farm production in Kansas has helped to lower CO2 emissions, according to a National Public Radio (NPR) article.
Kansas’ lower emissions is largely due to the rapid adoption of wind energy and a slow move away from coal-powered electricity.
“With the fast growth of cheap wind-generated electricity in Kansas, it’s become less profitable to run coal plants,” according to the article.
Click below to view:
Controversy
There is a local controversy building about the proposed wind energy project.
A meeting of opponents to Jayhawk Wind project is planned for Bourbon and Crawford county residents, according to a press release.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 9, at Rodeway Inn, Ft. Scott, Ks.
On the agenda will be the organization of a formal opposition group, assistance from successful opponents of previous wind farms, and a discussion of potential and political avenues to stop the Jayhawk development.
Dane Hicks and Kim Simons will be speaking, according to Anne Dare, one of the concerned citizens who will be attending.
The meeting is open to the public.
Anyone concerned about the impact on home values and damage to the community’s natural rural vista by the project is asked to attend.
Contact: Kim Simons, 620-224-1215, [email protected]
Noise level and other issues have been questions the public has asked about the project.
Noise level is 50 dBa
Apex Clean Energy, says the noise is minimal.
“The majority of the sound produced from modern dynamic windmills will be limited to 50 decibels, quieter than a refrigerator as measured at a nearby house,” according to Helen Humphries, Public Engagement Manager for Apex Clean Energy, Inc.
Other issues
To see community opinions on noise levels and other related issues at another wind farm site, view this Youtube from an Arkwright, NY wind turbine project controversy:
There are benefits
Some of the financial benefits go to landowners, schools and government entities, which are facing a decline in population and finances. The project will also provide some jobs: construction, operation, supply chain, and induced jobs.
Jobs
“Construction jobs only last during the construction of the wind farm,” Dr. David Loomis, professor of economics at Illinois State University and co-founder of Center for Renewable Energy said in an interview with FortScott.Biz. Loomis is the author of the analysis. “Construction jobs last six months to a year, 318 jobs for the year (estimated). All estimates are full-time equivalency.”,
“Operational jobs…They last the life of the project,” Loomis said. “On-site wind turbine technicians, a site supervisor, some administrative support.”
“There will be supply chain jobs due to expenditures in the local economy…truck fuel, gravel, supplies, and other items.”
“The final category is induced jobs…spending, shopping, eating out, entertainment because of all other jobs created because people have more money to spend for that,” Loomis said.
“Induced long term jobs include landowners leasing their land, tax revenue going into the local economy, schools, county, so forth,” Loomis said.
Rural areas are hard hit economically.
“The agriculture sector has been hit hard over the last two cycles,” he said. “2005 was a great time to be on a corn or soybean farm, but they’ve gotten squeezed because of the rising costs of equipment and fertilization. Oversupply caused a downturn.”
“Rural economies are hurting, individual farms are feeling this punch. This lease payment will take little land out of production but can help stabilize family farms. It’s a fixed payment to them.”
Currently, Jayhawk Wind is leasing land from landowners in the area of southwest Bourbon County and northwest Crawford County, Humphries said.
School District Benefits
“There is no revenue until 2032 due to the property tax exemption.,” Loomis notes in the analysis reports. “Starting in 2032, USD 235 will receive over $161 thousand annually for the general fund, over $225 thousand for the ‘Other’ Fund which totals to over $2.4 million and over $3.3 million respectively.”
Renewable energy facilities are exempt from property taxes for 10-12 years.
“Kansas recently changed the way that it taxes wind energy projects,” according to Humphries.” Before 2016, renewable energy generating facilities such as wind farms were exempt from property taxes according to K.S.A. 79-201. Since 2016, renewable energy generators are exempt from property taxes for only twelve years if owned by an independent power producer and ten years if constructed by a regulated public utility per K.S.A. 79-259. After this exemption period, the wind energy project will pay property taxes to all the taxing jurisdictions.”
Bourbon County Government Benefits
“Typically, wind developers in Kansas enter into a contribution agreement to voluntarily support the county during the 10 or 12 year exemption period, as we expect Jayhawk Wind to do,” Humphries said. “Once the initial 10 or 12 year period as defined by state law concludes, the wind power project will increase the property tax base and create a new revenue source for education and other local government services, such as road maintenance, libraries, and cemeteries.”
To see other views on the school and local government issues, click below:
https://www.flatlandkc.org/farm-field/winded/
Bourbon County Progress Report
A and P Mechanic Needed At WardKraft
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For Sale: Captured Images
Gary Palmer, who has been in the photography business for several decades in Bourbon County, is selling his business and taking a new career path.
“Over the last 25 years I had the pleasure to serve the community of Fort Scott and the surrounding area with professional photography, portraiture, graphic design, printing and host of other services at Captured Images,” Palmer said in a press release.
Captured Images has defined Palmer for many years, he said.
“However, it is time for another to take the reign of the studio,” he said. “It is my hope that someone will acquire Captured Images and continue its tradition of outstanding service to the community.”
“Rest assured, regardless of what the future holds for Captured Images, I and my wife Kylene are fully prepared to fulfill every and all obligation previously committed by the studio,” he said.
All school pictures and yearbooks that Captured Images completes will still be completed by the Palmers at the studio.
All weddings and ‘Watch-Me-Grow’ baby programs will still have Palmer taking the portraits until the completion of the programs. Whether it be a school dance, the school yearbook, sports photography, etc., for all commitments, Captured Images will fulfill every obligation through the 2019-2020 school year, according to the press release.
The new decade has brought a new opportunity for Palmer.
He has formal education in business administration and marketing. He also has exercised leadership in many civic and private roles in various capacities during his time at Captured Images. He has completed leadership training at the Kansas Leadership Center and has been allowed to utilize his skills in marketing, human resource management, and leadership in another industry, according to the press release.
But now he will be working for Dirk’s Dozing and Excavation Company, Butler, MO.
“I will continue to live in Fort Scott,” Palmer said. ” I have always been a strong advocate for Fort Scott and the great people here. I plan to continue to be involved in our great community in various capacities. I will be commuting to my new job.”
“Our farm, Freedom Farms, is growing and we are hopeful to use the sale of the studio and the coffee shop building to grow our farm operation,” he said.
Palmer will be the chief administrative and marketing officer for Dirk’s Dozing and Excavation Company.
Dirk’s currently services are heavy equipment site work and construction preparation.
“The Dirk’s business services much of the Kansas City Metro area with site preparation and construction,” Palmer said. They also specialize in pond building, municipality water and sanitary sewer systems, and site preparation for major construction projects.”
“I’m excited to be a part of a thriving industry,” Palmer said. “The Dirk’s business is growing exponentially and I’m honored to utilize my skill’s in business administration to create a team of highly skilled operators to perform tasks that will impact the growth of local communities.”
Marketing the Dirk’s business is also a primary role for Palmer.
Thanks To Customers
“I would like to take an opportunity to thank every one of my customers over the years,” Palmer said. ” Each of you has trusted Captured Images to record your engagements, weddings, the birth of a newborn baby, your family groups, senior portraits, special occasions, and memorable events. Each event you have allowed me to memorialize precious moments-in-time, forever, in print form. This is not a task I have taken lightly. Getting to know my customers through all of life’s amazing moments is an honor. Often I have laughed, cried, and shared in once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Moments that make customers, family. I am honored to have provided professional experience along with high-quality printed portraits to my clients for many years. I hope I have created a lasting impact on those we served. I’m excited about the next phase of my career. On behalf of my family, I am extremely grateful for your patronage over the years.”
Coffee Shop Building For Sale Also
The Palmer’s will also be selling the building where the current Common Grounds Coffee Shop is located in downtown Fort Scott, next to his studio.
“It has 7,000 square feet with a full basement,” he said. “When the coffee shop moves location, it will be available for tenants.”
“It is a turn-key operation and up to code,” he said. “There are rental properties on the second floor. This is an excellent opportunity for owner-operators or investors.”
The Common Grounds Coffee Shop is owned by the Fort Scott Nazarene Church and will move to 12 E. Wall as soon as the building renovation is complete, possibly in January, according to the building owner, Jennifer LaRoche.
Contact Palmer at 620.223.5375 for more information.