Category Archives: Business

Business, Fort Scott

State Farm to Host Beacon Food Drive

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Now, more than ever, being a good neighbor means everything.

That’s why Kale Nelson State Farm will be hosting a Beacon Food Drive from May 25 to June 5.

In addition to collecting food, Kale Nelson State Farm will match food contributions up to $500 in a grocery donation to the Beacon.

The State Farm team encourages community members to drop off canned goods, dry goods and other non-perishable food items to the office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The office is located at 1805 S. National, Fort Scott.

“We have always been community-minded and, State Farm supports those efforts,” said Kale Nelson, agent said.

“The Beacon serves so many people, and I hope we can play a part in providing the much-needed support for this important entity.”

In addition to the upcoming food drive, Nelson hopes to sponsor similar activities in the coming months.

Quick Basics:

  • What: State Farm Beacon Food Drive
  • When: May 25 to June 5
  • Where: 1805 S. National
  • How: Drop off canned goods, dry goods and other non-perishable items to State Farm
  • Why: State Farm will match food contributions up to $500 for the Beacon

For more information, please contact Kale Nelson State Farm, 620-224-2828.

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Business

Drive Through Job Fair May 27 in Pittsburg

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Southeast KansasWorks is hosting a drive-through job fair on May 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Pittsburg.

 

 

ATTN: Employers Who Are Hiring
Here is how you can submit your
information for the Job Fair!
Please complete the form linked here and get your job opening information to Southeast KANSASWORKS – see contact info. below.
Southeast KANSASWORKS will be hosting a “Drive-Thru Job Fair” from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday, May 27th and we’re inviting you to participate! This particular Drive-Thru Job Fair will be held at the Workforce Center in Pittsburg (address below). The Chamber will be assessing in the near future whether to hold a similar drive-thru format here locally, or an actual Job Fair when feasible to do so.
During the May 27th event, Southeast KANSASWORKS staff will distribute packets filled with information containing job applications and job orders as well as additional information about community resources to job seekers looking for immediate employment. This will be a “no-touch” event meaning that all packets will be assembled by staff who are wearing masks/gloves with one staff member handling the packets during the event as customers remain in their cars.
To have your job openings/applications included in the packets, please fill out the attached form completely and return no later than close of business on Friday, May 22nd. If you have a paper application, return that with the completed form and we will make additional copies to distribute.
We understand this is different from your typical job fair but feel like this could be an excellent opportunity for your business to recruit the employees needed to maintain normal operation, as much as possible, during this time.
Click here for the printed flyer you may hang in your business. As always, make sure to share the event and flyer on your Facebook pages, let your employees know you are hiring and will be participating in the event. KANSASWORKS will hang flyers around the community, share throughout social media platforms, submit a newspaper press release, run PSA’s on the radio and promote the event as much as possible.
Send the completed job form, and a printed application if you have one, to Jolene Ray with Southeast KANSASWORKS:
Fax: 620-222-0218
Mail: 216 N. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762
You may also send the forms to the Chamber and we can forward them to Jolene.
Fax: 620-223-3574
Get Prepared for your next JOB FAIR with help from KANSASWORKS!
click HERE!
Remote Services Available
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Southeast KANSASWORKS Workforce Centers will be providing remote services until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience. For additional assistance, please visit KANSASWORKS.com to access the chat function or call 620-231-4250 for general questions.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
If you are not working or working reduced hours due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Visit: https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/ or call (800) 292-6333 to learn more.
Work Experience, Try-out Employment, Work-based Learning, & Classroom Training Participants – If you have questions or concerns please contact:
Regan Rose at 620-687-0462– Adult, Dislocated Worker, & Kansas Health Profession Opportunity Programs
Christine Abbott at 620-779-3727 – Youth Program
Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA)
If you have questions or concerns about your appointment, please contact:
Debbie Cherry at 620-238-8506
Employers
If your business is forced to temporarily lay off employees due to COVID-19, you can assist your employees by filing an application for Unemployment Benefits on their behalf. Visit: www.kansasemployer.gov/uitax/Tax/LayoffSelect.aspx to get started.
If your business needs assistance posting a job order on KANSASWORKS please contact:
Jolene Ray – 620-238-8783
For additional resources and up-to-date information visit: https://www.dol.ks.gov/covid19response.
Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19

Farm Loans For Farmers

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USDA Offers Farm Loans for Farmers Facing Covid-19 Related Challenges
 

Manhattan, Kansas, May 14, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that FSA offers farm ownership and farm operating loans to agricultural producers who may not find success obtaining loans from their traditional financial institutions because of COVID-19. Farmers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank can apply for FSA direct or guaranteed loans.

“Farming and ranching is a capital-intensive business and FSA is committed to helping producers maintain their agricultural operations during this time of crisis,” said David Schemm, FSA State Executive Director in Kansas. “FSA loans are designed to assist beginning and historically underserved farmers and ranchers, as well as those who have suffered financial setbacks from natural disasters or economic downturns. Producers may find that an FSA loan is the best option for them if they cannot qualify for a loan with their traditional financial institutions or other financial institutions because of COVID-19.”

USDA offers a variety of loans to meet different production needs. Direct loans are made to applicants by FSA. Guaranteed loans are made by lending institutions who arrange for FSA to guarantee the loan. FSA can guarantee up to 95 percent of the loss of principal and interest on a loan. The FSA guarantee allows lenders to make agricultural credit available to producers who do not meet the lender’s normal underwriting criteria.

The direct and guaranteed loan program offers two types of loans: farm ownership loans and farm operating loans.

Farm ownership loan funds may be used to purchase or enlarge a farm or ranch; purchase easements or rights of way needed in the farm’s operation; build or improve buildings such as a dwelling or barn; promote soil and water conservation and development; and pay closing costs.

Farm operating loan funds may be used to purchase livestock, poultry, farm equipment, fertilizer, and other materials necessary to operate a farm. Operating loan funds can also be used for family living expenses; refinancing debts under certain conditions; paying salaries for hired farm laborers; installing or improving water systems for home, livestock or irrigation use; and other similar improvements.

Repayment terms for direct operating loans are scheduled from one to seven years. Financing for direct farm ownership loans cannot exceed 40 years. Interest rates for direct loans are set periodically according to the government’s cost of borrowing. Guaranteed loan terms and interest rates are set by the lender.

For more information on FSA’s farm loan programs, please contact your local FSA office or visit farmers.gov.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott May 15

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What’s Happening

May 15, 2020

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS – MAY 2020
 
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
 
MANY RESTAURANTS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 
DINE-IN AND OFFERING CURB-SIDE & DELIVERY!
  
15 – Fort Cinema serving Curbside Concessions Cruise Night concessions from 5 to 7pm, click here for Facebook event.
16 – Fort Scott Farmers’ Market on Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort, 8am to noon.  See below for vendors & offerings.
16 – Fort Scott Livestock Market, sale starting at 9am, expecting 2000 head: Consigned: 40 cows, 20 w/calves, balance springers, mostly blk, running ages; 60 blk hfrs 750-800#, replacement kind, no implants; 3 loads hfrs 750-800#; 4 loads strs 900#; 70 blk strs & hfrs 500-700#, several nice bunches of calves.
16 – Perry’s Pork Rinds & Blue Spoon Pop-up, Tractor Supply parking lot, 10am-7pm, click here for Facebook event.
16 – FSHS Senior Cruise Night, 7pm, see below for info. or click here for Facebook event.
17 – Team Trivia at Boiler Room Brewhaus w/social distancing, 5-7pm, teams of up to 4.
19 – Virtual Storytime by Fort Scott Library, 10-11am, click here for Facebook event.  Flight Zoom Edition!
SAVE THE DATE!
June 12-13 – Town-wide Garage Sale, register your sale online here for only $10!  Business ad spaces also available for $25/$35, call us at 620.223.3566 for more info!
July 24 – Chamber Golf Classic 4-Person Scramble
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Calendar of Events
Cruise Night
Farmers’ Market
Sunshine Boutique Expands
THANK YOU Booster Members!
Join Our Mailing List!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support!  Interested in joining the Chamber?  Click here for info.

Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?

Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!

Seeking a job/career?  

We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.

Many opportunities available!

Housing needs?

Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.

Click here for our rental listing.
Join Our Mailing List!

FSHS SENIOR CRUISE NIGHT

 
FSHS SENIOR CRUISE NIGHT
 
CONGRATULATE THE SENIORS ON WHAT
WOULD HAVE BEEN GRADUATION DAY!
 
Saturday, May 16th
Starting at 7pm
 
Seniors will follow a route that will be led by School Resource Officer Mike Trim.
Senior students are asked to arrive at the
high school by 6:45 p.m.


The line up will be starting in the southwest corner of the FSHS front parking lot, and the line will proceed to the east, on the south side of the high school, and will weave into the east parking lot.

FARMERS’ MARKET OFFERINGS

 
Farmers’ Market Current Offerings
Saturdays 8am to noon, Tuesdays 4 to 6pm
Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort
Vendor: R and B Produce (Ronnie & Beverly Brown)
  • Nuts
  • Nut Breads (pumpkin, banana, poppy seed, apple nut)
  • Caramel Rolls
  • Jelly
  • Salsa
Vendor: Ponderosa Farm (Chet & Linda Bower)
  • Lettuce
  • Broccoli
  • Kale
  • Radishes
Vendor: Locust Hill Lamanchas (Sue Reinecke & Family)
  • Goat’s Milk Products
    • Soap
    • Lotion & Body Cream
    • All-Natural Deodorant
    • Candles
Vendor: Micki’s Crafts (Micki Kraft)
  • Fabric Facemasks, 3 sizes children-adult, $3 each
  • Aprons, Kitchen Towels & Hot Pads
  • Kid’s Aprons w/Crayolas
  • Kitchen Scissors w/Holder
  • Dish Rags w/Scrubber Built-in
  • Microwave Potato Bags
And, more vendors not mentioned!

PERRY’S PORK RINDS – MAY 16TH!

 
Chamber Member Perry’s Pork Rinds
@ Tractor Supply Parking Lot
Saturday, May 16th, 10am-7pm or until sold out!
Click here for message from Kelly Perry!
With festivals being cancelled small businesses have to stick together we absolutely love the blue spoon and the blue spoon loves us so what could be better than BOTH!!!!

$8 each or 4/$30
All 9 flavors of rinds available. First come first serve. We are so thankful for all of you and cant wait to see you!

FITNESS CENTERS REOPEN!
 
 
Now is as good of time as any to start working out as fitness centers reopen in Fort Scott! Options to choose from include Buck Run Community Center, I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville CrossFit, and Up Dog Yoga Studio! Group classes are being offered virtually in most cases for now, but facilities are beginning to reopen for
individual health & wellness.
Visit their Chamber member listings here on our website.

FORT SCOTT’S THE PLACE TO LIVE!
 
 
Recently we have been hearing from local realtors that people are choosing to move to Fort Scott from states near and far ~ there’s just something about Bourbon County and this community! We’ve heard Kansas City, New York, Colorado & more!
Here are a couple of quotes shared from local realtors:
“Roots grow deep”–I have a young couple with 3 children returning to Fort Scott from Florida after being gone from here for 6 years. They left for job opportunities, but now both of them have companies who do “remote work from home” with only occasional flights to the home office. They ask employees to be within 2 hours of an airport. Said they want to get back to a simpler life and smaller school system for their children. Anxious to welcome them home when they close on their new purchase in a few weeks.
Retired man moving to Fort Scott later this month from Illinois. His daughter attended FSCC, rodeo department, several years ago. When he visited for college rodeos, etc., said he was always impressed by how friendly people in Fort Scott are. In retirement he wants an affordable property with small acreage for his horses. We found it for him!
Check out our Chamber member realtors on fortscott.com here.
View local properties for sale on realtor.com.

SUNSHINE BOUTIQUE EXPANDED
 
 
Sunshine Boutique expanded and now
offers apparel & accessories!
Come check it out, corner of Wall & Main St.,
Downtown Fort Scott.

TABLE TENT ADVERTISERS
   Since we don’t have our bi-monthly Table Tents out yet due to ever changing event schedules & restrictions, we would like to recognize our advertisers here for May & June!
 
La Hacienda, celebrating 10 years!
Paint Creek Realty
Bill Martin, Bourbon County Sheriff
K-State Research & Extension, Krista Harding, Horticulture
 




THANK YOU TO OUR BOOSTER MEMBERS!

 
Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening In Fort Scott By The Chamber of Commerce

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UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS – MAY 2020

MANY RESTAURANTS ARE NOW OPEN FOR

DINE-IN AND OFFERING CURB-SIDE & DELIVERY!

8 – Corona Cruise Night – cruise National Ave. with your family starting at 7pm! Cruise runs back and forth between 6th and 18th Streets. Click here for Facebook event.

8 – Fort Cinema serving Cruise Night concessions from 5 to 8pm, click here for Facebook event.

9 – Fort Scott Farmers’ Market on Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort, 8am to noon. Bourbon County Master Gardener’s will also be having their annual plant sale.

9 – Iron Star Antiques & Such special on the popular Myra bags, treat your mother with a Myra purse or bag of all sizes and different designs with a special of 10% off.

9 – Live music at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, corner of Wall & National, 7 to 9pm. Enjoy Wade D. Brown while enjoying some craft beer, or other alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, snacks available, or have your own food delivered! No cover charge, tips encouraged. Due to the virus only a limited number will be allowed in, so come early for a seat.

10 – Country Place Living on Horton invites you to a Mother’s Day Drive-thru Parade from 10 – 10:30am, see below for more info.

10 – Boiler Room Brewhaus brings back Trivia night for teams of 2 to 6 people, $5 entry per team, 5-7pm

THIS WEEKEND – Courtland Hotel & Spa invites you to treat your Mother, or maybe yourself, to a gift card for some personal service specials. See below for more details!

SAVE THE DATE!

12 – 1/2 Price Plant Sale at Tri-Valley Developmental Services, see more info. below.

16 – Perry’s Pork Rinds & Blue Spoon Pop-up Shop at Tractor’s Supply, 10am-7pm, click here for Facebook event.

16 – FSHS 2020 Graduates Parade, 7pm, more info. to come!

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Farmer’s Market Continues on Saturdays and Tuesdays

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The Fort Scott Farmer’s Market will continue on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. at Skubitz Plaza, directly in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

This farmer run market provides a friendly, safe, and fair local market of fresh locally produced items for the community, according to its’ Facebook page.

Linda Bower and husband Chet, have been involved in the market for 25 years she said.

Things will be a little different in 2020 with the pandemic in that social distancing will be maintained, Bower said.

“The public health nurse, Becky Johnson, has OK’d the farmer’s market,” she said. “We have to do social distancing. Masks are optional. Hand sanitizers will be available.”

The Bowers will be bringing spring harvested food produce.

“We will be bringing broccoli, onions, lettuce, spinach, and radishes,” she said.

The Fort Scott Garden Club will have their annual plant sale this Saturday, May 9.

Other vendors are:

R and B Produce, owners Ronnie and Beverly Brown, will be selling nuts and nut bread: (pumpkin, banana, poppy seed, apple nut),  caramel rolls, jelly, and salsa.

Locust Hill Lamanchas, owner Sue Reinecke and family, will be selling goat’s milk products: soap, lotion, body cream, all-natural deodorant, and candles.

 

Sue Reinecke sells goats milk products at the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market.

Micki Kraft will be bringing fabric facemasks in three sizes-$3 each. and also aprons (kids and adults), kitchen towels, hot pads, dish rags, and microwave potato bags.

Leta Herboldsherimer will be selling baked goods, pot holders, and dish rags.

Some Amish families will be selling plants and a new vendor will be selling glassware yard decor, Bower said.

To learn more about becoming a vendor, please click the application and guidelines here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tmtWzbD4woEHX7618JRrH2xvuouv08Pl/view?usp=sharing

Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19, Government

Help For Small Businesses in the County With Inventory and Capital

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CDBG-CV

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.
Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Development Director. Submitted photo.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Government

County Seeking Businesses That Need Funding Due to COVID 19 For Grant

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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.
Bourbon County, Business

Food + Cotton Candy and Snowcones: Sunshine Shack

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Shayla Knight, the owner of the Sunshine Shack, makes a soft pretzel for a customer on Saturday.

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.
Shayla Knight, owner of the Sunshine Shack, a food trailer in Uniontown. Submitted photos.
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.
A happy customer of the Sunshine Shack on Saturday.

The business Facebook page is Sunshine Shack LLC, or call 620-224-8493.