Category Archives: Business

Business, Government, Kansas

Kansas Tax Collection Sees Growth For April

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State sees total tax collection growth over April Consensus Revenue Estimates; attributes to online sales and withholding taxes

 

TOPEKA –The State of Kansas saw total tax collections for May Fiscal Year 2020 at $448.7 million; 6.6% or $27.8 million above the estimate. That is down 20.3% or $114.4 million compared to the same month last fiscal year.

 

Individual income tax collections were up $5.9 million or 2.8% compared to the estimate with $215.9 million collected. That is 22.3% or $62.0 million less than last May. The increase from the estimate can be attributed to reduced bond payments from withholding and an extra payroll period for the semi-monthly withholding tax filings. Corporate income tax collection receipts were down 167.9% or $8.4 million from the estimate at negative $3.4 million. This is due to the state processing more refunds than it received in corporate income tax collections. When compared to the same month last fiscal year, those collections are down $14.4 million.

 

Retail sales tax collections were $18.9 million or 12.2% more than estimated with $173.9 million collected.

Compared to May of last fiscal year, collections are down $27.3 million or 13.6%.

Compensating use tax collections are 25.5% or $7.7 million more than expected at $37.7 million.

When looking at last year’s numbers, these collections are $1.2 million or 3.2% more than May of last fiscal year.

This can be attributed to the increased registration of online retailers to collect and remit Kansas taxes.

On average, the state is seeing 300 new registrations per month.

 

For detailed info:

11_May_Revenue_FY2020_06-01-2020_Final

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Fort Scott Sidewalk Sale: Parking Spots Were Difficult to Find

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Treasure Hunt owner, Carol Preston, takes photos of some of her merchandise during the sidewalk sale on Saturday. The store is located at 6. S. Main.

It was difficult to find a parking spot on Main Street in downtown Fort Scott on Saturday.

 

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce hosted the Merchant Madness Sidewalk Sale and invited shoppers to come shopping.

 

The mild weather and recent reopening of businesses during the COVID 19 pandemic made for a perfect day to go shopping.

 

Another Merchant Sale And Town-Wide Garage Sale

 

Another town-wide sale is coming soon and this time includes all those who want to clean out closets and garages.

 

On June 12-13 retailers will be celebrating National Flag Week, according to a press release from the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.

 

With any purchase, shoppers will receive a souvenir American Flag and also they can fill out a Trivia Card to enter them into a drawing for $50 Chamber Of Commerce Bucks.

 

Also on that weekend of June 12-13, there will be a Spring Town-Wide Garage Sale.

 

To register one’s sale which will be printed on a  garage sale map, call  the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce at 620. 223.3566. Sellers may also sign up at Bids & Dibs, 108 Scott Ave.

 

The cost is $10 to be added to the map.

 

All customers are to use hand sanitizer at every yard sale before touching merchandise and homeowner should have this available, also practice social distancing of being 6-feet apart, according to the press release.

 

Photos of some the participating retailers in the Merchant Madness Sidewalk Sale:

A customer shops in Nancy’s Gift Corner at Heidricks True Value Hardware Store, 1508 S. National, on May 30.

 

Sunshine Boutique owner, Georgia Brown visits with a customer on Saturday during the sidewalk sale. The boutique is located at 18 E. Wall.

 

A shopper walks past the Iron Store Store on North Main Saturday during the sidewalk sale.

 

Main Street Gallery and Gifts employee, Rachel McClellan, waits on a customer during the sidewalk sale on May 30.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Upcoming Events For June Provided by The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

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June Schedule:

6/4 ~ Chamber Coffee at Sunshine Boutique (Will confirm if canceled) 8 am

6/4 ~ Old Fort Auto Grand Opening Event & Ribbon Cutting at 5:15 pm

6/5 thru 6/7 ~ Bourbon County Bulldogging Bash – Fairgrounds

6/5 ~ Honorary Good Ol Days Cruise Night, starts at 6 pm

6/6 ~ 9th Annual Tiger Baseball Golf Tournament at Woodland Hills Golf Course, Benefit to raise money for the Baseball Program. Starts at 8:30 am

 

6/11 ~ Chamber Coffee at Briggs of Fort Scott, celebrating 4 years!

6/12 & 6/13 ~ Spring Town-Wide Garage Sale (call the chamber and register your yard sale to be put on the printed map!) Also can sign up at Bids & Dibs, the cost is $10.00. All customers are to use hand sanitizer at every yard sale before touching merchandise and homeowner should have this available and practice social distancing.

6/12 & 13 ~ Retailers will be open for shopping as well with celebrating National Flag Week. With any purchase, shoppers will receive a souvenir American Flad and also they can fill out a Trivia Card to enter them into a drawing for $50 Chamber Bucks!

13 ~ Elks Lodge 579 City Fireworks Display Fundraiser – 3 Person Scramble at Woodland Hills Golf Course

18 ~ The Bourbon County Garden Club hosting Chamber Coffee

21 ~ USD 235 – Uniontown HS Graduation

25 ~ Old Fort Auto will host the Chamber Coffee.

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Sidewalk Sale This Saturday, May 30, As Merchants Reopen

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The weather looks good for Saturday,  a perfect day to get out and shop Fort Scott.

 

This Saturday, May 30, eleven retail stores have signed up to be a part of the Merchant Madness Sidewalk Sale, hosted by the  Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.

 

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and participating stores will be marked with purple balloons, according to Rita Schroeder, the Chamber’s administrative assistant.

 

Those who have signed up: include Bids & Dibs, Books & Grannies (inside), Heidrick’s True Value/Nancy’s Gift Corner, Fort Scott Gun & Pawn, Hedgehog.INK (inside),  J & W Sports Shop, Main St. Gallery & Gifts, Mayco Ace Hardware, Ruddick’s Furniture, Sunshine Boutique, Iron Star (inside) and Treasure Hunt Flea Market.

 

 

In light of the COVID 19 Pandemic, most businesses will have hand sanitizer available before touching items in the sale.

 

However, bringing one’s own sanitizer is a good option while shopping.

 

Hedgehog.INK is asking all who enter their store to wear masks as well.

 

Social distancing is in force in the county for all public events.

 

For more information:  620-223-3566 or
Lindsay Madison, President & CEO, [email protected] 

or Rita Schroeder, Administrative Assistant, [email protected]

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Milken Center Reopens June 4

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Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Scheduled to Re-Open June 4th.

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes plans to re-open for tours on Thursday, June 4th. We will be following the State of Kansas guidelines for our re-opening. Until then we can be reached at 620-223-1312, [email protected], as well as through social media.

Our work continues and we invite you to follow us on social media for daily inspirational stories of Unsung Heroes.

We also invite you to take our virtual tour, read about Unsung Hero projects, learn how to enter our Discovery Award and ArtEffect Project competitions, and utilize our lesson plans and Unsung Hero curriculum.

Our work as a non-profit organization depends on donors like you. Your donations are important to us as we remain committed to providing educational resources which empower students to create positive change in their communities. Thank you for your support.

We look forward to re-opening and seeing you at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes soon!

About the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes:

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes works with students and educators across diverse academic disciplines to develop history projects that highlight role models who demonstrate courage, compassion and respect. Through our unique project-based learning approach, students discover, develop and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on the course of history. By championing these Unsung Heroes, students, educators and communities discover their own power and responsibility to effect positive change in the world. Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting for Old Fort Auto June 4

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You are invited!
Grand Opening &
Ribbon Cutting for
Old Fort Auto!
Thursday, June 4th, 2020
5:15 to 6:30pm
(Remarks & Ribbon Cutting 5:30pm)
213 Scott Ave. in the
Downtown Historic District
Business partners Rich Aydelotte &
Matt Harvey will be eager
to meet everyone, and share their
business & community goals!
Featuring used cars, trucks & SUV’s!
Click here to visit them on Facebook,
Click here to visit their website!
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.