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Category Archives: Business
Help With Phone Service For Recently Unemployed, Low Income
Lifeline Program offers relief to those struggling to keep phone service
TOPEKA – Low income and recently unemployed Kansans may qualify for phone service discounts of up to $17.02 per month with the Lifeline program. Currently more than 10 million low-income Americans, including 35,000 Kansans, are benefiting from Lifeline discounts on home and wireless phones as well as broadband.
At a time when many Americans may be unemployed or facing other circumstances that make them eligible for the program for the first time, the Kansas Corporation Commission is joining utility regulators nationwide in increasing awareness of the Lifeline program.
Under the federal Lifeline Program, those who qualify can receive up to $9.25 per month off their monthly bill. Participants may also be eligible for an additional $7.77 monthly discount through the Kansas program. Fifty-two telecommunication companies offer Lifeline services in the state.
Residents enrolled in any of the following assistance programs are eligible for the Lifeline program: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA), Veterans Pension & Survivors Pension Benefit, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start Tribal Programs (only those meeting its income qualifying standard), and the Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands.
Those at 135% of the federal poverty level also qualify. Normally, applicants must provide three consecutive months of income documentation or provide a copy of their tax return for the previous year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the requirement of three months of income documentation has been waived until June 30, 2020. Instead, recently unemployed individuals may apply for the program by submitting an official document, including notice of unemployment benefits to confirm their income-based eligibility for Lifeline support.
More information on Lifeline eligibility and enrollment is available on the KCC’s website: http://kcc.ks.gov/telecommunications/lifeline or by calling the KCC’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140. For a complete list of Kansas Lifeline providers, go to https://data.usac.org/publicreports/CompaniesNearMe/State/StateOption/KS.
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Annual Show Is June 26-27
Because of the COVID 19 Pandemic, the annual All-Hit 103.9 Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show was moved from spring to summer.
The event is now scheduled Friday, June 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 27 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Arnold Arena on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
Hosted by Fort Scott Broadcasting, which includes radio stations 103.9, Red Dirt 98.3, and 1600 AM, the event is “a great opportunity to get local businesses to show off their products,” said Deb McKenney. Tim and Deb McKenney own the business.
This year there will be pandemic guidelines, Tim McKenney said.
“We are encouraging people to wear masks and gloves, and we will provide some for those who would like some,” he said. “Also hand sanitizing will be available.”
In addition, there will be more spacing between the vendors, he said.
“There will be fewer booths, so it won’t be so crowded,” Tim said.
This year they are expecting 40 vendors as opposed to 60, he said.
The show began in 1982, and in the late 80s the Pride Organization at Fort Scott Middle School took the reins, as a fundraiser, Deb said.
The broadcast company was asked to take the show on again and they have since continued the showcasing business event for the community.
Chamber Coffee At Briggs Auto June 11
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Pesticide Prohibited After July 31, 2020
EPA Cancellation Order for Dicamba Products Impacts Kansas Agriculture
MANHATTAN, Kansas — On Monday, June 8, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final cancellation order for three dicamba products in response to the recent court ruling that vacated registration for the products. The EPA’s cancellation order intended to clarify the limited and specific circumstances under which these dicamba products can be used for a limited period of time, including provisions for existing stocks. The Kansas Department of Agriculture has identified several unanswered questions about how this order applies to Kansas farmers and agribusinesses and is in communication with the EPA for further interpretation.
The EPA cancellation order addresses the sale, distribution, and use of existing stocks of the three affected dicamba products: Engenia, FeXapan, and Xtendimax with Vaporgrip Technology. Under this cancellation order, further distribution or sale of all existing stocks of these products is allowed only to the end user. Such distribution and sales can only be made by Kansas restricted use pesticide dealers. If growers, commercial applicators, and agribusinesses have these products in their possession, end use applications may still occur provided that all label restrictions are followed. All use is prohibited after July 31, 2020.
As further details become available from the EPA, KDA will share that information on our website at www.agriculture.ks.gov/dicamba. This site will also serve as a source for more detail on the affected dicamba products, the EPA order, and how this order applies in Kansas. If you have additional questions, please contact the KDA pesticide and fertilizer program at 785-564-6688.
Modern Woodmen Donated $1000 to the Beacon
Make Your Business Stand Out: Course Offered by Chamber June 16
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FS Town-Wide Garage Sale June 12-13
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Old Fort Auto Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting June 4
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Tucker Awarded 2020 Best of Fort Scott Awards
Stewart Realty Company is pleased to announce that Diann Tucker, owner/broker, has been selected as the recipient for the 2020 Best of Fort Scott Awards in the category of Real Estate Agency.
This designation and the plaque presentation were created to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of businesses and organizations in and around Fort Scott.
The mission of this award recognition is to raise the profile of exemplary companies and entrepreneurs among the business community and general public.
Selection as a 2020 Award Winner is determined by the marketing success of an organization in the local community within a specific category. The award program uses empirical data supplied by independent third-parties as input into the award algorithm, and is not based on nominations, voting, contests or surveys.
Diann Tucker was also inducted as a 2019 award winner from Trademark Women of Distinction for demonstrating dedication, leadership, and professional ethics in her community.
The award committee stated that “ Her compassion and expertise has helped set the standard in the local real estate industry as a dedicated professional. The personal touch she adds to her relationship with everyone she does business with is her way of helping people make real estate choices that change lives. Her proven track record of quality service has made her mark on local business integrity.”
Congratulations to Diann Tucker and Stewart Realty for this Best of 2020 Fort Scott award in the field of Real Estate.
Bourbon County Has Funding For Helping Businesses Recover
The Bourbon County Economic Director announces that Bourbon County was awarded $132,000 Community Development Block Grant-CV Grant for county businesses.
“We will announce open applications as soon as we can, we know you are eager to obtain relief,” Jody Hoener said. “The granting process will be based on a scoring algorithm that will be widely available.”
“The grant’s purpose is for job retention,” she said. ” In addition to year-round employment, our priorities in granting will also include closure/impact to operations, other relief awarded, and food system supply chain impact.”
To view the news release from the Department of Commerce click here:
https://www.wibwnewsnow.com/66-kansas-cities-and-counties-to-receive-community-development-block-grants-to-support-coronavirus-response/
“If you have any questions at all do not hesitate to reach out,” she said.
She can be reached at
1-620-223-3800
1-620-215-5725 Mobile
www.bourboncountyks.org
Fort Scott and Bourbon County To Receive Grants to Rebuild Economies and Support Families
66 Kansas cities and counties to receive Community Development
Block Grants to support coronavirus response
Editors note: Both The City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County Commission will receive $132,000.
Governor Laura Kelly announced today the award of nearly $9 million in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Supplement (CDBG-CV) funds to 66 Kansas communities.
“Kansans have faced unprecedented challenges during the past few months due to COVID-19,” Governor Kelly said. “Our communities need relief – and they need it now. I’m pleased to announce additional resources to help Kansans navigate through the recovery process. These grants will help our communities rebuild their economies and support Kansas families.”
Grants were available in two categories – Economic Development and Meal Programs. Economic Development grants provide communities with funding to help local businesses retain jobs for low-to-moderate income people by covering working capital expenses such as inventory, wages and utilities. Meal Program grants can be directed toward organizations such as Meals on Wheels, local food banks or to support organizations providing meals for children affected by the loss of school meal programs.
“The COVID-19 crisis has left many communities searching for resources to support their residents and businesses,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The CDBG-CV award provides cities and counties the ability to determine where the greatest need in their community lies and to provide some relief as we move into the recovery phase of the crisis.”
CDBG funds are one of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. CDBG-CV grants are part of the state’s allocation from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and are designed to help Kansas communities respond to the needs of their residents and businesses during the reopening phase of the state.
The following communities are recipients of CDBG-CV awards.
| Recipient | Award Amount |
| Abilene | $132,000 |
| Allen County | $132,000 |
| Anderson County | $132,000 |
| Atchison | $132,000 |
| Baldwin City | $132,000 |
| Beloit | $132,000 |
| Bourbon County | $132,000 |
| Chanute | $132,000 |
| Cherokee County | $169,200 |
| Cimarron | $132,000 |
| Clay County | $132,000 |
| Cloud County | $132,000 |
| Coffeyville | $167,000 |
| Crawford County | $132,000 |
| Derby | $132,000 |
| Dodge City | $132,000 |
| Ellsworth | $132,000 |
| Ellsworth County | $132,000 |
| Emporia | $167,000 |
| Eudora | $132,000 |
| Eureka | $167,000 |
| Fort Scott | $132,000 |
| Franklin County | $132,000 |
| Garden City | $132,000 |
| Garnett | $132,000 |
| Girard | $169,200 |
| Gove County | $132,000 |
| Graham County | $167,000 |
| Harper | $152,000 |
| Horton | $167,000 |
| Hoxie | $173,600 |
| Hutchinson | $132,000 |
| Independence | $167,000 |
| Jackson County | $132,000 |
| Jewell County | $132,000 |
| Junction City | $167,000 |
| Labette County | $132,000 |
| Liberal | $132,000 |
| Linn County | $132,000 |
| Louisburg | $132,000 |
| Marion County | $167,000 |
| Marquette | $66,000 |
| Marshall County | $132,000 |
| McPherson | $132,000 |
| Mitchell County | $132,000 |
| Montgomery County | $132,000 |
| Mulvane | $132,000 |
| Neosho County | $169,200 |
| Oberlin | $80,600 |
| Osborne County | $132,000 |
| Ottawa | $132,000 |
| Parsons | $132,000 |
| Phillips County | $132,000 |
| Pittsburg | $170,300 |
| Pleasanton | $132,000 |
| Reno County | $132,000 |
| Russell County | $173,600 |
| Scott County | $132,000 |
| Sheridan County | $132,000 |
| Sherman County | $132,000 |
| Smith County | $132,000 |
| Thomas County | $132,000 |
| Unified Greeley County | $55,000 |
| Wallace County | $132,000 |
| Wilson | $77,000 |
| Wilson County | $132,000 |
To date, the Department of Commerce has received 106 award applications totaling more than $32 million. Applications were processed on a first-come, first-served basis. While all funds for this round of CDBG-CV have been awarded, the Department of Commerce expects to receive approximately $7 million in additional funding in a second round of CDBG funds through the CARES Act. More information will be announced as it’s made available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information on the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Supplement program visit www.kansascommerce.gov/cdbg-cv/.
For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, go to covid.ks.gov/.