Category Archives: Business

Business, Fort Scott

Gordmans Store Expansion Celebration Aug. 10

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GORDMANS: GROWING AND BETTER THAN EVER!

COMMUNITY INVITED TO STORE EXPANSION CELEBRATION AND FOOD DRIVE AUGUST 10

Gordmans to Provide Donation to The Keyhole

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (Aug. 1, 2019) – Gordmans in Fort Scott will be expanding its merchandise beyond its home décor and toys assortment to include popular name brand apparel, footwear, beauty products and accessories at the lowest possible prices compared to department stores. Gordmans, located at 2400 South Main Street, will celebrate its expansion during an in-store event Saturday, Aug. 10 beginning at 10 a.m.

As part of the celebration, Gordmans is giving back to the community by supporting The Keyhole with a food drive and $500 donation. The Keyhole is an organization that provides meal and afterschool programs to children in the Fort Scott community. The food drive is being held in conjunction with Gordmans’ back-to-school campaign to raise awareness and funds for No Kid Hungry, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending childhood hunger.

In addition to the food drive, Gordmans will have giveaways and special offers for guests.

  • Free Gifts Plus Shopping Cards: The first 100 guests to visit Gordmans when it opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 will receive a free gift and have an opportunity to win a $50 gift card or a $5 shopping card. In addition, $25 gift cards will be given away every half hour from 2 to 4 p.m.
  • Rewards Galore: Gordmans guests who enroll in the Style Circle rewards program will enjoy incredible payback rewards, a birthday gift and more.
  • Gordmans Credit Card Savings: Gordmans’ guests who apply and are approved for a Gordmans credit card will receive 20 percent off their first day’s purchases.

“At Gordmans, we have put the fun back into shopping by creating an exciting store where terrific deals and popular name brands are at every turn. Fresh new merchandise deliveries arrive weekly in our stores, creating the thrill of a great find,” said Michael Glazer, President and CEO of Stage. “We are excited to invite our loyal guests and newcomers to join us as we celebrate Gordmans’ expansion in Fort Scott and support The Keyhole.”

Below are suggested kid-friendly food items that the Keyhole will be accepting at Gordmans on Aug. 10.

  • Juice boxes
  • Fruit cups
  • Granola bars
  • Trail mix
  • Peanut butter
  • Jelly
  • Applesauce
  • Bottled water
  • Other nutritious snacks
  • Guests also have the opportunity to support No Kid Hungry by purchasing food-themed lunch totes, water bottles and drawstring packs online at gordmans.com/nokidhungry. Items feature unique characters and fun sayings kids will love and parents will approve. Gordmans will donate 50% percent of the retail sales price of each item to No Kid Hungry. 

    Gordmans is part of the Stage community of stores. Stage has opened 74 Gordmans this year, including the store in Fort Scott. By the end of 2019, there will be over 150 Gordmans stores across the country.

  • About Stage Stores
  • Stage Stores, Inc. is a leading retailer of trend-right, name-brand values for apparel, accessories, cosmetics, footwear and home goods. The Company operates in 42 states through 645 BEALLS, GOODY’S, PALAIS ROYAL, PEEBLES, and STAGE specialty department stores and 141 GORDMANS off-price stores, as well as an e-commerce website at www.stage.com.
Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

Young Entrepreneur: Hannah Vann

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Hannah Vann, owner of Quick & Clean Auto Detail. Photos Submitted by Erin Vann.

This is part of a series that features area entrepreneurs under 30 years of age.

If you know of someone deserving this publicity, email  [email protected] with your name, why you are nominating the entrepreneur, their name and email/phone number.

 

Hannah Vann of Fort Scott, 16, was nominated to be featured as a young entrepreneur by her aunt, Trisha Newton.
In May 2018 Vann started her business, Quick & Clean Auto Detail, working from her home.

“Last year when trying to work while being involved in sports and school she was finding it hard to find a job that worked well with her schedule,” Newton said. “So she decided to start detailing cars during her spare time.”

Hannah said the original reason for learning to detail cars was an argument with her mom.

“I started my business after my mother and I got into an argument over me being sassy,” Vann said. “As a punishment she made me clean our Suburban.”

“She and my aunt always said it would be nice to have a good clean, rather than a $100 detail, of their cars,” Vann said. “I realized I had an amazing opportunity to start a successful business, that also worked around all of my sports and school activities.”

Hannah is the daughter of Tarrell and Erin Vann.

“The unique part about her detailing is that she is not charging a ton like a normal detail costs, instead making it an affordable, quick clean,” Newton said.  “Your basic vacuum/wipe down etc. for those busy people on the go and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg!”

The service includes an interior vacuum,  and cleaning of windows, floor mats, dash, console, doors, door and seat trim.

“I charge $35 for cars and trucks and SUV’s start at $45,”  Vann said.

“She has kept very busy all summer and continues to work hard for her customers,” Newton said.

“I have approximately 40 costumers,” Vann said.

Van can be reached at 620-224-8555.

Bourbon County, Business, Government, Kansas

Hemp Production Comes to Kansas AND Bourbon County

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Hay bales in a Bourbon County field July 2019.

Hay bales, wheat, soybeans, and corn, those are the normal scenes in rural Kansas during the summertime.

But a new alternative crop is possible in the summer of 2019.

Hemp production has come to Kansas following Former Governor John Colyer’s enactment of the  Alternative Crop Research Act in April 2018.

Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks,  of the Bourbon County Commission, was asked to provide information to the commission on hemp.

“Hemp is not marijuana,” Meeks said. “The size is different, the hemp plant is much bigger. And you can’t get high from hemp.”

There are three people, called licensees, legally planting hemp in Bourbon County, according to Jason Walker, Public Relations Director for the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Regulations and procedures for planting hemp in Kansas are quite rigorous, Meeks stated.

None the less, there are those who have started planting.

“As of  July 22, 2019,  the Kansas Department of Agriculture has received the notification, through required planting reports, that roughly 1170 acres of industrial hemp have been planted in Kansas,” Walker said. He noted that 65 acres are licensed (potential) acres in Bourbon County.

Joe Bisogno, Jr. started growing hemp on eight acres on a small acreage in Bourbon County this month, he said.

He prefers not to give the location of the area where he is growing the hemp “So people won’t try to come to look at it,” he said.

“When you license to grow hemp, you can’t have anybody in the designated area, they can’t come on the property,” Bisogno said.

“The application process involves each person that touches the field (where hemp is produced) has to get a background check,” Meeks said.

Bisogno said he traveled the country to see how to plant, process and harvest the plant first hand, before taking the plunge into growing hemp.

“Joe Bisogno Jr. and Joe Bisogno Sr. have done a lot of work at the legislative level for hemp production,” Meeks said. “They deserve credit for that.”

The recent planting on Joe Jr.’s small acreage is for research purposes, he said.

“I’m doing research on the hemp,” he said. “I plan to compare how hemp grows in two different soil types.”

“I’m planting it for CDB oil,” Bisogno said.

CDB is an abbreviation of cannabidiol, a compound found in marijuana plants, according to https://sciencetrends.com/what-does-cbd-stand-for/

Bisogno is planting the hemp for economic reasons.

“You can make money on a small acreage,” he said.

“It’s easily a billion-dollar industry,”  Meeks, said. “There are thousands of articles that can be made from hemp, such as flooring and clothing.”

Here is the history of how Kansans came to grow hemp, provided by Kansas government links.

Then-Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. signed Senate Bill 263 ( K.S.A. 2-3901 et seq.) in April 2018, which enacted the Alternative Crop Research Act allowing the Kansas Department of Agriculture to oversee the cultivation of industrial hemp in a research program, according to the website https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp

“The KDA legal staff and plant protection and weed control program staff quickly began the process of developing regulations and other administrative documents and procedures to guide the Alternative Crop Research Act, according to the website.

“Since that time, KDA staff participated in more than 14 public outreach events across the state, which began with an open dialogue and information exchange at a public forum May 11 and included a public hearing prior to publishing the regulations.

“The regulations were approved by the Department of Administration and the Attorney General and reviewed by the Legislative Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations before final regulations were published in the Kansas Register on Jan. 24, 2019. They became effective on Feb. 8, 2019, 15 days following their publication.

“The Industrial Hemp Research Program became possible because the 2014 Farm Bill included a section to allow for universities and state departments of agriculture to begin cultivating industrial hemp for purposes of research, provided that the growing and cultivating of industrial hemp is allowed under state law.

“Industrial hemp is defined by SB 263 as all parts and varieties of the plant cannabis sativa L that contain a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of no more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.

“The recent passage of the 2018 Farm Bill removed federal restrictions on the establishment of commercial hemp programs and allows individual states to develop a plan to license the commercial production of hemp and further directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a plan for states that do not do so.

“In order to establish a program for the commercial production of industrial hemp, Kansas must develop a plan through KDA, in consultation with the Governor and Attorney General. Any such plan must be submitted to USDA for approval.

“The opportunity to grow a new specialty oilseed crop in Kansas offers potential for diversification for Kansas farmers looking for an alternative crop, or for new farming enterprises interested in cultivating industrial hemp.

“The Kansas agriculture industry has developed a statewide strategic growth plan in recent years, and is committed to pursuing new and innovative opportunities to grow agriculture.

“The research generated by participants of this new industrial hemp program will be valuable data in identifying the growth potential offered in this sector.”

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Fort Scott Tax Holiday This Weekend

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Fort Scott’s
Sales Tax Holiday
Weekend
This weekend,
August 2nd, 3rd & 4th
No Sales Tax Holiday Weekend
August 2nd, 3rd & 4th
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce an opportunity for shoppers to save money
August 2nd through the 4th.
Select retailers will be offering a
Sales Tax Holiday by volunteering to pay the sales tax for shoppers.
Enjoy a 9.4% discount this weekend at these participating merchants:
Bids & Dibs
Books & Grannies
The Electronic Store
Fort Scott Gun & Pawn
Hedgehog.INK
J & W Sports
Papa Don’s Pizza
Ruddick’s Furniture
Sekan’s Occasion Shops
Sunshine Boutique
These stores offer a variety of merchandise including apparel, home décor both new and repurposed, school supplies and much more.
There is no need to cross the border during this No Sales Tax Holiday Weekend.
Save money,
Shop local,
Shop Fort Scott!
Business, Fort Scott

LaRoche Building Renovation Ongoing

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The LaRoche Buildings at the corner of Wall Street and National Avenue.
The buildings at the corner of Wall Street and National Avenue are getting a major renovation, as many who drive past the prominent corner have noticed.
The work is being done by Jennifer LaRoche.
 LaRoche is the sole owner of the buildings and has been acting as the general contractor of the renovation.
“It is coming along and it has been a fun process so far,” LaRoche said.
When completed one of the storefronts will be the Common Grounds Coffee Shop, currently located at 116 S. Main.
“The coffee shop will be the storefront that is closest to the alley,”  on Wall Street, LaRoche said.
What the building next door will house when completed, is uncertain.
“We have a lot of ideas but time will tell,” LaRoche said. “I am just working on getting it closed-up to the weather right now.”
LaRoche purchased the buildings in January 2018.
“As a Fort Scott native, I felt that I needed to do my part in caring for the history of our downtown,” she said. “It has been a joy to work with the historical society and the National Parks and Recreation Services. The city of Fort Scott has been supportive and a big part of making our downtown great again.”
“There is not one part of it that has not been overturned,” LaRoche said. “We have opened up and exposed as much of the history of the building as we could.”
Research has been done on the history of the two buildings and will be displayed throughout the buildings when the project is complete, she said.
Storefronts are on the north and the east sides of the LaRoche buildings in historic downtown Fort Scott.

Mid-Continental Restoration, with offices in Fort Scott; Parkston, North Dakota; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; and Kansas City, is repairing and replacing the masonry on the buildings.

Mid-Continental Restoration has a work truck inside the cordoned-off area on the north side of the LaRoche Buildings on July 24.

A three-man crew is repairing and anchoring the bricks as needed, Chris Fountain, foreman, said.

They began the process in November 2018, and “expect to be on it through the rest of this year,” Fountain said.

He currently is having difficulty finding a match for the brick facade, he said.

“The ‘bones’ are solid,” he said. “The facade is what needs to be repaired.”

One of the building’s roof has been repaired and the other is not yet completed.

“There are trees up there three-feet tall,” Fountain said.

Architects and engineers have been involved in the renovation also and currently carpenters are working inside, he said.

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

What’s Happening in Fort Scott By the Chamber of Commerce

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Fort Scott Community College Program ranks #2 in Kansas!! (See press release flyer below for more information)
To see the full list of rankings of nursing programs, click this link: https://www.nursingexplorer.com/states/kansas
If you would like more information about the FSCC nursing program, click this link: www.fortscott.edu/nursing
Hedgehog.INK will be open on Sundays and Mondays from 1:00-5:00pm starting Sunday, July 7th. During the month of July, children’s gently used books are
buy 2 get 1 free. During the month of August, adult fiction gently used books will be buy 2 get 1 free
Benefit Bass Fishing Tournaments & Raffles for Class of ’91 Grad Chad Elmer – Entry fees will go toward’s Chad’s upcoming expenses and prize money. Raffles include fishing and outdoor gear, ammo, an AR15 gun, and more! (See flyer below for complete details)
Due to the popularity of the Trailblazers program, The Fort Scott National Historic Site will be repeating the program for a second week from August 12-16. The workshop will be the same as the one held the previous week, except that 12 additional children will be able to participate
This program is open to youth ages 9-12. It will begin at 8:30 am and end at noon each day and there is no charge for the day camp. Registration is underway. To sign-up, contact Fort Scott National Historic Site at (620) 223-0310 or e-mail your name and phone number to: [email protected]
Horticulture Services in Fort Scott – Krista Harding, Horticulture Agent for the Southwind Extension District, has office hours at the Extension office inside the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday
In an effort to better serve residents of Fort Scott and the surrounding communities, Krista is there weekly to answer questions and offer advice on lawn and gardens, trees and shrubs, flowers and insect. Bring your spotted leaves, strange looking insects or wilted flowers and let her help you! This a free service and is available to all community members. Questions? Call 620-223-3720
Save the Date: 2019 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Fall Golf Classic 4-Person Scramble – Saturday, September 14th at Woodland Hills Golf Course,
2414 S. Horton in Fort Scott (See flyer below)

$200 per team includes green fees, cart & lunch. Deadline to enter is September 6th.

This fundraiser will help the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation to support programs for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson counties.

For more information, contact Tricia at 620-431-7401, ext. 230 or [email protected]
26-27
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
26
Medicalodges of Fort Scott is holding a Pulled Pork Fundraiser to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association on Friday, July 26th from 10am-2pm (See flyer below)

Menu: Pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, chips, cookie… $5

– Drive up to the south end of building (915 S. Horton) for your order to be brought to you
– Any order with 10 or more dinners can be delivered if requested
– You may call your order in ahead of time: 
620-223-0210
 
26 2019 Chamber Golf Classic 4-Person Scramble – Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton, 11am registration, chipping contest & lunch, 12pm tee-off (See flyer below)

Join us for the Chamber Golf Classic – always a great time and fun tournament! Prizes, raffles, and hole challenges!

To register a team and/or sponsorship, click HERE
26 Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavillion, 1st & Main St., 7-8pm

This Friday’s concert at the Gazebo downtown will feature “Forever Family”. Jim Dillow, brother, Ernie Dillow and sister, Shirley Showalter started singing together about 6 years ago.  They felt God leading them to share the gospel message of hope and love through music and testimony.  Forever Family enjoyed singing at the Gazebo for the last 3-4 years.  In December of 2017 Jim was suddenly taken to his heavenly home.  They discontinued their ministry at that time as the loss of their Godly and inspiring brother was so heartbreaking and overwhelming.  Recently God has opened doors for Ernie and Shirley to sing together again.  Friday evening will be their first full concert since Jim’s passing.  They, along with Jim’s wife, Susan, are dedicating this performance to the memory and legacy of their brother and husband.  They look forward to sharing; knowing God always has a plan for our lives.  Ernie and Shirley will continue to praise God and seek His guidance for future ministry

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]
26 Flagship Romance performing at Liberty Theatre Patio – 113 S. Main St. 8-10pm

Shawn & Jordyn are returning to Fort Scott to perform music from their new album “Concentric”, along with some favorites from previous albums. Tickets are $10, seating is limited

To purchase tickets, contact:
– Deb: 620-224-8650
– Terri: 620-224-7221
– Kate: 620-224-4442

Watch a Flagship Romance video HERE
27 Benefit Bass Fishing Tournament for Class of ’91 Grad Chad Elmer (See flyer below)

CLICK HERE VISIT THE FACEBOOK PAGE HERE FOR FULL DETAILS:

Everyone who knows Chad Elmer and and for those of you who do not –  He was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and they found a couple spots on the liver. He is under going some pretty aggressive chemo therapy treatment

Check-in 5:15 am @ 223 N National Ave. Ft.Scott
Tournament starts @ 6:00 am sharp (everyone starts here no early sign ins)
Weigh – in 3:00 pm @ 223 N National Ave. Ft. Scott

Entry will be $25/person. 50% of the entry fees will go to Chad to help with his up coming expenses and the other 50% will go to prize money

2 or 3 person teams, however you choose. Pay out for 1st and 2nd place for biggest stringer and pay out for the biggest Bass. Fish must be 15″ minimum to weigh in and MUST BE ALIVE!

Contact Justin Daly: 620-215-3849 with any questions
27
Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
27
 Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is looking for clues during the Fort’s “Texting and Twitter – 1840’s Style” on Saturday, July 27, from 10 am until 3 pm. Open to all ages

“Texting and Twitter – 1840s style” will give you clues into historic methods of communication including quill pen and ink well letter writing, deciphering messages in Morse code, and composing a ‘tweet’ for a historic news story

All programs are free and open to the public. To participate, stop by the visitor center

The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8 am -5 pm daily. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset

Visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc
27
Rollin’ For Sami – Cancer Benefit Ride (See flyer below)
Sami Milburn is a 2015 graduate of FSHS who was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in June 2018. When diagnosed, Sami was a junior in college. She has had to put her education, and her career as a hairdresser, on hold while being treated at KU Medical Center. All proceeds from this ride will be going to help Sami fight her cancer

When: July 27th, 2019
Registration: 9-10:30am

Where: Fort Scott, KS
Start: 5 Corners Gas Station
Stops include: His & Hers in Walnut, The American Legion in Cherokee, and The Pink Pickle in Girard

Etc: $25 to ride (two or four wheels), shirts for the first 50 riders, silent auction, and Copperhead Nation to play at conclusion of ride!

Visit the “Rollin’ For Sami” Facebook page by clicking this link:  https://www.facebook.com/Rollin-For-Sami-345127172851873/
27
Cinema Saturdays at the Gordon Parks Museum – FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton, 12-2pm

The Gordon Parks Museum will show the films of Gordon Parks on Saturdays this summer starting on June 8 at 12:00 p.m. in the museum on the FSCC campus.  This free event will feature Mr. Parks’ films and one of Kevin Willmott’s films
27 The Wayward Bettys benefit concert for Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter at Boiler Room Brewhaus – 2 S. National, 7pm (See flyer below)

This is a benefit concert raising funds for Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter

Tickets are $10 in advance & may be purchased at the following:
– Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter – 8 N. Judson
– Boiler Room Brewhaus – 2 S. National Ave.
– Chamber of Commerce – 231 E. Wall St.
28 Team Trivia at the Boiler Room Brewhaus –
10 S. National, 3-5pm

Exciting, fun and challenging team trivia. Put your team together (maximum of 8 teams, maximum of
5 members on a team)

$5 per person. Cash prizes for winning team.
Pre-register at the tap room
30-31 Summer Reading Program: Superheroes & Sci-Fi –
FS Public Library, 201 S. National, 10am-12pm

With guest author Cathy Werling
30
T.O.P.S Meetings held weekly on Tuesdays at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 10:30am
30 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room,
2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
30 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Tuesday evenings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds. We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
30
Economic Development Priority Planning Session – Bourbon County Commission Room, 210 S. National Ave., 1st Floor, County Courthouse, 5:30-7pm

Economic Development Director will be presenting findings of community assessments and ask for feedback into setting priorities.
We will ask:
Where do you want to see our community 5-10 years from now?
What, from your perspective, will move our county forward?
What are our strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities?
What are the urgent (if any) needs right now?
31
Dine & Donate event at Papa Don’s to benefit Walk to End Alzheimer’s (See flyer below)

On July 31st Papa Don’s will donate 10% of your dining bill (dine-in OR carry-out) to Walk To End Alzheimer’s in Southeast Kansas

Visit the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s website HERE
Visit Papa Don’s website HERE
31 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,  308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
31
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm
Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
31 Teen & Tween Summer Reading Wrap-Up: Harry Potter Birthday Party – FS Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 5-6pm
31
Shoe Voucher Bingo Fundraiser at Community Christian Church – 1919 S. Horton, 6:30-9:30pm (See flyer below)

Back to School Shoe Vouchers!!
Join us for a night of fun to help area students in need receive a $15 voucher for back to school shoes.  In recent years we have provided for students K-5th but want to expand that grade range to include MS & HS students as well

$10 donation for a 10 game pack with 3 cards on each game. Light concession will also be available
Visit CCC’s website: http://www.cccfortscott.com/
31
Iraq in the Bible – First Southern Baptist Church,
1818 S. Main, 6:30pm

A special presentation of “Iraq in the Bible” will be held at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 31st beginning at 6:30 pm. The church is located at 1818 South Main in Fort Scott. This interactive video presentation will look at the history, archaeology, and prophecies of Iraq. Israel is the most mentioned nation in the Bible. Iraq is the second most mentioned nation in the Bible. However, it is not called Iraq. Instead, Iraq is known as Nineveh, Babylon, Shinar, Assyria, Ur of the Chaldees, and Mesopotamia. Chaplain James Collins, a retired U.S. Army Chaplain, visited all of the historic locations. Chaplain Collins will be your guide through the land of Iraq. You are invited to attend this special free presentation. Bible Study small groups are welcome. For more information, call Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church at
(620) 223-2986
Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Aug. 8 for Meeks Law and State Farm Insurance

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 The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the new location of State Farm Insurance and Meeks Law Firm at 1805 S. National Avenue. The event will take place Thursday, August 8th, with remarks and ribbon cutting immediately following the Chamber of Commerce Coffee which begins at 8 a.m.

JK Hold’M Properties invite you to stop by and check out the transformation of their building to an updated and modernized office building in the heart of 69 Highway in Fort Scott.

Justin Meeks and Kale Nelson purchased the building that has served Fort Scott since 1925.  Formerly being the home to Lockwood’s Steakhouse, various liquor store owners, Silver Spur Bar, a pet shop and other business entities, the building was renovated and now is the home to Justin Meeks Attorney at Law and Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance.

 

Please join Meeks Law Firm and Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance on Thursday, August 8th, 2019 for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 1805 St. in Fort Scott. Refreshments will be served.

Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.

***

Business, Fort Scott

Gordmans Expands Merchandise to Include Apparel in Fort Scott

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This sign seen on the door of the  Fort Scott Gordmans store window tells of apparel coming in July. The store opened earlier this year as a department store but did not carry clothing at that time. On August 10 the new clothing department of the store will be completed.

An apparel department is being added to Gordmans department store that opened earlier in 2019 in Fort Scott. The store is located at 2400 S. Main, in the strip mall on the southside of town.

“Gordmans in Fort Scott will be expanding to a full-fledged Gordmans, which will offer big brands in merchandise for the entire family at very low prices compared to department store prices,”  Blakeley Graham, Manager of Brand Publicity at Gordmans, said. “The complete changeover will be August 10, and Gordmans is planning a special in-store event that day to celebrate the expansion.”

“In addition to the home décor, beauty merchandise, fragrances, accessories and toys already available at Gordmans, there will be name brand apparel for all ages and footwear at bigger deals and smaller prices,” he said.

Gordmans is part of the Stage family of stores.

Stage has opened 74 Gordmans this year, including the store in Fort Scott. By the end of 2019, there will be over 150 Gordmans stores across the country.

Gordmans is located at 2400 S. Main in Fort Scott’s south side strip mall.

More details will be shared soon about the August 10 event, according to Graham.

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Red Dirt Country Comes to Fort Scott

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Dalton Womeldorff sits in the studio of Fort Scott Broadcasting. He is an announcer at the radio station and a recent graduate of Fort Scott High School.

Red Dirt Country is in Fort Scott as of July 1 at 98.3 FM on your radio.

The Red Dirt genre of country music started in Oklahoma and Texas.

“Red Dirt Country is a different brand of country,” Tim McKenney, owner of Fort Scott Broadcasting said.  “Most tell a story…songs that tell stories about the cowboy’s way of life.”

Fort Scott Broadcasting, owned by both Tim and Deb McKenney, is the umbrella company for KMDO-AM 1600 and KOMB-FM 103.9 and now K252KY-FM 98.3.

KMDO started in 1954 and KOMB in1981 and continue to play classic and contemporary music. They were purchased by Tim and Deb in 1996 from Tim’s father.

Red Dirt Country, K252KY-FM started this year.

Fort Scott Broadcasting is the parent company of KMDO-AM and KOMB-FM and is located at 2 N. National Avenue. The parent company of the businesses are Fort Scott Broadcasting, owned by Tim and Deb McKenney. They also own U.S. Cellular at 1711 S. National and 2506 S. Santa Fe in Chanute.

“On July 1 we opened K252KY,” McKenney said. “It started broadcasting a few months ago. We wanted to run it a while to make sure it was going smoothly.”

“We wanted to compete with those (radio stations) that do country, in a different way,” he said.

“It’s been crazy, for signing on quietly,” McKenney said.

 

KMDO-AM and KOMB-FM Radio Stations are located at 2 N. National Avenue, Fort Scott. New in July 2019 is the addition of Red Dirt Country at K252KY-FM, 98.3

 

The broadcasting company plays music 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There are several announcers who work for the company: Larry Gazaway, Brandon Tadtman, Dalton Womeldorff, Pam Hutchison, Charlene Bolinger, Brayden Enstrom, Dena Wade  “and a few more of us do some on-air, but not regularly,” McKenney said.

“We still have announcers, it is not automated by satellite,” McKenney said.

In August, Larry Gazaway returns to the radio station as “the morning man on 103.9 and he will be our sports broadcaster,” McKenney said. Gazaway did a stint as Fort Scott’s Director of Convention and Visitor Bureau recently and returns to broadcasting on August 5.

For more information about the business and to see what services they provide, click below

http://kombfm.com

 

 

Art, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at the Empress Event Center July 25

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
Hosted by:

Bourbon County E-Community
Location:

Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St.
Thursday, July 25, 2019  at 8:00 a.m.
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
August 1 – OPEN – CALL TO SCHEDULE
August 8 – State Farm/Meeks Law Firm (RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY TO FOLLOW)
August 15 – Craw-Kan
August 22 – Ascension Via Christi Fort Scott
Business, Government, Kansas

Angel Investor Tax Credit Application Fee Reduced

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Secretary David Toland reduces fee for businesses seeking Angel Investors

 

Topeka, Kan. – Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today that he has reduced the application fee for businesses seeking to participate in the Angel Investor Tax Credit program.

After reducing the application fee from $750 to $500 in February, the Kansas Department of Commerce reduced the fee further to $250, retroactive to July 1, 2019. Applications for companies seeking investment through the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit (KAITC) program for 2019 will be accepted through August 31.

The program offers Kansas income tax credits to qualified individuals who provide seed-capital financing for emerging Kansas businesses engaged in development, implementation and commercialization of innovative technologies, products and services.

“The Angel program exists to support small start-up businesses, so it didn’t make sense to charge an application fee that put the program out of reach to the very businesses seeking help,” Toland said. “This is a straightforward, business-friendly move that we hope will encourage more start-ups to apply and make it easier for Kansans to invest in promising new businesses.”

The KAITC Program is designed to bring together accredited “angel” investors with qualified Kansas companies seeking seed and early stage investment. The purpose of the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit Act is to help facilitate:

  • The availability of equity investment in businesses in the early stages of commercial development.
  • The creation and expansion of Kansas businesses, which are job- and wealth-creating enterprises.

Applications for certification are accepted only for Kansas businesses in the seed and early stage rounds of financing.

Companies must meet the following criteria to be certified as a Qualified Kansas Business:

  • The business has a reasonable chance of success and potential to create measurable employment within Kansas.
  • In the most recent tax year of the business, annual gross revenue was less than $5 million
  • Businesses that are not Bioscience businesses must have been in operation for less than five years; bioscience businesses must have been in operation for less than 10 years.
  • The business has an innovative and proprietary technology, product, or service.
  • The existing owners of the business have made a substantial financial and time commitment to the business.
  • The securities to be issued and purchased are qualified securities.
  • The company agrees to adequate reporting of business information to the Kansas Department of Commerce.
  • The ability of investors in the business to receive tax credits for cash investments in qualified securities of the business is beneficial, because funding otherwise available for the business is not available on commercially reasonable terms.
  • Each applicant must sign a Qualified Company Agreement with the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Certification of companies must meet mandates established by Kansas statute to allow accredited Angel Investors to receive the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit.

For more information, visit kansasangels.com or contact:

Rachéll Rowand

(785) 296-3345 Office

(785) 207-4755 Mobile

[email protected]