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Category Archives: Fort Scott
Small Businesses Encouraged With New Partnership Offer
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is initiating a partnership program that aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial environment in the community.
What is an entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur is an individual who, rather than working as an employee, founds and runs a small business, assuming all the risks and rewards of the venture, according to investopedia.com.
“The big-picture vision for this initiative is to move Bourbon County forward as a great place to start and grow a small business and where existing businesses have access to all the resources they need to grow and achieve their potential,” Bill Michaud said.
Michaud is the chairman of the Chamber’s Business Resource and Development Committee.
He and Chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison are the primary workers to bring this initiative to Fort Scott, Michaud said.
“Lindsay Madison did the work to complete the application which resulted in us being selected,” he said. ” She and I have been the primary ones immersed in the details.”
“The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce representing Bourbon County has been selected by Network Kansas as a partner in the E-Community Program, a partnership program that aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial environment in partner communities throughout the state,” Michaud said. The Chamber was notified in June 2019.
“Bourbon County was awarded this partnership opportunity through a competitive application process in which 14 Kansas communities were vying for selection and only five new e-community partners were selected,” he said.
“The revolving loan fund and other E-Community resources can be the catalyst to build onto the many great improvements which have occurred in our community in recent years, “Michaud said. “This program is a resource that could help fund additional rehabilitation of downtown buildings which are currently very difficult to finance.”
E-Community loan funds can be used for building acquisition, renovations, inventory, expansion, relocation, equipment and other purposes.
One of the barriers to starting or growing a business is access to funding.
“The largest component of the E-Community Partnership is providing a locally controlled loan fund used to enable new business and existing businesses to overcome that barrier,” Michaud said. “There also additional resources available through Network Kansas to help businesses of all sizes including a variety of programs through StartupKS.”
The E-Community program also provides funding for several approved educational and personal development programs.
“These programs are geared toward teaching and developing potential and existing entrepreneurs,” he said.
Click below for a link to that inventory of programs:
The E-Community program was created through a Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship Tax Credit Program, according to the Fort Scott Chamber website.
Application Details
Applicants may include startup businesses and existing business purchases and/or expansions.
The minimum loan request is $5,000 with a $45,000 maximum amount available per applicant business, subject to availability. The terms for loans issued in the fiscal year 2019-20 will be 5 percent rate over a 10-year maximum term.
Applicants will be asked if the entrepreneur or business has a tax liability in arrears with the Kansas Department of Revenue or the IRS, or been involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings.
Applicants will be asked to provide relevant details such as length of time in business, business name or entity changes, number of jobs to be created or retained, etc.
All business plans will be submitted with the application and should include key elements such as:
- Executive Summary
- Business Description
- Products or Services
- Short- and Long-Term Goals
- Project Financing
- Management
- Ownership
- Marketing Strategy
- Description of Major & Prospective Customers
- Description of Market & Competition
- Financial Projections
Contact the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University for assistance in developing a business plan, 620-235-4920.
How the application will be judged
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Financial Review Board will use the following rubric to score all applications in the Bourbon County E-Community Program.
| Criteria | Strength (1-4) | Weight (% of total) | Weighted Score |
| Financial Soundness |
25 |
||
| Owner/Operator Experience |
20 |
||
| Business Plan |
25 |
||
| Owner/3rd Party Funding |
25 |
||
| Community Commitment |
5 |
||
| TOTAL |
100 |
SCALE
4 = Exceeds expectations 3 = Meets expectations
2= Partially meets expectations 1 = Does not meet expectations
Application Checklist
Be sure to include the following with your completed application:
- $50 Non-refundable Application Fee
- Business Plan including Financial Projections (1-year projection of profit & loss by month and 3 years of annual projections)
- Financial Statements (if an existing business)
- Income statement and balance sheet from within the past 90 days
- Income statements, balance sheets, and complete business tax returns for the two (2) prior year-ends
- A current list of business obligations
- Applicant Resume
- Personal Financial Statement from within the past 90 days
- Three Letters of Reference
- Other documents relevant to the project
- Proposed purchase agreement
- The existing or proposed franchise agreement
- Existing or proposed lease agreement
- Real estate contract
- Contractor bids
- Appraisals and environmental reports
- Partnership agreement
- Articles of incorporation & bylaws
History Of Initiative
The initiative was established as a part of the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to stimulate entrepreneurship and small business growth as a priority for economic and community development in the State of Kansas.
Click here to learn more about Network Kansas and E-Communities.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is located at 231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701 and can be reached at 620-223-3566 or email [email protected].
Local Singers Invited to Join Pittsburg Chorale, Directed By FS Music Teacher
Pittsburg Youth Chorale Fall Enrollment Open
Area singers in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to join Pittsburg Youth Chorale, directed by MJ Harper.
The purpose of this vocal ensemble is to further grow vocal abilities, musical knowledge, and choral repertoire.
Performers will prepare music for community events and music festivals.
Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 5PM-6PM at First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Pine, Pittsburg, KS and begin September 3rd.
There is a fee of $50 per session (Sept-Dec/Jan-May) to cover the cost of music.
Scholarships are available.
To enroll, contact MJ Harper at 620-719-6633 or email [email protected], deadline September 3rd.
Peerless Expands Assembly Lines: Needs More Workers
Peerless Products, 2403 S. Main, is the largest employer in Fort Scott with 420 workers.
And they need more assembly lines to grow their business, according to Dave Elliott, Peerless Products Culture and Morale Manager.
Founded in Fort Scott, Kansas in 1952, they manufacturer high-performance aluminum architectural and commercial windows for new construction, replacement and historical construction, according to their website.http://www.peerlessproducts.com/Corporate/About-Peerless
“We need to have the capacity to run more products through, to continue to grow,” Elliott said.
“We purchased the old American Standard warehouse in Nevada (MO) on I-49, we will use that as a staging warehouse,” Elliott said. “That frees up space in the Fort Scott facility for another assembly line.”
The employees the company is looking for?
“Somebody that has a good work ethic and a willingness to learn and grow,” Elliott said. In addition, applicants must have a valid driver’s license, and a high school diploma or GED.
The starting-out wage at the plant is $11 per hour, and “they usually work more than 40 hours a week.”
Day shift is from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
“The hours on Friday depends on how much of the product is complete,” Elliott said.
Peerless offers a benefits package that offers health insurance, life insurance, a 401K and an “astounding profit-sharing program,” Elliot said.
Peerless also offers “employee care” activities such as chair massage a couple of times a year and currently are giving employees 20 lb. meat bundles. This processed beef and pork comes from what the company purchases at county fairs of 4-H animals.
Today, Aug. 9, Elliot and Karen Contreras will be at the Ellis Fine Art Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College for a job fair.
From 2-6 p.m. interested applicants are asked to bring their resume and come for a visit with the two Peerless Products representatives.
Gordmans Food Drive and Store Expansion Aug. 10 at 10 a.m.
GORDMANS:
COMMUNITY INVITED TO STORE EXPANSION CELEBRATION AND FOOD DRIVE AUGUST 10
Gordmans to Provide Donation to The Keyhole
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.
- 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.
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Town-Wide Fall Garage Sale Registration
Submitted by: Lindsay Madison, Executive Director, [email protected]
Monica Walden, Administrative Assistant, [email protected]
Phone: (620) 223-3566
FORT SCOTT – Mark your calendars for the Fall Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, September 13th and 14th.
Now is the time to get your garage sale on the map.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce encourages residents in Fort Scott to do your fall cleaning and make room for something new.
Garage sales may be registered through the Chamber by 1 pm, Wednesday, September 11th for only $10.
The registration fee lists your sale on the official garage sale map and enables the Chamber to advertise the sale throughout the region on the radio, newspaper, social media and the Chamber website.
Businesses are encouraged to advertise on the official garage sale map, which will be distributed to shoppers the week of the Town-wide Garage Sale.
The maps will be distributed from local stores and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The cost to place a business ad or coupon is $25.
Garage sales may be registered in person at the Chamber office, 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, located at 231 E. Wall Street or by phone using debit or credit card by calling (620) 223-3566.
***
Bourbon County Coalition Highlights Care To Share
The Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition meets monthly, except July, to allow agencies that help families to network and share what they are all about.
The coalition’s next meeting is Sept. 4 at noon at the First Baptist Church.
The mission of the Bourbon County Coalition Board is to provide children with an environment of security, permanence, and a sense of belonging and being loved. To support the mission, grants are applied for annually. Last year the board received a $1,000 grant from the T. B. Baker Foundation and $2,000 from the Southeast Kansas Community Foundation, Billie Jo Drake, president of the board, said at the opening of the meeting.
“We have also received funds from United Way, Key Charitable Trust, Mercy auxiliary, civic organizations and individuals,” Drake said.
The two projects the board focuses on are 1) rent and utility assistance, vetted through another helping agency, The Beacon and 2) pool passes in the summer for area low-income children.
This month, the local helping organization, Care To Share, took its’ turn telling what services they provide the community.
Lavetta Simmons, who along with Joy O’Neal and Teresa Davenport, helped found the ministry in 2007.
“I lost my Mom and Dad to cancer,” Simmons said. “Through that experience, I want to reach out to others.”
“Some people have no family,” she said. “Some have no insurance.”
The number-one expense is gasoline for traveling to treatments, Simmons said.
Last year Care To Share helped people 788 times and gave out $68,874 to assist the cancer patients.
Not only gas for medical appointments but assistance with wigs after hair loss, bras after mastectomies and many other personal needs.
Also housecleaning, respite care, mowing of lawns, meal coordination, providing Ensure (a nutritional drink), and “Sunshine” calls to patients.
Care To Share’s mission is to provide friendship and support through emotional and financial assistance to individuals who are cancer survivors and their caregivers of Southeast Kansas.
For more information contact Simmons at 620-224-8070, Dona Bauer at 620-224-7075 or Teresa Davenport at 620-362-3042.
The organization has fundraisers throughout the year to support the mission.
In addition, “so many people, businesses, organizations and churches give,” she said.
The ministry is also funded by T.B. Baker Foundation, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, United Way and memorials.
The Care To Share Board is comprised of Dona Bauer, Donna Beerbower, Kathy Clark, Teresa Davenport, Denny Heidrick, Carol Hill, Nancy Hofer, Randy Holt, Richard Long, Dr. Boban Mathew, Sidney Maycumber, Simmons, and Jerry Witt.
Larry Davenport serves as financial advisor to the organization.
Program To Replace/Rehabilitate Deficient Bridges Reinstated
KDOT program will replace and rehabilitate deficient bridges on a local road system.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has reinstated a popular program designed to help replace and rehabilitate city and county deficient bridges. KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz announced the program today at an event in Butler County joined by leaders from the Kansas Association of Counties, the Kansas County Highway Association and the Kansas Contractors Association.
The Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program is a $5 million state-funded program that helps cities and counties by providing up to $150,000 toward the replacement or rehabilitation of a bridge on the local roadway system. To qualify, bridges must be rated as deficient, have a daily vehicle count of less than 100 and be 20 to 50 feet in length. Cities and counties can garner an additional $50,000 by closing a deficient bridge. Local jurisdictions that are awarded funds must provide a 10 percent match.
“Kansas’ local road system is critical for getting people and goods where they need to go,” said Gov. Laura Kelly regarding the program. “I’m pleased to see state and local government working together and combining resources to replace aging infrastructure – creating healthier communities and economies.”
Funding for the program is part of the $216 million in sales tax authorized by Gov. Kelly to remain in the state highway fund in fiscal year 2020. Those funds will be used to increase highway preservation, help complete delayed T-WORKS projects, improve safety and provide new funding opportunities for cities and counties.
“This was a popular program when it was offered in 2014 and I’m very happy that we’re able to bring it back,” said Secretary Lorenz. “Reinstating the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program was one of the top recommendations coming out of last year’s Joint Legislative Vision Task Force and is a great way for us to work together with cities and counties to address needed improvements.”
There are approximately 19,000 bridges on Kansas’ local road systems. About 20 percent – or 3,800 — of those bridges are in poor condition – or unable to meet today’s weight and vehicle requirements.
Under the previous program, 110 bridges were replaced or permanently closed during the two years it operated.
“The counties are excited and appreciative of this new bridge replacement program,” said Justin Mader, Saline County Engineer and president of the Kansas County Highway Association. “It will be good for agriculture, good for safety, will put construction workers to work and boost the Kansas economy while building and rehabilitating bridges that will benefit Kansas for decades into the future.”
Applications will be accepted through mid-September and KDOT will select projects in early October. Details are posted on KDOT’s website and can be seen at the links below:
Unofficial Election Results for Bourbon County Primary Election
Just in from the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office.
Total votes cast for that person is the first number.
2019 CITY/SCHOOL PRIMARY UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
AUGUST 6, 2019
RUN DATE:08/06/19 07:55 PM REPORT-EL45A PAGE 001
TOTAL VOTES % ELECTION DAY EARLY VOTE
PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 16) . . . . . 16 100.00
REGISTERED VOTERS - TOTAL . . . . . 9,771
BALLOTS CAST - TOTAL. . . . . . . 1,340 814 526
VOTER TURNOUT - TOTAL . . . . . . 13.71
CITY COMMISSION FORT SCOTT
VOTE FOR 3
Cheryl L. Adamson. . . . . . . . 219 7.38 122 97
Harold (Pete) Allen . . . . . . . 247 8.32 157 90
Kevin "Skitch" Allen. . . . . . . 301 10.14 213 88
Cynthia Bartelsmeyer. . . . . . . 333 11.22 179 154
Casey Bolden . . . . . . . . . 58 1.95 43 15
Tracy Dancer . . . . . . . . . 110 3.70 73 37
Bobby Duncan . . . . . . . . . 99 3.33 64 35
Bob Farmer . . . . . . . . . . 213 7.17 116 97
Josh Jones . . . . . . . . . . 215 7.24 133 82
Deb McCoy . . . . . . . . . . 329 11.08 195 134
Diana Morriss . . . . . . . . . 198 6.67 118 80
Jeanie Parker . . . . . . . . . 204 6.87 111 93
Lindsey Watts . . . . . . . . . 285 9.60 185 100
Matthew Wells . . . . . . . . . 158 5.32 106 52
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 3 USD 234
VOTE FOR 1
Kellye Barrows. . . . . . . . . 643 49.46 377 266
Joe Foulk Sr. . . . . . . . . . 36 2.77 26 10
Michael J. Hoyt . . . . . . . . 133 10.23 83 50
Josh Jones . . . . . . . . . . 302 23.23 189 113
Aaron Judy . . . . . . . . . . 186 14.31 118 68
#E
Attorney Justin Meeks Gets New Office: Ribbon Cutting Aug. 8
Attorney Justin Meeks has moved into his newly renovated office space at 1801 S. National Avenue after months of hard work.
“It would’ve been way cheaper to tear down and build new,” he said. “But we saved the building….it’s got lots of character.”
Character such as original walls with a hand-painted sign and names sketched in concrete from a different era, which were both preserved.
And a great location with Hwy. 69 and National Avenue in close proximity.
The building was renovated and now is the home to Justin Meeks Attorney at Law and Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance.
Meeks is also the Bourbon County Counselor for the county government, which is a part-time position. The new space is for his private law practice, which is also part-time.
“I moved into this space for my private law practice in late June,” Meeks said. “It’s a very limited private practice: probate, business transactions, human resource issues, contract work, landlord-tenant issues, and banking issues.”
As of October 1, Meeks has been the Bourbon County Counselor for five years. “I’ve been out of private practice for five years,” Meeks said.
“I like helping people, that’s why I’m going back into a limited part-time practice,” Meeks said.
His office hours are Monday through Thursday, appointment only; Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.
History Of The Property
Justin Meeks and Kale Nelson purchased the circa 1925 building last year.
The new office spaces have had many repurposings through the years: a machine shop, Lockwood’s Steakhouse, various liquor store owners including Silver Spur Bar, a pet shop, a vape shop and other business entities.
The renovated building was first used for a machine shop, Meeks was informed by people in the community.
There is a handwritten sign on the exposed brick in his entrance space that says “Leave Tools After Used.”
Then the shop was added onto in the 1960-70s, according to Meeks.
On the concrete floor in a closet, the names Patty Chow and Sharon Manyo are sketched into the concrete.
That’s part of the character of the building that was preserved.
Ribbon Cutting
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new location of State Farm Insurance, 1805 S. National Avenue and Meeks Law Firm at 1801 S. National Avenue on Thursday, August 8 following the Chamber of Commerce Coffee, which starts at 8 a.m.
Owner of the property is JK Hold’M Properties, a partnership of Meeks and Nelson.
The public is invited to the ribbon-cutting to view the transformation of the buildings to updated and modernized offices.
Vote Today for City of Fort Scott and USD 234 BOE Position 3
The Bourbon County Primary Election is today, August 6.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Exercise your right as a U.S. citizen to vote your conscience in this election.
From the Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason:
“This primary will only be for the City of Fort Scott and USD 234 position 3. The other schools, cities, FSCC, Extension District, etc. will not be on the Primary ballot.”
The November general election will be for Bourbon County cities, schools and K-State Extension Board positions.
Vote at these sites (taken from the Bourbon County Kansas website)
1st Ward Community Christian Church DRYWOOD Grace Baptist Church
2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church FRANKLIN Mapleton Community Building
3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church FREEDOM Fulton Community Building
4th Ward Community Christian Church MARMATON Redfield City Hall
5th Ward Community Christian Church MILLCREEK Redfield City Hall
6th Ward Community Christian Church OSAGE Fulton Community Building
7th Ward Grace Baptist Church PAWNEE Redfield City Hall
NORTH SCOTT Community Christian Church
SOUTH SCOTT Grace Baptist Church
TIMBERHILL Mapleton Community Building
The Primary Election will narrow the candidates down to two times the number of positions open.
Friday Night Free Concert Features Local Talent
At the Friday Concert in the Park series, the program will be presented mostly by young people.
The program starts at 7 pm on August 9 at the Heritage Park Pavilion.
Included in this week’s program will be Leah Wood and her 3 year old daughter, Nevaeh.
Alsop erforming will be Ana Rupprecht, a 9 year old young lady, who has participated in the First Scott Idol several years.
In addition, there will be a high school student from Baxter Springs who will perform. Joseph Barnes is a former student of Jack and Sandy Hemphill. Joseph participates in various band, theatrical, and choir activities. He was recently a member of the All State Boys’ Choir.
Thomas Nighswonger, a young man from Fort Scott, will be singing and playing his guitar. This is promising to be an excellent program and you won’t want to miss it!
Remember that seating at the park is limited so please bring a lawn chair.
In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be in the Common Ground coffee shop.