Category Archives: Jobs

Bourbon County, Business, Housing, Jobs

Data Received: Bourbon County Eco Devo Moving Forward

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Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.
 Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. hired a consulting company to do local studies on retail, housing and labor in the county. That study was completed this fall.
“Last year, REDI was able to work with both Goldstone Consulting and O’Brian and Associates on the Retail, Housing, and Labor studies,” Rob Harrington, REDI CEO said. “These studies were able to provide us with the necessary data to move forward on several initiatives in 2023.”
“One of those initiatives is a Small Business Retention and Expansion Program for our local businesses,” he said. “We will be working throughout this next year to visit and create ways to help these companies continue to grow within Bourbon County. “
“We will also begin working with a group of citizens throughout Bourbon County on housing development initiatives,’ he said. “This housing committee will be instrumental in creating ways for us to not only attract developers but also new residents and marketing our communities to outside markets”.
REDI will continue to work to bring new developments in commercial and industrial business to Bourbon County by using the data from these reports as well as building on the partnerships that have grown over the last two years, Harrington said.
“All of the reports were paid for by Bourbon County REDI and we will continue to use our funds to help grow our county and ultimately work towards lowering taxes for everyone who lives and owns businesses in Bourbon County,” he said.
Landmark Bank Fort Scott houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.
Fort Scott, Government, Jobs

Brad Matkin is the New Fort Scott Interim City Manager

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Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.

At the Fort Scott City Commission meeting on Dec. 20, Brad Matkin was promoted to interim city manager, after having served as assistant city manager since September 2022.

Fort Scott City Hall.

Josh Jones, a Fort Scott Commissioner, congratulated Matkins for being moved up to interim city manager on his Facebook page, following the meeting.

“The current interim city manager will be retained at a cheaper rate to provide guidance for Brad,” Jones said.

On Sept. 20, the City of Fort Scott hired Jeff Hancock as interim city manager, and appointed Brad Matkin, current Human Resource Director, to become assistant city manager in addition to his HR duties. Matkin’s salary was increased to $85,000 annually.

To view a prior story:

Zellner Resigns, New Interim Jeff Hancock is Hired as FS City Manager

Matkin is in a 90 evaluation period for the city manager position now, he said.

“They will review the situation in three months,” Matkin said. “I’ll still be doing the human resource duties but will be looking for additional staff to take over some of the roles I have.”

Matkin’s city manager duties include:

communications to citizens, staff, commission, and media;

staffing-there are currently 92 employees with searches on for one more in the streets, police and fire departments;

day-to-day operations;

and project management.

Here are the projects he manages as interim city manager:

There is a winter street project, which will be busy the next couple of days with an Arctic Blast headed this way.

“We’ve got a great group of guys in the streets department,” Matkin said. “And the street superintendent has been through this kind of weather before. The dump trucks and plows are ready.”

The water department could be busy with broken pipes during this upcoming Arctic Blast, he said.

Other projects under his jurisdiction: resolving the downtown parking shortage, the Memorial Hall renovation, the golf course and Gunn Park improvements, and 100 more Fort Scott blocks of streets to be chipped and sealed, Matkin said.

“And whatever comes up, day to day,” he said.

“As mayor, I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Matkin on many different occasions in his previous role as Assistant City Manager,” FS Mayor Katherine Harrington said. “I feel that over this time he has grown as a manager and demonstrated that he was ready to take on this new role as Interim. I look forward to working with him more in 2023 and seeing how he leads this community forward.”

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Kansas Virtual Job Fair on Dec. 14

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Governor Laura Kelly Encourages Job Seekers to Attend End-of-Year Statewide Virtual Job Fair

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly invites job seekers and employers to participate in the last Statewide Virtual Job Fair being offered in 2022. This virtual fair is hosted by KANSASWORKS and will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 14.

“Since 2109, we have attracted more than $14 billion in capital investment from the private sector and created more than 53,000 jobs,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This type of monumental growth requires a workforce to meet the needs of these businesses. I encourage any Kansan looking for a new opportunity to participate in the virtual job fair.”

Registration is required in order to participate in the event, regardless of previous participation. The Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features a Job Seeker Training video, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and log in.

“The Statewide Virtual Job Fairs have been very successful in helping Kansans find new career paths,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “With companies hiring throughout the state, there are jobs available for anyone that is looking and our KANSASWORKS centers are ready and willing to help.”

Workforce development teams provide assistance with the job search process, creating effective resumes, job training, job placement and more. Job seekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers might request to engage in a video interview on the spot.

Candidates can participate via any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

Click here to register for the December 14 Virtual Job Fair.

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Bourbon County, Jobs

Bourbon County REDI Completes Workforce Assessment

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Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.

An in-depth assessment of the workforce in Bourbon County has been completed and it offers a series of recommendations for BCREDI to work on immediately and for the long term.  That’s according to Executive Director Robert Harrington.  The workforce assessment was one of three studies BCREDI has undertaken since early spring, with the other two focused on retail opportunities and housing needs.

Along workforce study included one-on-one interviews with key employers as well as a survey that provided input from more than sixty-four employers in the county.  Residents also had their input, with more than 440 people providing input.  More than 80% are currently employed, including a sampling of those who commute into the county for work.  In addition, nearly 130 Ft. Scott and Uniontown school students gave their thoughts on their education and careers.

“This workforce assessment provides a lot of on the ground input from companies, employees, those that might want to come back to a job and students that will help our staff and board develop ways to improve our overall workforce,” said Harrington.  Harrington noted the input from surveys helps fill in the gaps that the extensive statistical data in the report doesn’t address.  “The data can tell us a lot about how we are doing in Bourbon County, how we compare to our surrounding counties and other areas on things like wages and how many people commute in and out for work.  But it doesn’t tell us things like how employers view the skills of the workforce and what skills they think are important and, on the other side, how satisfied employees are with their current work and their own levels of skills,” noted Harrington.

The workforce assessment was conducted by O’Brian & Associates, an economic and workforce development consulting firm based in Joplin, MO.  Along with the on-the ground input and statistical data, the firm’s report also provides a series of recommendations as a starting point for action.  “They gave us good observations on where we are today and what our employers and employees, including our future workforce, needs to be successful.  From that they gave us a variety of recommendations on improving training, connecting students to employers, better supporting existing employers and engaging those not currently in the workforce,” said Harrington.  “Now it’s up to our staff and board to look at priorities as well as key partners such as the school districts, Ft. Scott Community College, Chamber of Commerce and others to start the work in the new year,” he added.

“It was a pleasure working with the Bourbon County REDI team and having such great response from companies, residents and students,” said Rob O’Brian, founder of O’Brian & Associates.  “Bourbon County has strong manufacturing, health care, education and agriculture sectors that have provided good job opportunities and good education options for many years.  This study gives REDI a starting point for improving what it has, adding new options and ensuring residents have good jobs and companies have skilled employees into the future.”

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Bourbon County, Food, Jobs

Lack Of Agriculture Workforce Is Inhibiting Growth

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A lack of a skilled agriculture workforce is a top inhibitor of growth and expansion for many Kansas agriculture entities. To help support growth in agriculture, the Kansas Department of Agriculture seeks to help the industry better understand workforce needs among agricultural employers in the state. To link the supply of human capital to the needs of Kansas agribusiness enterprises, KDA conducted the second Kansas Agriculture Workforce Needs Assessment Survey in 2022. The survey was analyzed by the Agricultural Land Use Survey Center at Kansas State University.

The survey was emailed to over 25,000 businesses with 1,192 choosing to participate. Participating businesses employ 27,466 individuals in Kansas and 9,244 outside of Kansas. Respondents were asked to self-select the major category that applied to their business.

“We are committed to growing agriculture in Kansas, and that centers around a reliable and capable workforce,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “We know recruiting and retaining skilled, talented workers to fill critical roles is a priority of the agriculture industry in our state.”

The survey findings will be used along with action items developed at the Kansas Summit on Agricultural Growth, which was held in August, to help direct KDA’s vision in serving the farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses of Kansas. Employers and state agencies need to work together to find or develop programs so that businesses may implement successful on-the-job training. By working with secondary schools and postsecondary educational institutions, the agriculture industry can develop beneficial partnerships that will help teach the skills and content needed by employers and will help the industry gain access to trained future employees.

To view the final report from the survey, go to agriculture.ks.gov/workforce. For more information, please contact Russell Plaschka, Director of KDA Ag Marketing Division, at 785-564-7466 or [email protected].

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Agriculture Workforce Survey Results Complete.pdf

Fort Scott, Jobs

Dale Wiley: A Handyman

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One of the 18 sewing machines that Marie Wiley has in her husbands shop.

Dale Wiley loved to tinker.

Dale Wiley. Submitted.

“He was handy and clever,” said his wife of 60 years said. “And he was pretty talented.”

Marie Wiley.

For over 23 years, Dale served on the Fort Scott Fire Department as a firefighter. But in his spare time, he began repairing sewing machines. Marie Wiley, his wife is a talented seamstress, who worked at Country Cupboard for several decades.

Before working at Country Cupboard, Marie worked for Helen Carson, owner of Helen’s Fabric,  and Helen asked Dale to repair sewing machines.

“He went to Bernina School in K.C. and also to training in Las Vegas for training,” Marie said. At first he repaired only Bernina’s, but began to tinker with other brands.

TWo of the Wiley sewing machines.

“Sometimes he would spend a couple of hours and sometimes a couple of weeks on a machine,” she said. “Sometimes he had to make machine parts. It had to be done right or he wasn’t going to do it.”

When Dale died on August 23, 2022, there remained 18 sewing machines in his shop that people had given him and he took on to repair.

A Brother Sewing Machine that Dale repaired.

“It was just a hobby for him to tinker around with,” she said.

Besides Bernina machines in the Wiley garage there are Singer, including two antiques, Brother, J.C. Penney, Montgomery Wards, Sears Kenmore, and Husquana Brands, along with two Singers for leather work and two sergers.  A serger trims the seam and encloses the seam allowance or edge of the fabric, inside a thread casing, all in one step, according to thesprucecrafts.com.

A serger that Dale Wiley repaired.

“He repaired no computerized sewing machines, just the heavier old ones with no nylon gears,” Marie said.

One of the sewing machines that sews on leather.

Marie also has eight sewing machines in her sewing room in the house and continues to create cloth heirlooms for her family.

As with her husband, small appliance repair options are dying.

“Small appliance repair is a dying art,” Marie said. “Everything is made to be thrown away when it doesn’t work.”

For more information about the machines, contact Marie at 620.215.2014.

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Jobs, Schools, Youth

FSHS Organization to Sponsor Job Fair

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Photo by Kaleb Bailey.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The Fort Scott High School Chapter of SkillsUSA is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, April 25, 2023 from 8 a.m. to noon in the high school auxiliary gym.

The purpose is to acquaint students with career opportunities available in the region. Michelle Laubenstein is the advisor for the group and can be reached at [email protected] or call 620.223.0600.

 

The FSHS SkillsUSA club is one of 23 Fort Scott High School  student organizations, here is a list of the rest.

Ascension Via Christi, Jobs

Ascension Via Christi: on List of America’s Best Employers

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Ascension Via Christi Kansas’ best overall, best hospital and health system employers, says Forbes

Last week, Forbes released its 2022 list of “America’s Best Employers by State” across all industries. Nationwide, 262 hospitals and health systems made the cut.

Ascension ranked No. 15 out of all Kansas employers and was one of only three hospitals/health systems to make the list in Kansas. Ascension Via Christi was the only healthcare employer in Wichita.

“Being named one of the state’s best employers is a direct representation of our amazing associates doing their meaningful work in a positive environment,” says Kevin Strecker, Ascension Via Christi’s chief executive officer. “It’s even more impressive given that it is based on feedback from our associates and that of other Kansas businesses’ employees.”

To compile its list, Forbes, in collaboration with market research company Statista, surveyed 70,000 employees working for businesses with more than 500 employees. A total of 1,382 employers in varying industries were ranked, with multi-state employers being able to be ranked more than once.

All the surveys were anonymous, allowing participants to openly share their opinions and rate their employers on a variety of criteria, including fair pay, safe working conditions, inclusive culture, remote work benefits and diversity initiatives. Respondents then were asked how likely they’d be to recommend their employer to others and to nominate organizations in industries outside their own.

Forbes then ranked the 1,382 employers with the greatest number of recommendations in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Other recent recognitions include:

  • Ascension Via Christi St. Francis having been named by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Regional Hospital for 2022-2023, the only Wichita hospital and one of a dozen Ascension hospitals nationwide to make the list.
  • Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph and Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan having made U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.
  • Numerous recent accreditations, including Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg being re-accredited as a Level III Trauma Center following a survey with zero deficiencies and Ascension Via Christi St. Francis was re-accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. It also received re-accreditation for adult autologous hematopoietic progenitor and a first-time accreditation of immune effector cellular therapies by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. Additionally, St. Francis’ ER became an accredited Geriatric Emergency Department — making it the second in Wichita and fifth Ascension Via Christi ER with that distinction.

“The challenges facing healthcare providers nationwide are daunting after two years of a pandemic like no other in our lifetime,” says Strecker. “This latest recognition is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our associates to a Mission that has endured for more than 135 years.

“They are the foundation of our ministry. It is through their collaboration with our Medical Staff, volunteers and community partners that our hospitals and clinics are a great place to give and receive care.”

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About Ascension Via Christi

 

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Jobs

Need Money: Job Fair Today at FSCC’s Elllis Center

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JOB FAIR

FORT SCOTT – BOURBON COUNTY

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31ST

10AM-2PM

ELLIS FINE ARTS CENTER ON THE CAMPUS OF

FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2108 S. HORTON ST.

STOP BY TO APPLY OR JUST VISIT WITH LOCAL EMPLOYERS!  ALL ARE WELCOME!
Employers registered include the following,

for a printable flyer click here:

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)

Ascension Via Christi

CHC/SEK – Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Crossland Construction

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

Heartland Behavioral Health

Integrity Home Care and Hospice

Kansas Department of Transportation

Labconco

MyShift, Inc.

Nevada Regional Medical Center

Niece Products

Peerless Products

Sharky’s Pub & Grub

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center

T-Mobile

Twister Trailer

USD-234 School District

Valu Merchandisers Company

Walmart

Ward-Kraft, Inc.
Positions Available

Thank you to the employers below who have

registered to have a booth at the Job Fair!
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
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Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Jobs

Local Job Fair August 31at the FSCC Ellis Center

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JOB FAIR
FORT SCOTT – BOURBON COUNTY
NEXT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31ST
10AM-2PM
ELLIS FINE ARTS CENTER ON THE CAMPUS OF
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2108 S. HORTON ST.
Employers registered so far include the following,
any employers wanting to register may click here:
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
Ascension Via Christi
Crossland Construction
Heartland Behavioral Health
Kansas Department of Transportation
Labconco
MyShift
Nevada Regional Medical Center
Niece Products
Peerless Products
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
USD-234 School District
Valu Merchandisers Company
Ward-Kraft, Inc.
Positions Available
Thank you to the employers below who have registered to have a booth at the Job Fair! Any other employers wanting to attend may click here!
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Government, Jobs

Update on Jail Staff Shortage

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Bob Reed is the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Administrator. Taken from the jail’s website.

On June 16, 2022, Bourbon County Jail Administrator Bob Reed announced that inmates are being sent to other counties, because of staffing shortages.

On that day he announced that approximately 56 inmates out of 65 are being housed elsewhere, with a  cost to the county of $40 per day per inmate.

Reed said he and Sheriff Bill Martin are still working on the problem.

“As of 08-01-2022 we have 30 inmates (out of 54) being housed out,” Reed said. ” Depending on the county that is $35-45 per inmate per day.”

Currently, there are 24 being housed in Bourbon County with the rest in Allen, Cherokee, and Wilson County’s jails, according to the jail’s daily reports.

The Bourbon County Law Enforcement staff are still transporting inmates for hearings, etc.

“Some hearings are done by zoom and some are done in person,” Reed said.  ” The ones that are done in person are obviously transported here from the county they are being housed in and then transported back.”

“I currently have nine employees,” he said. “Three to five more will get us going.” Sixteen would make the jail fully staffed, he said.

“I have not been fully staffed for a long time,” he said.

Since June Sheriff Bill Martin and Reed have worked to raise the base pay from $12.50  an hour to $14.50 an hour, he said.

He said the county offers standard benefits of eye, health, dental, major medical insurance, sick time, and vacation.

Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin works at his desk at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, Fort Scott.

To view the prior story:

Bo Co Jail Inmates Moved to Other Counties

Bourbon County, Government, Jobs

USDA $202,000 Grant For Healthy Bourbon County Action Team

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United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Director for Rural Development Christy Davis today announced that USDA is investing $2,268,200 toward eight community projects across the state.

Project details of today’s eight announcements are:

  • A $33,000 grant will assist Thrive Allen County, Inc. with a Feasibility Study to create an incubator/accelerator space for Allen County. The space would increase economic development by creating an inviting, supportive space for entrepreneurs in the area.
  • A $202,000 grant will assist The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, in conjunction with partners Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center and Kansas Works, expand services to small businesses. Assistance provided will include access to local employment opportunities, increased access in business education, workforce development, and job training opportunities. It is anticipated that 100 full time jobs will be created.
  • A $30,200 grant will help purchase a fully equipped patrol vehicle to enhance the work of the City of South Hutchinson‘s Police Department.
  • A $55,000 loan and a $35,000 grant will help purchase four transportation vehicles for individuals with developmental disabilities in Marshall and Washington Counties. The three transport vehicles and one maintenance truck will replace older vehicles with high mileage and high maintenance costs. Once all the vehicles are put into service, they will meet the basic needs of the individuals with developmental disabilities for many years to come.
  • A $577,000 loan and a $291,000 grant will provide additional funding for renovating the water and sewer system in the City of Caney. Funds previously obligated for this project include $600,000 from the Kansas Department of Commerce and loans and grants totaling $4,765,800 from USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal.
  • A $24,000 grant will be used toward an engineer to evaluate the current wastewater system for the City of Susank. A preliminary Engineering Report will outline any appropriate corrective actions needed.
  • A $479,000 loan and a $512,000 grant will supplement previous funding for improvements to the water supply system of the City of Caldwell.  Funds already assigned to this project include a prior award from Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan in the amount of $1,558,000 and Kansas Department of Commerce-Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $600,000. This project ensures that the city will have safe and reliable water for many years to come.
  • A $30,000 grant will be used to evaluate the wastewater collection system and treatment facility in La Harpe. An engineer will evaluate the current system and propose a plan for repairing and modernizing the water system. Once completed the city will have the information needed to develop a final wastewater system project.