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New Kansas Workforce Grant Programs
Department of Commerce announces $30 Million in New Workforce Grant Programs
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced $30 million will be made available under the Aviation Learning Opportunities & Funded Training (ALOFT) and Delivering Residents and Workforce (DRAW) grant programs. The ALOFT program will provide $20 million in funding for training development and expansions requiring new job opportunities in the aviation and aerospace industry. The DRAW program will provide $10 million in funding for training development for high demand employers, such as healthcare, education, technology-based, and entities working with persons with disabilities. A priority for the DRAW program is to increase new residents from out-of-state.
The funds were designated by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee and approved by the State Finance Council in December.
“The state’s unprecedented surge in new economic opportunities for businesses is creating next-generation jobs and careers for Kansans,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These new funding sources will allow targeted investments in people that align with the needs of Kansas companies, while also growing our talented workforce by attracting more people to the state.”
ALOFT applications can include construction costs for on-site training facilities, vendor training on machinery and equipment, supervisor and management salaries directly related to training, marketing and activities to encourage youth participation in aviation and aerospace careers, and participation costs in the Kansas Registered Apprenticeship and Workforce AID programs. Awardees will have two years to complete their projects and utilize all awarded funds.
Eligible ALOFT applicants include:
- Aviation and aerospace manufacturers
- Supply chain manufacturers that provide services, equipment and manufacturing for eligible aviation and aerospace manufacturers
- Locally and city-owned airports.
DRAW applications can include construction of on-site training facilities, vendor training costs, machinery and equipment used solely for training, course development costs, and marketing and attraction costs to attract talent to Kansas. Awardees will have two years to complete their projects and utilize all awarded funds.
Eligible DRAW applicants include:
- Mobile workforce training providers
- Healthcare providers
- Education providers
- Technology-based businesses
- Employers working with the blind, visually, or hearing impaired, or persons with disabilities
- Employers hiring for positions determined as “high demand and high wage” from the Kansas Department of Labor.
The ALOFT and DRAW grant applications both open at 2:00 p.m. today, with submissions closing at 11:59 p.m. Monday, April 24, for both programs.
Informational webinars will be available to the public, with ALOFT’s webinar beginning at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 16, and DRAW’s webinar beginning at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 17. Registration for the webinars and guidelines for the grant applications can be found at www.kansascommerce.gov/aloft and www.kansascommerce.gov/draw.
Applicants can contact [email protected] for any questions regarding this funding opportunity.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
Fresh Produce Pre-Order Sales Began This Month In Bronson
In most small towns, fresh produce nearby is hard to come by, unless you grow your own.
Thaddeus and Kelly Perry have started a service that allows people to order fresh fruits and veggies ahead of time, then pick up at their Bronson store, Perry’s Pork Rinds and General Store.
The store is located on Hwy. 54 that goes through the town, east to west. Bronson is in the rural western part of Bourbon County.
The box of produce will typically cost $15 and have a variety of approximately 15 lbs. of fresh fruits and veggies, with prices subject to change based on the cost of food.
Depending on what fruit and vegetables are in season and what their pricing is, will decide what is in the boxes, Kelly Perry said.
For the next distribution of fresh veggies and fruits, today, March 13,
is the deadline for a March 17 pick-up order.
“This is something that is not only smart for our business to attract more foot traffic into the door, but also valuable for the community to not have to travel to get fresh produce,” Kelly said. “This fits in line exactly with what Thaddeus and I have always said, we will invest back into our community locally.”
Perry’s Produce is a Bourbon County community program designed to make affordable bundles of fresh produce regularly available in their town and the surrounding area.
“This saves residents time and money shopping while helping them eat healthier,” Kelly said.
This Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Initiative works with a program coordinator, in this case, The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT), located in Fort Scott.
“(BCBS)Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Initiative works with 24 communities across the state of Kansas,”HBCAT President and CEO Jody Hoener said. The HBCAT and the Perry’s worked together on ways to improve health in the community by awarding the Perry’s a $20,000 grant for a five year commitment to the food program for rural citizens.
“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team has worked since 2016 to build up and support local food systems,” Hoener said. “We are thrilled to have Perry’s Produce as a partner in our efforts to increase access to healthier food options.”
With the funds, they are purchasing grocery shelves that will have a larger capacity to hold even more groceries, pet supplies, home goods, toiletries and more so families do not have to travel into “town” to get something they need, saving them time and money, Perry said.
Shelving for produce distribution and storage, scales, and a printer/date labeler for the fresh grab-and-go salads, sandwiches and deli items, will all be purchased as a direct result of this grant.
The Perry’s, HBCAT and Pathways started researching a program, KSTATE’s Simply Produce program, around eight months ago via zoom calls and emails and in-person meetings.
The first distribution date of the produce was March 3.
“We distributed 61 bundles to members of the community,” Kelly said. “There was a clerical error at the produce company and we ended up having to improvise, so some folks got double on certain items to still fulfill our end of the deal versus them not getting a bundle at all. There will be learning curves and this is new, so we are working hard to combat all of those curves.”
“We’ll try to source locally as much as possible for this program,” Kelly said. “Some models are based on weight, others base off a set number of items in their bundles and we will work with this over the next few months to see what works best and gives shoppers the most bang for their buck. Inside each bundle will also be a recipe card provided by K-State Southwest Extension District Snap Education.”
The bundles are currently being placed in reusable grocery bags provided by K-State Southwest Extension Snap Ed. Division, she said.
The pre-paid bundles can be picked up over the next five years on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during open store hours.
The bundles are $15 each, plus tax.
“ALL bundles are pre-ordered and pre-pay unless you’re an EBT/SNAP user,” Kelly said.
“Due to regulations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture EBT/SNAP users cannot prepay for food. EBT/SNAP users can come in or call in and place their orders and pay on pick up days,” she said.
“Each buyer will get a receipt with their pick up date written at the top and we will print a second copy for the store and have the customer write their name and number on the receipt,” she said
“If you have not picked up your receipt by 2 p.m. we will call or text the number for a reminder,” she said. “When you arrive in the store, you will sign the book showing you came to pick up your order.”
Those that wish to purchase online:
First Time Home Buyer Help
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 13
Bourbon County Democrats Meet March 19
Join Bourbon County Democrats on Sunday, March 19th to discuss Education in the state of Kansas with Representative Mari-Lynn Poskin at the Bourbon County Democrats General Meeting.
The meeting will be held 2-4 p.m. in Room H121 of the Ellis Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
Please text Carol MacArthur at 620 215 1505 for more information or a ride to the meeting!
Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
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St. Martin’s Academy Featured at Common Ground Coffee Shop This Friday
Common Ground Coffee Co. presents the students of Saint Martin’s Academy, 1950 Indian Road, this Friday. The concert will be a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day featuring vocal solos, duets, and ensemble numbers. The music department is under the direction of Dave Agee and Daniel Kerr.
The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at 12 E. Wall Street. The show is free and open to the public. Bring a friend and join us for an enjoyable evening of young and lively music!
Unforgettable One-Liners by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
When I watch a movie or hear a sermon, I listen for those great one-liners. Here’s a few favorites that quickly come to mind: “Yo, Adrian, I did it!” “Houston, we have a problem.” “Right turn, Clyde.” “You can’t ride two horses with one butt” (refer to Matthew 6:24). The John Wayne movie, “Chisum,” has a scene where his herd of horses has been stolen by a band of marauders. Chisum (Wayne) catches up with the horse thieves, approaches the ring leader and boldly says, “Those animals are mine.” The red-handed bandit replies, “Oh, there must be some mistake here.” Chisum responds, “You made it.” Oh yah, that’s my favorite one-liner in the whole movie, bar none.
A beloved one-sentence verse in the Bible is: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). This scripture is the gospel in a nutshell. Here‘s another good one, “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8 NLT). God is the source of all real love, so everyone who is like Him will have a spirit of love. We maintenance our vehicles, so we should understand the importance of checking our love. Is there even any showing on the dipstick?
Everyone likes the cheery one-liners in God’s Word, and rightly so. Believers are encouraged and strengthened by reading the Bible. But we need to read the whole truth and not just the parts we like. There are sobering scriptures we must not neglect to study and reflect on. Jesus is teaching His followers what true disciples are and explains, “Not everyone who calls out to Me, ’Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ’Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.’ But I will reply, ’I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God’s laws’” (Matthew 7:21-23 NLT).
In the words of Piglet, “Oh dddear!” I sure never want to hear that one-liner spoken to me — nor to anyone, especially my family and friends. I’ve heard it said that God is too loving to send people to hell. That’s true. Because of pride, people send themselves to hell by rejecting God’s love and not believing on Jesus. I’d say that would be the biggest mistake anyone could make. Our job, as disciples and harvest workers, is to love people into heaven by practicing God’s Word. Everybody gets a one-shot lifetime on planet earth followed by an unchangeable eternity in heaven or hell. So we better get it right. The good news is that, while there’s breath, the Holy Spirit is working diligently to convince everyone to repent, change, and accept and follow Jesus.
Let’s keep our relationship with God healthy and strong so we can offer life-giving encouragement and love to others. Believers are called to help people grasp the truth that Jesus came to forgive, restore, and give abundant life to all who choose to accept Him. Make no mistake, choosing and genuinely following Jesus is the only way not to hear, “Sorry, I never knew you” at the Judgment.
The Key: Possibly the best one-liner for true disciples is, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God“ (Matthew 5:8 NLT).
Fort Scott High School Tiger Newsletter Spring 2023
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More Herbs, Less Salt
By Clara Wicoff
Southwind Extension District
Did you know that herbs offer numerous health benefits in addition to increasing flavor in foods and beverages? In contrast, eating too much sodium (which is a mineral that’s found in salt) can raise your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, our bodies do require a small amount of sodium each day for vital functions like contracting and relaxing muscles. However, most Americans consume far more than is needed. According to the American Heart Association, over 70% of the sodium we eat is from packaged, prepared, and restaurant foods. This means that it isn’t just coming from our salt shakers (although an estimated 11% of the sodium we eat does come from the salt we add in while cooking or while food is on our plates).
So, what can you do to reduce your sodium intake? Try buying low-sodium food options at the grocery store, tasting your food before deciding to add salt, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables (which are naturally salt-free), and using herbs and spices to flavor foods instead of salt.
In addition to reducing sodium intake, the last option in that list also has the added benefit of providing other health benefits! What exactly are the health benefits of consuming herbs and spices? To start, many herbs and spices contain antioxidants which help our bodies fight off chronic diseases. Some (such as turmeric) contain anti-inflammatory compounds which combat inflammation. Furthermore, some herbs and spices (such as cinnamon, clove, cumin, oregano, and thyme) contain antibacterial and antifungal compounds. Finally, there are some (like ginger) which can be used as an antiemetic agent to prevent vomiting. Chamomile and peppermint also have anti-nausea properties. To learn more, visit bit.ly/EatMoreHerbs.
Interested in learning even more about the health benefits of cooking with herbs and how you can grow your own herbs at home? The Southwind Extension District is hosting an educational program which will cover all of this and more this spring! The program, entitled “Herbs – From Plant to Plate,” will be offered at the 4-H Community Building in Yates Center on April 5th at 6 PM and at Buck Run Community Center in Fort Scott on April 6th at 12 PM.
For more information, please contact Clara Wicoff at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and emp
Bo Co Coalition Minutes of March 1
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting
March 1, 2023
- Welcome: Twenty members representing sixteen agencies attended. The Coalition Board will be meeting next week to finalize the applications for the swim pass program. Applications will be available at The Beacon and Buck Run throughout the month of April.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Sandy Haggard, RSVP: Sandy sent word that the next Red Cross blood drive will be April 19 and 20; please contact her to volunteer for a two-hour shift.
- DeeDee LeFever, Greenbush: DeeDee helps match resources with needs.
- Dawn Cubbison, Aetna Better Health of Kansas: She is available to share information about Medicaid redetermination which will start next month.
- Elizabeth Schafer, Pioneer Kiwanis and CASA: both organizations need volunteers; CASA does not have enough volunteers to support the children they have been assigned.
- Dave Gillen, The Beacon: They continue to receive produce on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; clients can shop on the back porch. They also help with rent and utility assistance and have a limited number of taxi passes. Beacon hours are 9:00 – 1:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- LeaLay Karleskint, K-State Snap Ed: She is still looking for partners to provide space for her classes which provide nutrition education.
- Lisa Robertson, COPE and CHC: COPE works with partners to help people find resources. The COPE grant runs until December, 2023; they are now working on the extension. They have been able to help 219 individuals in less than one year.
- Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army: Alan is able to do some things to help that are not the usual types of assistance. He is working with a new program: SSVF = Supplemental Services for Veterans families. This organization helps veterans find housing.
- Christine Abbott, SEK Works: Christine works with ages 16-24 with GED, training, work experience; she can also help with resumes. The office is located within the HBCAT office with hours Monday through Friday.
- Tammy Alcantar, Crawford County Health Department: For the Baby and Me Tobacco Free program, Tammy comes to Fort Scott to meet wherever the mom feels comfortable. Her pre-natal program can now do tours of the labor and delivery units at Via Christi.
- Lindsey McNeil, KU COPE grant: The Local Health Equity Action Team has been able to provide freezers for Feeding Families and make partial payment for windows at the Senior Citizens Center. The team stresses homeless housing and transportation. Meetings are every other Thursday from 6-7; contact any COPE person to become involved or Rachel Carpenter at the HBCAT office.
- Amy Hagan, Family Support Specialist at CHC: her main function is to provide support for mothers.
- Maggie Young, Bourbon County Community Engagement Manager for CHC will be doing canned food drives in the near future.
- Nick Johnson, USD 234 PreSchool: Screening this month will be on March 24; the Spring Fling on April 6; Kindergarten Round-Up on April 19; PreSchool Round-Up on May 5. The community is working to start a Childcare Coalition; please contact Nick if you wish to be involved.
- Kelli Mengarelli, Early Childhood Block Grant: Kelli partners with childcare providers to ensure quality child care.
- Michelle Stevenson: Her program is full right now but she will always take referrals. Michelle works within the preschool building with children prenatal through age 6.
- Amy Boyd: Amy is actively working on finding additional quality childcare for children aged newborn to three.
- Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: She has a total of 190 units; right now there is a wait list for all size units, but applications, based on income, can still be made. The Housing Authority has office hours Monday throught Friday.
- Melanie Wiles, Gentiva Hospice: Gentiva will host a resource fair on April 7, 9-11 a.m. in Homer Cole, Pittsburg. A Community Healthcare partner, Autumn Green, an attorney, will be talking about advance directives.
- Program: Bailey Lyons, Meredith Tucker, and Katie Hueston provided information about the first completely accessible park in Fort Scott: the Splash Pad. Although they still have about $40,000 to raise, they plan to have the park operational by Good ‘Ol Days. The park will be free of charge and open from dawn to dusk. Once the Splash Pad is installed and functional, they will begin on Phase 2 which will include fencing and bathrooms.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
- Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be April 5, at 1:00 p.m. Carson Felt and an ensemble from the FSHS orchestra will present our program.
FS Streets and Parks Have Vacant Position on Advisory Boards
STREETS ADVISORY BOARD
There are TWO (2) openings on the Fort Scott Street Advisory Board to fill vacated positions. The function of the Board is to provide suggestions to the City Commission regarding road improvement projects throughout the City of Fort Scott. When submitting your letter/email of interest, please provide any specific knowledge or training you have that would complement you being a member of this Board. All Boards and Commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Currently the Streets Board meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at 4:00PM at City Hall. If you would like more information please contact Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at [email protected] or by calling 620.223.0550. Please submit your Letter of Interest by 4:00PM on April 12th, 2023.
FORT SCOTT PARKS ADVISORY BOARD:
There is ONE (1) opening on the Fort Scott Parks Advisory Board. The function of the Fort Scott Parks Board Committee is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and Governing Body regarding all the parks within the City of Fort Scott. All boards and commissions of Fort Scott serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Currently the Parks Board meets quarterly at 4:00 PM at City Hall. If you have a desire to serve on this board, please submit a Letter of Interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected]. The names and letters will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission.
Please submit your letter of interest by 4:00 PM on April 3rd, 2023.