Business, Fort Scott

Firstsource Transitions Employees to Work From Home And Plans A Move

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Firstsource is currently located in the Fort Scott Industrial Park. but is moving the office to town.

At a recent Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee event, Micheal Bryant announced that Firstsource Solutions USA, 4500 Campbell Drive, is transitioning to work-from-home for its employees.

The business leadership is also devising a plan to move from the industrial park to the city of Fort Scott and add more employees.

Micheal Bryant, Firstsource Solutions Vice-President of Operations. Submitted photo.

 

Bryant is vice president of operations for the business which provides for its’ clients services of claims adjudication, data entry and customer service calls.

 

“Firstsource has been deploying work-from-home for several years within the Fort Scott location,” Bryant said in an email interview with fortscott.biz.  “The opportunity for employees to work-from-home has been very well received by our team members.”

 

” The transition is a business decision that will improve our retention rates, employee satisfaction,  and performance of our team members,” Bryant said.

 

“The entire Fort Scott office will be involved in the migration,” he said. “There are other offices within Firstsource that are migrating to a work-from-home environment but (it is) not  a company-wide initiative.”

 

“The work-from-home staff will be providing services of claims adjudication, customer service, and data entry for our existing customers,” Bryant said.

 

At the Chamber Coffee, Bryant said the business would have a smaller footprint in Fort Scott.

 

“Firstsource is currently in negotiations on a small facility for training and meetings,” he said. “We hope to finalize the lease in the next couple of weeks. Once we have finalized the lease we will be able to communicate the new Firstsource location. The move is currently scheduled for late December of this year.”

 

The business will be moving from the industrial park.

“The current facility that we are negotiating with is within the city of Fort Scott,” Bryant said.

 

The business will also be adding more employees shortly.

 

“The alternative facility will be leveraged for the training of existing employees as well as new employees,” he said.  “The facility will enable Firstsource to continue to grow with the Fort Scott area. We have plans to add a significant number of additional staff members in the next several months.”

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee At Old Fort Auto July 23

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The Chamber Coffee will be hosted by
Old Fort Auto
VISIT THE OLD FORT AUTO FACEBOOK PAGE!
Click HERE for the Old Fort Auto Website to check out their Inventory of almost new Used Cars!
Chamber Members & Guests are welcome
to make any announcement for $1 to the Chamber about their business or organization including events, new products, promotions, or any other specials!
You may wear a mask at your own discretion.
Social distancing is encouraged.
Upcoming Chamber Coffee Schedule:
  • 7/30 – Up Dog Yoga – Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony immediately following the Coffee!
AUGUST ANNOUNCER & COMPASS:
DARCY SMITH
  • 8/6 – Open – Call the Chamber to reserve this date at 620-223-3566!
  • 8/13 – Medicalodges of FS – TBA
  • 8/20 – Open – Call the Chamber to reserve this date at 620-223-3566!
  • 8/27 – Fort Scott Washateria
Government, Kansas

Kansas Eco Devo Acceleration Efforts

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Governor Laura Kelly and Department of Commerce Launch New Kansas Certified Sites Program

 

TOPEKA—Governor Laura Kelly today announced the Department of Commerce’s launch of the new Kansas Certified Sites program, a critical tool that will help accelerate economic development efforts throughout the state.

 

The new program will let developers know when the state has deemed a potential site ideal for investment and development. Kansas Certified Site designations are appealing to investors and site selectors because the certification:

  • provides important background information on a site’s availability, utilities, site access, environmental records and site development costs;
  • encourages faster site selection decisions; and
  • can help undeveloped “greenfield,” or expansion projects get started.

 

“The Kansas Certified Sites program will be a helpful tool in recruiting and expanding businesses, as we continue growing our state’s economy and working to safely keep Kansas open for business,” Governor Laura Kelly said.

 

“Businesses need certainty and predictability when they’re making investment decisions, and that’s exactly what the Kansas Certified Site designation provides,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Once certified, contractors looking to build and companies looking for a location know that a site is shovel ready. That’s a huge advantage for businesses and communities in this highly competitive marketplace.”

 

The Kansas Certified Site designation is valid for three years, unless the property is sold or leased within that time. To obtain the designation, communities must undergo a stringent review process that demonstrates they have addressed a defined set of prerequisites, including:

 

  • Ownership information
  • Property information
  • Environmental and cultural information
  • Access information
  • Community information

 

Successful recipients of the Kansas Certified Site designation receive many benefits, including marketing and investment attraction support. The Kansas Certified Site program will be incorporated into a variety of marketing campaigns and strategies that attract investors, which may also include:

 

  • A profile on the Kansas Department of Commerce website
  • Visibility on Kansas Department of Commerce social media channels

 

In addition, the Department of Commerce has entered into a contract with LocationOne, a respected sites and buildings database service, which will allow all communities in Kansas to post their sites and buildings to a national website to be viewed by developers across the U.S.

 

Communities are encouraged to certify available sites, as this will ensure the sites’ inclusion in Commerce Business Recruitment responses to prospective client RFPs. Certification of a site will ensure that it is seen by national and international businesses and developers.

Applications for the Kansas Certified Sites program are accepted year-round. To learn more about the program, visit www.kansascommerce.gov/certifiedsites. To express interest in the program, or for more information, please contact:

 

Program Manager

Susan NeuPoth Cadoret

[email protected]

785-296-7198

Fort Scott

FS Community Foundation 2020 Grant Cycle Begins

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Fort Scott Area Community Foundation announces their grant cycle for 2020

The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce that the grant cycle for 2020 is here. We will be taking applications from now until August 31st. This year, we will be awarding over $42,000.00 to local not-for-profits for projects to benefit our community. A certain dollar amount of the awards is reserved for projects that benefit our youth. Maximum grant to any one project is $5,000.00.

Applications can be obtained by sending an email to [email protected]. Please use the same email address to submit any questions you might have. Completed applications must be received by 5:00PM, August 31st.

Grant Application Guidelines

• Program Oriented

Do the funds support a new or enhanced service to the community? Generally, Grants are not for the purpose of funding core budget items, capital improvements or the purchase of real estate.

• Organizational capacity

Do you have confidence in the organization, as described in the application, to carry out the program?

• Soundness of proposed strategies

Will the program adequately address the need as it was described in the application?

• Resource efficiency

Is the program taking advantage of available resources? Are they collaborating?

• Appropriateness of budget

Will the program use the funds effectively? Is the budget clear and accurate?

• Plan for program evaluation

Does the program have the ability to evaluate its successes? How will they monitor the program?

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government

Bourbon County Agenda For July 21 Special Meeting

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: July 21, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THE FIRST FLOOR LOBBY. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

1:50 Commission, Renew Covid-19 Public Health Emergency Resolution

Obituary

Obituary of Ralph Johnson

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Ralph F. Johnson, Sr., age 98, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2020, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

He was born August 24, 1921, in Drumright, Oklahoma, the son of Perry L. Johnson and Ethel M. Coffman Johnson.  Ralph graduated from the Mildred High School with the Class of 1940.

He married Dorothy L. Williams on March 14, 1941, at Iola, Kansas.  Ralph served with the United States Navy during World War II.

He later worked for twenty-eight years for Johnston Pump where he served as sales manager.

Ralph was a life member of the Bronson Masonic Lodge.

 

Survivors include his three children, Connie Cherrybone, of Odessa, Texas; Ralph F. Johnson, Jr. and wife, Kathy, of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Gerald Johnson and wife, Sherrie, of Loveland, Colorado and nine grandchildren.  Also surviving are two sisters, Mary Mefford of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Jean Decker, of Bronson, Kansas and Terry Joe Johnson, of Iola, Kansas.

Ralph’s wife, Dorothy, preceded him in death on February 12, 2000.  He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Wisdom, three brothers, Gilbert Johnson, Perry Johnson and Paul Johnson and three sisters, Betty Clayton, Shirley Bolan and Pat Dawson.

 

Graveside services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, July 28th at the Bronson Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

COVID-19, Fort Scott, Government

City Accepting Applications From Local Businesses For COVID-19 Hardships

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The City of Fort Scott is still accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant – CV (CDBG-CV) grant program.

The City of Fort Scott was recently awarded $132,000 in CDBG-CV funding which will be granted to local businesses facing financial hardships due to COVID-19. Qualifying businesses may receive a maximum of $10,000 in grant funding, award allocation will be based on the number of jobs retained.

Businesses located within city limits, and with fewer than 50 employees, and as small as one employee may be eligible to apply. Awards will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. An application will only be considered once it is fully completed with all requested documentation required to support the requested funding. Recipients of the previous round of CDBG Emergency Response funding are not eligible for a CDBG-CV grant.

 

Grants may be considered for working capital expenses for a 60-day period. Funds can only be used for qualified expenses incurred after March 1, 2020. There may be no duplication of benefits. For instance, if a business has already received funds from the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), they may still qualify. However, funds cannot be used for the same need as was utilized under the PPP program.

 

City employees will review applications and make recommendations to the City Commission. The City Commission will approve/decline/adjust requests at a regularly scheduled public meeting.

The application process that was previously opened to sole proprietors, and self-employed individuals will open to all businesses on Thursday, July 24th at 8:00am. Application forms, and additional eligibility requirements may be found online at http://fscity.org/353/CDBG-CV. Hard copy applications, along with program parameters will also be available at City Hall, 123 S. Main St. Questions regarding the application process, and eligibility guidelines should be directed to Allyson Turvey, via email at [email protected], or by phone at (620) 223-0550.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

New Winfield Scott First-Grade Teacher: Alexandra VanSickle

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Alexandra VanSickle. Submitted photo.
Alexandra VanSickle, 29, is a new first-grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.
She received her education from Murray State University and Kansas State University and has previously taught fourth-grade.
VanSickle’s hometown is Murray, Kentucky.
“My husband, Carson Hunter, is the head football coach at Fort Scott Community College, that is what brought us to the area. We have four children: Liam, Izzy, Naomi, and Macy. We have just moved to the area in June. Previously, I was very involved in my church and local outreaches, I hope to establish the same relationships and opportunities to serve here in Fort Scott as I become more familiar with the area.”
Alexandra VanSickle and her husband Carson Hunter. Submitted photo.
How did you become an educator?
“I worked as a paralegal originally, and decided that wasn’t for me. After doing some volunteer work with young children, I realized my passion for helping students learn and succeed. I began working for the school district and went back to school as a non-traditional student.”
Is there someone who inspired you to teach?
“No one particular person, I have met a lot of incredible and inspiring teachers in my lifetime. I think my husband really encouraged and supported my dream to become a teacher though.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“The best part of teaching for me is the relationships you build with the students, their families, and the amazing educators you get to work with.”
What are the greatest challenges?
“The greatest challenges would also be building those relationships, since I’m not from this area I think it will be a little more difficult to build relationships with students and get to know their families and background so I can better serve them. While the most challenging, I believe it to be one of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher.”
Bourbon County

Bourbon County Team Selected for Healthy Kansas Program

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Selects The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team for Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Program in Bourbon County

TOPEKA, Kan. (July 20, 2020) — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) announces it has selected the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team in Bourbon County, along with 23 other communities in Kansas as grantees for its second phase of Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative. This includes 12 returning communities that were selected in the initiative’s first phase of grants.

 

Pathways to a Healthy Kansas is the largest community grant program ever funded by BCBSKS. Since the initiative began in 2016, BCBSKS has donated more than $11.7 million in grants and assistance to communities throughout Kansas. The Pathways program was created to inspire long-lasting, community-wide health and wellness in communities across Kansas.

 

“We are excited to recognize our second cohort of Pathways grantees,” said Matt All, president and CEO of BCBSKS. “We have been rooted in Kansas for over 75 years and have a commitment to our neighbors to strengthen the health of all Kansans. Through our Pathways initiative, we are making strides toward this goal by helping remove barriers to accessing healthy foods, increasing physical activity and preventing commercial tobacco use. We are thrilled to continue this program with our new Pathways grantees.”

 

The grant funding includes a coordination grant of $200,000 for each community.

 

In addition, Bourbon County community will have the opportunity to apply for non-competitive implementation grants amounting to $200,000, for a total of up to $400,000.

 

“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team has seen measurable success with resources from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Grant in the past four years. We look
forward to the next four years, working to make the healthy choice the default choice.” Jody Hoener, Coordinator Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.

The Pathways grant addresses the three behaviors of focus – physical activity, commercial
tobacco prevention, and healthy eating – that reduce the risk for serious health conditions though
six areas or work, or pathways.

The pathways include Community & Social Context,
Neighborhood & Physical Environment, Food, Healthcare, Education, and Economic Stability,
and strive to improve conditions that are the drivers of health in a community.

About The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team was created to coordinate community efforts and improve upon the health outcomes of Bourbon County. The Action Team consists of a cross-sector of members with a shared vision to improve the quality of life of Bourbon County residents, foster economic growth, and remove barriers to living healthy lifestyles. For more information, visit
http://www.bourboncountyks.org/healthy-bourbon-county-action-team/.

 

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas

For more than 75 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while
quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and
operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and
Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.

Bourbon County Local News