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Hoisington Chamber of Commerce January Newsletter
Take two!
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Thursday, January 1
Chamber Closed.
Tuesday, January 6th
Chamber offices closed to attend wKREDA meeting.
Wednesday, January 7th
5:30 - Chamber Board New Director Orientation @ Chamber
Thursday, January 8th 8 a.m. - Chamber Board of Directors Meeting @ Chamber
9:30 a.m. - Chamber Coffee hosted by Garry Dassow at the Chamber
Monday, January 12th
Banquet RSVP's "due"
Thursday, January 15th
9:30 a.m. - Chamber Coffee hosted by GA Consultants @ GA (257 S Main)
Noon - Chamber Ambassadors Meeting at Mi Tierra
Saturday, January 17th
6:30 p.m. - Annual Chamber Awards & Installation Banquet - See invite below.
Thursday, January 22nd
9:30 a.m. - Chamber Coffee - Wilson Communications @ Chamber
Thursday, January 29th
9:30 a.m. - Chamber Coffee hosted by Kans for Kids @ Chamber
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Friday, January 2nd
6:15 p.m. - Heartland Center for Spirituality "Movies with a Message" - See details below.
Saturday, January 3rd
7:30 p.m. - Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament - See details below.
Monday, January 5th
USD 431 - Classes Resume
7 p.m. - USD 431 Board Meeting
Saturday, January 10th
8 p.m - Texas Hold'Em Champion Bounty Poker Tourney - See details below.
Monday, January 12th
2-4 p.m. - Hoisington Food Bank Open - 467 W. 3rd
7:30 p.m. - City Council Meeting
Friday, January 16th
1 p.m - USD 431 Early Release
4:30 - HHS Homecoming Basketball game - v Nickerson
Saturday, January 17th
7-9 a.m. - Clara Barton Hospital Lab Fair - Turnbull Safe Room
Monday, January 19th
Begin of Cardinal Winter Jam week
5:30 p.m. - Clara Barton Auxiliary Meeting
Sunday, January 25th
2 p.m - KWEC Film Screening - See details below.
Monday, January 26th
4-6 p.m. - Food Bank open
7 p.m. - Clara Barton Hospital and Foundation Annual Meeting - Turnbull Safe Room
7:30 p.m. - City Council Meeting
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Take a moment to send a letter!
Barton Community College is developing carpentry and plumbing classes. They have to get approval from the Board of Regents, to do so and they require letters of support from employers who would value this education.
We are on a very tight timeline. I know that a lack of both plumbers and Carpenters/Contractors exists in many Communities. Please take the time to provide a "Letter of Support" for this program to be developed at BCCC.
The deadline in Jan. 9th, 2015!!!
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Movies with a Message
On Friday, January 2nd the first movie, Faustina, will be showing at the Heartland Center for Spirituality for the Spring series of "Movies with a Message."
In 2000, Sister Faustina was canonized as the first saint of the new millennium. This stirring and evocative film depicts her life, from her girlhood through miraculous healings and her evolution within the Catholic Church - based on Sister Faustina's own recording in her spiritual diary.
The movie begins at 6:15 in the Auditorium of the Motherhouse of
the Dominican Sisters of Peace.
Other movies in the series include:
Oh God! Bok II (January 30), October Sky (February 27), Life is Beautiful (March 27) and Powder (April 24).
A free will offering will be accepted to offset the cost of refreshments.
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 Cheyenne Bottoms Film Screening - January 25th
The Kansas Natural Resource Council announces the screening of the first film in a series of short documentaries on water in Kansas. "The Waters of Kansas - Cheyenne Bottoms" will be screened at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center in Great Bend on Sunday, January 25th at 2:00 pm. The films are meant to prompt discussion of Kansans' relationship with water as the state struggles to deal with water quality and quantity issues. Following the film will be a public discussion of local water issues moderated by Robert Penner, Cheyenne Bottoms & Avian Programs Manager for the Nature Conservancy and KNRC Board Member. Light refreshments will be provided and casual discussions encouraged following the formal program. The Education Center is located at Cheyenne Bottoms, 592 NE K-156 Hwy 10 miles NE of Great Bend. Please visit the KNRC website, knrc.weebly.com, to see clips from the films. The Kansas Humanities Council provided major funding for the project.
"KHC Humanities grants support projects that connect people with ideas and engage Kansans with the humanities," said Julie Mulvihill, executive director of the Kansas Humanities Council. "This series of short films and public screenings in Burlington, Colby, and Great Bend invite Kansans to consider and discuss contemporary water issues."
The Kansas Natural Resource Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote environmentally responsible practices and sustainable natural resource policies to ensure the quality and abundance of these resources for future generations of Kansans. For more information, visit www.knrc.weebly.com.
The Kansas Humanities Council is a nonprofit organization that supports community-based cultural programs, serves as a financial resource through an active grant-making program, and encourages Kansans to engage in the civic and cultural life of their communities. For more information, visit www.kansashumanities.org.
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2015 Board of Directors News
The Hoisington Chamber Board of Directors is excited to welcome our newest board members! Jerry Stoss, Danton Reidl and Nick Lomas begin their 3-year term with the board this month. Please share your congratulations with them if you see them around town!
We are also pleased to announce the Board Officers for 2015.
President - Kris Schneweis
1st Vice President - Kara Boxberger
2nd Vice President - Nick Lomas
Treasurer - Debbie Reif
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Knights of Columbus January Events
7:30 Saturday, January 3rd - Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament
$25 DONATION FOR $200 IN CHIPS
Everyone 21+ Welcome!
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 10th
Steak and Shrimp Dinner
8 p.m. - ANNUAL CHAMPION BOUNTY POKER TOURNEY
$100 DONATION - NO REBUY
KNOCK OUT A CHAMPION AND WIN THEIR $100 BOUNTY - ONE BOUNTY PER 10 PLAYERS.
90% PAY OUT!
$ 10.00 - Shrimp Dinner, $15.00 - Rib-Eye Steak Dinner,
$18.00 - Steak and Shrimp Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
EVERYONE INVITED TO DINNER!
HOISINGTON K. OF C. HALL - 114 N. MAIN
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 Annie Lomas has lived in Hoisington her entire life. She is married to Nick Lomas and is the mother of two children, Peyton, 6, who is in Kindergarten and Paislee, who is 4 1/2 months old. Annie has been a Hoisington Chamber Ambassador since 2013. Annie has worked at Landmark National Bank for about 5 years. Nick has been with Miller Lawn Service for 7 years and is the manager for the business. She has always loved to be involved with community events and really enjoys being with her friends and family. She and Nick also love bowling and hunting. Annie is a wonderful helper at many Chamber sponsored events and especially enjoys helping out at the Labor Day activities and the Mud Run. She and Nick both love being part of such a small community.
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Happy New Year, BCYP Members -
2015 Will be Better Than Ever!
It's finally 2015, and that means Barton County Young Professionals is entering its fourth year as a program of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development. Since November 2011, we've grown from 100 members to nearly 700 members! With new volunteers (see the sidebar at left) and big plans for making 2015 a year to remember, we hope you will continue to engage in our group and help us make Barton County a better place to live! Check out some of the awesome things scheduled for this year:
January:
Personal Development Lunch "Buying a Home" (See details below!)
Charity Supply Drive (Volunteers Needed for 1-Hr Shifts)
Fundraising for "The Tot Spot" Playground Equipment
February:
Networking Mixer Sponsored by Eldridge Fencing
March:
Personal Development Luncheon "Home Maintenance"
Casino Night Sponsored by Adams Brown Beran & Ball
May:
Wine Walk Fundraiser for "The Tot Spot"
Networking Mixer Sponsored by Sunflower Diversified Services
June:
Personal Development Luncheon "Education Options"
Half-Day Leadership Workshop
Preparations for Installation of "The Tot Spot" Playground
July:
Family Pool Party Sponsored by Hoisington Chamber
Personal Development Luncheon "Financial & Wealth Mgmt"
August:
Networking Mixer Sponsored by Barton Co. Historical Society
September:
Personal Development Luncheon "Healthcare Update"
October:
Family Fall Fest Event
November:
Networking Mixer Sponsored by Hutch Clinic
Personal Development Luncheon "Income Tax Planning Tips"
December:
Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
Be sure to join the Facebook group to keep up with events and news affecting Barton County Young Professionals.
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Tuesday, January 13 at 12:00pm
Pizza Hut Buffet, 4101 10th Street, Great Bend, KS
Join us for a Personal Development Luncheon on Tuesday, January 13th entitled "Buying a Home" presented by Kim Vink and Amy Hofeling. This presentation will help new home buyers understand what it takes to purchase a home, how to secure a mortgage, and tips for shopping around.
Even if you already own a home, this luncheon will be a great refresher on improving your credit and preparing for the future.
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If you haven't already, be sure to send an email to bartonyp@gmail.com with your Name, Employer, Email Address, and Mobile Phone Number to be added to our official membership database and start receiving email invitations for events and volunteer opportunities. Barton County Young Professionals is targeted for anyone 21-40ish who lives in the Barton County Area and exists to meet three main goals:
1) Foster social and professional networking,
2) Give back to the community,
and 3) Develop young leaders in today's workforce.
For the time being, membership is free of charge thanks to our generous sponsors!
Also be sure to follow us on Twitter @BartonCountyYP and on Facebook at Barton County Young Professionals.
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On September 25, Gov. Sam Brownback announced a new website to help Kansas businesses take advantage of opportunities associated with the reshoring movement.
TheKansasEdge.com outlines the numerous advantages Kansas provides and highlights the strengths and capabilities of the vast array of small and medium-sized supply chain companies in the state. The website also includes a database of Kansas suppliers that can be used by Kansas-based manufacturing companies in evaluating sourcing decisions, as well as manufacturers in other states and countries.
"The Kansas Edge is a comprehensive, unique initiative that leverages our strong manufacturing base, pro-growth business environment and inherent advantages," said Gov. Brownback. "The initiative will promote the advantages in cost, quality, efficiency and convenience that can be found only in Kansas."
The Kansas Edge website highlights Kansas' world-class business climate with information about tax rates, the regulatory environment, career and technical training and engineering abilities, low energy costs, university research and technology transfer capabilities, and logistics and infrastructure. The website will help Kansas companies reshore jobs with information covering a number of topics such as wages, energy resources, transportation and quality.
For more information about reshoring and manufacturing in Kansas and to view the supplier database, please visit TheKansasEdge.com.
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Nominate a Successful Business for the 2015 Small Business Week Awards! Deadline is January 5th.
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Do you know a small business owner who has exceeded expectations - or overcome obstacles to succeed in the marketplace? The U.S. Small Business Administration is proud to announce that SBA's online portal is ready to accept nominations for its 2015 Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year award.
You can submit a nomination online, or call Michael Aumack at the Wichita District Office to assist you in putting together a hard-copy nomination packet before the deadline next Monday. Please contact Michael Aumack at (316) 269-6275 for assistance.
Last year, the SBA's Kansas Small Business Person of the Year was Mr. Alex Harb, Owner of Ribbit Computers, LLC.
SBA has been following the mantra - Smart, Bold and Accessible in the way the agency conducts business. This is now the third year SBA has been using the online portal submission process, a great and smart improvement from years past. The improved dedicated web portal http://awards.sba.gov provides all the guidelines and has made it much easier to submit and track submissions of nominees for National Small Business Week.
Since 1963, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America's small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to our nation's economy. For over 50 years, SBA will continue its tradition in honoring the nation's 28 million small businesses.
SBA Awards given in celebration of National Small Business Week include the following awards:
- Kansas Small Business Person of the Year (a national winner is chosen from among state award winners)
- Exporter of the Year
- Phoenix Awards (recognizing outstanding accomplishments during disaster recovery)
- Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year
- Small Business Subcontractor of the Year
- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence (recognizes large prime contractors who have used small businesses as suppliers and contractors)
- SBA 8(a) Graduate of the Year (for recent graduates of the SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program)
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Award (nominations of SBA-funded SBDC Service Centers)
- Women's Business Center (WBCs) of Excellence Award (nominations of SBA-funded WBCs)
- Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award (nominations of SBA-funded Veterans Business Outreach Centers)
- Small Business Investment Company of the Year
All nominations must be submitted online, postmarked or hand delivered to the SBA's Wichita District Office no later than 2 p.m. CST, Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. For contact information and other District Office information visit online at http://www.sba.gov/ks , call Michael Aumack at (316) 269-6275 or visit in person at 220 W. Douglas Avenue, Suite 450, Wichita, Kansas 67202.
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WOTC Extended for One Calendar Year (2014)
Legislation passed and the President has signed extending WOTC for one calendar year, expiring December 31, 2014.
Kansas will begin processing 2014 applications as soon as the Department of Labor (DOL) provides states with formal guidance.
Since the tax credit program was not extended beyond December 31, 2014, we are again asking employers to continue to submit their 2015 applications until states receive further guidance on the program extension beyond December 31, 2014. This will ensure that if there are changes to the status of the program, applications will still adhere to the IRS 28-day timely submittal requirement and not be denied certification because they were not submitted timely.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Joyce Heiman
Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program Manager
Federal Bonding Program Manager
1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66612-1354
Phone: (785) 296-7435
Fax: (785) 368-7108
TTY: (785) 296-3487
jheiman@kansascommerce.com
KANSASWORKS.com
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Farmers Market Vendor Training Planned
A regional conference for current or prospective Farmers Market vendors will be offered by K-State Research and Extension and Kansas Department of Agriculture in Hays on January 30. The program will be held from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the KSU Ag Research Center. Speakers, breakout sessions and panelists will provide helpful information for those who want to capitalize on the popularity of Farmers Markets in Kansas. Topics include getting started, regulations, tips for marketing, sales tax requirements, accepting non-cash payments, labeling, value-added food products and expanding your growing season.
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Governor's Exporter of the Year
The Kansas Department of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2015 Governor's Exporter of the Year Award, which is presented to a single Kansas business for excellence in international trade and marketing. The winner of the 27th annual installment of the award will be announced in June of 2015 during Business Appreciation Month.
Nominated companies will be evaluated on the totality of their international efforts. Qualifications include:
- Number and/or percentage increase in jobs due to international activities
- Innovations in global marketing
- Number of countries exported to
- Effective use of international distributors
- Long-range international strategies and prospects for future growth
- Commitment to the state and local community
- Foreign language promotional materials and general promotional activities
- Trade shows and/or international expositions
"Kansas exports have increased by more than 25 percent since 2010 as businesses in our state have achieved success in markets across the world," said Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George. "It's important to recognize the companies that help grow our economy by expanding their export abilities through hard work and innovation."
Businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by any other organization or individual. Visit KansasCommerce.com/Exporter to learn more about the Governor's Exporter of the Year Award and to download nomination forms. The nomination deadline is Friday, Jan. 30, 2015.
Kansas International Trade Coordinating Council
c/o Kansas Department of Commerce, April Chiang
1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66612-1354
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Jobs Report November 2014
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TOPEKA, Kan. - The state's November seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, down from 4.4 percent in October and down from 5 percent in November 2013.
Kansas gained 7,200 seasonally adjusted private sector jobs, an increase of 0.6 percent since last year, and 7,500 nonfarm jobs, a 0.5 percent increase. Since last month, Kansas lost 4,400 seasonally adjusted private sector jobs, or 0.4 percent. The state declined by 4,100 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs, a 0.3 percent decline since last month.
"Kansas showed positive economic signs this month including a decrease in the unemployment rate, which marks a full year under 5 percent unemployment," said Lana Gordon, Secretary of Labor. "In addition, wages showed significant growth since this time last year, furthering the growth seen in past months."
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Not seasonally adjusted figures show Kansas gained 7,400 private sector jobs since last year, or 0.7 percent, as well as 7,600 nonfarm jobs, an increase of 0.5 percent. Since October, private sector jobs decreased by 1,400, or 0.1 percent. The state declined by 400 total nonfarm jobs over the month, showing no significant percentage change. "After a strong October, seasonal hiring in retail trade was slightly slower than expected in November, leading to a seasonally adjusted over the month dip in private sector jobs." said Tyler Tenbrink, Senior Labor Economist. "However, other indicators did improve over the month including increasing hours and earnings, signifying continued demand for labor. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November was 4 percent, up from 3.7 percent in October and down from 4.5 percent last year. There were 12,003 initial claims for unemployment benefits in November 2014, up from 11,175 in October and down from 12,914 last year. There were 68,018 continued claims in November, up from 66,959 the previous month and down from 89,654 in November 2013. These numbers include all available programs. Information on procedures for producing Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) estimates is available on the BLS website here and procedures for producing Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates is available on the BLS website here.  PLEASE NOTE: The December Labor Report will be released on Friday, Jan. 23. |
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RODEWAY INN & SUITES
Taking applications for someone to work 2 nights a week, open up on weekends twice a month. Must be 21, need experience in bartending and good with the public. May have more hours if needed. Please apply at the Rodeway Inn and Suites Hotel, located at 57 West Ks Hwy 4 & 281, Hoisington, Kansas. Must apply during hours 7a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
SUBWAY
Now taking applications for a dynamic individuals to join our team as a part-time Sandwich Artists in Hoisington. Interested applicants can visit the Hoisington Subway and pick up an application.
SUBWAY Now taking applications for a dynamic individual to join our team as STORE MANAGER in Hoisington. This person will be responsible for the daily operations of the restaurant and operating it in accordance with perscribed policies and practices. -Weekly salary. - Bonuses - 401K - Medical and Dental Insurance - Vacation Time Management or fast food experience preferred, but will train the right applicant. Interested applicants can fax an application and resume to 1-866-615-7189. JENSEN ASSOCIATES, INC. is looking for a Insurance Sales Professional for our Hoisington branch office. Call Rob Fisher @ 620-564-2020 with inquiries. Send resumes to PO Box 118, Ellinwood, KS 67544.
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Call for Content eBlasts and Newsletters
If you have exciting news that you would like to share in our monthly newsletter or weekly eBlasts with nearly 200 individuals in our business community, please send it to the Chamber office at hoisingtoncofc@embarqmail.com three business days prior to the 1st of the month.
If you would prefer to get a printed copy of the monthly newsletter, please let the office know.
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Subscribe to the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
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The Hoisington Chamber of Commerce
123 N Main St.
Hoisington, KS 67544
620-653-4311
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