Volume 32 MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce is to enhance the business climate and improve the quality of life in Dodge City and the surrounding area for our members.
ORGANIZATION CORE VALUES IS THE LEADING BUSINESS ADVOCATE a united voice for business DEMONSTRATES INTEGRITY through words and actions FOCUSES ON VALUE member resources demonstrate a return on investment EDUCATES how business is good for community IS CUSTOMER FOCUSED we are here to serve our members ENCOURAGES CITIZEN ADVOCACY citizen participation to build a better Dodge City FACILITATES LEADERSHIP training ground for future leaders IS TECHNOLOGY FOCUSED increase value to all members
THE CHAMBER IS VERY EXCITED TO WELCOME OUR FEBRUARY NEW MEMBERS: Olive and Ivy Salon & Spa Best One Tire & Service Security 1st Title
March 2019
Issue 3
STRIKE UP THE BAND THIS DODGE CITY DAYS The Dodge City Days planning committee is excited to announce the 2019 Dodge City Days theme, “Strike Up The Band.” This year’s festival will celebtrate the world-famous Dodge City Cowboy Band and one of their more famous songs. “The inspiration for the lapel pin design came from the Dodge City Cowboy Band’s longhorn banner that has been present at each performance since the early years of the band” said Dodge City Days Coordinator, Joni Wittman. “You will see the famous longhorn banner represented in the lapel pin and on the t-shirts. We love the musical element to this year’s design and working with the current members of the Cowboy Band. We were able to tie a big part of Dodge City’s history in to this year’s Dodge City Days Festival.” Dodge City Days is the second largest festival in Kansas and will include new events as well as the old favorites. This year’s festival will run from Thursday, July 25th to Sunday, August 4th. For detailed information about the festival and for a full list of events, please visit the NEW Dodge City Days website www.dodgecitydays.org. There are many different ways to get involved with the Dodge City Days festival. If you are interested in being a part of Dodge City Days 2019 please contact the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 227-3119 or email dcdays@dodgechamber.com.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
The Business Advantage
March 2019
CASA RAISES OVER $21,000 AT ANNUAL EVENT
Michael Burns, Chairman of the Board Landmark National Bank Raul De La Toree, Vice-Chairman ServiceMaster Rapid Response
The CASA annual fundraiser, Chocolate Dreams, was held February 2, 2019, at the Boot Hill Casino and Resort Conference Center.
DIRECTORS
We are happy to announce that our Cowboy Up for CASA event raised $21,500.00 after expenses. Many thanks to all of you who support CASA!
Michael Burns, Landmark National Bank Dr. R.C. Trotter Family Practice Associates of Western KS Alicia Edwards, DC Women’s Chamber Shane Laws, Victory Electric Lauren Morse, Fischer Chiropractic David Rebein, Rebein Brothers Law Simeon Russell, Cargill Greg Ruehle, Servi-Tech Chris Ragland, United Wireless Arena Raul De La Torre, ServiceMaster Rapid Response Randy Riekenberg, United Wireless Communications Gerald Miller, Black Hills Energy Jamie Kuehl, McDonald’s Restaurants Sergio Garcia, National Beef
If you are interested in more information about CASA - Children Worth Saving, Inc or how to become a volunteer, contact Crissa Salmans at (620) 225-1278.
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
John Bogner, Western Beverage Fred Dierksen, Superintendent USD 443 J.D. Gilbert, Ford County Joann Knight, DC/FC Dev Corp Director Jan Stevens, Executive Director Dodge City CVB Cherise Tieben, City of Dodge City Dr. Harold Nolte, Dodge City Community College
CHAMBER STAFF
Tara Burkhart, President tburkhart@dodgechamber.com Marisa Vargas, Membership Director mvargas@dodgechamber.com Joni Wittman, Events Director jwittman@dodgechamber.com Michelle Salinas, Office Manager msalinas@dodgechamber.com
OFFICE INFORMATION
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Office (620) 227-3119 | (620) 227-2957 Fax 101 E. Wyatt Earp | PO Box 939 Dodge City, KS 67801 www.dodgechamber.com www.facebook.com/dcacc E-mail: info@dodgechamber.com
UPCOMING CHAMBER COFFEE hosted by
Reflection Living 2600 6th Avenue
Tuesday, March 26 - 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
March 2019
The Business Advantage
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BHC RHODES PROMOTES RANDY GORDON TO VICE PRESIDENT BHC RHODES announced Mr. Randy Gorton, P.E. was selected as a Vice President of the company. Gorton leads the Public Works group which provides civil engineering services to customers in and around the Kansas City metro area. Through the course of his 16 years with the firm, Gorton advanced from a project engineer, to a leader of a business unit, and now an officer of the company. As a service group leader, Gorton is charged with enhancing project processes and efficiencies for customers, as well as business development. During Gorton’s tenure with the company, he has managed numerous projects which have greatly impacted the metro area, including the award-winning revitalization of downtown Grandview, Missouri. Gorton has been a key part of growing the public works segment by building long-term relationships with county and city public works leadership. “Randy is always an email or a phone call away, which is extremely valuable for a small organization without an engineer on staff,” Tammy Snyder, Public Works Director, Edwardsville, KS. Gorton is a graduate of the ACEC-KS Emerging Leader program and has received the BHC RHODES’ Customer Care award multiple times for his service to customers. BHC RHODES, a civil engineering and surveying firm, was founded in 1992 and is based in Overland Park, Kansas. They provide professional services for development, public works and telecommunications customers. BHC RHODES was recognized as one of Zweig Groups Hot Firms and landed on Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 List. Their expertise has been published in numerous media such as APWA Reporter, AGL Magazine and the Kansas City Business Journal. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.ibhc.com.
Company: Heritage Financial Solutions, LLC Job Title: Branch Office Administrative Assistant How to Apply: Email resume and references to amber.wallis@lpl.com or mail to Heritage Financial Solutions, Attn: Amber, 707 3rd Avenue Ste. B, Dodge City, KS Company: Great Plains Vision, LLC Job Title: Scribe/Optician How to Apply: Apply in person at Great Plains Vision, LLC, 2010 Central Avenue, Dodge City, KS 67801 Company: Dodge City Country Club Job Title: Line Cook Duties: Various kitchen duties with evening part-time hours available which may lead to full time hours over time. How to Apply: Apply in person at 1900 Country Club Drive, Dodge City, KS 67801 Company: Family Practice Associates of Western Kansas Job Title: Receptionist Duties: Busy medical office hiring a receptionist to assist with answering phones, making appointments, checking patients in and other assorted office duties. How to Apply: Send a resume to: Family Practice Associates, 120 W. Ross Blvd., Dodge City, KS 67801
Does your business have job openings you would like to feature in the next Business Advantage? Email the Company Name, Job Title, How to Apply and any other relative information to info@dodgechamber.com
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The Business Advantage
March 2019
EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING AT BUILDING SOLUTIONS • Chris Cole has joined us as a Concrete Superintendent. He previously owned his own business out of Montezuma, KS called High Plains Construction and has brought valuable knowledge to our Concrete Department. • Ricky Hays has joined us as Assistant Construction Manager. He joins us from Hays Canopies out of Denver, CO and brings with him a deep knowledge of Structural Steel. • Natalie Cox, our Design Coordinator, has recently been accepted back into KSU Grad School to obtain her Degree in Architecture. We look forward to welcoming her back to SWKS as a Licensed Architect soon! To fill the immediate need of her absence, we have brought on Christian Mills as a Draftsman. • Christian Mills joins us from Manhattan, KS where he obtained a Degree in Business Management. He also has past experience in AutoCAD & IT. • Matt Cox, a current Project Manager for Building Solutions will be supporting Natalie in her career growth & has accepted a role with a construction company in Manhattan. We will miss his knowledge, but feel strongly that he will grow, succeed, and bring his new company a wide skillset.
ATTORNEY MOSE JOINS REBEIN BROTHERS LAW FIRM Rebein Brothers, PA is pleased to announce the addition of a new attorney to the Dodge City office. Attorney Pablo Mose joins the firm with several years of litigation experience, specializing in personal injury, truck and car accidents and class actions. Mose brings with him extensive experience which he gained while working at a national defense firm. This law experience catapulted his desire to work in plaintiffs law to help those in need and use his knowledge of defense strategies to achieve the best outcome for his clients. Mose earned his B.A. from Emporia State University and his J.D. from Kansas University, where he was a member of the KU Law Review, champion of the school’s Moot Court tournament and won the top Trial Advocacy award. “Pablo brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to our practice, and we’re excited to have a bilingual attorney who will be particularly beneficial to our hispanic community,” said Rebein Brothers Partner, David Rebein. “We are excited to be growing our team to strengthen our client offerings.” Mose and his family have relocated to Dodge City and are active in Hispanic groups and their local church. Mose looks forward to serving the people of Western Kansas and throughout the state.
Rebein Brothers Law Firm is located at 810 W. Frontview St., Dodge City, KS and they can be reached at (620) 227-8126.
March 2019
The Business Advantage
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GROUND BREAKS ON UNITED PLAZA On February 1, 2019, ground was broken at the corner of Soule and 14th Street to begin construction of the 6,300 square foot “United Plaza” in Dodge City. The United Family of Companies has tremendous pride in Southwest Kansas and provided the impetus and resources for this new retail and office complex. Located just under the big tower, United Plaza is projected to be completed in July by local contractor, Ric Marboeuf of M.R. Builder, who will also utilize one of the spaces. “United has been providing communication services in Southwest Kansas for over 65 years, and we are genuinely invested in the success of our communities,” said United’s General Manager and CEO, Todd Houseman. “This build will bring essential retail space for local businesses and new services for our community.” “I am delighted for the opportunity United Wireless has given us as a local contractor to build this facility,” said Marboeuf. “The dedication from Mr. Houseman, his staff and board, to proactively see this build come to life is second to none. We also appreciate the strong effort and progressive mindset of our community leaders. It’s phenomenal to be able to join forces to keep Dodge City growing and becoming strong together.“ United Plaza at 2120 North 14th Avenue will serve as a retail location for both United Wireless and Scooter’s Coffee. Additional spaces of 1,250 or 2,000 square feet are available. They are unfinished and can be built to the needs of the business that uses them. All tenants of United Plaza will be connected to United’s ultra fast fiber optic internet service that is also available in many areas of Dodge City as well as other key locations throughout Southwest Kansas. “As a Scooter’s Coffee franchisee, I could not be happier with our relationship with United Wireless as well as this wonderful site and structure we are about to occupy,” said Marbeouf. We look forward to serving Dodge City the best coffee options, as well as fruit smoothies, teas and pastries in the very near future. We will have indoor seating, a drive-thru, a patio, and a community room to be used for meetings.” “We are so excited to get our new storefront in this beautiful new plaza,” said Debra May, United Wireless Retail Sales Manager. “This will be a convenient location for our customers to get the best customer support and the most up to date devices for all their wireless needs.” A second phase of construction is planned that will provide an additional 4,000 square foot office and retail space within the United Plaza Development. Call 620.227.8127 and ask for Mike Salmans for information about options for available spaces for lease.
Ric Marboeuf, owner of M.R. Builder, LLC and Scooter’s Coffee Franchisee; Todd Houseman, General Manager and CEO of United Telephone/United Wireless; Harry Walker, President of the United Telephone/United Wireless Board of Trustees break ground on United Plaza in Dodge City on February 1, 2019.
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The Business Advantage
March 2019
BEST WESTERN RECEIVES BRAND’S HIGHEST AWARD The Best Western Plus Country Inn & Suites in Dodge City has received Best Western® Hotel & Resorts’ Chairman’s Award, the brand’s highest honor for outstanding quality standards. The Chairman’s Award recognizes the Best Western hotel that score in the top 5 percent of more than 2,100 North American properties, with respect to cleanliness and maintenance inspection scores. Hotels must also meet Best Western's requirements for design and high customer service scores to qualify for the award. “It’s an honor to be receiving the Chairman’s Award from Best Western.” explains Bill Cunningham, Owner. “This award reflects the Best Western Plus Country Inn & Suites management's commitment to providing quality accommodations and services. Our housekeeping and maintenance teams have worked tremendously hard to ensure our guests’ stay is nothing short of exceptional, and we are proud to have achieved this level of success.” Located at 506 North 14th Avenue, The Best Western Plus Country Inn & Suites features 66 rooms with many having balconies and others with exterior entrances being easily accessible for some and an array of suites (Handicapped, Executive and Jacuzzi). We offer a complementary full hot breakfast, a heated indoor pool, and work out facility. Our lobby also features a small bar (Long Branch Saloon), a business center and a meeting room, all while maintaining an old western theme. Shuttle service also provided to and from, Dodge City’s airport and train station. Reservations at The Best Western Plus Country Inn & Suites may be booked by calling the hotel directly at (620)225-7378 or by call Best Western Hotel & Resort’s 24-hour, toll free reservations number 1-(800) WESTERN. Reservations are also available from Best Western’s website at Bestwestern.com.
Your business can advertise here!
Contact the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce for more details! (620) 227-3119
Customer Service 1-888-890-5554
www.blackhillsenergy.com
Your business can advertise here!
Contact the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce for more details! (620) 227-3119
We have a duly appointed Notary Public on staff. Stop by the Chamber Office at 101 E. Wyatt Earp to get your document notorized. This service is free to Chamber members.
March 2019
The Business Advantage
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MANOR OF THE PLAINS EARNS ZERO-DEFICIENCY RATING Story provided by The Dodge City Daily Globe Manor of the Plains earned a zero-deficiency survey from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services following its annual inspection in early February. “We are very proud of our staff ’s achievement,” said Michael Rajewski, executive director. “It is their commitment to our mission and residents that led to a deficiency-free community.” “By being blessed with a great team of staff and volunteers that is dedicated to Manor of the Plains and each other, we’ve created a foundation that enables us to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values for our seniors every day.” Each year, senior living communities are surveyed by their licensing agency for compliance of regulations established by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. These regulations, which number in the hundreds, are designed to ensure a standard of care is met. By meeting this standard, senior living communities are able to renew their licenses and continue to provide care. There are 17 major areas assessed, which include quality of care and physical environment. The surveyors look at every aspect of a resident’s life, from dietary choices, to dental care; from frequency of physician visits to ease of access to their mail. “Being recognized as a deficiency-free community offers evidence of the staff ’s compassion and desire to make Manor of the Plains a place our residents are honored to call home,” Rajewski said. The achievement by Manor of the Plains places the senior living community in the top tier of survey performances in Kansas. For more information about Manor of the Plains, contact Kurt Lampe, marketing director, at 620-225-1928 or klampe@pmma.org.
VISITORS CENTER OFFERS EXTENDED HOURS IN MARCH The Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce that the Dodge City Visitor Center is extending their hours for the month of March to accommodate Spring Break travellers. The Visitor Center will be open on Saturdays 9:00 am – 3:00 pm to assist those stopping in as they travel to or through Dodge City. The Visitor’s Center is located at 400 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd.
Your business can advertise here!
Your business can advertise here!
620-225-2888 www.parkerhaskins.com Contact the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce for more details! (620) 227-3119
Contact the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce for more details! (620) 227-3119
Central & Comanche Dodge City, Kansas
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The Business Advantage
March 2019
MEET OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS Carmen Valverde Multicultural Committee Co-Chair Carmen Valverde and her husband started High Quality Mobile Service in April of 2017. They provide mobile and in shop mechanic services to Dodge City and the surrounding areas. In October of 2018, Carmen started Divine Design Birth Services to help women as a birth doula and childbirth educator. She hopes to get the variety of cultures in our community involved, by engaging them in events through the Multicultural Committee. She is dedicated to showing the community the wide variety of resources that are available to those that wish to start or grow their business here in Dodge City. In her free time, Carmen enjoys spending quality time with family, playing soccer, gardening, and reading.
High Quality Mobile Service 10852 US Hwy 50 (620) 253-7924
Divine Design Birth Services 10852 US Hwy 50 (620) 253-7924 Your business can advertise here!
Your business can advertise here!
Contact the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce for more details! (620) 227-3119
Contact the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce for more details! (620) 227-3119
March 2019
The Business Advantage
Page 9
LOOK WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO Coffees, Ribbon Cuttings, and Networking
On Wednesday, March 6th, the Chamber Ambassadors celebrated the ribbon cutting of Gordmans. Gordmans is located in the Village Square Mall at 2601 Central Ave.
The Dodge City YMCA hosted the February Chamber Coffee on Tuesday, Febraury 26th. Coffee attendees were able to tour the YMCA facilities, hear about the current membership specials, and network with fellow business professionals.