GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020 •
Special to the Great Bend Tribune Sunday, February 23, 2020
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020
TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO
The City of Great Bend and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce have revamped the community’s economic development efforts.
A win, win situation City of Great Bend, Chamber of Commerce reach new eco devo deal
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BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com
he year 2019 marked a major turning point in efforts to bring new businesses to Great Bend and support those businesses that are already an important part of the community. It culminated in the City of Great Bend’s decision last fall to reinvent the city’s long-standing relationship the city had with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce for economic development services. The newly minted Great Bend Economic Development Inc., a 501
c (6) non-profit entity, replaced this arrangement. But, as 2020 opened, all those involved are viewing the changes as positive. “We are so excited for what 2020 has in store and embrace the new opportunities,� said Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Megan Barfield. Barfield took over the chamber’s helm after Jan Peters resigned the post after 14 years due in part to the change and to pursue other opportunities. “In 2020, we are moving towards
being a 3Cs chamber,� Barfield said. “The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce chooses to be a catalyst, convener and champion for the community of Great Bend with a special focus on our business community.� The Chamber fully supports the efforts of Great Bend Economic Development with the hire of Jessica Milsap, she said. At a City Council meeting on Feb. 4, it was announced that Milsap, a Great Bend city council member representing Ward 1, had been hired as the director of the newly formed
Great Bend Economic Development Inc. She officially started that week, and following the meeting, she resigned her seat on the council. “We fully intend to work together for the betterment of our community,� Barfield said of what they view as a new partnership. This includes working with new business owners, current business owners, those looking to develop in Great Bend, workforce development, housing and more. See ECO DEVO, 3
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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020 •
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ECO DEVO, from page 2
Change was a long time in the works The chamber will push forward with the on-going Great Bend - Better than Great revisioning effort. “We want to bring people together with a goal of moving the needle to reach our goals,� she said. It will be growing Manufacturing Day in 2020 with plans of connecting manufacturers with area high school students and their parents. “Coming from our first Manufacturing Day in 2019, came the need for student Chamber memberships. This will start to take shape in 2020,� she said. “It’s amazing how the majority of our focus in 2020 will directly impact the progression of GB Better,� Barfield said. The new agreement According to the arrangement, the new GBED is governed by a five-member board of directors - two council members, two chamber representatives and one at-large member. Ex-officio members will include the mayor, city administrator, chamber executive committee chairperson and Convention and Visitors Bureau director. The chairperson is selected by the board. City Council members will be reviewed by and voted on by the entire city council, and the Chamber of Commerce positions shall be selected by the chamber. The at-large position shall be filled through an application process. The applicant shall be selected by the other four board members. A board member’s term is two-years and renewable for one additional two-year term. If a member serves two consecutive terms, they must wait one term before again being eligible to serve. Councilwoman Jolene Biggs and Councilman Barry Bowers are the city representatives. They are joined by chamber reps Mark Calcara and Mark Chalfant, and at-large member Dennis Neeland. The commission hired Milsap as the full-time director and her office will be in the Great Bend Events Center. A portion of the former Harper office complex behind the center shall be renovated to house operations. Renovation costs shall not exceed $100,000. This money will come from funds already set aside for economic development. The board shall, on an annual basis, make a funding request to the city council. City funding will be provided by the 20% portion of the half-cent sales tax designated for economic development. The tax (generating
TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO
Great Bend City Councilwoman Jessica Milsap, far left, accepts congratulations after it was announced during the Feb. 3 council meeting that she was hired as the new director of Great Bend Economic Development Inc. Milsap resigned her council seat to avoid any conflicts of interest.
9 percent of the city’s revenue) is split three ways among economic development, infrastructure improvements and property tax relief. “I am really excited to serve the community in this capacity,� Milsap said, adding she was also quite nervous about the new venture. But, she felt her new position would be a direct conflict of interest. She thanked those who voted for her and noted she will continue to serve the City of Great Bend, just in a different capacity. Jumping in Since the group’s formation, board members have stepped forward during council meetings to offer progress reports. Also at the Feb. 4 meeting, Calcara admitted they had hoped to have a director on board sooner. But, by waiting, he said they got the best candidate. There were eight applicants, most of whom were from out of state. “Hiring somebody was a bit of a challenge,� Calcara said. They had advertisements out for a few months. In the end, they looked for someone with talent, passion, energy and who was familiar with the community. “We knew somebody who filled that skill set,� he said. In the meantime, the board continues to meet weekly and members discuss items throughout the week to move things along. They have also held all-board retreats. “We have a good board with a lot of diverse thoughts, and with a common goal to make Great Bend great,� Calcara said. But, “this will take a community effort.� The board has reviewed three requests for proposals from businesses
TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO
Taylor Calcara, past Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Board chair, left, and AJ Chrest, current chair, address the Great Bend City Council June 3 about plans to revamp the city’s economic development contract with the chamber.
looking to expand; one is from a national chain. “We’re competing with a lot of people,� he said, but things are looking promising. “I’ve been a part of a lot of those meetings,� Mayor Cody Schmidt said. “I really like the way that’s going. Hopefully this takes us in the right direction.� The newly formed Great Bend Economic Development Inc. has been busy, Biggs told fellow council members on Jan. 7 they have been very active. “Just so you know, we’ve been working really hard,� she said. “Our committee has met many times. And since we were first together, we started (looking at) other communities and getting ideas that have worked for them. “Our committee has been very busy,� she said. “It’s like a start-up new business, So we are trying to pull everything together and do lots of planning.� The committee went to Garden City and visited with the development director there. “As you
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all know they have been very, very successful with economic development in their community, so that was a very interesting day for all of us.� They also met with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce to review what potential businesses they had worked with and what prospects are still pending. “We were able to get an update from them on where things are.� Background Although not unanimous, a split Great Bend City Council last September approved a new economic development plan for the city, one months in the making that replaced a decadesold model. Instead of contracting with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, the new 501 c(6) non-profit Great Bend Economic Development Commission would be guided by a board made up of city and chamber representatives. “We feel this is a good, positive move,� said Councilman Dana Dawson. Last spring,
then Mayor Joe Andrasek appointed a five-person committee made up of himself, Dawson and council members Biggs, Cory Urban, and now-resigned member Chad Somers to study the agreement with the chamber. “There were a lot of hours and discussion that went into this,� he said. The goal of the committee was to analyze how the city handles economic development. In June 2019, the council voted to terminate its Agreement for Services with the chamber and explore other possible options. Since that time, the mayoral committee has been meeting with representatives appointed by the chamber to discuss restructuring the system. Despite both parties working on ways to restructure efforts, on June 17 the council approved ending the contract with the chamber with the city wanting more oversight on economic development. However, some on the council questioned forming a separate entity.
At first, the committee looked at the city hiring a full-time employee to coordinate economic development. This new city position would have been held in direct oversight by an executive committee comprised of members of the city’s governing body as well as representation from the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. But, they dropped this idea, opting for the commission. “This is a very common format,� said Mark Calcara, a chamber board member who served on the committee. It is used in Dodge City and Garden City. “It adds another level of transparency and accountability,� he said. “This is a real good deal for the community.� It allows for the potential of some thirdparty funding from the business community, capitalizes on partnerships between the city, businesses and the chamber and assuages public concerns about openness, Calcara said. This also makes an attractive package when seeking a qualified economic development director to fill the post, Calcara said. It was back in December 2018 that the city and the chamber approved a revamped contract for economic development services to, in part, improve communication with the chamber and require more accountability for eco devo efforts. The old contract was drafted in 1999 when the city first contracted with the chamber and had not been changed since. The contract automatically renewed on Jan. 1. So when the council gave City Administrator Kendal Francis the green light last September, it allowed the city to give the chamber the requisite 90day notice that it wanted changes. Economic development received $153,000 this year through the general fund. That is up from $135,000 in 2017 and 2018. The chamber makes an annual funding request. The city-funded portion amounted to about a third of the chamber’s annual budget. The economic development portion is expected to generate $370,000 in 2019, up from $350,000 in 2017 and 2018. This also funds part of Community Coordinator Christina Hayes’ department with the remaining balance transferred into an economic development fund.
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Scentral Bark is the new dog park located at the northwest end of Bicentennial Park within the walking path area.
Hoisington makes major strides to encourage outdoor activity among citizens and visitors Bicentennial Park is shaping up thanks to several projects, including ballpark redesign BY VERONICA COONS vcoons@gbtribune.com
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HOISINGTON — Visit Hoisington’s Bicentennial Park, located along US 281 on the northwest edge of the city, and recent improvements will be immediately visible. For the past two years, several small efforts have combined to make the city’s premier park one that encourages outdoor activity for all citizens, young and old. “This is good for the city, and it’s good for everyone here in Hoisington,” City Manager Jonathan Mitchell told the Tribune Tuesday. In addition to the recent installation of a dog park and pickleball courts, Mitchell has been compiling information for a bike share program the city is interested in promoting, and verifying plans with a contractor for improvements to the city’s existing frisbee golf course. But probably the most ambitious project underway at the park is the redesign of the baseball and softball complex located at the southwest corner of the park. Once complete, the hope is Hoisington will become a destination for tournaments as other communities nearby have, and the influx of players and spectators from other communities could provide a bump to the local economy. “It should be a good thing for our hotel,” he said. The Rodeway Inn is owned by local shareholders who partnered in order to ensure Hoisington could provide a modern lodging experience and remain competitive for tourism dollars. Having the park and all its amenities right outside the door has been a plus for visitors, Mitchell said. “If they build it...” In 2018, Hoisington began considering improvements it could make to its existing baseball and softball field complex at Bicentennial Park after the Hoisington Recreation Commission was approached by tournament organizers in Great Bend. That year, circumstances were such that in addition to the tournament, there were a lot of other games scheduled. Either the tournament was going to have to be extended, or some of the games would need to be played in a neighboring community. Hoisington was eager to help. Some of the coaches of the teams that travelled north that week expressed their gratitude and expressed their desire to
VERONICA COONS Great Bend Tribune
Pickleball courts were added in 2019, providing another way for visitors and residents of Hoisington to play.
VERONICA COONS Great Bend Tribune
Thanks to a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways Grant secured by Clara Barton Hospital’s Health for Live Coalition, new concrete pedestrian bridges are being installed to provide access to the Bicentennial ballpark complex from the parking area on the east side of the park.
return in the future. Encouraged, a group of Hoisington citizens began considering what could be done. Gary Boxberger of Cardinal Lanes, and Chris Kinman, director at the Hoisington Rec realized a couple of the fields would have to be expanded to regulation size, and it could be done if a gravel road that extended along the far north and west sides of the complex was removed. Not only would it provide the space needed, it would make the area safer for pedestrians too. They did some cost estimates and presented their plan to representatives from the city, and the city council agreed the project had merit. Boxberger said in 2018 the project could cost an estimated $210,000. The city and the Rec both agreed to pitch in $50,000 each. Supporters applied for grants and made a plea for volunteer labor and donations to help bring the cost of the project down. The effort was fruitful, with local contractors stepping up to provide labor. Groups from outside the city, including the Kansas City Royals and the Golden Belt Community Foundation put up $5,000 each also. With the outpouring of support, the first phase of the project began in 2019 and will be completed in the spring in time for the
school and Rec leagues to play. Tuesday, Eldridge Fencing of Great Bend was working on installing chain link fence around one of the fields in the center of the complex. Dirt work was provided earlier by Abe Prosser of Prosser Dirt Construction, and the diamond was taking shape. Soon, it will be time to pause work for the 2020 season. USD 431 uses the fields for school teams, and the Hoisington Recreational League ball happens throughout the month of June. Travelling teams are usually finished sometime in early July, and then the fields will once again stand idle and work can begin again. At that time, the second field in the center will be reworked, and a concession stand in the center of the complex will be removed and a new structure built near one of the new concrete pedestrian footbridges being installed to allow spectators to access the complex easier from the parking lot east of the complex. Scott Christians Construction is installing the bridges, and Funding was provided through a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways community grant, Mitchell said. If all goes as planned, the project will be completed at the end of summer 2021, Boxberger said.
GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020 •
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Housing Opportunities awaiting word on tax credit application Housing Opportinities Inc. hopes to develop new senior housing facility BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com
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urry up and wait. That is the status of state tax credits to aid in a new $4 million Housing Opportunities Inc. development adjacent to the current Cherry Village senior apartments in southwest Great Bend. The agency has submitted its application, and with fingers crossed, is awaiting the decision due no sooner than May. In the meantime, a resolution approved by the Great Bend City Council Jan. 20 will hopefully help bring more affordable rental housing for the community’s seniors. The action supported HOI’s the application. “We are home-grown,� HOI Executive Director Vicky Dayton said of the organization. Formed in 1996, it is based in Great Bend and serves Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Scott counties. The council previously approved such support in February 2016, but HOI’s application was rejected by state officials, Dayton said. Now, HOI is again applying for the credits through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation to build a 24-unit rental housing development for senior citizens. Dayton said the first time around, the HOI project scored high. But, the state turned it down so available funds could be spread around to other communities.
TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO
Above is the barricade that now notes the dead end of Parish Road at Eisenhower. With the planned development of apartments for seniors in the area, more of Parrish Road will be paved at the expense of project developer Housing Opportunities Inc.
Also, in support of this application, the city waived building permits and utility tap fees to a nearby water main. In all, these will not exceed $25,000. Pending approval from the state, the complex would fall under the Neighborhood Revitalization Program for five years. This program offers tax rebates of diminishing amounts over the five years, after which the property will be subject to the full property taxes.
Located at Parrish Court in the Cherry Village Addition (in the southwest corner of town), the new facility will target those 55 and older, Dayton said. Each unit in the property will have the following amenities: washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, attached single car garage, garage door opener, trash pickup, storm shelter, lawn care, snow removal and keyless entry. Dubbed Quail Cove, this would be HOI’s
seventh such facility in Great Bend, Dayton said. “We are here to serve.� She will make the application by Feb. 7. It will be filed with the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. The project incudes constructing Parrish Road within the development that would serve the new structures, as a cul-de-sac. As of now, the only access
will be off of Eisenhower on the south edge with no plans to extend Parrish through to Broadway on the north side. In its 24 years, HOI has developed 62 homeownership homes, 17 rental properties with 208 units dedicated to seniors and 20 family rent-to-own homes in its coverage area, totalling over $40 million. A
certified Community Housing Development Organization by the state of Kansas, it has a sevenmember staff. “We have a vacancy rate of less than 5%,� she said. HOI maintains a waiting list for its properties of over 200 names. The start date for construction is pending, depending on approval of the tax credits.
TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO
Housing Opportunities Inc. hopes to develop a senior living complex just off the intersection of Parish Road at Eisenhower in Great Bend.
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020
DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune
Ted King sits atop one of the motorcycles in Great Bend Cycles this week. Although he no longer sells bike, he does parts and repair work.
More than motorcycles Great Bend Cycle keeps the tradition alive
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BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com
otorcycles have always been a force in Ted King’s life. Perhaps that is what has driven him to keep his longtime dealership at the corner of 10th and Williams open for 40 years. “I discovered motorcycles way before girls,” King quipped. Like all businesses, the times have forced him to adapt and change, but he plans to keep the doors open as long as possible. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said. The road to here “My first motorcycle was some type of a scooter with a Kohler engine and a belt drive with no transmission,” he recalled. “Helping my dad get it up and running showed me that patience was more important than getting mad and upset.” “I rode that until I moved up to a Yamaha 80,” he said. “I spent most of my time and money at Stokers BSA (Birmingham Small Arms Company, a former British motorbike manufacturer) in Jackson, Mich. In my junior year of high school I moved up to a ‘real’ motorcycle – A 250 BSA Scrambler. I still have that motorcycle, along with all but a couple of motorcycles I have owned.” King has road raced and drag raced bikes and has attended the Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle Speed Trials in Utah. He and his wife Sharon met when he was in the military in North Dakota. They married and graduated from college there. After a couple teaching gigs, he and his wife moved to Ellinwood in about 1977. “I opened a Moto Guzzi
DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune
DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune
A full selection of tires is among the many types of parts offered by Ted King at Great Bend Cycle.
Great Bend Cycle, in one carnation or another, has been in business for 40 years.
dealership and was also teaching school there.” “I closed the Guzzi business and came to Great Bend Honda in June of 1979,” he said. Great Bend Honda was formed in February of 1979 when Buttons Honda changed hands. “In 1979, Great Bend had four motorcycle dealers – Honda, Yamaha, a Kawasaki/Suzuki and Harley Davidson,” King said.
and Suzuki and KTM. “I went to both of their closing auctions to pick up equipment and tools for here,” he said. The larger of the two dealerships had their auction in November of 2018. “When I am asked why don’t I retire, I reply, why go home to do my wife’s stuff, when I can be here,” King joked. “Besides, she is here on the weekends. She and her sewing group have taken over half of the showroom.” Changes for 2020 include a new supplier to better serve Harley Davidson motorcycles. The business is located at 2111 10th St. in Great Bend. It is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Time to adapt Then came a process of attrition. The Kawasaki/Suzuki dealership closed in the early 1980s and King picked up Kawasaki. In the mid to late 80s the Yamaha dealership closed, and shortly after that, the Harley dealer closed as
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well. King operated Great Bend Honda/ Kawasaki for about 35 years. Then things changed. “In late 2013 Honda Motor Corporation, gave me the ‘opportunity’ to find a larger facility,” he said, adding this would have meant relocating and/or building a new dealership. “I chose not to make that kind if investment.” The longtime business is now known as Great Bend Cycle. “We are strictly, parts, accessories and service. We do no unit sales,” he said. “When we parted ways with Honda and Kawasaki there were two Honda/ Kawasaki dealerships in Wichita,” King said. One of them also carried Moto Guzzi. The other one also carried Yamaha
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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020 •
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OPI celebrates 60th anniversary
O
ffice Products Inc. grew in the brickand-mortar sense last year by opening a fourth location. But the growth didn’t stop there. Earlier this year, OPI announced that it is now an Authorized Distributor for Fuller Industries commercial cleaning products. Some of these products are now displayed at the four locations and Fuller’s comprehensive catalog has found a home on OPI’s website. The new Hays location opened Nov. 1 at 1218 E. 27th, extending the reach of the Great Bend-based, family-owned business into northwest Kansas. OPI, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, also has stores in Larned and Russell. “Our family’s 60 years of growth wouldn’t have been possible without our customers,� said Terry Vink, OPI co-owner. “We truly appreciate the people who have supported us for decades, as well as new customers who are learning about the extent of our
COURTESY PHOTOS
Left: Jim Grabbe helps a customer with printable business cards at the new Office Products Inc. (OPI) location in Hays. Right: Stephanie Cerda demonstrates Fuller Industries foaming hand soap and dispenser to a customer at the Great Bend Office Products Inc. (OPI) location.
products and services. “Our clientele understands the importance of shopping locally,� he continued. “They are directly responsible for our expansions into new territories, new technologies, new services and new products. Without local customers supporting their community, we wouldn’t have had the opportunities to do this.� Kenny Vink, OPI coowner, also is grateful to people who know the importance of supporting
companies here at home. “We are grateful for all these years of local support and encourage other companies, individuals and governmental entities to consider OPI for virtually any office product or service,� Kenny said. “It simply makes sense because local shopping drives the local economy. You might save a few dollars by going out-of-town but local jobs are put at risk when that happens.� Kenny also noted that local businesses give back to their
communities in numerous ways. “Local companies give to our non-profit agencies, coach youth sports teams and attend events that support any number of worthy causes. Do out-of-town vendors do this?� While customers are a big reason for OPI’s success, the employees and their specialized training is another. “We probably surpass everybody in the quality and quantity of training we provide,� Kenny said. “All our computer
technicians, graphic artists, printer and copier specialists, and others are as up-to-date as you can get in their fields.� These types of training sessions have been standard operating procedure for years. And now OPI employees are learning as much as they can about the Fuller products in their stores and on the website. “Fuller has a long, long list of products and our training began right away,� Kenny said. “This will be an
ongoing process because we need to answer customers’ questions and find the right products for their needs. “We became an Authorized Distributor just a couple of months ago but we are already getting a lot of inquiries from a lot of people,� Kenny noted. “This includes companies that currently use out-of-town vendors but want to support two local businesses that can meet or exceed their expectations.� For example, if a business is using out-oftown vendors for cleaning supplies and brooms, “we can help them decide which Fuller products can meet their needs locally,� Kenny said. “As determined as we are to train employees with Fuller’s help, we anticipate this partnership will succeed.� OPI’s locations are 1204 Main in Great Bend; 516 Broadway in Larned; 724 N. Main in Russell; and 1218 E. 27 in Hays. Fuller’s home base is at 10th and Airport Road.
Sens. Roberts, Coons introduce bipartisan bill to help startups and small businesses invest in research and development Bill helps startups and small businesses claim R&D tax credit
W
ashington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced the Support Small Business R&D Act of 2020, which would help startups and small businesses take advantage of the research and development (R&D) tax credit. “Innovative startups and small businesses
are some of the greatest drivers of economic progress in our nation, and it’s critical that these entrepreneurs are able to easily access the R&D tax credit which will provide longterm benefits to our local communities and economy,� said Senator Roberts. “Research and development is vital in creating new technology and products, which this legislation will help support.� “Research and development drive American progress, particularly when small businesses lead the charge. The U.S. R&D tax credit helps encourage private sector innovation, but it only works when American business owners know how to use it. I am proud to work with Senator
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Roberts to make sure that our startups and small businesses have the tools they need to take advantage of the R&D credit, which provides critical support for their investment in our shared success,� said Senator Coons. In 2015, Congress passed legislation to make the R&D tax credit permanent and expanded access to the credit for more startups and small businesses. Despite these changes, many entrepreneurs do not have the information necessary to take advantage of the Federal income tax credits that benefit their business enterprises, especially for research and development. The Support Small Business R&D Act
of 2020 would require the Small Business Administration and the Internal Revenue Service to work together to develop tax credit educational outreach, training and materials for startups and small businesses that engage in research and could be eligible to use the R&D credit to offset their expenses. Informational materials would be made available to programs administered by the SBA, including women’s business centers, veterans’ business outreach centers, export assistance centers and nonprofit research partners. Such materials would also be made available to universities, business incubators and business accelerators.
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020
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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020 •
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BCC Education and Employment Expo at set for March 3
A
nyone looking to start a career after high school or switch careers will find a myriad of opportunities at the Education and Employment Expo hosted by Barton Community College from 3-7 p.m. March 3. The event is free and open to the public. For more information or to reserve a free booth space for your business, contact Agriculture Instructor Maggie Tracy at 620-786-1120 or tracym@bartonccc.edu. The event is for the unemployed, underemployed or those looking for a career change. The featured programs are Welding, Early Childhood, Agriculture, Automotive, Natural Gas, Scale Technician and CDL. Each will have a booth to promote educational opportunities. Barton’s program-specific advisory board members, community businesses looking for workers and support
COURTESY PHOTO
Employers, potential employees and Barton faculty interact at last year’s Education and Employment Expo.
services are invited to have a booth. Commitments have been secured for the Educational
Opportunity Center, Hammel Scale, Gavilon Grain, MaiCo Industries, Hess Services and
Economic Development said the expo is designed to benefit both employers and employees alike. “We hope that individuals attending will be interested in completing a program at Barton to obtain employment at a company in attendance, and the companies in attendance will develop an understanding for how Barton can benefit their businesses,” she said. For more information, contact Agriculture Instructor Maggie Tracy at (620) 786-1120 or tracym@bartonccc.edu.
Koch Fertilizer Dodge City. Executive Director of Workforce Training and
Automotive Technology student wants to better her own life and help others
S
am Henke of Great Bend, is a 30-year-old single mother to five boys ages 3 to 14, who is determined to rise out of poverty and create a brand-new life for herself and her children. She is pursuing an education in Automotive Technology at Barton Community College with her sights set on running her own auto repair business. A program called Journey to Resolve Poverty, formerly known as Circles, inspired her to take action and enroll. “I’m doing this for the kids,” she said. “As a single parent, this is about showing my kids they can do anything they put their mind to. That’s what keeps me going through all this.” While she was motivated to take action to better the lives of her children, she has a strong sense of empathy overall for others in similar life situations. “In the midst of all this, I have
realized the need to help those who can’t quite afford repairs on their vehicles,” she said. “When I open up shop, one of my main goals will be to help those who can’t fully afford it.” Henke has taken the wheel and set a new course for her life, and she hopes to inspire others to do the same. “There are a lot of programs here (at Barton) that anybody can take,” she said. “If you have the dream and the will for it, do it. Don’t let anything get in your way.” Go to auto.bartonccc.edu for more information on the Barton Automotive Technology program or contact Automotive Technology Instructor Ron Kirmer at kirmerr@ bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9255. This feature is part of Barton’s celebration of Career Technical Education (CTE) Month throughout February.
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Sam Heneke, an Automotive Technology student at Barton Community College, has a goal of running her own auto repair business.
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020
Pawnee Rock building home of new museum Family with local roots working on tribute to area history
P
BY VERONICA COONS vcoons@gbtribune.com
AWNEE ROCK — Jerry Walker never imagined two years ago when he inherited a sum from his late sister, that it would be the catalyst that would propel him on a journey of historical proportions. The 1964 graduate of Great Bend High School left shortly after graduation, settling first in Nevada, and later in California. But he’s taken part in the family tradition of returning to visit Pawnee Rock, and later Larned, each year. Soon, those visits will become more frequent as his family plans the grand opening of a new museum and event center in Pawnee Rocks’ oldest building. Last year,when his great niece, Glenda Walker Kirby of Kansas City, learned that P. Lee’s Antiques in Pawnee Rock was closing its doors for good, and the building would be for sale, she suggested they take a look on their way to the annual family reunion. The building, it turns out, belonged to his grandmother at one time, and while they were touring it, Jerry noticed furniture and a rug he remembered from visits during his childhood. This spurred him on to learn more and ultimately purchase the property. . Family history was eye opening Jerry was unaware of the history his family had in Pawnee Rock. For him, it was the town where family gatherings and visits to his grandmother happened. The family didn’t really talk about its accomplishments, so he was surprised to learn his great-greatgrandfather, T.H. Brewer, was one of the true old-timers of Pawnee Rock, and had helped develop and promote the city in its infancy. With a little research, a family tree emerged. T.H. Brewer’s daughter, Emma Ann, married the son of her father’s friend Charlie Ross. Her son Earl became the postmaster of Pawnee Rock. Jerry’s grandmother Vida and her sister Gertrude came to Pawnee Rock
from Missouri to work as telephone operators in the little building behind the opera house. She met Earl, and they later married. His mother grew up in Pawnee Rock, and married a man from Great Bend, and Jerry and his sister grew up in Great Bend. They lived for a year in Pawnee Rock while the family home was being built, he said, and he has a vivid memory of what the city was like in the 1950s. Emma Ann had belonged to one of the many women’s clubs that worked collectively to raise money to save Pawnee Rock, making it a state historical park for the public to enjoy. They raised money to commission a monument that still stands there today. As he dug deeper into the family’s history he found an entry contained in the 1912 Biographical History of Barton County, Kansas about Thomas Henderson Brewer. “Mr. Brewer owns a half section of land well improved in this county and a half interest in a half section in Hodgeman county,� the entry stated. “He is one of the directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank and owns, in addition to his residence, another house and lot in the west part of town. Mr. Brewer takes an active part in all public matters and was probate judge of this county from 1890 to 1895. His residence contains eight rooms in addition to bath, closets, pantries, etc. Mr. Brewer is one of the best known men in this part of the state and has done a great deal in developing the resources of the county and making of Pawnee Rock one of the important towns of the county. He is one of the really old timers who saw this county grow from an almost barren waste to its present high state of cultivation.� Oldest building in city has its own exciting history Touring the property, Walker recognized the historical value of the building at 321 Centre Street, and a vision began to take
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Updates underway Walker hired a caretaker, Paul Houston, who has been carrying out instructions and working alongside family members during
frequent visits. Jerry set a goal of having the museum open by June. Securing the building and moving remaining items out of the building was the first concern. Since then, much work has occurred inside, with both the first and second floors nearing completion. Once the remaining plumbing is completed, it will be time to install flooring, paint and begin installing displays and moving materials back into the building, Walker told the Tribune. It is his hope to eventually include family trees of many of the families of Pawnee Rock. “That way everyone can see who’s who at the zoo,� he said. Photos and letters will be some of the artifacts on display. The Hickock letter will be just one of the items on display. Video monitors will also provide visitors with a history of Pawnee Rock both the monument and the town. Soon, they will begin working on the exterior of the property, hoping to restore it to what it looked like in its early years. When the weather warms, paint will be removed from the structure’s brickwork, and landscaping will include river rock, native grasses and flower and modernized outdoor lighting. Walker has been working on building a board of directors for the library and museum, and is finding support from friends around the state with ties to Great Bend and Pawnee Rock. Working on the museum has been an inspirational experience for Walker, now the oldest member of his family. It has reconnected him with relatives and friends he hasn’t seen in decades. When the museum opens, he will make it available for special events, where he hopes others will have an opportunity for similar experiences. His own family will hold a Ross family reunion at the opera house over Memorial Day weekend this year, followed by a June opening to the public, with the date and time to be announced.
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shape. He reached out to relatives he’d never met, reunited with his first cousin, and a fascinating family history began to emerge. Family members shared letters with him, and when he shared what he’d learned with a friend back in California, the great granddaughter of Wild Bill Hickock, he was surprised to learn that one of his letters in her possession mentions the opera house at Pawnee Rock. Linda Waite, owner of the Santa Fe Mercantile, another Pawnee Rock antique store located on the opposite side of Centre street from Walker’s building, has been helpful in forging contacts, and put him in contact with the Kansas State Historical Society, he said. The building is one of the most uncompromised buildings of that era, he was told, and the KSHS has suggested he apply to have the building listed on both the national and the state historical registers. He is currently working on the paperwork, he said. Past owners Dorothy Bowman of “Memories� antique shop, and later Patricia Lee of “P. Lee’s Antiques� did a lot to keep the building updated and in good repair, Walker said. According to the writings of Leon Unruh, one of Pawnee Rock’s past residents and historians whose work can still be found on the community website he created (www. pawneerock.org) it started out as an opera house. It was also a movie house, a diner and a former Knights of Pythias hall. In 1914, it was said, a skeleton was acquired by the fraternal organization, and has been in the building ever since. The rumors proved to be true, Walker said. After the family purchased the building, they found the skeleton, and have chosen to allow it to remain.
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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020 •
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020
CPA offers advice for tax refund checks BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com
T
he IRS is now accepting and processing federal tax returns for tax year 2019. The deadline to file a 2019 tax return and pay any tax owed is Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The IRS strongly encourages people to file their tax returns electronically and choose direct deposit for faster refunds. Filing electronically reduces tax return errors as the tax software does the calculations, flags common errors and prompts taxpayers for missing information.
Barry Bowers Barry Bowers, a Certified Public Accountant at Spectrum CPA Partners LLC in Great Bend, notes that filing early is always a good idea. It has become more important in recent years due
to an increased number of identity theft cases where an imposter filed and claimed someone else’s tax refund. “In the last filing season, the IRS made some pretty good strides in identity theft filings but filing early is still the best deterrent,” he said. “There were very little tax changes from 2018 to 2019 so people should see similar results tax-wise this season,” Bowers said. For employees, it is still important to keep and eye on what is being withheld. “If you are selfemployed, doing some yearend estimating in the early fall is very important.” With tax season now in
full swing, a lot of taxpayers can expect to receive tax refund checks. We asked Bower what they should do with the check. Not surprisingly, the answer depends on each individual’s situation, but here are a few scenarios: • If you’re self-employed, consider applying the refund to your first quarter 2020 tax payments. • If you participate in withholding taxes through your employer, consider investing the refund in an IRA or some other retirement savings program. • Use the refund to pay down debt.
2019 Commercial Building permits and figures
Parcel Address Cost
Owner Name
Description
Estimated
2300 Broadway Ave. ........Wheatland Electric Cooperative Inc..................... Second floor interior remodel. ...............................$20,000.00 2817 9th St. ......................Julie A Spray Trust #1 .......................................... Install showers and toilets. ....................................$25,000.00 1615 10th St. ....................City of Great Bend ............................................... Build canopy. .........................................................$19,000.00 1000 Main St. ...................Russell J. Pfannenstiel Trust ................................ Remodel store interior. ..........................................$100,000.00 1117 Williams St...............New Leaf LLC ...................................................... Interior & exterior renovation. ................................$350,000.00 1600 Main St. ...................Marilyn J. Kopke Revocable Trust ....................... Interior remodel. ....................................................$10,000.00 3503 10th St. ....................Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust................... Interior & exterior update for grocery pickup. .......$47,482.00 9951 B-29 Way.................City of Great Bend ............................................... Storage building for NCRA. ...................................$48,189.00 5523 10th .........................Sunflower Diversified Services Inc....................... Addition & interior remodel. ...................................$190,000.00 1701 Williams ...................Terry & Christy Whitlow ........................................ Interior remodel. ....................................................$51,800.00 3501 10th .........................Missouri Real Estate & Insurance Agency LLC ... New restaurant. .....................................................$317,000.00 2016 19th .........................Mile High Investment Group LLC ........................ Interior remodel. ....................................................$25,000.00 3800 10th .........................Store Master Funding XVI LLC ............................ New building. .........................................................$1,100,000.00 3503 10th St. ....................Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust................... Store interior remodel. ...........................................$1,229,783.00 606 Main...........................Great Bend Cooperative Association .................. Frame in office walls. .............................................$12,000.00 1438 24th Street...............Club @ Stoneridge Inc. ........................................ Concrete piers & supports in basement. ..............$45,000.00 1701 K-96 Highway..........Waters Realty Inc. ................................................ Remove & replace non-load bearing walls. ..........$20,000.00 1300 Kansas Avenue........Barton Co. Commissioners .................................. Interior remodel. ....................................................$15,799.00 5523 10th Street...............Sunflower Diversified Services Inc....................... Tenant finish...........................................................$12,670.00 1801 Williams ...................USD #428 ............................................................. Install interior doors. ..............................................$30,000.00 1724 10th Street...............David D. Marmie Trust ......................................... Repair damaged wall. ............................................$25,000.00 2542 10th Street...............BHM Holdings LLC .............................................. Interior & exterior renovation. ................................$10,000.00 3520 Lakin Avenue ...........MGM Properties LLC ........................................... Interior office remodel............................................$16,000.00 2519 9th Street.................Evan Merlau ......................................................... Build 80’ x 40’ building..........................................$60,000.00 1025 Patton Road ............Midwest Energy, Inc. ............................................ Bathroom remodel. ................................................$13,925.00 4500 Broadway ................City of Great Bend ............................................... Build 16’ x 24’ shop addition ................................$18,000.00 1400 Main Street ..............Barton Co. Commissioners .................................. Interior wall repair. .................................................$70,000.00
This table shows Great Bend commercial permits for 2019 that met or exceeded the estimated cost of $10,000. This list does not include roof repairs. Source: City of Great Bend building inspections department.
Sunflower Diversified Services opens new business, art studio T
he new additions to the Westside Market building are turning the location into a vibrant hub of activity for Sunflower Diversified Services clients and staff, as well as the general public, said Debbie McCormick, director of marketing. Sunflower, a non-profit agency, serves people with special needs in central Kansas. The UPS Store and Beautiful Minds Art Studio recently opened and are now neighbors of the market that sells a variety of artwork and craft items. Each entity is located at 5523 10th. The Sunflower Recycling drop-off site is still located in the back of this building. The UPS Store continues with its soft opening but the date of the grand opening will be announced in the near future. “We want to be very comfortable with all the different facets of operating the UPS Store before we open the floodgates,” McCormick explained. “We have received great training from UPS and are fine-tuning the many tasks we perform.” The soft opening began Jan. 6 and “we are doing amazingly well thanks to word of mouth and our sign outside,” McCormick said. “Things are going extremely well thanks to community support. We are very optimistic about this venture.” In addition to the regular UPS packing, shipping and printing services, the biggest draw so far seems to be Amazon returns. People had been going to Hutchinson,
COURTESY PHOTO
Katie Howell, UPS Store associate, completes a transaction to return a package to Amazon for Gaila Demel.
Hays and Salina for this service. “Several times a day we hear people say ‘we are so glad you’re here. This is a great asset to the community,’” McCormick said. “They enjoy the convenience that UPS offers and are glad a new business has come to town.” Any extra revenue goes directly back to Sunflower’s services and programs for clients with disabilities and delays. Beautiful Minds Art Studio Beautiful Minds Art Studio also is teeming with activity every weekday. Sunflower clients express themselves through pottery, painting, sketching and drawing during classes at the studio. Michele Younker, manager/instructor, works closely with students as they create their works of art. If the artists choose, they can sell their pieces on consignment at Westside Market. But artwork created by clients is only one part of
the market’s inventory. Local and area artists and craftsmen display and sell their pieces on consignment too. The inventory, which keeps growing, includes: quilts; baby blankets and bibs; homemade jams; t-shirts; welcome mats; jewelry; paintings; pottery; and refurbished furniture. “Our displays catch the eye of people who come in for UPS services,” McCormick commented. “Folks who haven’t yet stopped in might be impressed with the quality and quantity of items we showcase here.” The most important
facets of these combined ventures under one roof are the therapeutic aspects of creating art and the creation of a number of jobs, including a few for Sunflower clients, McCormick noted. Clients will be involved in packaging with the help of a job coach. In other positions, they will work on tasks such as stocking inventory that includes boxes, packing materials, tape, envelopes and many other UPS retail items. “In these positions, clients will work more independently,” McCormick said. “We are always looking for innovative ways to offer more employment opportunities for the people we serve. “This three-pronged project has taken almost two years to come to fruition and we couldn’t be more pleased. We will add jobs as we can, showcase the artwork and continue to enhance our services to clients and the public.” Sunflower, a non-profit agency, serves infants, toddlers and adults in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. It is in its 54th year.
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IRS: Avoid the lateFebruary rush; use IRS’s online tools to get help WASHINGTON — With a surge of tax returns expected the two weeks following the February 17 Presidents Day holiday, the Internal Revenue Service is offering taxpayers several tips and various time-saving resources to get them the help they need quickly and easily. To help avoid this period of high telephone demand, the IRS encourages taxpayers and tax preparers to use online resources available at IRS.gov. And when it comes time to file, taxpayers are encouraged to file electronically and choose direct deposit for faster refunds. Filing electronically reduces tax return errors as the tax software does the calculations, flags common errors and prompts taxpayers for missing information. Here are a few featured tips to avoid the rush. Use IRS.gov to track refunds. The IRS issues more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. IRS customer service representatives cannot answer refund questions until it has been 21 days or more since the taxpayer filed electronically, or six weeks since they mailed a paper return. But taxpayers can track their refund anytime by using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS. gov and the IRS2Go app. Taxpayers can also call the IRS refund hotline at 800829-1954. Taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit can use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool to track refunds too. By law, the IRS cannot release refunds that include EITC or the ACTC before February 15. “Where’s My Refund?” on IRS.gov and the IRS2Go app will be updated with projected deposit dates for most early EITC/ACTC refund filers by February 22. IRS expects most EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by the first week of March, if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return. Use IRS.gov to find answers to tax questions. IRS offers a variety of online tools to help taxpayers answer common tax questions. For example, taxpayers can search the Interactive Tax Assistant, Tax Topics, Frequently Asked Questions, and Tax Trails to get faster answers. Let free tax software or free volunteer assistance do the work. Most taxpayers who want to prepare their own returns can file electronically for free with IRS Free File. Alternatively taxpayers who qualify can get free tax help from trained volunteers at community sites around the country. Turn to a trusted tax professional. To find more information about choosing a tax return preparer,
What’s new for the 2020 tax filing season Recent tax law changes have extended or changed many expiring tax law provisions, including: • Treatment of mortgage insurance premiums as qualified residence interest • Reduction in medical expense deduction floor • Deduction of qualified tuition and related expenses • Energy efficient homes credit • Employer credit for paid family and medical leave • Work opportunity credit • Special rule for determining earned income • Repeal of maximum age for traditional IRA contributions • Increase in age for required beginning date for mandatory distributions • Expansion of section 529 plans
including understanding the differences in credentials and qualifications, visit www.irs. gov/chooseataxpro. Use digital payment options if additional tax is owed. Some taxpayers may receive a smaller refund or even owe an unexpected tax bill when they file their 2019 tax return particularly if they didn’t do a Paycheck Checkup in 2019. Taxpayers should use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to make sure they are withholding enough tax in 2020. Make an appointment before visiting an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. Anyone who needs face-toface service should make an appointment before showing up. Most TAC visits can be avoided by using online tools available on IRS.gov. Call the employer first for that missing Form W-2. Those who have not received a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from one or more employers should first contact the issuer to inform them of the missing form. Those who do not get a response must still file on time and may need to use Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement (PDF), or Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans and IRA’s Insurance Contracts (PDF). Use the IRS Services Guide (PDF) and the Let Us Help You page on IRS.gov to find additional ways to get help. Use the Tax Information for Members of the Military page on IRS.gov for details on tax benefits for military members and veterans, filing options and more.
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Todd Armatys
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Financial Advisor
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1904 Broadway Great Bend, KS 67530 620-793-5481
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020 •
13
DANIEL KIEWEL Great Bend Tribune
Debbie Glenn (left) and her daughter Brittney Bailey (right), are pictured behind the counter of their antique store, Two Chicks and Some Old Bird, in downtown Ellinwood, which, along with antiques, offers gifts, fresh-baked baked goods, crafting classes and meeting space for special events.
‘A Little Bit of Everything’ Two Chicks and Some Old Birds brings antiques, other offerings, to close-knit Ellinwood business district BY DANIEL KIEWEL dkiewel@gbtribune.com
A
bout six months ago, it began with a passion for crafting. Today, Two Chicks and Some Old Bird has taken its place in Ellinwood’s Main Street business district as a place co-owner Debbie Glenn describes as a “unique antique and gift boutique�, an antique store with more than just antiques. In August 2019, Debbie, retired after working for the City of Ellinwood for 33 years, her daughter, Brittney Bailey, a lifetime Ellinwood resident who currently still works full time as the city’s EMS Director, and Kirk Glenn, who is Debbie’s husband and Brittney’s father (the “Some Old Bird� of the store as they described him), were looking for a place to host crafting classes, and the idea of having a storefront giving them more flexibility was appealing. “We had done a lot of craft shows (and) a lot of classes and we’d haul all of our equipment to wherever we happen to be having the class,� Brittney said. “(and) the idea of having all of our stuff in one location and having people come to us was very appealing versus hauling all that stuff all over the country.� When they saw the building, though, they realized crafting classes alone would not be enough to support their downtown Ellinwood location, so
they decided to open as an antique store, but one that had a little more to offer, as well. It was another passion that they were already invested in. “(Brittney) had an antique booth in Hoisington for a while, and that store closed about the time we were opening,� Debbie said. “She can still have a booth, but does not have to go to Hoisington to maintain it. The timing was good.� It’s not just Brittney, though, that shares wares in the store. The store offers booth space to nine different vendors, all from Barton County, as well as six different vendors who have items for consignment from the store. Currently, they have a waiting list of vendors looking for space in the store. “We’re a lot of different business under one roof,� Debbie said. Brittney added, “It’s a bunch of small businesses just trying to make a name for themselves.� “We pride ourselves on having a wide variety of items for all types of crowds,� Debbie said, saying they had some vendors that specialize in “upcycled�, or repurposed, items, some who specialize in gifts and decor, some who specialize in items for men, and so forth. The goal, they said, in the antique side of the business was to have a little bit for everyone. They actively pursued vendors that offered a variety of items that would appeal to a wide
DANIEL KIEWEL Great Bend Tribune
Pictured are some of the antique offerings available at Two Chicks and Some Old Bird.
variety of people. While the antiques is what customers will notice when they first come into the store, they want people to know the store is a lot more than simply an “antique store�. First, there are the crafting classes, of which they say they still hold at least four per month, plus other special events, of which they try to host at least one per month. One such event is their upcoming “Crock Bonanza� in March. “Our goal is to have 100 crocks,� Debbie said. “Crocks that we’ll have on display of various sizes, shapes, price points, brands, and we hope to draw people in from outside the area, who are collectors of those kind of items.� They also offer space for special events, as well. Beyond the antiques, gifts, events and classes, though,
they offer one thing they believe sets them apart from other stores of their type. Each morning, Debbie is in the store baking fresh muffins and other baked goods, along with two flavors of coffee, flavored tea, and smoothies. It’s that little bit extra each morning they hope will draw people in for the shopping, as well. The first six months of having the store, they said, has been a learning experience, from learning to adjust their hours around peak foot traffic to learning which items to offer, to knowing how much to bake in the morning. The whole family is an active part of the store, as well. Because Brittney and Kirk still work full-time jobs, Debbie, who is retired, is
usually “the face of the store� during the day. Brittney spends a lot of time helping out, though, after she gets off work and on weekends. Kirk, they said, does a lot of handyman work for the store, as well as “picking� items for the antique side. But the heart of the store is more than just the passion for crafting, or antiques, or baking, or any of the other items they sell. The heart of the store, instead, is the passion for the community of Ellinwood, and for helping other small businesses succeed. “This community is still home,� Debbie said. “There’s a lot of other businesses here.� Brittney said. “I mean, all of us downtown merchants, try to work well together and want to help each other. We really want to grow our downtown
(as a whole).� This includes efforts to coordinate hours with other business and working together around special events, and “word of mouth� advertising for their customers for other downtown businesses, as well. They understand that in a small town like Ellinwood, it takes a team effort with everyone working together for everyone to succeed. “Working together has helped the traffic for all of us,� Glenn said. “When we hold special events, we’re all in (together).� Most of the food items, they said, are from Kansas because of their passion for seeing small businesses succeed. Bailey said, “If we work well together, it benefits everyone.�
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020
Local Job Opportunities Tech careers continue to boom Technology has changed the world in numerous ways, including creating entirely new industries and a vast array of career options that didn’t exist as recently as two decades ago. In its CyberstatesTM report, CompTIA, which publishes a steady stream of new research on IT topics, recently shared some key findings that’s news for those who work in tech. • Around 11.8 million people are employed in tech in the Unites States, and 261,000 new jobs were added in the past year. • Software and web
developers make up the largest and fastest-growing segment of tech jobs. • The estimated direct economic output of the tech industry equals $1.8 trillion. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts technology careers are on the rise, with expected growth of 12 percent between 2014 and 2024. Specific fields within the tech industry are expected to experience even stronger growth, as high as 27 percent. There’s never been a better time to work in tech, particularly for those who have a knack or affinity for computer operations and networks.
Here’s a look at some of the promising tech careers, including some of the more lucrative, courtesy of U.S. News’ ‘Best Technology Jobs of 2019’ report. These jobs boast low employment rates and high salaries. 5. Database administrator: A database administrator sets up databases. These highly trained individuals use specialized software to store and organize data. Some key roles include planning, installation, configuration, design, as well as migration. DBAs also will troubleshoot and enhance database security. Median pay is $87,020. 4. Information security
Truck driver shortage affecting business While traversing the nation’s highways, drivers may not realize they are in the company of people who help keep the country’s economy flowing smoothly. The various trucks seen on the roadway are crucial economic components, as are the drivers who toil hours on end behind the wheel. As vital as they are, truck drivers are now in short supply, with some citing an aging workforce, high turnover rates, increased freight demand, and ‘lifestyle priorities’ that can make other industries seem more attractive to would-be drivers. The economic advisor Morgan Stanley reports that about 75 percent of freight in the United States is moved over the nation’s roadways by the roughly three million truckers. The American Trucking Associations says that about an additional 50,000 drivers are needed to meet deficits, particularly in the longhaul sector of the industry. If the trucking shortage goes unaddressed, industries could falter and deliveries may be late. In addition, rising costs of transporting goods by freight companies may be passed down to consumers. Industry experts fear the shortage may almost triple by the year 2026. Analysts say this problem has been festering for about 15 years. However, the recession that began in 2008 masked the issue, and when the North American economy strengthened once again, the cracks in the system became more apparent. The trucking lifestyle isn’t attracting millennials and the
incoming Generation Z individuals who are interested in a work-life balance, continues the ATA. If consumers are wondering why prices on certain goods have steadily risen, they may have trucker shortages to blame. Transportation costs have been problematic for companies such as PepsiCo, Halliburton, Hasbro, and Tyson Foods, just to name a few. Tyson has said freight costs spiked by an estimated $200 million in 2018. Experienced truckers who are interested in finding work or individuals new to this employment sector may find that odds of getting gainful employment are in their favor. The demand for drivers has resulted in freight companies offering higher salaries as well as signing bonuses for qualified drivers. Trucker compensation has risen as much as 12 percent a year in recent years, according to Bob Costello, chief economist at the ATA. That’s a considerable increase in wages compared to other sectors, which have barely budged recently. Additionally, while current U.S. regulations restrict commercial drivers license-holding drivers from operating across state lines until they are 21 years of age, the introduced DRIVE-Safe Act would establish an apprenticeship program for individuals under age 21 who hold a CDL to prepare them for interstate commerce. Truck driver shortages are affecting businesses. However, for those interested in a becoming truckers, there has never been a better time to sign on.
Why it pays to say ‘yes’ to 401(k) matches Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans are great ways to save for retirement, potentially paving the way to worry-free golden years. Such plans are even more attractive when employers offer to ‘match’ contributions. Employers that offer to match employee contributions typically will do so up to a given percentage. For example, some companies may match up to 2 percent. That means that employees who contribute at least 2 percent of their paychecks to an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan will receive an additional 2 percent from their employers. For those who contribute 2 percent, that match will double their contributions to 4 percent at no cost to the employee. Despite the benefits of accepting employers’ offers to match, recent data from the retirement planning specialists at Financial Engines indicates that many employees are not taking advantage of these offers when given the chance. A recent survey from Financial Engines found that $24 billion in 401(k) matches goes unclaimed
ever year, with the typical employee missing out on more than $1,300 in matches annually. Over time, money left on the matching table could deny retirees tens of thousands of dollars, if
not more. Accepting an employer’s offer to match is essentially accepting free money, making it something all investors should do if given the chance.
Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. is looking for a creative individual to fill the position of SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST. The successful applicant will represent Wheatland in multiple communication platforms, including social media, Cooperative events, and increase Cooperative brand awareness through these platforms. The successful applicant must also possess a strong ability to engage internal and external audiences. Superior writing skills are essential. Qualified candidates will possess an Associate’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field plus a minimum of 4 years’ experience in writing, editing, and designing to include online platforms; or Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field plus a minimum of 2 years’ experience in writing, editing, and designing to include online platforms. Experience with Microsoft Word, Outlook and PowerPoint and best practices in the use of, and a thorough understanding of the functionality of, social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, is required. Experience with copyrighting, proper use of grammar, and research techniques are required. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Adobe Acrobat Pro, and Google Analytics, online/digital marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) best practices is preferred. This position will require some travel, evenings, and occasional weekends and holidays. Please visit our website at http://www.weci.net/careers for a full job description. Qualified applicants should email a cover letter and resume to resumes@weci.net and put Social Media in the subject line. This position will remain open until filled. Wheatland Electric is an E.O.E.
analyst: Concerns about security breaches continue to grow as criminals become ever more savvy. Information security analysts find the best security solutions and carry out measures to protect a company’s networks and systems. The professionals maintain systems by updating software and recommending security updates to management. Median pay is $95,510. 3. IT manager: IT managers are in high demand thanks to increasingly digital workplaces. These individuals coordinate all computerrelated activities for an organization. Some jobs include recommending
software and hardware needs, securing networks, and searching for new technologies. Median salary is $139,220. 2. Computer systems analyst: A computer systems analyst helps organizations utilize computer technology efficiently and effectively. They make suggestions on new technology. Sometimes called systems architects, computer systems analysts often study existing computer systems and design more efficient options. Median salary is $88,270, lower than some other IT jobs, but there are 54,400 projected jobs in this area.
1. Software developer: A software developer has the highest rate of projected new jobs, and at a median salary of $101,790, it can be a secure career in the tech field. These developers write new code, fix software bugs, find solutions to outdated programs, and must be both creative and technical. Some developers may specialize in one area of computers or serve as generalists who write code for various types of software. No matter the position, working with tecnology involves finding creative solutions in a fast-paced, ever-growing environment.
Statistics show just how big small business is Small businesses have such a big impact on their communities, and the world at large, that it might be time to reconsider refering to them as ‘small.’ According to the World Bank, small businesses have a major impact on the world economy, especially in emerging countries. In such nations, small and medium enterprises contribute up to 60 percent of total employment and up to 40 percent of national income. Small businesses figure to frame their economies in emerging countries in the coming decades, and they’re already doing so in developed nations, such as the United States and Canada. The following statistics show just how big small businesses have become. • The U.S. Small Business Administration notes that small businesses make up 99.7 percent of all employers in the United States. Percentages are similar in Canada, where BDC, a bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs, notes that 99.8 percent of businesses employ fewer than 499 workers. • Hundreds of thousands of new businesses are started each month, with Yahoo! reporting that about 543,000 entrepreneurs open a business in a typical month. • Small businesses ben-
efit one another, as a 2017 report from the Canadian firm FreshBooks found that 66 percent of small businesses outsource services to other small businesses. • No business is too small to be a small business. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that microbusinesses, which are defined as firms that employ between one and nine employees, accounted for 75 percent of all privatesector employers as recently as 2013.
• Small businesses and happiness might be linked. A 2019 survey from Guidant Financial and the online lending marketplace LendingClub found that 78 percent of small business owners rated their level of happiness as an average of eight on a scale of one to 10 (10 being the happiest). • Female entrepreneurs are on the rise. A 2017 report from American Express found that female entrepreneurship grew by 114 percent between 1997 and 2017.
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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020 •
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020
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