Chamber Connect - February 2021

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FEBRUARY 2021

NEWS

Hutch Chamber Releases 2020 Annual Report

We are proud to release the 2020 Hutch Chamber Annual Report that highlights the important work that has been accomplished throughout the past year. Though 2020 was filled with new challenges, our successes were made possible through your commitment to work together and to create a prosperous future in a rapidly changing world. We couldn’t do any of this work without your support, and the support of our board of directors, committees, and volunteers.

We encourage you to look through the report to see what all can be accomplished when we work together for the betterment of our community!

View the 2020 Chamber Annual Report

2021 Annual Meeting Set for November 4th

After careful consideration, the 2021 Annual Meeting date has been moved to Thursday, November 4th. This signature event will take place on the Kansas State Fairgrounds and will feature a newly expanded Business Expo for the social and networking portion of the event. This year's keynote presentation will be given by Denise Lee Yohn. Denise is the go-to expert on brand leadership for national media outlets and an in-demand keynote speaker and consultant.

Tickets for this event will go on sale soon. Sponsorship opportunities are available - contact Marcy Kauffman at 620-860-2689 to learn more!

Kansas Department of Commerce to Host Business Incentive Meetings

The state of Kansas offers several programs and services that make locating and expanding in the state a smart decision. If you are in advanced manufacturing, logistics/distribution, food processing, aerospace, or corporate headquarters, the state of Kansas has a variety of programs that can be tailored to meet your needs for growth. The South Central In-State Business Development Project Manager will be available on February 24th for 30-minute in-person meetings to share information on how to engage in these programs. If you are interested in signing up for one of these meetings to learn more, click the link below!

Sign-up Here

16th Annual National DII Christian Homeschool Basketball Championship Coming to Hutch

The National DII Christian Homeschool Basketball Championship will kick off their 16th Championship in Hutchinson next month. The Championship will run March 4-6 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena and will be their largest in the organizations history. Currently they have nearly 80 teams registered from six states, which equates to approximately 3,000 attendees and family members. Over 100 basketball games will be played over the three days of competition in Hutchinson. In addition, there are free throw and 3-point shooting competitions held among the Junior High and High School divisions.

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Comprehensive 'Framework for Growth' Economic Development Strategy

Governor Laura Kelly today unveiled Kansas’ new, comprehensive economic development strategic plan, the first of its kind in more than 30 years. The Kansas Framework for Growth is an aggressive strategy to align our state’s strengths with emerging trends across the global economy, while guiding economic development at state and local levels into the future.

The Framework for Growth was created through data analysis and with input from Kansans statewide and outlines specific approaches to help develop the state’s number one asset – its people.

View the Framework for Growth Report

COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in Reno County

Reno County remains in Phase 2 and is currently vaccinating ages 65 and over and those from Phase 1 who have not yet received the vaccine. Another clinic is scheduled for this Friday, February 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. The Health Department hopes to administer 800 doses of the Moderna vaccine. They are currently working to identify the next vaccination group and will soon begin calling to schedule appointments. For information on the vaccine or to pre-register, visit the Reno County website or call 844-834-3657.

PrairieStar and Dillons have also both announced that they soon will have COVID-19 vaccinations to administer in Hutchinson. Visit both of their websites for more information.

Thank you to our 2021 Annual Meeting Premier Sponsor: Dillons Food Stores!

From the Dillons archives:

When did Dillons first launch Pickup? Some may say it was just five years ago in 2016. However, Dillons’ Parcel Pick-up Station provided curb-side pickup of groceries back in 1960. Dillons #19 on East Kellogg in Wichita, Ks was the first location to offer it with the grand opening of the store.

What were grocery prices in 1960? Ground Beef at 90% lean was $.65 lb., Arkansas Fresh Strawberries for $.39 a quart, and a Windsor Gold Cake for $.59 from the Dillons Bakery.

Visit our new Dillons 100th Anniversary website at www.dillons.com/100years for more!

UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS

FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE - FEBRUARY 5

Join us for virtual networking on Friday, February 5th at 8:30am for First Friday Coffee sponsored by Waldron Place Assisted Living. From the comfort of your own home or office, join us as we make new connections, spark conversations, and share ideas.

Register Here | Add to Outlook Calendar

LUNCHTIME LOWDOWN - FEBRUARY 10

Lori Bower of BowerComm will host the final session of a four-part series based on the book "Unstuck" by Keith Yamashita and Sandra Spataro. Organizational leaders (including executives, marketing, human resources, and operations) can learn a framework for getting your organization in balance, and discuss ideas for how to deal with symptoms of being out of whack. If you missed the first three session, check them out on the Hutch Chamber YouTube Channel and then join us for the final session on February 10th at 12:30pm!

Register Here | Add to Outlook Calendar

MEMBERSHIP BREAKFAST - FEBRUARY 17

Join us for this month's virtual Membership Breakfast, sponsored by Reno County. Our guest speaker this month will be Kate Struttman, the Regional Disaster Officer with the American Red Cross to discuss disaster preparedness for businesses. During the breakfast the American Red Cross will also be announcing the winner of this year's Battle of the Badges award! There is no cost to attend, however advanced registration is required.

Register Here | Add to Outlook Calendar

VIRTUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM - FEBRUARY 20

The first Legislative Forum for the 2021 legislative session will be held virtually on Saturday, February 20th from 9:30am to 11am. This event will be live-streamed on the Hutch Chamber Facebook Page.

During the forum, Reno County legislators will answer questions about topics of interest here in Kansas. Those wanting to submit questions for the forum can do so by filling out the form at hutchchamber.com. The Reno County legislators invited to participate are Senator Mark Steffen, Representative Joe Seiwert, Representative Paul Waggoner, Representative Jason Probst, and Representative Michael Murphy.

The forum is presented by AT&T with supporting sponsorship from Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System and organized by the Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

February 5-7: Kansas Classic Youth Cattle Show
February 13-14: Wild Wind Winter Circuit
February 18: Third Thursday – Chocolate Crawl
February 19-21: NADAC Dog Trials
February 25-28: Cottonwood Classic Quarter Horse Show
March 4-6: National DII Christian Homeschool Basketball Championship

CELEBRATIONS

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

The Hutch Chamber, in partnership with The Hutchinson News, proudly presents the Small Business Award each month to recognize the significant contribution small businesses make to our local economy. Congratulations to Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning for receiving the January Small Business Award! To read more about them, click here.

If you know of a deserving small Chamber business, we encourage you to nominate them for this award. Requirements for consideration are Chamber membership, in business for at least three years, and employs 40 or fewer people. Click here to nominate a business today!

Special thank you to Allen Samuels Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Envista Credit Union, Express Employment, First National Bank, Heartland Credit Union, Hutchinson Clinic, Eagle Communications, and ProValue Insurance for their sponsorship that makes this award possible each month.

NEW MEMBERS

Yard DeSIGNS Hutch
Stacy Goss Hughes
Owner/Operator

ReeceNichols South Central Kansas - Hutchinson
Josie Thompson
Branch Manager

Squeege Squad of Wichita
James Barfield
President

ZenBusiness
Ross Buhrdorf
CEO

360 Document
Solutions, LLC
George Keene
General Manager

BUSINESS UPDATES

Superior Boiler CEO Doug Wright Named Chair of the American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Doug Wright, CEO of Superior Boiler, has been named Chair of the American Boiler Manufacturers Association. Wright will serve a two-year term in the role.

“In 2020, effective organizations pivoted quickly to respond to the innumerable changes inflicted by COVID-19,” Wright said. “ABMA did this ably, helping its members manage the impacts of the pandemic. Despite the unprecedented challenges, ABMA remains as strong as ever – the leading voice in the boiler manufacturing and heat recovery industry. I’m proud to serve as its Chair for the next two years and excited to have this platform, along with my fellow board members and ABMA leadership, to continue raising industry visibility and influence.”

With ABMA staff, Wright will be involved in developing BOILER 2022 – ABMA Boiler Conference & Expo, a two-day trade show and educational event that is the first of its kind. Scheduled April 11-13, 2022, the event will share the latest boiler technology advances and educate on all facets of the boiler room. It is part of a strategic initiative for ABMA that shifts the focus to the end users of boiler products.

Jennifer Berning, CPA, Elected as Adams Brown Partner
Adams Brown, Strategic Allies and CPAs, is excited to announce the recent election of Jennifer Berning, CPA, to partner.

Jennifer joined Adams Brown in 2013. Today, she has over 20 years of public accounting experience and specializes in consulting with farmers and ranchers. Jennifer also serves the tax, accounting, succession, and estate planning needs of a variety of businesses and individuals throughout Kansas and the central U.S.

“Congratulations to Jennifer on earning this promotion. Being elected to partner is truly a career milestone and showcases her commitment to public accounting, the firm, and our clients,” said Brian Staats, CPA, CGMA, managing partner. “We know she’ll continue going above+beyond in this new role!”

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from Kansas State University. Jennifer is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants (KSCPA). Originally from Leoti, Kansas, Jennifer currently lives in Hutchinson with her husband, Jerry, and their three children.

Dillons Food Stores Celebrates 100th Anniversary in 2021
Dillon Food Stores recently announced celebratory plans to mark its centennial year with service to Kanas communities. Throughout 2021, Dillons plans to recognize its principles and values along with customers, associates, and communities that have made the past 100 years (and counting) successful.

“The 100th anniversary of Dillons is a monumental milestone, said Steve Dreher, president of Dillon Food Stores. “In reflecting back, I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard our customers refer to one of our locations as ‘my Dillons’ and it always brings an overwhelming sense of pride. At Dillons, we’ve been a guest at our customers’ tables all these years and has been a privilege to be a part of cherished celebrations, holiday gatherings, and everyday family meals with more time at home. We share our appreciation for our customers’ loyalty in allowing Dillons to be a part of our communities with a rich history in Kansas.”

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Dillons to Receive New Fuel Center
Dillon Stores recently announced plans for a new off-site Dillons Fuel Center at 429 E 4th Avenue in Hutchinson, KS to provide customers with even more convenience and savings with Dillons’ fuel rewards. The fuel center will be located at the southwest corner of the intersection at 4^thAvenue and Plum Street, accessibly located between Dillons at 725 E 4^th Ave (4^th Street Dillons) and Dillons at 206 W. 5th St. (5^th & Adams Dillons). Construction is scheduled to begin on January 25 and is expected to be completed in spring 2021.

The new fuel center will feature seven fuel pumps with service for fourteen vehicles and offer both gasoline and diesel fuels with 24-hour service. It will also include a service kiosk, complete with “on-the-go” items such as cold beverages, candy bars, and snacks.

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Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity to Host Future of Rural Healthcare Webinar
Through a partnership with the Kansas Health Foundation, United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, the Kansas Hospital Association, and the KU Public Management Center, the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity is convening a series of regional conversations to talk about the future of rural health care in Kansas. Click here for the list of dates and times and how to register.

Adams Brown Releases Guidance on Unemployment Benefit-Related Identity Theft
Fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits skyrocketed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many U.S. taxpayers will receive Forms 1099-G for unemployment benefits they didn’t actually receive.

Scammers filed fraudulent unemployment claims using stolen personal information to receive benefits and compensation. This means some funds were paid to these scammers while many individuals received no benefits.

The IRS issued guidance urging taxpayers who receive Forms 1099-G for unemployment benefits in error to contact their appropriate state agency. As tax filing season rolls around this year, remain vigilant. If you receive a Form 1099-G but didn’t apply for unemployment benefits, contact your state agency using the details below.

Continue reading...

Frontier Airlines Announces Nonstop Flights to Las Vegas
Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines announces nonstop flights from Wichita to Las Vegas beginning March 12, 2021. To celebrate this new service, Frontier is offering fares as low as $49*, which are available now at FlyFrontier.com.

“We’re delighted to announce new, nonstop flights from Wichita to Las Vegas,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial, Frontier Airlines. “Frontier’s low fares and friendly service are an exceptional combination for all flyers. Furthermore, these new flights will adhere to our industry-leading health practices, including required temperature screenings, mask wearing and enhanced cleaning of each aircraft.”

Have an exciting milestone to celebrate or a fundraiser or event coming up in the community?

Send it to Chelsey at chelseyd@hutchchamber.com for inclusion in the Chamber newsletter.

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117 N Walnut Street, Hutchinson, KS 67501

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