Wellsville Chamber of Commerce Mission Statement:
“To improve business opportunity and build a better community”
| |
Host a Meeting - Showcase Your Business | |
If you would like to showcase your business by hosting a Chamber meeting and/or luncheon at your location, please let us know. This is a great way to familiarize other business owners with the tools and resources you have to offer the community and your physical space. | |
|
It's that time of year again:
2022-2023 Wellsville Chamber Membership Tiers
ð Platinum Corporation - $500.00 – (includes rotating banner on home page of Chamber website of your business logo linked to your website; listing on Business Directory page with direct link to your website; events displayed on Calendar page; monthly representation at City Council meetings [$300 value], monthly highlights of events/specials on KOFO during Wellsville Chamber segment).
ð Platinum Business - $500.00 – limited to 20 members (includes rotating banner on Home page of Chamber website of your business logo linked to your website; listing on Business Directory page with direct link to your website; events displayed on Calendar page; one article about your business per year in the Chamber newsletter [$100 value], one 2-week slot on Chamber sign each year [$200 value];opportunity for one monthly 60-minute meeting per month to partner on marketing for articles, promotions, feedback, community partnerships, etc. [$300 value]; monthly representation at City Council meetings [$300 value], monthly highlights of events/specials on KOFO during Wellsville Chamber segment).
ð Gold Business - $300.00 (includes rotating banner on Home page of Chamber website of your business logo linked to your website; listing on Business Directory page with direct link to your website; events displayed on Calendar page; one article per year in the Chamber newsletter [$100 value]; opportunity for one quarterly 60-minute meeting per month to partner on marketing for articles, promotions, feedback, community partnerships, etc. [$100 value]; monthly representation at City Council meetings [$300 value]; monthly highlights of events/specials on KOFO during Wellsville Chamber segment).
ð Silver Business - $150.00 (Phone/email information only on Business Directory page; promotion of all events in the Chamber newsletter; monthly representation at City Council meetings [$300 value]).
ð Non-profit - $100.00 (Phone/email information on Business Directory page; promotion of organization and all events in the Chamber newsletter; monthly representation at City Council meetings [$300 value]).
ð Church - $100.00 (Phone/email information on Business Directory page; promotion of Church and all events in the Chamber newsletter; monthly representation at City Council meetings [$300 value]).
ð Associate Member* - $50.00 (Phone/email information only on Business Directory page)
*Associate member status shall be reserved for non-business individuals wishing to be part of the Chamber.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS WERE DUE BY 9/30/22. Thank you for your support!
| |
Wellsville Chamber Sign Advertising program | |
Have you noticed the beautiful banners displayed every two weeks on the Wellsville Chamber sign sitting on Highway 33 in the field next to Bert's and across from Auburn Pharmacy? If not, take a look next time you are driving by. We have received lots of positive feedback about the program. Here are a few of the banners we've displayed recently: | |
|
If you would like to advertise to the thousands of cars passing by our billboard on Highway 33 each day, we can help produce and display a banner designed just for your business. This Chamber sign is especially important to your business if you are a business located somewhere other than on 33 highway. Many people who live outside Wellsville or are coming off the highway to stop at Bert's or Casey's don't know what other businesses Wellsville has to offer. They might make it a point to use your services each time they are in town if they only knew where you were!
Our 2022 spots are already filled, but if you would like one (or a few) in 2023, now is the time to book your dates! Those choosing the platinum-tier Chamber membership will get first choice on 2023 dates. Formal communication will be coming out after the membership drive ends.
| | |
|
Fall Leaves
What to do with all those leaves this fall? The autumn chill is just around the corner, where the leaves will start to fall off the tress and accumulate on your lawn or property. What are some options for dealing with them?
Blowing leaves into the street (or your neighbor’s yard) isn’t considerate or helpful. They will just end up blocking and clogging storm drains and causing flooding when it rains. If you don’t want to do any raking or bending over, then leave those leaves in place and just continue mowing your lawn. The blades of the lawnmower will chop the leaves into small pieces, which will break down quickly in the lawn, feeding the soil for next year.
However, with just a bit of effort to collect and relocate the piles, leaves make an excellent free mulch for flower and vegetable beds. Unlike animal manures and woody debris, leaves don’t have to be composted before they can contribute to soil health. Pile the leaves up to four inches deep to make a cozy winter blanket for your plants.
Remember that leaves are not trash and they should not be put out with the regular debris for collection. If you aren’t going to reuse or compost the leaves at home, then they need to be collected in bags and/or bins and taken to local city or county yard waste disposal area. Within the Lake Region, grass clippings, leaves and plant are generally accepted at the transfer station, where they can be stockpiled, composted, and used as ground cover. The public may be granted access to the compost pile.
| | |
Special Chamber Member Promos | | |
|
KOFO Travel Cub to Branson
The KOFO Travel Club is heading to Branson for a weekend getaway, December 2nd through 4th. Crossroad Tours will make pickups in Ottawa and Louisburg, then head to Branson for an Ozark Mountain Christmas. They will check into the Grand Oaks Hotel and enjoy a three-day whirlwind of shows, shopping, dining, and more!
Per person pricing is $589 for a double, $669 for a single, with triple and quad options available. The tour includes round trip transportation, two nights’ hotel, five meals, drive-through light display, shopping at Branson Craft Mall, Branson Landing, Osceola Cheese, and the Amish Trading Post, and driver gratuity.
And the shows! You’ll see the Clay Cooper Christmas Show, SIX!, the Brett Family Christmas Show, and The Shepherd of the Hills Christmas Story. Insurance is available. Your 50% deposit is due September 20th, so call 785-242-1220 or email kofo@kofo.com to reserve your spot.
| | |
|
FCDC Annual Gathering
The Franklin County Development Council will be hosting their annual gathering over the lunch hour (and ½) on November 2 at the Ottawa High School.
Why the high school you ask? Good Question!
They will be providing tours to our membership of the vo-tech training center at the high school after enjoying a nice lunch and recognizing their outgoing leadership. In addition, you will see the new “bank” located in the high school that is being supported by Kansas State Bank.
You will also get to tase the wonderful food provided by our students. Heck, you may want to hire one of them!!!
HERE ARE THE DETAILS:
WHEN: November 2, 2022
TIME: 11:30 – 1:00
WHERE: Ottawa High School
WHY: Celebrate a great year at FCDC and share our educational support systems to our business and industry
Cost: FREE, FREE, FREE
Email paul.bean@fcdckansas.org and let him know how many from your business will be attending. Bring along HR and others involved in hiring or training so you can make some great connections to our educators. Let’s celebrate FCDC and what all our members bring to this great community!
Come have fun, learn a bit, and enjoy great food and great fellowship!!!!
| |
|
Franklin County Optimist Club
The Franklin County Optimist Club has recognized the following Students of the Month for September at the Wellsville Middle School:
- Hadley Douglas, 6th grade
- Cami Collum, 7th grade
- Jazlene Kirk, 8th grade
Each student received a certificate from the Optimists and a gift card donated by Bill Lytle and Hot Off the Press.
The Optimists will be meeting in Wellsville at the Library on October 17 at 6 pm to review the Golf Tournament.
| |
Size Up Franklin County
This is a new software program provided by FCDC to anyone. It is a program for businesses new and existing. It can help new businesses build a business plan and existing ones tweak their plan. It provides access to location of competition, suppliers, workforce, and much more.
| |
The outlook in Franklin County is that we will see aggressive interest rate increases for the remainder of 2022. If inflation continues to the first quarter of 2023, the aggressive rate increases will resume. The outlook is for a recession to occur in 2023 but how deep it will be is in question. The bottom line in workforce, there are more jobs than people living in the state of Kansas. We still have an outflow of labor leaving our state. Our wages have increased but are still below the national average.. | |
|
Franklin County Career Day
The Franklin County Career Day is coming! The FCDC will be hosting all the high school juniors in Franklin County, approximately 370 students, at Ottawa High School. This is your chance to have a table in the gym to introduce your business and career opportunities to these juniors.
Last year they had juniors and seniors to catch up after COVID. This year, we will only have the juniors, and it will only be a half day event.
Date: November 10, 2022
Time: 8:30 – 12:00
Where: Ottawa High School Gymnasium
Why: So our students learn the opportunities for employment here in Franklin County
Cost: FREE
2022 Franklin County Career Day Schedule -
| |
| Time of Activity | Type of Activity | Activity | Location | | 8:30 to 9:00 | Overview | Welcome and Keynote | PAC | | 9:05 to 9:40 | Breakout Rotation | #1 Entrepreneurs Panel | PAC | | 9:45 to 10:20 | Breakout Rotation #2 | College/Career Fair | South Gym | | 10:25 to 11:00 | Breakout Rotation #3 | Cybersecurity Safety | Community Room | | 11:05-11:30 | Closing by Derek Chappell | Drawing for Door Prizes and Evaluation | PAC | | |
|
Kansas Income tax Credit
Franklin County is now designated as an E-Community. One of the benefits of this is we can offer you access to Kansas Income Tax Credits. The attached document will provide further information.
Here are some key points:
- You get a 75% tax credit from your investment
- You may be able to deduct your full investment on your federal income tax return
- Your support provides funding for the GAP loans we can offer to new businesses
- We will get a 20% commission locally on all tax credits we sell for use for economic development in our county
IMPORTANT:
- We currently have only $250,000 to offer here in Franklin County this year
- You must run this through me if you would like us to receive the local benefits of your investment
PLEASE let Paul Bean know if you would like to purchase tax credits this year for your business or individually. It will be first come first serve.
*Always seek professional tax advice when making these types of decisions
| |
Wellsville School District Projects and Programs |  | |
Exciting News
USD 289 is excited to announce that the district was recently recognized as part of the Kansas Can Star Recognition Program! The Kansans Can Star Recognition Program recognizes districts' efforts related to the Kansas Can Outcomes. This recognition is not easy to obtain and represents the highest level of achievement on the State Board outcomes. USD 289 received the following awards:
- Graduation Rate (Gold)
- Academically Prepared for Post Secondary (Copper)
- Post Secondary Effectiveness (Bronze)
- Individual Plan of Study (Copper)
USD 289 continues to see overall growth across the Kansas Can Outcomes. While these awards are not the whole story, they do reflect the tremendous efforts of our staff and students as they work to achieve USD 289 outcomes as well as KSDE outcomes. The awards are also a recognition of the work that has been accomplished through our strategic plan. The USD 289 Strategic Plan was developed by stakeholders and represents their values and desires. These awards are a recognition of the efforts and work guided and led by the strategic plan.
While some Kansas Can Awards are based on outcomes that occur toward the end of students' postsecondary experience, it takes the efforts of all staff across all grade levels to achieve these results! Thank you to our staff and students for all of your outstanding work and efforts! Amazing job!
Congratulations, students and staff!
USD 289 Graduation Outcomes
As part of our strategic plan, USD 289 has developed graduation outcomes. The outcomes were designed with the intent of having measurable outcomes that students can achieve that indicate a readiness level for postsecondary opportunities. The outcomes are as follows:
- Achieving an ACT Score of 21
- Receiving a work industry certification
- Completing 12 or more college hours
- Receiving a Career Readiness certificate on the WorkKeys Assessment
- Acceptance in the military
The baseline year for data regarding these outcomes was 2018, and 43% of students were achieving one of the five outcomes at that time. Below is a chart over the last six years. In 2022, 78% of seniors met one of these outcomes, and the graduating class of 2023 is estimated to achieve an 83% success rate. These very positive numbers reflect the hard work of students, staff, and families helping to ensure students not only graduate but are prepared and achieved a measurable outcome related to the postsecondary opportunities that await them.
| |
The USD 289 bond project continues to move forward. Below are updated pictures of our project and status updates.
- Students and staff have moved into the new library, and it is operational
- Students and staff are moving into the remodeled MS rooms and science lab this week. They will be operational and in use next week.
- The new MS office area is scheduled to be completed, with new furniture installed by 10/24. The entrance of the new middle school office will be completed later this semester, as a few of the materials have been delayed. This is also true for the upgrades to the outside of the building.
- The HS English classrooms and study areas are scheduled to be completed and ready for move-in by the end of this semester.
- The new Wrestling Room / Weight Room is scheduled for completion by the first part of January.
| Wellsville High School Library/Media Center | Wellsville Middle School Science Lab | Wellsville Middle School Rooms and Hallway | Wellsville Middle School Office | |
Monthly Meeting - November 8th at noon at Wellsville City Library | |
Annual Chamber Wine/Brew/Spirits Fest
The Chamber has requested and been granted a permit from the City and is still planning on the date. Please stay tuned for exciting information about this new, fun event guaranteed to bring in people from all around!
This will be an opportunity for the downtown businesses to showcase themselves and for all our Wellsville businesses to benefit. Let us know if you'd like to be part of the planning process!
| |
Check out all the Wellsville Recreation Commission has planned for our community seniors this month!
| |
Dave and Beth Irvin at Wellsville Senior Center
Dave & Beth Irvin bring a wholesome family style show to audiences across the country. With big imaginations and many talents, they use their singer-song writing skills in addition to their comedic insight to create original uplifting songs as well as original characters like Lizzy Lou (brought to life by Beth). Dave’s own style of guitar (“or lack thereof” so he says) and their voices brings a unique sound to any stage.
The event is Friday, October 21st at 6:30PM. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
| |
|
- The Wellsville City Library is looking for a new board member that resides within the city limits.
- If you are interested please call the library at 785-883-2870.
- The Wellsville City Library is excited to announce that they are moving forward with the building project.
- The architect, Emig & Hauff Associates Architects, and contractor will be going over the plans and then they will be looking for subcontract workers.
| |
Storytime -
- Every Wednesday @ 10am beginning August 17th
| |
Chamber Member Church Events | |
|
Sunday Service -
- Three identical in-person services at 8:00AM, 9:30AM, and 11AM
- Live online service at 9:30AM
At the Movies-
- Begins on November 13th and runs through December 18th
- Additional Saturday evening service will be added at 6PM
Helping Hands Food Pantry Grocery Distribution -
- Fri October 14
- Sat October 15
| | |
|
GriefShare -
- A faith-based, friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
- How GriefShare works: Support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help.
- You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you cope with your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life. Grieving is a process and not meant to last forever.
- Mondays at 7pm at Family Church
- For more info contact Debra McCullough (913) 206-5372
| |
Celebrate Recovery
- A 12-step program to help you find freedom and healing from hurts, habits, and hang-ups
- Meets weekly at Family Church on Thursday's at 7PM
- For more info contact Mike Holtwick 913-710-6255
| |
|
Wellsville Baptist Church | |
Sunday Service -
- One in-person service 9AM
- Sunday School for all ages at 10:30AM
| |
Ladies Craft Nights -
- Every 3rd Sunday of the month, 6-8PM
- Women are invited to gather and bring any craft project they are working on
- Once each quarter we’ll do a guided group activity such as making a painting, ornament, or decoration for the home
Bible Study -
- Every Wednesday morning from 9:30-10:30AM
- No matter how little or how much you know about the Bible, we guarantee you’ll learn something new at this study
- All are welcome to join us for an hour of study followed by a visit to Hot Off the Press for snacks
Pioneer Club -
- Every Wednesday evening (Sept-April) from 6:30-8PM
- Club will be canceled if there is no public school that day
- PC is essentially Christian scouting
- Kids between the ages of 3-18 are invited to join in learning more about God while simultaneously engaging in practical life skills and hobbies
Play Group -
- Every Thursday from 9:30-11:30AM
- Moms and kids of all ages are invited to play in the WBC gym
- Kids can bring skates, bikes, scooters, or any other toys they’d like
- A great way for kids to get their energy out, while the mom’s can sit and chat
Men’s Breakfast -
- Every Saturday morning from 8-10AM
- Don’t worry about bringing anything other than your appetite
- Breakfast and fellowship are both provided
| |
Wellsville Methodist Church | |
Sunday Service -
-
In person worship and Church@Home - 10:45AM
| |
Shared Experiences Bereavement Group -
- First and third Tuesdays at 10:30AM
- Open to anyone
- Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided
Zoom Tuesdays -
- Bible study each Tuesday evening at 6:30
-
March 1 we will begin a Lenten study until Easter using the book A Time to Grow by Kara Eidson.
- Normally runs just over an hour.
- Participants will need a Zoom invitation; they just need to email the Church
| |
|
Upcoming Community Events | |
Commercial Space Available | |
If you are a Chamber Member with a commercial space for rent, contact us with details and we will post it on the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce website and in our next newsletter. | |
2021/2022 Wellsville Chamber of Commerce Officers | |
Wellsville Chamber President
Susan Stueve
Sales Associate
Farm Bureau Financial Services
| |
Vice President
Nicole Vlcek
Owner/Chiropractor
Wellsville Chiropractic
| |
Secretary
Susan Larsen - Driskell
Simplot Grower Solution Location Manager
| |
Treasurer
Ken Larsen
CFO - Retired
Desoto School District
| |
Wellsville Chamber and Health Coalition Partnership Description | |
Many interested parties have asked for clarification regarding the relationship/partnership between the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce and the Wellsville Health Coalition. In 2021, the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce (WCC) and Wellsville Health Coalition (WHC) embarked on a collaboration to share resources where appropriate in order to boost both organizations’ efforts in areas of overlapping interest. The organizations are separate entities, but they often meet concurrently and share in other ways. The mission of the Chamber of Commerce remains "“To improve business opportunity and build a better community.” The Chamber exists to serve and build business in our community. The Wellsville Health Coalition exists to serve as a local health policy coalition that connects people working on such shared goals, facilitates cooperative and streamlined efforts as appropriate, and ultimately improves all aspects of health, civic engagement, community partnerships, and overall resident and community wellbeing. To accomplish this, the coalition seeks to monitor community-specific data, help prioritize ideas, share resources, promote activities, seek funding, and make a greater impact together. Additionally, the WHC aims to prepare the community for healthy growth through attention to social factors affecting health, to serve as an example for other rural communities, and to coordinate with the Franklin County Health Department on community health assessment and planning.
As always, if you have events or job postings you'd like included, please send the information and any fliers or pictures to wellsvillechamberofcommerce@hotmail.com prior to the beginning of the month of your event. We welcome any feedback and suggestions about what to include and the layout. It's a creative process together. We wish you and your family an amazing 2022! | | | | | |
