To notify the membership of location and/or name changes, contact Tom Dooley at 662-3391 or tomd@hutchchamber.com to make changes to your account.

Hutchinson Hospital Corporation has named Todd Laffoon the new Administrative Director of Business Development and Marketing.

Grene Vision Group, Dr. Tim and Gina Ridder, have moved to 2701 N. Main.

Collins Bus Corporation has named John Doswell the Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

The Links at Pretty Prairie has named Francie Shasteen the contact.

Small Business Spotlight Award Nominations

The Chamber's Small Business Council is seeking nominations for the 2008 Small Business Spotlight Award. The award will be given monthly to a Chamber business that exemplifies community spirit and superior business practices and meets the following criteria:

Chamber member in good standing

In business at least 3 years

Employs 25 or fewer

To make a nomination, click on the logo or contact Belinda McClanahan at 662-3391 with the nominee's business name, contact, and telephone number.

Recipients will be featured in a newspaper ad, highlighted on a 30-second local radio spot and recognized in an Outlook newsletter and at a membership event.

Thank you to First National Bank of Hutchinson and Hutchinson Credit Union for sponsoring the Small Business Spotlight Awards.

Post Your Jobs on HUTCHAREAJOBS.COM

Hutchareajobs.com was created to provide a comprehensive listing of jobs available in Reno County on one, easily accessible site. Hutchareajobs.com will be featured on the hutchnews.com site as well as on the new Chamber web site, launching this fall. The Chamber will also use this site to assist with economic development opportunities which rely on attracting quality workforce.

In addition, Hutchareajobs.com was launched to provide immediate access to local jobs and to connect employers with employees. The goal is to widen the net for Reno County employers to find potential employees, both locally and nation-wide. Hutchareajobs.com is part of a network of over 600 newspapers across the country.

“We want to increase the opportunities for Reno County employers to find potential employees,” said Dana Regehr, the Chamber’s Economic Development Director. “Our goal is to provide a service to local employers and continue to assist with their efforts to attract workers to our community.”

Hutchareajobs.com will provide an employer the opportunity to list job openings and receive job matches based on the job description in their ad. “The job matching process is streamlined,” said Leslie Shea, Advertising Director, The Hutchinson News. “As an employer posts a position, keywords from that advertisement are matched to key words in resumes that are posted on the site. The employer will then receive an email informing them of the potential candidate that matched the job description in their ad.”

In addition to the benefits offered on hutchareajobs.com, there are special perks for Chamber members. “As a service for Chamber members, we are offering a special advertising rate,” said Holly Schmidt, the Chamber’s Director of Communications/Special Events. If you are interested in learning more about the advertising rates, please contact Laura McMannis at 694-5700 ext. 230 or via e-mail..

Community Calendar

Aug. 6

Reno County Farmer's Market

Aug. 7

7th Annual Festival of Remembrance

Aug. 7

Open Air Market

Aug. 8

Races at Hutchinson Raceway Park

Aug. 8-10

INTO THE WILD

Aug. 9-10

USSSA Church State

Aug. 9

Reno County Farmer's Market

Aug. 9

Civic Theatre

Aug. 9

7th Annual Salty Dog Triathlon & Salty Pup Triathlon

Aug. 9

Kansas Kids Museum - 2008 Summer Saturdays

Aug. 9 - 10

Summer Horse Show

Membership Services:

Business Booster - Featuring Health Savings Accounts
Nelson Heating and Air Receives Small Business Spotlight Award
Governor to Speak at the Chamber Membership Breakfast on September 10

Community Betterment:
YP of Reno County Hosts Kansas YP Day at the Kansas State Fair

Agri-Business Committee Volunteer's at Reno County 4-H Fair

Economic Development:
Chamber Economic Development Department Assists Local Business

Left Bar:

• New Chamber Members
• Chamber Member Updates
• Visitor Watch
• Community Calendar of Events
• Post Local Jobs on Hutchareajobs.com

Nelson Heating and Air Condition Receive Small Business Spotlight Award

Rex and Marlene Nelson know the Heating and Air Conditioning business very well, having worked in Hutchinson since 1971. Marlene's parents opened Warrington Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. in the late 1950's, Rex joined the business as an employee in 1971. In the late 70's, Rex and Marlene Nelson purchased the business from Marlene's parents and changed the name to Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning.

Left to Right: Back Row: Chandra Chapman, Aaron Winter, Marlene Nelson, Cleta Long, and Brian Stevens. Front Row: Rex Nelson, John Miecznikowski and Darren Chapman

"We were fortunate to purchase a business that was established and known for their honest and reliable work," said Rex Nelson, Owner, Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning.

Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning, located at 211-B West 5th, has served Hutchinson and Reno County for nearly 30 years. "We'll be celebrating our 30th year in January 2009," said Rex Nelson. "Our clients are our bread and butter, it's what keeps us in the business."

Also keeping with the family business is Rex and Marlene's daughter Chandra Chapman. Her and her husband, Darren, have joined the business, keeping with the family tradition. In addition to Chandra and Darren, Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning has four employees; Cleta Long, John Miecznikowski, Brian Stevens and Aaron Winter. "Our employees have been key to our success," said Marlene Nelson. "They work hard to serve our clients; they are hard working and reliable employees."

Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning serves both commercial and residential clients, offering repair, installation, duct work and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) services. In addition, Nelson also provides twenty-four hour service seven days a week. "Most of our business is conducted in Hutchinson and Reno County," said Rex Nelson. "We are licensed in the city of McPherson, however 90% of our business is local."

When asked why they joined the Chamber, the Nelson's replied, "We joined the Chamber to be affiliated with the community and to support the local business community."

Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning is a Bryan-factory authorized dealer, and provide structured financing for clients.

The Small Business Council selected Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning from nominations made by Chamber members. The award is given monthly to a Chamber business that exemplifies community spirit and superior business practices. Nominees must be a Chamber member in good standing, been in business for at least three years, and employ fewer than 25 people.

The Small Business Spotlight Award is proudly sponsored by First National Bank of Hutchinson and Hutchinson Credit Union.

Health Savings Account Options for Your Business The Focus of Upcoming Business Booster

At the last Business Booster, focused on creating winning workplaces, one specific topic emerged - Health Saving Accounts (HSA). The cost of health insurance is a major factor for today's small businesses, so the upcoming Business Booster focus on HSA's and other insurance opportunities for your business.  Thursday, August 21, 11:30 to 1:00 p.m.  Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Large Conference Room 117 N. Walnut Sponsored by First National Bank of Hutchinson The presentation will explain the details, advantages and benefits of implementing a Health Savings Account at your business. We'll also hear from local businesses who are currently offering HSA's. This specialized panel will address the issues and questions you might have about Health Saving Accounts and Insurance options for your employees; Karla Bomgardner, QKA - Retirement Plan Administrator, First Wealth Management department at First National Bank of Hutchinson Linda Corcoran, Medical Professional & Benefits Sales, Fee Insurance Scott Conklin/Nancy Myers, Conklin Cars Debi Weast, Business Manager, Sunshine Meadows Topics to be discussed are: Health Saving Accounts Employee Benefits Company testimonies of their experience with HSA's. While the panel will address the topics listed above, this event is meant to be interactive. So please come with questions and suggestions, we hope that this will be an engaging session that will provide organizations the opportunity to ask questions and discuss benefit options with their peers. The cost is $15.00 for members and $20.00 for non-members. Lunch will be included. Register on-line at hutchchamber.com or call 620-662-3391. This event is sponsored by First National Bank of Hutchinson and brought to you courtesy of the Chamber's Small Business Council.

Chamber Agri-Business Committee Lending A Hand

Members of the Chamber's Agri-Business Committee helped serve the 2008 Reno County 4-H Fair's Livestock Auction buyer's dinner which included around 100 prospective buyers. The committee also provided grand champion plaques to 45 championship entrees at this year's fair.

Left to Right: Tony Brauer, Lois Schlickau, and Tom Dooley serving at the 4-H Fair's  Livestock Auction buyer's dinner.

The Chamber's Agri-Business Committee has been assisting the 4-H Fair fro many years. Three hundred and fifty-five members of the Reno County 4-H club and their families participated in the 2008 fair, along with 75+ volunteers.

The Chamber's Agri-Business Committee is committed to raising public awareness of the impact agriculture has on the Reno County economy. This committee works to strengthen urban/rural relations, address farm issues and recognize the importance of area farmers and agribusiness.

Each year, the committee selects three Farm Focus Couples, provides servers and refreshments to a variety of agricultural shows and outings, provides Grand Champion plaques to winners at the Reno County 4-H Fair, and coordinates the annual Farm/City Week Membership breakfast celebration. Please contact Tom Dooley at 662.3391 or tomd@hutchchamber.com, if you are interested in joining the Agri-Business Committee.

Chamber Assists Local Business with Workforce Development

Krause Corporation recently announced that due to expanded exports to Russia, Ukraine and Australia, they plan to increase their workforce by 10-20 employees.

“Krause is in growth mode, and we are exploring new export opportunities to South America,” said Dick Brown, President and Chief Operating Officer at Krause. “We plan to hire welders and CNC operators. Our employees are the key to our continued success.”

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce worked with Krause to coordinate workforce recruitment efforts, by connecting them with additional resources in the community. “We’re pleased to assist Krause, a 90-year-old local company, in expanding their workforce. The company continues to discover new ways to be competitive in a global market,” said Dave Kerr, President of the Chamber.

Krause will utilize the services of the Hutchinson Workforce Center (formerly the Workforce Development Center) to assist in their hiring efforts. The company plans to host a job fair at the Workforce Center in the fall and is posting open positions at the Hutchinson Workforce Center.

Interested applicants may apply in person at Krause Corporation, 305 S. Monroe, or the Hutchinson Workforce Center, one block east of Plum St. on 14th, or online at krauseco.com or kansasworks.com.

Young Professionals of Reno County Host YP Kansas Day at the Kansas State Fair

The Young Professional (YP) movement in Kansas is advancing to new levels. For the first time ever, Young Professionals of Reno County is hosting YP Kansas Day during the Kansas State Fair.

YP Kansas Day will be held on the final Saturday of the Fair, September 13 from 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m. on the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.  With full sponsorship from the Kansas Department of Commerce, the day is organized for YP’s and their families to come together to learn something new, share ideas, and of course have fun at the Fair!

“Anyone who considers themselves a ‘young professional’ is invited—whether or not they are a member of an official organization or not,” Swisher said.  Invitations have been sent to all Young Professional groups in the state as well as to all Kansas Chamber of Commerce organizations. 

Young Professionals will be hosted by the YP Reno County organization, with all YP specific activities and events taking placed under a reserved tent on the fairgrounds. The day is planned with a variety of activities that YP’s and families can partake in as they choose, including guest speakers, food, scavenger hunt, and kids activities. Swisher said the goal for the day is that YP’s and their family could be at the tent for an hour, half the day, the entire day or anything in between.

Tickets must be purchased in advance online at yprenocounty.com and will be available starting August 7th through September 1st.  Visit the website and click on the YP Kansas Day icon on the homepage and check out the schedule of events so far!

Everything is included under the YP Kansas Day tent with the purchase of your ticket:

Tickets, maps, the day’s schedule and any other information will be mailed to you after your ticket has been purchased.  Log on to yprenocounty.com and click on the YP Kansas Day icon.