News and Media

Eagle Communication Receives Small Business Award

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

In May of 1935, Hutchinson’s first radio station, KWBG went on the air in downtown Hutchinson, the 9th in Kansas according to the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. In 1940, it became KWBW radio. Originally a 100-Watt station, power was raised to 1,000 watts as it is still today. Twenty years later KWBW moved to 17th & Harding, where it broadcast for over a half of century. In 1972, Owner Fred Conger, purchased a new frequency, KHUT-FM, 102.9 and its country format. In 1989 ownership of KHUT and KWBW changed hands and eventually Bob Schmidt became sole owner of the tw...

Sheila Metzger - American Family Insurance Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

Sheila started the path of opening her own agency in early 2009. After being appointed as an agent with American Family Insurance, she participated in an intense eight week program that required travel to St. Joseph, Missouri and Madison, Wisconsin. Following completion of the training program, she officially opened her door on May 1, 2009 in a small office space just north of 17th & Plum with herself as the sole employee and a small book of business that she was expected to retain while prospecting new clients. Shortly after opening, she hired a full-time licensed agent assistant. In 201...

Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine to speak at the 2020 Chamber Annual Meeting

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce announced today that Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur Magazine will be the keynote speaker at the Chamber Annual Meeting on Monday, February 3, 2020 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. "We feel very fortunate to have Jason as the keynote speakers for the 2020 Annual Meeting,” said Pat Fallon, Executive Vice President and Director of Community Banking for Plains State Bank and 2020 Chamber Board Chair. “Whether you are a small business or a large corporation, the rapid changes impacting today’s businesses requires us all to adapt. We look forward to hearing from ...

Western Supply Receives Small Business Award

Tuesday, June 04, 2019

Western Supply was established in 1949 by Jack Martin’s dad, Willis Martin, and two other parties. It was a business that sold plumbing and heating supplies to plumbing contractors through route sales in western Kansas. Willis purchased the business outright from the other partners in 1970 and Jack purchased it from his dad in 1985. The business began with eight employees and today has a total of 34, with stores in Hutchinson, Great Bend, Hays and Dodge City. The building was originally located at 315 W 3rd in downtown Hutchinson to be close to the railroad for delivery of supplies...

Healthcare Corner by Hutchinson Regional Healthcare Center

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

By Ken Johnson, President & CEO The Heart and Vascular Center at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center has increased its efforts to treat a growing number of patients affected by heart disease. Heart disease has no boundaries and is an affliction that is on the increase throughout the nation. Since the 1940s, it has ranked as the leading cause of death in the United States. More than 600,000 die annually from heart disease and another 735,000 are being treated for a wide range of cardiovascular issues. Last year, deaths from heart related issues surpassed cancer deaths by 50,000. Statistics compiled for fiscal year 201...

Hotel/Convention Center Study Released by Visit Hutch

Friday, May 31, 2019

HUTCHINSON, KS – Visit Hutch, in partnership with the City of Hutchinson, released today the Hotel/Convention Center Market Study in an 84-page report. In February 2019, the City engaged with Hospitality Real Estate Counselors (HREC) to produce the $15,000 study with the objective to determine the market support for a proposed Hotel/Convention Center in Hutchinson. The declining number of conventions at the Atrium Hotel and Convention Center, is what led the City to look into a potential new project. “The convention market has always been an important component of our tourism cluster, having a large economic impact on our overall economy...