News and Media

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is honored to present the August Small Business Award to a truly exceptional and inspiring company - Leu + Co Properties. Logan and Emily, the dynamic duo behind this thriving business, have built something extraordinary, and it’s an honor to recognize their hard work, dedication, and commitment to our community.Leu + Co Properties started with a leap of faith—a transition from demanding corporate careers to a journey of entrepreneurship for Logan and Emily. They wanted a better work-life balance, more time to nurture their family, and an opportunity to create something meaningful. With Logan’s...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is proud to award the July Small Business Award to Janitorial Solutions owned by Gary Newcome. Janitorial Solutions (formerly known as Janitorial Supply) has a rich history dating back to 1943, when Fred Blick and his family founded the company as a window washing business. Over the years, it has evolved significantly, particularly after the 2008 recession, when Gary Newcome purchased the business from Fred in 2011. Gary's decision to diversify and modernize the company has been instrumental in its growth and success. When Gary took over, he began transforming Janitorial Solutions, modernizing operations and expanding...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is proud to award the June Small Business Award to Special K9 Dog Training & Country Resort owned by Jenny Oberhelm.  What began as a childhood passion, Jenny has built it into a successful enterprise, creating a unique and impactful business in our community. Jenny's journey with Special K9 Dog Training & Country Resort began long before she opened her doors. Growing up in a family that owned a dog training and boarding facility, Jenny’s first job involved scooping poop and cleaning bowls. Her true calling emerged at the tender age of four, when she started...

The Hutch Chamber is proud present the May Small Business Award to Salt City Brewing, owned by Steven Petermann. Salt City Brewing emerges as our Small Business of the Month, standing as a testament to passion, resilience, and community spirit. Established in 2015 in Downtown Hutchinson, Kansas, this local gem began with a vision to craft unique brews and provide a space for camaraderie.From its humble beginnings of Steven and his son, Cole the only employees, Salt City Brewing has grown into a cornerstone of the community, offering not just exceptional beer and food, but also a vibrant hub for events...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is proud to award the April Small Business Award to Reffner’s.Brian and Kathy Reffner opened Reffner’s in May of 2019. Reffner’s is a family-owned retail store that carries apparel and merchandise for the Chiefs, Jayhawks, Wildcats and our local high schools. Reffner’s also offers custom screen printing, embroidery, and tuxedo rentals.Brian’s father, Dennis, started the first Reffner’s in the late 1960s at 3rd and Main.  He eventually bought the Houston Whiteside building at the corner of 2nd and Main and ran the family full line sporting goods store there. Reffner’s grew to 2 stores in...

The Hutch Chamber is honored to present the March Small Business Award to Keller Williams Hometown Partners – Blick Homes, owned by Dianne Blick. Dianne became a licensed realtor in 2015 and after two years, formed BlickHomes LLC in 2017. As her experience in the industry grew, Dianne observed that many agents struggled. Obtaining a real estate license prepares agents to know the legals and technicalities of real estate transactions but it does not prepare an agent to run a financially sound personal business nor provide any soft skills training or day to day management of clients. Dianne’s four previous careers...

Hutchinson, Kansas - March 21, 2024 - The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the distinguished recipients of the 2024 Awards Night, recognizing exemplary individuals and businesses for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the community. Ambassadors of the Year - Marva Terrell, Staffing Specialist/Heartland Credit Union and Rachelle Fideldy, Business Developer and Outside Sales Rep/Express Employment Professionals: In recognition of their exceptional dedication, passion, and commitment to the Chamber and the members served. Their enthusiasm and tireless efforts have made a significant impact on building a strong and vibrant business community in Hutchinson and Reno County. Marva...

We are honored to present the February Small Business Award to Woolsey Monument, owned and operated by Tim Woolsey.Tim started working on headstone restorations and resetting headstones as a side business to help a small cemetery in Attica, Kansas after it was hit by a tornado. The side business continued to grow as more cemeteries needed restoration. After 10 years doing his side business, Woolsey Monument opened their Main Street store front in 2017. In the beginning, Tim was setting headstones and his mother ran the sales office. In April of 2022, they opened a second location in Wichita and...

The Chamber is honored to present the January Small Business Award to Anchor Grill, owned and operated by Aaron Hill.The entrepreneurial spirit is something that runs deep in Aaron’s family history. Aaron comes from a long line of hardworking, driven, resilient, and successful entrepreneurs. His great-grandparents helped bring the delicious flavor of Guadalajara, Mexico to our community many years ago. In 2015, Aaron Hill opened Anchor Grill in the food court at the Hutchinson Mall. In 2018, Anchor Grill was relocated to its current 30th Avenue location. Early in life, Aaron knew that he did not want a normal 9-5 job;...

The Hutch Chamber is honored to present the December Small Business Award to Fair City Management, owned by Lucinda Piligian. Fair City Management was formed as an umbrella company in 2013 to manage multiple businesses owned by Lucinda Piligian. Prior to Fair City Management, Flying Dog Properties was formed in 2011 as a home rental company and started because Lucinda purchased a home in Hutchinson to reconnect with her family and she loved the experience of renovating her home, her husband suggested she open a company to renovate and rent other homes in the community. He also encouraged the purchase of...

The Agri-Business of the Year Award is intended to honor the agri-businesses in Reno County and thank them for the important role they play in strengthening the local ag economy.  This year’s Agri-Business of the Year Award went to Agri Center.Agri Center was originally founded in 1952 as a Ford dealership and expanded in 1981 to the corporate structure you know today. They are a successful farm equipment and powersport dealership located in South Hutchinson. In 2014 Lee File joined Agri Center as GM and is now an ownership partner with WJ Wilbeck who has owned the company for over...

The Farm Focus Family Award began in 1985 as part of National Farm City Week.  There have now been over 100 families in Reno County that have been recognized for their contributions to Reno County Agriculture. This year’s Farm Focus Family Award goes to the Gaeddert family.The Gaeddert Family started with Leon and Ruth and is now a 4th generation farm family. Leon and Ruth were able to retire in 2014 when Torrey and Julie took over the farming operations. That same year Torrey’s parents retired and he took over their farm as well.The Gaeddert farming operation is very diversified. The ‘traditional’...

The Farm Focus Family Award began in 1985 as part of National Farm City Week.  There have now been over 100 families in Reno County that have been recognized for their contributions to Reno County Agriculture. This year’s Farm Focus Family Award goes to the Schrock family.Elvan and Lyndora Schrock farm near Yoder and are also 4th generation farmers. They have been blessed with three children: Adrian, Bryson, and Hailey. The Schrock farm produces alfalfa, wheat, milo and feed for cattle and specialize in selling small square bales of alfalfa, straw, and prairie hay. They also boast a cow/calf operation as well...

The November Small Business Award goes to Selwyn Marketing & Splinters–N-Rust. Both businesses owned and operated by Janice RichardsonSelwyn Marketing, LLC was started in North Carolina in 2010, and then moved to Kansas in 2018 (with the owner – Janice Richardson). Selwyn Marketing started as a side-gig to Janice’s full time job in 2010. She was working in Commercial Real Estate management and discovered a need from her service vendors for assistance with their online social media presence. Janice was already doing this for her commercial properties at work, so it became a natural extension into a side business. When...

Hutchinson, October 26, 2023 – The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to invite the community and all Reno County farmers to an inspiring morning at our November Membership Breakfast, celebrating Farm City Week. The event will take place on Tuesday, November 14th, from 8:00 to 9:30 AM at Cottonwood Court on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.This special breakfast event, sponsored by PrairieLand Partners, holds the exciting announcement of the Farm Focus Family of the Year and Ag Business of the Year awards. We eagerly anticipate recognizing and honoring the exceptional contributions of these outstanding individuals and businesses to our...

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Hutchinson on October 30th Hutchinson, KS, October 25, 2023 - The Hutchinson community is cordially invited to join us for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Hilton Garden Inn Hotel. The event will take place on Monday, October 30th, at 4:00 PM, at the hotel's future location: 1715 N. Waldron, directly east of the Aldi’s parking lot.This groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of an $18 million project that is set to transform the cityscape. Local dignitaries and community leaders will gather to discuss the significance of this endeavor for the community. Attendees will...

Public Open House Opportunity to Participate in Downtown Hutchinson’s FutureHutchinson is nearing the end of a planning process to create a Downtown Hutch Master Plan. As part of that process, the community is holding another in-person public open house where community members can view concepts for downtown and provide input on downtown’s future. Understanding the community’s desires for downtown is critical to this planning process.All city residents and stakeholders are invited to attend the in-person public open house on November 30, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall (101 S Walnut St, Hutchinson, KS 67501).The Downtown Hutch...

Chamber Annual Meeting Tickets on Sale NowHutchinson, Kansas (October 18, 2023) - The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that tickets for the 2023 Chamber Annual Meeting are now on sale.The 2023 Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting will be held Monday, December 4th in the Meadowlark Building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. The event will kick off at 3:45pm in Sunflower South with a sponsor expo that is open to the public. Doors will open for dinner at 6pm.We invite you to hear from our featured speaker Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann. He is a former...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is proud to  present the October Small Business Award to Temaat Liquor. When Tony Temaat was about to retire from his career in oil and real estate, he knew he wanted to do something else and wanted to start a business. He and his wife, Edna owned the lot on North Lorraine, where the store is currently located.  Edna agreed to starting a new business but wanted to keep it small (around 3-4 employees). They decided on a liquor store because they thought it would be fun and in 1984, they built the east building...

Greater Hutch Career Quest Education Days Build Workforce Pipeline for Reno CountyCareer Quest is underway for its second full year. The workforce program coordinated by Greater Hutch provides career exploration opportunities for Reno County 6th grade students throughout the school year in the form of onsite business tours for individual schools and mega tour days for multiple schools to explore an industry sector. This year begins with Education Days where over 650 students tour Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson Community College Fire Science, and Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy to discover what education and training opportunities are available to them...