News and Media

Holly's Sweet Treats Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Congratulations to Holly Thomas with Holly’s Sweet Treats for receiving the April Small Business Award! In 2010, Holly’s cousin was getting married in Beloit, Kansas, and she offered to make a cake as a gift, which turned out to be literally a cake wreck. However, two weeks later, one of her cousin’s best friends reached out telling her she loved the cake and asked her to make her wedding cake. Holly quickly began to practice, recreating her parents’ wedding cake for their 40th-anniversary celebration, and began baking mostly for friends and family. Through the years Holly has learned her craft throug...

Greater Hutch Announces New Workforce Development Programs

Thursday, April 08, 2021

Greater Hutch, an Economic Development Partnership for Reno County, is collaborating with Hutchinson Community College and Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy to introduce two new workforce initiatives that will enhance technical educational training opportunities for our local youth. Limited sponsorship opportunities are available for both programs. Signing Day, the first of these two new initiatives, will take place Thursday, May 6 at HCTEA. Just as we value athletes who commit to play a college sport, the signing day ceremony is designed to honor students who are entering a technical field and emphasize the importance of their career choice. On th...

Ward Davis Builders Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, March 18, 2021

After Ward graduated with a degree in construction management from Kansas State University, he worked six years as an estimator and project manager for the highway division of a Wichita company. When he and his wife Erica decided to start their family, they moved to Hutchinson, and he began Ward Davis Builders. He started with single-person projects and focused mostly on residential construction and remodeling work. After about five or six years, Ward began adding commercial projects and then moved into the industrial sector. Most of their work is done on a site, so their expansion has been in th...

Hutchinson Among other Kansas Communities Recognized as Top Performing Micropolitan Areas

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Site Selection Magazine recently released its 2020 Governor’s Cup rankings, where Kansas ranked 10th in the nation in economic development projects per capita in 2020. Kansas had the most dramatic jump in economic development success of any state in the country in 2020, according to the Site Selection Magazine. As part of this ranking, Hutchinson, along with four other Kansas communities, were recognized as one of the top 100 performing “micropolitan” areas in the United States. “While we know that existing businesses drive the local economy, we also know it takes a diversified approach to be successful” said Debra Teufel, President an...

Farm Bureau Financial Services - Mary Winter Agency Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Mary Winters had been an Office Manager for five Farm Bureau Agents for several years when she was approached about becoming an Agent in the South Hutchinson Office. In 2004, she began her career as an Agent, and with a lot of hard work, dedication, discipline, and long hours, she soon realized she had been preparing for this role for many years. During her first year, she was awarded Rookie of the Year and Super All American. Since then, she has grown her book of business, achieving All American for 14 years, Super All American twice, six consecutive years a...

Nelson Heating & Air Conditioning Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, January 21, 2021

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 in the late 1950's and Rex joined the business as an employee in 1971. In the late 1970's, Rex and Marlene Nelson purchased the business from Marlene's parents and changed the name to Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning. 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 24-hour service, seven days a week. Whil...

Ashcraft Pharmacy Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Good morning! Today I am honored to present the December Small Business Award to Ashcraft Pharmacy. Ashcraft Pharmacy was originally opened in 1980 by Steve and Jackie Ashcraft. They started the business with two employees and hired Tami to start working for them her junior year in high school. She continued to work for Ashcraft Pharmacy until she left for pharmacy school at KU. After graduating, she worked for another pharmacy until coming back to Ashcraft Pharmacy in 2003 as a staff pharmacist. In 2016, when Steve was ready to retire, Tami purchased the pharmacy from him. Ashcraft Pharmacy is a small...

Bluestem PACE to open new location with services for seniors in Hutchinson

Tuesday, December 01, 2020

Bluestem PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) of McPherson, will expand its services by opening an alternative care site in Hutchinson in spring of 2021. The PACE program, which partners with individuals aged 55 and better and their caregivers so seniors can remain safe and independent in their homes for as long as possible, has been serving seniors in McPherson, Harvey, Marion, Reno, Rice and Saline counties for four years. PACE participants are nursing home-eligible, however more than 95 percent are able to live in the community with the services and support they receive from PACE. “Establishing a location i...

Ken's Pizza Receives Small Business Award

Tuesday, December 01, 2020

The Hutchinson store opened in 1978, first as on operational location. After Marty Foster met the owner of the franchise through his fraternity in Tulsa, he purchased the franchise and brought on his brother, Paul Foster, to run the restaurant. Throughout the years they have increased their number of employees from 15 to 30, and while Ken’s was first known for its lunch buffet, they have now evolved to offer the buffet for lunch and dinner. Also, as young families have become more involved in activities, their carry out business has had a steady increase as well, and they continu...

Three-Year Contract Extension Announced For Kansas Beef Expo

Friday, October 23, 2020

The Kansas Beef Expo, Visit Hutch and the Kansas State Fairgrounds have announced a three-year contract extension that keeps the Winter Beef Expo in Hutchinson through 2022. Hutchinson and the Kansas State Fairgrounds have been home to the Kansas Beef Expo since they moved the show from Wichita in 1998. “The Kansas State Fairgrounds, City of Hutchinson and the surrounding area have been phenomenal to work with for the Kansas Beef Expo. Kansas has one of the best facilities to host a cattle event in all the Mid-West. We are excited about continuing our relationship with the Kansas State Fair an...

Hutch Lawn Care Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Greg Fast began when he was 29 years old by taking care of a neighbor's lawn. Shortly thereafter he had fifteen yards he was taking care of and then after three years, he purchased a business that had grown exponentially. His company didn’t have a name at first, but he purchased a small lawn care company's equipment and contracts and eventually Hutch Lawn Care was officially born. What makes Hutch Lawn Care special is the team always brings integrity to their work. They began on a solid foundation with old-school, high standards and the people of Hutchinson really understand and appreciat...

Zenor Electric Company Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Zenor Electric started in 1982 by Larry Zenor and one other person. Dusty Moore purchased the business in 2001 and today has 28 full-time employees. The business began in the back of Cooper Tire, and at one point moved to South Hutchinson, before ultimately ending up on West 4th Street across from the COOP in 1998, where it operates today. Since Dusty purchased the business in 2001, they have added on to the original building, purchased the building to the west for warehouse storage and also purchased the lot to the south of the business for additional vehicle and traile...

Grammy Award-winning artist Lauren Daigle to perform in drive-up concert at Kansas State Fairgrounds

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

HUTCHINSON — Two-time Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist Lauren Daigle will have a live drive-up concert event at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Daigle’s concert is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 in the parking lot east of the Fairgrounds off Plum Street. It is one of two “Autumn Nights” performances. The other event takes place at Rogersville, Missouri. The drive-up concert series is being presented by a third-party promoter who is renting the lot. “Autumn Nights” will adhere to CDC recommendations and both local and state health and safety regulations and guidelines. The Fair is working with the Reno Count...

Bogey's Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Craig Davis started Bogey’s in 1987 after being the area manager for the corporate Long John Silvers in the Midwest. He had become familiar with a relatively new restaurant in Salina called Bogey’s and decided to open his own restaurant. He was the first and only franchisee of the Salina Bogey’s. In the early 90s, the two operations had a “falling out,” and officially ended their relationship. While both stores share the same name, there is no actual connection between the two stores anymore. When Bogey’s opened in 1987, the building was about half the size it currently is. The dinin...

Bridgman LLC Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

In 1960 Elmer (Bud) Bridgman started selling Standard oil products as a commissioned agent in Mt. Hope, Kansas. In 1964 Standard Oil Company was transferred to Bud in Burrton, expanding his sales territory. In 1976 Standard Oil sold Bud the business where he started Bridgman Oil selling petroleum products as an Amoco jobber. In 1977, the Hutchinson location was purchased, and the office was established here. In 1989, Bud hired Brad Thompson and sold the business to him when he was ready to retire. After working hard for 30 years to increase the business, Brad sold the company to hi...

Frederick Chiropractic Center Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Dr. Keith Frederick said he was first exposed to chiropractic services through an injury he received in high school and was impressed with how helpful it was for his recovery. He knew then he wanted to be able to help others in the same way. After finishing school, Dr. Frederick started as a chiropractor in Hutchinson in 1998 with another doctor. In 2006, he started his own practice at 1515 N. Lorraine St. Ste A, where he is still located today. Then in 2015, Dr. Frederick brought on a third employee which has allowed him to provide better customer servic...

Pediatric Dentistry Receives Small Business Award

Monday, May 18, 2020

Dr. Roger Gausman first opened the pediatric dental office in 1980 as a specialized dental office for children. Dr. Kricket C. Young joined the practice in August of 1998, directly after graduating from the University of Nebraska Medical Center Pediatric Dentistry Residency program. At that time, they changed the office name to Pediatric Dentistry, LLC and when Dr. Gausman retired, he left the practice to Dr. Young. The business of pediatric dentistry is unique in that they only treat children and special needs patients. Their dental services include everything from preventative services like cleanings, to restoring teeth that have been "broken"...

eNGines-LPG to Locate in Hutchinson

Thursday, November 08, 2018

eNGines-LPG, LLC announced today their plans to begin operations at the former bakery facility at 120 E 3rd Avenue in Hutchinson, Kansas. eNGines-LPG is a family-owned and operated industrial engine distributor and generator manufacturer. This facility will serve as their flagship headquarters where they will assemble, distribute, sell, and support eNGines-LPG’s product lines and be a showroom for innovation for current and future products. President of eNGines-LPG, Matt Roeser, explains, “Protecting the environment is our passion and culture – providing environmentally-safe engine solutions. eNGines-LPG is a concept to operate an engine which can run off both natural gas (NG) and propan...

2018 Wage and Benefit Reports Released

Friday, August 10, 2018

Hutchinson, KS – Greater Hutch, the economic development division of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to release the Wage and Benefit Reports for 2018. The 2018 Reno County Wage Report is provided by the Kansas Department of Labor, 2018 Kansas Wage Survey. The report details annual estimated wage and occupational numbers for all Reno County and separated by occupational code. In May 2018, Greater Hutch conducted a benefit survey open to all businesses in Reno County. The 2018 Benefit Survey Report is an aggregate of those participating companies. Information collected covers all benefits that a company may offer an...

Janzen Completes Heartland Economic Development Course

Monday, May 03, 2021

Lacie Janzen, Economic Development & Downtown Manager with Greater Hutch, an economic development partnership for Reno County, was one of 170 economic development professionals to attend the Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) in April. Heartland attendees receive fundamental economic development training on topics ranging from business, retention and expansion, workforce development, real estate, and entrepreneurship to marketing, finance, ethics, and managing economic development organizations. The 2021 HEDC online class included representatives from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico. Attendees were trained by nationally recognized faculty from within the profession of economic development...