News and Media

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the December Small Business of the Month award to Kauffman Seeds. For over five decades, Kauffman Seeds has been deeply rooted in Reno County’s farming community. What began as K & W Fish Farm under Edward and Frida Kauffman in the early 20th century has blossomed into a cornerstone of agricultural innovation and service. When the fish farming days ended, the Kauffman’s pivoted to certified wheat production in the 1980s and later expanded into soybeans and corn. Today, under the leadership of Dustin and Megan Miller, this legacy continues to thrive. The...

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 Ehling Custom Mills.Custom mills were first founded in 1972 by three gentlemen that called the business MTN standing for Miller, Troyer and Nisly in a shed on Miller’s farm. In two years, they built on a site in Pleasantview. In 1999 Sam Miller bought the mill and changed it to Custom mills. Debra started to work for Sam in the office...

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 Headings family.Nestled near Hutchinson, Kansas, Randy and Marie Headings proudly operate their fourth-generation family farm, with the invaluable support of their son, Ben. Together, they cultivate a diverse array of crops, including wheat, sorghum, and soybeans, while also raising beef cattle and producing alfalfa for both feeding and selling. The family’s agricultural legacy continues with their daughter Kendra,...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the November Small Business of the Month award to Chaffin Electric. Roger Chaffin’s path to entrepreneurship started with a roadblock that might have stopped others in their tracks. After serving in the military and earning his master electrician certification in Washington, he returned to Kansas in 1998. But he faced a setback: his certification wasn’t recognized here. This meant starting from scratch to qualify for Kansas’ licensing exam. Not one to be discouraged, Roger joined a local company to gain the hours needed and eventually passed the exam, finally opening Chaffin...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the October Small Business of the Month award to Waggoners Inc., a family-owned company with deep roots in our community. Their story is one of vision, hard work, and adaptation over the years, and today we’re celebrating their success. Waggoners Inc. was founded in the late 1960s by James J. Waggoner. After noticing churches adding cushions to their pews, he saw an opportunity and launched what would become a thriving business. Starting small — with family members helping on sales trips and even making cushion buttons — the company steadily grew...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to present the Small Business Award to A5 Western, a remarkable company that has truly made its mark in Reno County and beyond. Michael Anderson, the founder, has been in the western industry since 1991, working both in retail and wholesale, giving him unique insight into the business. In 2010, he and his wife Janey decided to open their own store. Their journey led them to McPherson, Kansas, where they found the perfect location for their business. They acted quickly, and opened their store within 45 days, and have been serving the community...

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;...