News and Media

NJCAA DI Men’s Basketball Championship Wins National Award

Wednesday, October 03, 2018

Visit Hutch announced today that the 2018 NJCAA DI Men’s Basketball Championship has won a SportsTravel Award for the Best Single-Sport Event in the Collegiate division. The award was presented at the SportsTravel Awards Ceremony at the national TEAMS Conference, put on by Northstar Travel Group. ‘The Tournament’, as it is known locally, was one of five events that were nominated in this category. The nominations were put to a public vote over a two-week period in August. Visit Hutch staff and NJCAA board members were present at the TEAMS Conference in Louisville, Kentucky to accept the award on behalf of...

Pools Plus, Inc. Receives September Small Business Award

Wednesday, October 03, 2018

Pools Plus was established in 1988 when Brad and Jane Easter decided to venture out on their own. They opened their business, which mainly focused on swimming pool service, at 20 N. Main St. and remained there for two years. While located on Main Street, Brad ran the store during the day until Jane arrived after her teaching job to help cover the store so Brad could go out on service. The business quickly expanded and grew, moving it to it’s current location at 21 E. 1st Avenue. Over the years the business continued to expand and Brad’s son Jake,...

HUTCHINSON SELECTED AS SITE OF FUTURE KANSAS SHRINE BOWL

Monday, September 24, 2018

HUTCHINSON, KS – Visit Hutch has announced that the Kansas Shrine Bowl Board of Directors voted to bring the Kansas Shrine Bowl to Hutchinson in June 2021. The annual Shrine Bowl is expected to bring thousands of fans to Gowans Stadium and over $2 million in economic impact to the Hutchinson community. The date of the game is set for Saturday, June 26, 2021. “We couldn’t be more excited to hear the news that Hutchinson was selected as host City for the 2021 Kansas Shrine Bowl. Not only will this have a $2 million economic impact on Hutchinson and Reno County,...

2019 Annual Meeting Speakers Announced

Tuesday, August 07, 2018

Authors of the documentary “I’ll Push You” to Speak at the 2019 Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray, inspirational adventurers, lifelong friends, and achievers of the impossible, will be the keynote speakers at the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Monday, February 11, 2019. The meeting will be held in the Hutchinson Sports Arena. "We feel very fortunate to have Patrick and Justin as the keynote speakers for the 2019 Annual Meeting," said Ken Johnson, President & CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System and the 2019 Chamber Board Chair. "In business and in life,...

Visit Hutch Unveils Updated Branding For The NJCAA DI Volleyball Championship

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Visit Hutch, host of the NJCAA DI Volleyball Championship, is proud to unveil the updated branding for the 2018 National Championship. The Championship will be at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, November 15-17. The primary logo was produced in partnership with the NJCAA and designed by Team IP, the official championship merchandise partner of the NJCAA. “The 2017 National Championship was a tremendous success, and we can’t thank the Hutchinson community enough for their support of the event! We are looking forward to building on the success of last year, and have plans to make 2018 even better!” said Holly Leiker, the...

Retail, Downtown, and Target Industry Reports Released

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Greater Hutch, the economic development division of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to release the Retail Market Assessment, Downtown Assessment and Target Industry Analysis. In October 2017, Greater Hutch contracted with Catalyst Commercial, Inc. to conduct these comprehensive studies regarding retail and industrial data and strategies. Catalyst conducted a customer intercept study using cell phone data to determine the primary trade area for the Hutchinson Market. The Retail Market Assessment reports that the primary trade area is over 85,000 people within an approximate radius of 21 miles around Hutchinson. This area has a purchasing power of over $1.1...

Public Restroom Company to Locate in Hutchinson

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Public Restroom Company announced today they will purchase the building at 714 Corey Road in Hutchinson, Kansas. The Public Restroom Company is a family-owned and operated growing national design/build business specializing in restroom buildings for parks. The new facility will allow the company to meet existing demands of the rapidly growing market. The plant in Hutchinson will primarily serve the Midwest and the eastern part of the United States. “Prior to our selection of Hutchison, Kansas, we brought in the national real estate firm of Cushman-Wakefield to search for available 50,000 square foot plants and above where labor needs for...

Kansas Protein Foods to open in former CHS facility in Hutchinson

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Kansas Protein Foods, LLC, a newly formed subsidiary of Kansas Ethanol, LLC, a large ethanol producer located in Rice County between Sterling and Lyons, announced today that it has purchased the closed CHS Foods facility in Hutchinson’s industrial district and will immediately begin the process of putting it back into production. While rebuilding the customer base for the business, which closed December 1, 2017, will take time, the plant is projected to reach employment of at least 50 within four years. “We will make the same flavored and unflavored soy protein products for which the plant was designed, “said Mike Chisam,...

New Business Opens in Hutchinson Mall

Thursday, January 18, 2018

The Hutchinson Reno County Chamber of Commerce and Greater Hutch are pleased to announce the location of a new business in Hutchinson, Kansas. Almont Studios of Boston, MA, has selected 10,000 sq.ft. of space in the Hutchinson Mall to manufacture the iC4K technology platform and create custom individualized content for users with cognitive impairment and anxiety concerns. This project was the direct result of Hutch Rising investor and Chamber member Dianne Blick, local real estate professional, and a collaboration of partners across the community. Blick said, "The work this company is doing in conjunction with Dr. Forbes at Wesley Towers seems...

Hutchinson to Host 2018 American Yankee Association Annual Convention and Fly-in

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

HUTCHINSON, KS – The International Grumman Pilots Association, a division of the American Yankee Association (AYA), Board of Directors voted for Hutchinson to be the host of their 2018 annual convention. The convention will take place at the Hutchinson Regional Airport and other attractions around the Hutchinson community. “This is an exciting event to bring to the Hutchinson Airport and the community. We have been working with the association for many months and we are honored that they have chosen Hutchinson as their next convention site” said Holly Leiker, National Sports and Destination Sales Manager for the Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau. The...

Big 12 Golf Championship Returns to Prairie Dunes Country Club

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

The 2017 Big 12 Men’s Golf Championship will be played in Hutchinson, at Prairie Dunes Country Club April 24-26th. This year marks the 21st Annual Big 12 Golf Championship and the 12th time that Hutchinson has hosted. The 10 teams of the Big 12 will arrive prior to the championship start for a practice round at Prairie Dunes on Sunday, April 23rd. “Prairie Dunes is a fantastic course and has great history in hosting this championship, we are excited to welcome the teams of the Big 12 back to Hutchinson this spring”, said Holly Leiker, National Sports & Destination Sales Manager...

Kansas State Fairgrounds to Host American Maine-Anjou and Chianina National Junior Show

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

The American Junior Maine-Anjou Association (AJMAA) and the American Junior Chianina Association (AJCA) will host the 2017 Maine-Anjou/Chianina Junior Show in Hutchinson, KS for the first time in June. The seven day show will bring over 550 head of cattle, nearly 400 youth exhibitors and their families from across the country. “The goal of both the AJMAA & AJCA is to provide opportunities that will help build and shape our young people into the great leaders we know they are”, said Lindsey Broek, Director of Shows, Communication and Youth for the American Maine-Anjou Association. The Kansas State Fairgrounds will host the show June 23-30,...

All-American Junior Sheep Show Will Return to Hutchinson in 2019

Monday, February 27, 2017

Five years after the Kansas Sheep Association hosted the All-American Junior Sheep Show (AAJS) at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, they will once again converge on Hutchinson in 2019. The board of directors recently voted to return to Hutchinson for the 26th annual show, July 4-7, 2019, with nearly 2,000 head of sheep and 350 junior exhibitors expected to be in attendance. Exhibitors are expected from around 25 states, from Oregon in the west to Pennsylvania and Maryland in the east. Overall, the show will bring 1,500 people to the Hutchinson community for the weekend. In addition to sheep showing, exhibitors will...

Horizon Mental Health Center to Observe 50th Anniversary

Wednesday, October 03, 2018

Written by: Mike Garrett, M. S., LCP Chief Executive Office of Horizons Mental Health Center Fifty years ago Horizons Mental Health Center was established in an era when mental health issues were largely misunderstood. The American Psychological Association defines mental health as the way our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect our lives. Good mental health leads to positive self-image and satisfying relationships with friends and others and is ma major component necessary for making daily decisions that impact our ability to be happy and successful. In the late 1960s, two young physicians and concerned individuals in Hutchinson and Kingman knew there was a...

Primary Residential Mortgage Receives August Small Business Award

Tuesday, September 04, 2018

Radley Brooks first go into the mortgage industry during the initial phase of the housing crisis during 2007. Property values were diminishing and foreclosures were on the rise. During this time especially Banks and Credit Unions were starting to restrict who they lent money to, making home ownership more challenging. Radley felt it was a great opportunity, and after researching all the options he decided to partner with a company called Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. This allowed him access to over 50 different investors to offer a wide range of mortgage loan products. He started his first office in the...

Chamber Seeking Nominations for Farm City Week Awards

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Committee is seeking nominations for the 2018 Farm Focus Family Award and the 2018 Agri-Business of the Year Award. Each year in November during National Farm City Week, The Chamber celebrates agri-business and the impact it has on Reno County during the Chamber Membership Breakfast. This year’s Farm Focus Family breakfast will be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. In addition to inviting all Reno County Farmers to attend the breakfast at no charge, one local farm family will be recognized for their contributions to Reno County agriculture. This award began in 1985 and since...

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 and...

Bookends Receives July Small Business Award

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

When Gwen and Wes Bartlett retired, they wanted to have something to do to keep them busy—Gwen had been a librarian and had always wanted to own a bookstore and Wes was an English teacher. They grew up here and wanted to retire closer to family. When they first opened the store, they had all of 3,000 books; today, they have over 20,000! According to their employees and customers, Bookends can be described as “warm and welcoming,” “cozy,” and “homey. At Bookends, they have a section of rare and antique books that are open and available to the public, as well...

RB Drive-In Receives June Small Business Award

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber is pleased to announce the June 2018 Small Business Award recipient is R-B Drive-In. Larry Burgess started the RB Drive-In after World War 2 with a $1,500 loan from Mr. Robinson, which is where the name the RB Drive-In originated from. 1948 was a time of increased mobility with the expansion of the state highway system, which in return saw a rise in popularity of drive in dining. The RB Drive- In became the first drive-in in Hutchinson. Initially the business was seasonal, with shutters where the current lunch counter is located. In 1952 the building was...

Preferred Roofing and Guttering Receives May Small Business Award

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber is pleased to announce the May 2018 Small Business Award recipient is Preferred Roofing and Guttering. The business began as a guttering company in 2008 mostly serving Hutchinson and surrounding areas. As the business continued to grow, in 2010, the name of the business was changed from Preferred Seamless Guttering to Preferred Roofing & Guttering. With this they began offering additional services and expanding their service locations to Southwest Kansas and beyond Wichita. Most of their business comes from storm restoration and they take pride in restoring a home to pre-loss condition, sometimes making it even better than...

Bartel Kitchen & Bath Receives April Small Business Award

Thursday, April 19, 2018

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber is pleased to announce the April 2018 Small Business Award recipient is Bartel Kitchen & Bath. Bartel Kitchen got its start in 1974 when Lewayne Bartel decided to start a cabinet business in his home town of Buhler, Ks. As the years passed, Lewayne added to his showroom making it one of the best in the state. With a 5,000 Sq. Ft. showroom the cabinet shop was able to branch out adding the full turnkey operation that it is today. In the late 1990’s the name changed from Bartel Cabinet Shop to Bartel Kitchen and Bath and...

Bob Goertz Auto Receives March Small Business Award

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber is pleased to announce the March 2018 Small Business Award recipient is Bob Goertz Auto. Bob Goertz Auto is a family business that originally began in Bob’s garage while he was working for Montgomery Wards. When business got to the point that a larger space was needed, Bob opened a shop at 5th and Monroe in partnership with Bud Sewing named B & B Auto. Once Bud retired in 1980, Bob went into partnership with Bob Lechner and the shop moved to Stevens street. In 1990, the partnership with Bob Lechner split, the business moved to 2nd...

Realty Executives 4Results, Inc. Receives February Small Business Award

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the February 2018 Small Business Award recipient is Jim Davis of Realty Executives 4 Results. Realty Executives 4Results, Inc. opened for business on January 2, 1998. Jim Davis, founder and president of Realty Executives, first received his real estate broker's license in 1984. Between his first year as a broker and founding Realty Executives, Jim worked with in two different real estate franchise environments that were beneficial for building his career, but Jim saw opportunities and needs in the local real estate market that were not being met. He acquired the...

Chamber Announces New Logo and Brand Identity

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a new logo and brand identity. This will unify, under one umbrella, the various divisions of the Chamber, which include Greater Hutch, the economic development partnership for Reno County, and Visit Hutch, the Greater Hutchinson Convention/ Visitors Bureau. In 2017, Chamber members and community stakeholders were invited to participate in focus groups as part of the development of a new brand. The first step of this branding strategy brought together online survey data, input from the City’s comprehensive plan, as well as local focus groups facilitated by Catalyst Commercial, helping gather...

Barkley Plumbing Corporation Receives January Small Business Award

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

After five years of working for Nunns Construction, Craig decided to begin his own company, Barkley Plumbing Corporation. With increased business, the need to hire more people, and needing a place to store equipment and vehicles Craig built his own building on Corey Road and his business has continued to grow every year since. The company works with all types of residential jobs, including new construction and repair and replacement of systems as needed, as well as commercial jobs, both new construction and remodeling projects. They are also able to work on septic systems, including replacements, and work with all systems,...