phillips county

Phillips County Wind Development Project

Everyone is talking about wind development nowdays!  Well, Phillips County has been for a while, as well.  There continues to be activity for wind development in our area on several fronts.  The most noteworthy is the Pleasant Ridge Wind Project.  Pleasant Ridge Wind, LLC is an organization formed out of a collaboration of landowners across portions of 8 townships in the northern section of Phillips County.  Roughly 33,000 acres cumulatively through these landowners have agreed to utilize Bannister Capital Advisors, LLC as a direct liaison and negociator for wind developers to be recruited into the area.  Bannistor Capital Advisors, LLC is a private consulting business which has experience in negociating in legal terms with wind developers.  At the present time, Mark Bannister and  his three brothers (Joel, Grant, and Ted), have started the process of soliciting wind developers through an offiical RFP (request for Proposals) process.  This process includes all the specifications wanted and agreed upon from all the landowner members of the Pleasant Ridge Wind organization (landowner group). 

While this process continues, the PCED staff has continued to create tools which may help with the marketability of Phillips County for wind development.  Letters were sent out in late 2009, to all landowners in Phillips County, with an “Endorsement of Wind Development” committment sheet.  With the return of these “endorsements”, a map of landowners “for” and “against” their land being considered for wind development has been constructed and updated daily.  This provides a ready-to-use tool (information) for wind developers.  Out of the 1700 letters orginally sent out, we have recieved 264 “endorsements” back to the PCED office.  The majority of the “endorsements” have been positive.  There was no deadline for returning this information, but we have recieved about 15% back after two months; we would encourage all Phillips County landowners that have not sent in their “endorsements” to please do so. 

Most recently (within the last three days), we have had two inquiries for this information.  It is exciting to know, we have most of the information readily available to immediately scan and send out to a possible wind (green) developer.  This does not necessarily mean development will happen, but it does allow the developer to have additional information abuot the county to help make a more informed decision.  PCED will continue to work with these groups toward the end result hopefully becoming wind development in our area.

Posted by:

Jeff Hofaker

How is your Customer Perception?

As a business owner, one of your first priorities should be customer satisfaction.  This is a very broad area.  It is not just … for the customer to get my product/service TODAY.  Yes, the customer is usually interested in something you have, or they would not be there, but creating a communication with the customer is very important to know how they feel.     Hopefully, they will not leave your business without having made a transaction.  But, the real questions a business owner should want to know are:  Was the customer’s experience in my store a pleasant one?  Will the customer come back again?  Was there customer satisfaction with the entire shopping experience?  Will this person recommend the business’s services to another?   Receiving the answer to these questions are sometimes very obvious.  Though keep in mind, in this modern day setting, having a courteous smile returned from a customer doesn’t always mean their experience was a positive one.   Most local business owners have their own unique ”saying” to invite the customer to share their experience.   Training of your employees in public communication is very important .  As your employees , they are a strong reflection of your business and “you”.  If there is communication training  or other employee training provided in your region, encourage your employees to attend.  Help pay for their training, if possible.  The long term, positive impacts on your business will far outweigh any short term costs.  The type of service given is always remembered by the customer, especially if it is negative.  Think of the service satisifaction issue “you” personally had as a ”customer” at a business other than your own.  How did that business react to “your” issue?  If they did not react in the best way for you as a customer, I bet you had several “ideas” you were ready to suggest to them … “That they should have done”.  These are the same answers you can implement in your own business, either by you personally or by instructing your employees, which will improve customer satisfaction.   The Kansas Small Business Development Center has classes throughout each year that cover many areas of interest for businesses, including customer service.  Also, the E-center located in the Fischer building of Phillipsburg, Kansas has periodic classes for different business development activities, if enough businesses have a particular educational interest. 

Posted by Jeff Hofaker – PCED Director

Majestic Community Theatre Receives $125,000.00 Grant from Kansas Department of Commerce

Six rural Kansas communities will share $500,000 in Small Communities Improvement Program funding from the Kansas Department of Commerce, officials announced today.

The cities of Phillipsburg, Rossville, St. Mary’s, Tribune, Udall and White City were each awarded funds through the program, which is designed to assist communities with populations of 5,000 or less. The seven communities will provide $681,690 volunteer time, labor and materials toward their projects.

“We are excited to provide funding to these deserving communities and organizations,” said Secretary of Commerce Bill Thornton. “The Small Communities Improvement Program was created especially for our smallest communities, those communities that sometimes struggle to secure other funding sources. SCIP funding is a great tool for us to encourage rural community development in Kansas.”

SCIP allows communities to apply for funds for projects and determine which parts of the project they can complete on their own. The community acts as the general contractor, organizing local labor and equipment and coordinating work done by a subcontractor. The SCIP provides direction, technical assistance, guidance and support to make it happen. Self-help and volunteerism must produce savings of at least 40 percent of the project’s marketplace price. This year’s six winners were chosen from a pool of 14 applicants.

For more information, visit www.KansasCommerce.com/SCIP or contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.

The communities receiving grant awards are as follows:

City of Phillipsburg ($125,000)
Funding will go toward the completion of Phase II improvements to the Majestic Theatre. This award will allow for the restoration of the historical building housing the theatre. The community will provide at least $142,700 in labor and materials.

City of Tribune ($59,265)
The funding will go to the City of Tribune for the restoration of their community carnival. This award will provide for renovation the individual rides, the purchase of a tilt-a-whirl and the completion of a building for storage. The community will provide at least $39,777 in labor and materials.

City of Udall ($124,615)
The funding will go to the City of Udall for the revitalization of its City Park. This award will assist in construction of an amphitheatre, a playground area and a restroom. The community will provide at least $298,801 in labor and materials.

City of Rossville ($75,000)
The funding will go the City of Rossville for improvements to its community playground. This award will provide for new playground equipment, improved accessibility and safer surfaces. The community will provide at least $71,825 in labor and materials.

White City ($61,285)
The funding will go to White City for its Centennial Park Improvement Project. This award will allow for the removal of old playground equipment, construction of a new park building, a walking trail and the refurbishment of existing structures. The community will provide at least $49,121 in labor and materials.

City of St. Mary’s ($54,835)
The funding will go to the City of St. Mary’s for its Riverside Park Renovation. This award will assist the community in purchasing new playground equipment to replace the unsafe existing equipment. The community will provide at least $79,465 in labor and materials.

Wind Power For Schools

In light of the increasing utility costs, expanding schools needs, and deminishing revenues, schools across the country should consider (if possible) a new and forward-thinking solution with countless benefits: renewable energy from wind power. By harnessing the wind that blows across playgrounds, school buildings, and parking lots,  the administrators and communities could realize the immediate rewards of a community-sized wind turbine brought to their facility.

From lower energy bills to hands-on energy education, schools win when they implement wind power.

• Educational opportunities: Having a turbine in your backyard – and even the process of planning for it – adds an experiential dimension to your school’s science, math, and civic classes. What better way to train the technicians, engineers, and leaders of tomorrow?
• Lower utility bills: Your electrical costs drop the second your blades start spinning.
• Taxpayer benefits: Lower facility costs for your public schools can help balance budgets and lower the tax burden on community residents.
• Stable cost of power: You’ll know what your wind-powered electricity will cost you for 20 years or more so you can safeguard your school’s budget against the volatile and increasing costs of energy.  In a way, making your school financially independent from most of your energy costs, if planned out.
• Green economy: Your school-based wind turbine – and each new installation it fosters – will bring high-value jobs to your community.

Turbine considerations

When considering which turbine to purchase, schools should think about their setting, local permitting regulations, and economics.   Here are some of the issues that schools consider in making their turbine choice.   

•  Load matching:    All else being equal, schools will want to choose a turbine – or 2 or 3 – that can support as much of its electricity needs as possible so it can gain the greatest benefit from site-based generation.  
• Aesthetic fit:    The turbine’s height profile and operational sound levels will be a consideration if it will be located near neighbors and/or classrooms.  
• Educational support:    Educators will often create their own curriculum around their turbine, but it can be a big help if the turbine supplier can provide supporting materials and ideas.  
• Technology:    Not every wind turbine is created equal.   A turbine’s technology and design can affect many things including energy capture, maintenance requirements, and sound performance.       
• Proven operation:    Like any major capital investment project, you will want to know that your wind turbine is not a concept waiting for a test site.   Proven results are very important. 

The first step of project is difficult.  Wind projects take funding, and in today’s economy that can stop most decision makers in their tracks.  Though, if nothing is done now to help, we will probably be dead in tracks in the future.  Proactive thinking is the solution.  Kansas now has a grant program provided through the Kansas Corporation Commission to assist with ONLY State agencies, counties, cities, and unified schools districts for upgrading to green energy, such as wind, solar, and geothermal.   This grant has many requirements and will not pay for the entire project, but it definately is an avenue consider.  More information can be found at KCC’s website.  

Helping your Business & Community!

The end of the year is very quickly approaching.  Have you considered a business donation toward a local community foundation?  It is a great way for a business to get some tax deductible benefits, while helping out the community.  Most of the community foundations in Phillips County have specific projects they are currently working on.  A business or individual donation can be given directly to a specific project “designated” or given to the foundation in general.  Both types of donations given by the business/individual is tax deductible,  the only difference is how the community foundation can utilize your donation (specifically or generally).  In any economy, the more dollars a business or individual can keep locally, the stronger the economy is.  In the case of giving to a local cause through a community foundation, the benefit is expanded.  The donation actually is used toward a project which improves the atmosphere (business or community environment), which in the long run helps bring more people and businesses to the area. 

The community foundations in the area, which are currently working on projects are the Phillips County Community Foundation, the Logan Community Development Foundation, the Huck Boyd Community Center, HOPE Foundation, and the Kirwin Community Foundation.  Make contact with these foundation’s board members and see if their projects may be something that you may be compelled to support.  If they are not currently working on a project that you may have interest in, make that project suggestion to them and a donation to that specific cause.  Projects take a while to complete or even start working on; especially since all these foundation’s enlist volunteer time to raise the funds and work on projects.  Al-in-all though, they are very excited when businesses and/or individuals suggest ideas with donations of funds and volunteers to get the job done. 

The overall point is:  Giving to a local community foundation helps the community, its residents and YOU!

Unemployment drops in Phillips County

October unemployment rates for Kansas counties were received in our office today.  Phillips county unemployment drops to 4.6% which falls under the state average of 6.4%.   September unemployment rates for Phillips County were are 6.0%.  In March, county unemployment rates were at 8.3% which was above the state average of 6.5%.

Kansas Marketplace Update

On November 9 & 10, the first ever Kansas marketplace event was held in Hays, Kansas.  This event was spearheaded by the Center of Rural Affairs (based in Nebraska) and Kansas Commerce.  There was an advisory group of twenty some representatives from across the state working for about a year on developing and advising on ideas to make this one of the best avenues of educational and real world networking assistance for small business development. 

There was just over 250 registrants to attend the marketplace event.  Over the course of two days, there was 42 breakout sessions for business owner and community organizers to acquire new information on events, activities, programs, projects, and ideas to improve their own situations in this time of economic challenges.  Networking seemed to continually come up as a key question and information point.  The new generation’s way of marketing was incredibly interesting.  Although old school marketing was not “kicked out the door” by any means, the new tactics and avenues was a means by which to promote community, product, and services.  Working in conjunction with traditional marketing, these new social networks (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Blogging, and others) are becoming the premier way the youner generation communicates and is educated about services/products/communities. 

There were two special event speakers whose emphasis was on setting the right environment for business development.  Although, this aspect of business atmosphere or environment has been mentioned many times in history, it is an essential part (basis rule) of a business and communities which seems to be undeveloped and often the easiest forgotten in the long run.  It may be started in the short term, but often never grows to the peak level of marketing it should. 

Plans for next year’s second Kansas Marketplace are already on the drawing board,  For our Phillips County and regional businesses who were able to attend, I would ask that you share the information acquired with those businesses and community leaders that were not able to attend.  This will help the entire environment for the area.  I encourage all businesses not in attendance this year, and even those that were in attendance, to make plans for attending next year’s marketplace, if possible. 

Many say “Knowledge is power”, but “Knowledge is only acquired through active pursuit of education, and only education applied (acted on) benefits”.   Always strive to improve your businesses edge, through applying new proven (real world) information/education that works.  Networking is very important to marketing as well.  

PCED has some of the information acquired through the breakout sessions, but the majority of great information came from networking (questions and answers) during sessions  and between sessions.  Let us know if there is anything we can do to help with your business.  We may not know all the answers, but we will definately use our networking to try to find someone or group that can help find an answer. 

Endure, Grow, & Prosper

Ron's Restoration in Glade since 1989

Since opening it’s doors in 1989, Ron’s Restoration, Inc. has restored or built over 180 vehicles consisting of antiques, classics, streetrods, customs and pickups. You will also find the business restoring that childhood pedal car or Cushman scooter. The vehicles have found their homes in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

Ron’s Restoration, Inc. employs full-time technicians: including an ASE Certified Master Technician for mechanical, Certified and award winning re-finishers, bodywork and frame fabrication technicians. The business also maintains up-to-date equipment for the fabrication, refinishing and assembly of it’s projects.

The president of the company, Ronald Kester, was born and raised most of his life in the Phillips County Kansas area and has always been a car buff. He credits his father for the love of cars. As a young man he bought his first vehicle for $35 when he was just 13 years old and still has that car, a 1930 Model A.

Ron has been in the automobile business since 1959, as a vehicle salesman, mechanic and bodyshop technician. He sold new and used Chevrolet and Ford vehicles for 30 years. When he and his wife, Sondra, were married in 1959, they would spend their spare time in area quarter-mile strip racing. After graduating on to legal racetracks in the late 1960’s, Ron qualified for the World Finals in Dallas, Texas amd is a charter member of the National Hot Rod Association.

In the late 1970’s he switched his car building attention to the upcoming Street Rod era building him and Sondra a 1932 Ford. The car made two trips to the east coast and back before selling it, and building for themselves a 1933 Buick 4 door. He and Sondra still have this car and is a favorite among their children and grandchildren. Ron is a member of the Buick Street Rod Association and the National Street Rodder’s Association.

Many of Ron’s projects have found themselves award winners and publication features. In 1992 the company restored a 1960 Chrysler 300 F Convertible for a realtor in Hastings, NE that won two National Chrysler 300 awards. The car was then sold at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Auto Auction in Arizona in 1998 with the purchaser being Tim Allen of the hit tv show “Home Improvement” It was re-purchased a few years later by a collector in the state of New York. That person had Ron’s restore another Chrysler for him during the years of 2004-2005.

A gold medallion award was received by Ron’s on a 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible at the CTCI meet in July 2000. This is the highest award than can be earned through the Thunderbird Association.

In the March 2001 issue of Classic Truck you will find featured a 1960 Ford pickup built by Ron’s equipped with a 4.6 Ford police car package drive train and a 1994 Ford step-side box.

Northern Rodder magazine featured in three of their monthly publications a 1935 Chevrolet, a 1937 Pontiac and a 1933 Ford Roadster completed by the business. The 1933 Ford Roadster was also picked by Rod and Custom Magazine as one of their top 100 cars during the year 2001 and won Boyd Coddington Pro’s Pick at the GoodGuys Mid-Western Nationals in Kansas City in 2004.

During the year 2002 the business completed a custom 1971 Ford Mustang with a 502 Chevrolet Ram Jet Fuel injection engine and Vortech Super charger. The car was invited to the Daryl Starbird show in Wichita, KS at the end of January 2003 and won a Comp D’Elegance gold award. From their it traveled to the ISCA World of Wheels show in Kansas City and won 4 awards. It was the featured article in the September 2003 issue of Super Rod magazine and the April 2004 issue of Car Craft magazine.

Nebraska Street Rod of the Year, Outstanding paint and Best in it’s Class at the 2004 ISCA World of Wheels show in Omaha was awarded to a 1935 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Coupe built by Ron’s. The car was also featured in the May 2004 issue of Street Rod Builder.

In June 2004, Ron’s Restoration completed the changes to a 1967 Corvette qualifying it for Bloomington

This article and pictures taken from the website:  http://www.ronsrestoration.com/

Independence!

Speaking as a current business owner and an economic development director, owning and running your own business is still one of the most independent activities an American can do in this country.  On the eve of July 4, 2009, it should be remembered that most of the founders of our country were business owners.  In every circumstance I have known, business owners are very independent and passionate about their actions to succeed.   That is not to say that entrepreneurs can’t stumble and fall, from time to time; but, they most certainly never give up.  In times of trials and failure, it is usually the entrepreneur (business owner) that will make the extra effort toward attaining their goal through using another tactic.   If the business fails, they learn from their mistake and grow another business by becoming stronger the learning experience.  Think about the number of failures that Edison went through on “one” project, “the light bulb” before success in his business.  Think about the number of challenges and heartache Abraham Lincoln went through before he became the President of the United States. 

America has always been a country of leaders with an entrepreneurial spirit.  With the challenges facing our country right now, it is important for business owners to stand firm.   It is important for these current owners to share the experience of freedom they have (although difficult) with their prodogies (the younger generation).   Working in a smaller rural community, I have been encouraged by our small town business owner’s leadership for our communities, their passionate leadership to create a better environment for the next generation, and their desire to share and help the next wave of business owners.   Most rural communities have lost a vital asset over the last 50 years, many of their youth.  These graduating youth have wanted to become free and explore the world outside the rural (small town) environment.  Many of our youth, (even myself), throughout our childhood were inspired by business owners (mentors) in our area; though, encouraged by others to get an education and leave to get a better paying job (career), which all seemed to be in larger (urban areas) at that time. 

Everyone has to choose their own way and experience different areas, BUT, I feel very strongly that as citizens, educators, business leaders, and parents; we need to share the positives about living and working in small town America, about owning or developing their own business, and about becoming strong servants to our community.    Even when I graduated and worked in a larger city for five (5) years, I only then started to grasp the positives that I gave up by working and living in a large town and leaving my Hometown area.  One primary reason I came back to live and work in Phillips County was the friendliness of our people; but another was that ability to start a new business at a minimum cost.  With that being said, the cost of living was more economical, as I grew the business as well.  Yes, I know, many may say — “Well, he just could not make it in the large town atmosphere” or “He just needed to stay longer to experience the true urban setting”.  I did have several people say “I had failed, because I had moved back to the area.”.  And it may suprise you to know that individuals saying this were not just those I thought I knew in the large town, but those in my HOMETOWN! 

Gratefully, there were many more within Phillips County that saw, what I may have not at the time, an entrepreneurial spirit, in myself.  To them I say “Thank you!”, and you know who you are!  Business owners, residents, teachers and parents, all us have had our own mentors that have inspired us to become leaders for our community.  At this time in our country when entrepreneurism and foundational truths are mocked, we all need to realize that our youth is looking for someone to be their mentor.  If they know and understand that running a business is challenging, but very gratifying; they will consider pursuing that path.   If they are encouraged and supported in their defeats, that is ok to lose a battle, from time to time, but you must always focus on winning the war (long term goal).   Encourage someone that may be considering a move back into the area and given them an inspirational boost of support.  Especially now, I am sure they probably need it.  I will leave with two thoughts.  May everyone enjoy their celebration of our independence as a nation on July 4 AND, may all our new citizens moving back to the area have strong mentorship (through you) to become business owners, community supporters and servant leaders.

Renewable Energy Standard

In the age of higher energy costs and ways to utilize more green energy, Kansas has made the step forward to help renewable businesses consider developing in Kansas. This helps everyone in Kansas, including Phillips County. As stated in a press release from Governor Parkinson’s office,
“Prior to this year, Kansas was falling behind many other states in the production of cleaner energy. More than two-thirds of the country had a Renewable Energy Standard, and Kansas was one of only six states not to allow net metering. With this legislation, we are no longer at the back of the line,” Parkinson said. “The nation’s energy challenge provides the opportunities for a ‘made in America’ energy program, and Kansas is ready to be a leader in that effort. We look forward to the new jobs, more wind power and the stronger economy that will be a result of this legislation.”

Senate Sub. for HB 2369 enacts the Renewable Energy Standards Act, which codifies the goal of major Kansas utilities generating 10 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2011, 15 percent by 2016 and 20 percent by 2020. This legislation also enacts the Net Metering and Easy Connection Act, which enables customers to use their own generation and sell back the extra electricity they produce to their utility. Additionally, this legislation enacts new law regarding fuel efficiency for state-owned motor vehicles and energy efficiency of state-owned and leased space and equipment. This legislation goes into effect after its publication in the Kansas Register.

After hearing the questions many times, “Does Kansas have a Renewable Energy Standard?”, at an international energy conference by wind manufacturers and developers; PCED is very happy to see this legistion get passed. With the beginnings of a wind development project in our county, the timing could not be any more perfect.