LUNCH AND LEARN
SEO AND DIGITAL MARKETING
Tue, May 17th @ 12 pm
Speaker: Jeremy Coulter
Civic Center
201 NW. 2nd Street
Bring your on lunch, drinks provided.
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THE JUNGLE BOOK
Great Plains Theatre
Tue, May 17th @ 7 pm
$7 admission
401 Cottage Avenue
(785) 263-4574
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FARMWAY COOP RIBBON CUTTING
- GRAND OPENING LUNCH
T
hu, May 19th @ 11 am
Free hamburger, hotdog lunch.
Farmway Coop Fuel Center
1903 N. Buckeye Ave.
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Great Life Sports and Fitness,
1705 Country Club Lane
Call Bruce Dale at (785) 263-7585 for more information.
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ABILENE ANTIQUE FEST
Tues, May 24th to Sun, May 29th
Antique Stores
Appraisals on Sun, May 29th @ 11 am - 5 pm at the Shockey & Landes Building,
treet
For more information contact the CVB at (785) 263-2231.
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Assistant Retail Sales Manager
TCT's Abilene Solution Center is hiring an Assistant Retail Sales Manager for cellular, internet and video sales and service. Sales experience required. Total compensation of $40,000 including paid medical, dental, vision, retirement and other benefits. TCT is an EOE. Apply at
www.tctelco.net
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Chamber Board of Directors
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Kyle Becker, Vice Chairman
Marc Beswick, Past Chairman
Todd Moore, Vice Chairman
Raelyn Swisher, Secretary
Diane Miller, Treasurer
Matt Engle
Denise Guy
Jeff Hoover
Becky Schwab
Jennifer Waite
David Walters
Michael Player
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"Discovering Abilene" Magazine and New Electronic Message Board Being Developed to Promote Commerce
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|  The Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB are partnering to develop a "Discovering Abilene" magazine, which will be produced by the Emporia Gazette. This high quality magazine will have an initial run of 55,000 copies and supplies are expected to last 2 years. The "Discovering Abilene" magazine will have a similar design and feel to the Empor!a publication.
Although hard copies will be printed, the content will also be available on-line to make  mass dissemination possible. The content will be geared towards new residents, potential residents and visitors. A number of feature articles will showcase key businesses and business leaders. A Chamber membership directory will also be included. While supplies last, the magazine will be provided to Chamber members, home seekers, business prospects, visitors and others. In addition to the updated Chamber website and promotional videos, the Discovering Abilene magazine will be a key marketing tool for the Chamber's new resident initiative.  There are several difference advertisement sizes available at reasonable rates. In the coming weeks, the Chamber and Abilene Reflector staff will be visiting Chamber members for discounted priority ad placement. Non-member ad placement at standard rates will follow, if space is available. If you are interested in promoting your business or organization in the magazine, call the Chamber office at (785) 263-1770 or send an email to [email protected].
In addition to the advertising opportunities offered by the magazine, the Brown Memorial Foundation (CL Holdings) is allowing the Chamber to install an electronic message board (sign) on their property at 519 N. Buckeye. The sign will feature community events, Chamber member advertisements, and public announcements. Provided approval from the Kansas Department of Transportation in a timely manner, the sign should be operational within the next 2 months. Advertising contracts will be available in the near future. Contact the Chamber at (785) 263-1770 or by email to [email protected] for more information. |
Kubota has purchased Great Plains Manufacturing, which includes the Land Pride division. The Land Pride facility in Abilene employees approximately 122 people. They also operate a facility in Enterprise.
The Abilene City Commission voted 3-1 to increase the transient guest tax from 6.5% to 8.0%. The transient guest tax is levied for each night a hotel room or bed and breakfast sweet is rented. Transient guest tax receipts are earmarked for tourism promotion related activities.
Ranae Veal, Farm Bureau Financial Services, 103 NW. 3rd Street, has an office space for lease that may be addressed on NW. 2nd Street. Her phone number is (785) 263-3993.
 Dickinson County 4-H leader and K-State Extension agent, Jill Martinson, was awarded the 2016 Distinguished Service Award for her outstanding contributions to the 4-H program. The award was presented by the Kansas Association of Extension 4-H Agents.
The Abilene Planning Commission has recommended approval of a electronic message board (digital sign) for the Great Plains Theatre to be located on the Dickinson County Courthouse property at the intersection of Cottage and Buckeye Avenues.
 DVN Plumbing Heating and Air are moving from Hays to Abilene and are the newest member of the Chamber. Started in 2015 by 2003 Abilene High School graduate, Dallas Vanness, DVN provides a full range of plumbing, heating and air conditioning services. Their business address is 105 N. Cedar Street. Dallas and family, welcome back to Abilene.
AFK Properties has a number of retail and office spaces available in the United Trust Building, 300 N. Cedar Street. Lease terms are negotiable. Contact Patrick at (785) 827-9383.
 Stephens Chiropractic hosted a well attended business after hours this past week in celebration of their 5th year in business. Stephens Chiropractic offers chiropractic services, acupuncture, massage, employment physicals and other services. Sabrina Holland (SK Designs) won the door prize and Saint Francis Community Services won the cumulative members-only drawing, which will carry over to the next after hours, since they were not present. The members-only drawing will be $255.
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| Enjoying the Business After Hours |
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The following list of business and organizations have invested in the business community through their Chamber of Commerce new (since April 1st) or renewed (since March 7th) memberships. The Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce works with their members to promote commerce in the Abilene area for the betterment of the local business climate and community. A big THANK YOU goes to our new and renewing members.
NEW MEMBERS
 Storm Rooms of Kansas - Offers Kevlar storm rooms for the protection of people, digital infrastructure, documents, and other valuables.
Don Anderson, Owner
847 Eden Road
Carlton, Kansas 67448
(785) 366-0191
 Proscape Greenhouse -
Our Nursery is full of Trees, Shrubs, Grasses, Roses, Annuals, Perennials, Veggies and Herbs! Pottery, fountains and bulk and bagged material.
Christina Krause
955 2440 Lane
Abilene, Kansas 67410
(785) 263-7104
 Belfor Property Restoration - Offers full range property restoration services.
Sam Shaffer, Contact
100 W. 61st Street N, Suite 1
Wichita, Kansas 67219
(316) 260-4227
Website
DVN Plumbing, Heating and Air - DVN provides a full range of plumbing, heating and air conditioning services.
Dallas Vanness, Owner
105 N. Cedar Street
Abilene, Kansas 67410
(785) 498-9414
RENEWING MEMBERS
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James' Random Thoughts .........
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Livability is a Great Asset
We recently had new neighbors move in, and they have children around the same age as our youngest. In a neighborhood that has been devoid of youngsters for a number of years, this has been a pleasant change. Our families have gotten together a number of times after work and the kids find time to run around and be kids. Plus our son has developed positive relationships with a number of our retired neighbors, and it is vital to his maturity, social skill, and self-esteem that he is given leeway to develop these relationships on his own. There's a nearby home that may be coming on the market soon, so perhaps another family with children will be in the vicinity.
I suspect that our neighbors feel the same way about their children growing up with good neighbors around. They feel safe and enjoy the decompression that comes from living in a beautiful, well-maintained, and uncongested town. Recognizing this competitive advantage that Abilene has, the Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce has been developing a marketing initiative to tout the quality of life in the Abilene area in order to attract new residents and increase commerce. As one developer told me, if you want to see commercial investment, you have to "bring us the bellies."
Traditional economic development theory suggests that being a "bedroom community" - one in which people live but don't work - is not the best form of economic development because it doesn't generate the property tax base and quality jobs that large scale building and equipment investment provides. On the other hand, being a desirable place to live stabilizes residential property values and supports maintenance and reinvestment in housing. There is a ying and yang in all economic matters. However, when the most widely accepted asset of your community is livability, touting livability would seem to be the "low hanging fruit" on the community development tree. A group of Chamber members businesses have met recently and determined that those most likely to relocate to Abilene include: AHS alumni, those working in Abilene who live elsewhere, retirees with family in the area, and those working in neighboring communities who are raising a family. There are actions being taken to market Abilene to these families.
Last week's dedication of Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary represents the latest example of our community's investment in the quality of life of Abilene. As individuals and a community, we should share those things that are great about living in Abilene. Doing so is good for business and the investments we have made in Abilene.
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