"You can never go wrong by investing in communities and the human beings within them." |
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Your "Chamber News" for
Wednesday, December 14th
from the
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Join the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce in welcoming our newest member!
Plus One Cattle Company is a farm and ranch based in Hugoton and owned and operated by Ben and Lalane McClure and family. Ben and Lalane were both born and raised in Hugoton and have raised their four kids here also. Toby, Molly, Carter and Lindy have been, and still are, involved in the operation in one way or another. Plus One Cattle Company raises corn, milo, wheat and sunflowers and runs a herd of both commercial and registered Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle. In the last couple of years, they have expanded to feeding out their own cattle and offering meat direct to the consumer both custom butcher or by the cut.
Plus One Cattle Company is proud to call Hugoton our home and they look forward to being a part of the Chamber of Commerce!
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It's easy to get swept up in the stress of managing a small business during the holidays. But if you sell gift cards or are a participating business in a gift card program, there's one thing you want to make sure you don't miss.
While we use the term Small Business Season to refer mainly to the time between November 1st and December 25th, if you sell gift cards some of your busiest times this holiday will occur after people have unwrapped their gifts and before they return to work and school. Gift card recipients and people with returns often go shopping that week after Christmas. This year, Hanukkah coincides with Christmas week as well so you may have an even busier last week of the year.
That's why it's essential to prepare your small business for the week between Christmas and New Year's. But how do you do that?
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Create a targeted marketing plan. Decide what you'll offer and how you will communicate your specials. Treat this marketing plan differently than the marketing plan you created leading up to the holiday. This one has a different focus. Switch your messaging from “find the perfect gift” to “get yourself a little extra something” or “wind down after a busy holiday.” This shift in marketing can be especially effective for those in the wellness and service industries.
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Post your hours. If your hours are going to change after Christmas, make sure everyone knows about it. You also want to communicate to them if you're keeping extended business hours through New Year’s Day. Update your Google listing, as well as your website, social media, signs on your door and in your store.
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Provide bonuses. Due to the newly received gift cards and ill-fitting gifts, many shoppers return to stores immediately after Christmas. Consider what bonuses you will offer to ensure that they spend their holiday money with you quickly. It's easier to sell to people who already have reason to buy than it is to recruit someone who has never purchased from you. One of the reasons gift cards are so popular with merchants is that most people spend more at the business than they have on the gift card (the average is $59 more than the value of the card). When people feel like they're getting good value for their gift card and their money, they'll spend even more.
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Reward employees. It's likely if you've had a busy small business season that your employees are worn out. If you haven't already done so, this is an excellent time to show them your appreciation through rewards or sales bonuses.
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Ensure your business is ready for the crowd. Just because Christmas is over doesn't mean everyone will stay home. You still can attract a crowd. Again, not only do people have gift cards they want to use and items they may want to exchange, people have guests in town, college kids at home, New Year's Eve parties to shop for, Hostess gifts to give, as well as delayed Christmas and holiday parties. Extending your holiday hours for the week after Christmas can be a real positive for your revenue flow.
The small business season doesn't end with the passing of Christmas or Hanukkah. There's still at least another week left when shoppers will want to have access to your products and services. Make sure you're ready for them.
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High Plains Theatre
Want to advertise on the BIG screen?
Run a holiday message?
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Southwest Kansas Chambers of Commerce
Colby ~ Dodge City ~ Garden City - Grant County ~ Hugoton ~ Liberal ~ Scott City
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Join Us!
Southwest Kansas Night Out in Topeka
Monday, January 30, 2023 ~ 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Hotel Topeka at City Center ~ 1717 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS
Gold Sponsors:
Centura - St. Catherine Hospital, Compass Behavioral Health,
EPIC Touch, Pioneer Electric CO-OP, Inc./Southern Pioneer Electric Co.
Silver Sponsors:
COX Communications, Seaboard Energy
Bronze Sponsors:
Garden City Community College, J&R Sand, Pioneer Communications, Wheatland Electric
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Share your business updates with us!
All Chamber members are encouraged
to share business updates, event information, and other business related announcements in our weekly emailed Newsletter.
or give us a call at (620)544-4305.
The newsletter is emailed each Wednesday.
Business information must be received by Noon
each Tuesday to be included in the next day's newsletter.
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Are you a small business looking for an affordable way to provide your employees with health, dental & vision insurance?
Got questions? Click the button below!
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For more info call:
Joshua Sapp with Heartland Benefits Group 316.670.2856
or
Alisha Owens at the Hugoton Chamber 620.544.4305
If you would like a copy of the Health Plan Brochure/Summary Plan Description,
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Make sure you utilize ALL your avenues for advertisement.
Contact the Hugoton Hermes TODAY!
620-544-4321
*The deadline for next weeks paper is Monday at 5 pm*
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Needing information about the county you live in??
Access the Stevens County, KS website by clicking HERE.
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Library News 12.14.2022
WINTER BOOK SALE
Shop our Winter Teen & YA Book Sale! Fill a bag with your selections and pay us what you can. 1.00
minimum donation to fill a bag.
KANSAS READS TO PRESCHOOLERS DRAWING
Congratulations to Saul, Dylan, Santiago, Cody, Maverick, Luciana, Ella, Autumn, Gia, Julia, and Saige!
We will contact the winners with further instructions.
GENEALOGY RESEARCH
Elder and Sister Hovey from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints are doing family history
research at the Stevens County Library. They are available to help patrons with their own genealogy
research questions on the second Thursday of the month at 2 pm and on the last Saturday of the month
at 2 pm, unless otherwise posted. If you have any questions, please call the Library at 620-544-2301.
MAHJONG CLASS
Make sure to sign up for Mahjong class at the library! We still have spots available, and registration is
required. We will meet on Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons. If you have any questions, contact the
library and ask to talk to Laurie. 620-544-2301.
LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
The Library Board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30am via Zoom. To request a Zoom link
to attend, email library@stevenscountylibrary.com
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Upcoming classes:
Look below at our GREAT professional development and community enrichment opportunities!
¿Hablas español? 620.417.1313
***Save a class and register early.***
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December 6, 2022 : Campus News & Events
SCCC offers five winter term classes in December.
Students who are scrambling to complete enough credits for transfer, graduation, or to earn a certificate have an option during the upcoming holiday break: winter term classes at Seward County Community College.
The courses are fully online and accessible to anyone with Internet access upon completion of the college application process..
“We have winter classes available for student enrollment. These classes are offered through Seward Online and they run from Dec. 12 to Dec. 30,” said Dean of Student Success Annette Hackbarth Onson. The new option is a game-changer but it comes with several warnings.
“These classes have the same class content as a 15 week class squeezed into three weeks. Students that enroll should be prepared to do a significant amount of work in a very short time,” Hackbarth-Onson said. “These classes are great if you need an extra class to finish a degree and you have a lot of free time over break to work on it.”
College president Brad Bennett noted that due to the time commitment and holiday events, winter term classes “are not for everyone, but I am excited we're trying this out. It should help our students with specific needs.”
The college structured this first step into winter term with care, noted Vice President of Academic Affairs Luke Dowell.
“We are very, very committed to ensuring the quality of the courses,” he said. “That’s why we are starting small.” Dowell added that the workload during a holiday break is a “big ask of our instructors, and we appreciate the ones who are willing to give it a try.”
Students can find these classes in the fall 2022 schedule. Students should be able to add through the Enroll Now - Records and Registration or My Saints Records areas in the SCCC portal. Students should only choose one class to work on since each requires significant time. These courses are considered fall 2022 classes for federal financial aid purposes and will appear as a fall 2022 class on the schedule.
The courses offered are:
• Art Appreciation, CRN 30865 , Dustin Farmer
• OSHA 10, CRN 30869, Dave Ratzlaff
• BA 1013 Intro to Business, CRN 30866, Lisa Kennedy
• Intro to Computer Concepts/App, CRN 30867, DeeDee Flax
• Medical Terminology, CRN 30868, Jamie Williams
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What's New At Seaboard Foods?
**CLICK THE PICS BELOW TO FINDS OUT!**
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HUNGRY?
Have lunch at the
Stevens County Senior Center!
Lunch starts at 11:30 am.
Cost: 55 & Up: $5.00
Under 55: $6.75
The Stevens County Senior Center has activities too!
Call 544.2283 for more details.
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BINGO!
at the Stevens County Senior Center on the last Thursday of the month.
Call 620-544-2283 for more information.
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The 1st Thursday of Every Month is the
"Stevens County Update"
at 8:30 a.m. on KULY 106.7 FM
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The 3rd Monday of every month is
"Chamber Chatter"
at 9 am on TalkRadio AM1270
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Sales Position available at
Ghumms Auto Center
-Competitive pay
-Health Insurance
-Matching IRA
-Paid holidays/vacation
If interested send resume to:
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Immediate position(s) available!
Service Technician for Dairy and Feedlot Equipment
South West Kansas (Hugoton Kansas HQ) and Oklahoma panhandle.
Looking for an experience Mechanic and Fabricator/Welder.
Full time position 40-60 hours weekly.
Must have references. Week paid vacation after first year.
Must have ability to work in a team environment.
To perform job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge of operations of dairy and feedlot equipment, ability to maintain and repair tractors and other pieces of farm equipment
- Ability to operate equipment and tools in a safe and responsible manner
- Effective verbal and listening communication skills
- Must be honest, trustworthy and demonstrate sound work ethics
- Must have physical strength and endurance. Lift up to 50 pounds
- Must have transportation, be punctual and dependable
- Must have welding skills and use plasma cutter
- Must be able to fabricate metal make pneumatic and other hoses
- Ability to work some weekends and in all weather conditions
- Forklift qualified and trained
- Valid drivers license
- Pass a company mandated drug test
- Perform regular mechanical skills as required in shop
- Bilingual preferred
Pay: $40,000.00 - $65,000.00
Contact Ken at (575)760-4261
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Get your info to the Chamber office to have it featured in our weekly newsletter by
Tuesday at noon, but don't forget to run an ad in the Hugoton Hermes!
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To our GOLD MEMBERS...
The Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce
"thanks for your continued support".
*click each logo for websites*
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We are beyond excited to announce the photos that were selected for the new airport terminal feature walls. Congratulations to Alisha Owens and Ryan Roberts!
Robert's photo will be featured on the landside and Alisha's photo will be featured on the airside.
Thank you to everyone who submitted photos! We are hoping to include all the submissions in another area of the terminal! Beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Western Kansas!
*Photo property of Alisha Owens
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My Top Reasons to Join The Hugoton Area
Chamber of Commerce
1. Chamber sponsored health plan for all corporate members and sole proprietors.
Call the Chamber for details! 620-544-4305
2. Network with your business contacts to help you grow your business.
3. Credibility to make a statement that you are committed to the future of Hugoton and Stevens County.
4. Government advocacy to support legislation good for the business community.
5. Opportunity to reach more customers through the Chamber’s community gift certificate program designed to encourage local spending.
6. Professional development to provide learning opportunities to operate a smarter, more profitable business.
7. Promote the community to help residents enjoy greater opportunities.
8. Referrals and sales opportunities to deliver a return on your investment.
9. Publicity and heightened name recognition so customers know who you are.
10. Opportunities to host Chamber Coffees/Luncheons to showcase your business
11. Create a strong, vibrant local economy to keep our business momentum moving forward.
But my question to you is...
"What do you want out of your Chamber membership?"
You truly get out of it what you put in.
Let's talk membership benefits.... Give me a call TODAY!
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CHAMBER BUCKS ARE THE PERFECT GIFT FOR ANY OCCASION! |
The Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce offers gift certificates in ALL amounts and they are welcomed at ANY Stevens County business!
To all the local businesses graciously accepting Chamber Bucks gift certificates in an effort to promote shopping local, we say "Thank you" and ask that you please treat them just like the consumer is paying with cash. If the certificate holder spends at least half of the face value of the certificate, please give them cash for the remainder.
Just bring the certificate to the Chamber for a full refund for the face value of the certificate, or call the Chamber and I will come pick it up!!
Thank you to the businesses and organizations that keep their money local by purchasing Chamber Bucks Gift Certificates!
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*ATTENTION STEVENS COUNTY RESIDENTS*
To be notified by your local emergency response team in the event of emergency situation or for critical community alerts, register by CLICKING HERE.
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Are you ready to become
Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce's
newest member?
Call the chamber today and let's talk benefits!
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Our Mission:
The Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce is an organization of community focused leaders dedicated to promoting a positive business environment by supporting economic development through networking, teamwork and innovative thinking.
We are a voice and resource for business, education, agriculture, and civic and community organizations.
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Created especially for you by:
Executive Director Alisha Owens
630 S. Main Street
Hugoton, KS 67951
620-544-4305
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The Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the |
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𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐮𝐩. 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐮𝐩. 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞.
𝐵𝑒 𝓅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑒𝓃𝓉. 𝐵𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓈𝑒𝓃𝓉. 𝐵𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝓁𝒾𝒷𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓉𝑒.
ℍ𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕡𝕦𝕣𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕖, 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕚𝕡𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖 & 𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕥𝕦𝕕𝕖.
𝐵𝑒 𝐴 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑛 𝑂𝑓 𝑃𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐸𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐿𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡.
𝒜𝓁𝒾𝓈𝒽𝒶 𝒪𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓈
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