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Member Announcements & Events
The #ShopLocalKearney Holiday Giveaway is seeking sponsors to make this giveaway possible!
Join the 3rd Annual Holiday Giveaway! A community effort to encourage residents to shop local and support Kearney businesses during the holiday season.

Here's What We Need From YOU:
  • $100 Cash
  • Two $25 Gift Cards (or Chamber Cash)
  • A commitment to share campaign flyers from your POS and share Facebook posts to further the #ShopLocalKearney message and maximize reach and engagement.

Here's What You'll Get From US:
  • Promotion of your business as we encourage holiday shoppers to spend money at your business.
  • Logo recognition on event flyer and all event promotions.
  • Logo recognition on the Shop Local Kearney web page.
  • Logo recognition in the Chamber Chat e-newsletter.
  • One exclusive Facebook post @ShopLocalKearney promoting your business and giving away $50 worth of gift cards.
  • A yard sign designating your business as a Holiday Giveaway sponsor plus a supply of flyers to promote the event.

Participating merchants will receive a yard sign to display at their place of business to promote the event, their participation, and local shopping.
BREAKING NEWS!!
We are adding a third element to this year's Holiday Giveaway...
The Holiday Giveaway “Golden Ticket” contest features riddles with clues to find “golden tickets” in five secret locations around Kearney. Treasure hunters win Chamber Cash Gift Certificates with each gold ticket, plus extra entries to win the Holiday Giveaway grand prize which is $1,500 cash! Stay tuned for more information.

QUESTION? Would you be interested in being the $300 Presenting Sponsor for this fun holiday contest? Contact Stacie at the Chamber office for details -- 816-628-4229.
Law Enforcement Sales Tax renewal to be on Nov. 2 ballot
Clay County voters will get to decide on Nov. 2 whether to renew the existing 1/8th cent sales tax that funds about a quarter of the Sheriff’s Office’s operating budget.
“This tax is a critical source of funding for everything our Office does to ensure public safety in Clay County,” Sheriff Will Akin said. “It provides for everything from jail maintenance and staffing to school resource deputies.”
The sales tax has been in place since 1998 and goes to voters for renewal every 12 years. In the last fiscal year, it generated about $5 million. The tax charges 1/8th cent for every dollar spent. For example, on a $20 purchase, the tax would be 2.5 cents.
The Clay County Commission voted for the upcoming ballot language to remove the 12-year sunset on the tax, both because of the vital role the tax plays in funding the Sheriff’s Office, and to reduce election costs to taxpayers. For most Clay County residents, this will be the only item on the Nov. 2 ballot. To hold the election will cost about $100,000. Removing the sunset would eliminate future election costs, and the County Commission could vote to repeal the tax at any time. The revenue generated by the tax would be audited annually, according to the ballot language.
From 2009 (when the tax last renewed) to 2019, the population of Clay County has grown by 13%, according to census data. During that time, the staffing of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office increased by 9%, but reported crimes increased by 57%. One reason for this is the Sheriff’s Office took over police services for several small towns, including Holt, Mosby, Birmingham and Randolph. The Sheriff’s Office took over law enforcement duties in County Parks in early 2021. Deputies also are increasingly backing up police officers from other understaffed departments in Clay County.
The average daily detention population varied from 309 in 2010 to 356 in 2017 and 2018, necessitating more staffing. COVID protocols have placed increased demands on detention staff and the facility itself.
In addition to increased patrol and detention duties, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office also has worked to provide School Resource Deputies to the growing North Kansas City School District. Seventeen deputies now serve the District, up from eight in 2009. The Sheriff’s Office also has taken on the cost of body and in-car cameras and their data storage for increased transparency and accountability. Additionally, a social worker will be starting with the Sheriff’s Office in October.
The sales tax renewal vote on Nov. 2 comes at a time of continued growth for Clay County, necessitating a growth in the staffing and equipment needs of the Sheriff’s Office. 
Kearney-Holt CAN is a coalition deeply concerned about the impact of substance abuse and violence on our youth in Kearney and Holt. We bring together a diverse group of individuals who share a common desire to prevent risky behaviors that threaten the health and safety of area kids. We are under the Umbrella of Tri-County Mental Health and the Northland Coalition who provides Prevention Specialists to help us with our educational program efforts. We invite you to join us for our monthly meeting on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 4:00. Call or email Kat at katb@tri-countymhs.org or 816-468-0400, option 5, ext. 219; or Marlo at 816-215-7858 or marlo@16acres.net.
Vaping devices come in many different shapes and sizes. As vapes become more compact, they become easier for teens to hide. Our local resource Parent Up helps to equip parents and other caring adults to help prevent vaping in our students. Take the time now to talk to your teen about the dangers of vaping, including addiction. Learn the signs and symptoms of teen vaping at ParentUpKC.com/Vaping.
Kearney Family Foundation Prepares for A Season of Giving
The Kearney Family Foundation is reaching out to Kearney School District families who need help as well as families who would like to provide assistance through the Adopt-A-Family program this year.

The foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in November 2003 as a community volunteer organization dedicated to assisting the children and families in the Kearney/Holt area. Every penny donated – 100 percent of all donations – goes directly to those children and families that the foundation helps.

Every year since its launch, the Kearney Family Foundation has assisted between 120-150 Kearney families during the holidays. Kearney teachers and staff always step up to help with this drive.

To Request Help from Kearney Family Foundation, please complete the family request help form on the KFF website at www.kearneyfamilyfoundation.org/request-help by Monday, Nov. 15.

To help others through the Adopt-A-Family program this year and provide gifts and clothing, please sign-up on the KFF website at www.kearneyfamilyfoundation.org/how-to-help2 by Wednesday, Dec. 1. Scroll down to and complete the “Interested in Adopting a Family or Individual?” form. Please include your budget so that KFF can pair you with a family size that will meet your resources.

Kearney Job Board

The Kearney MO Job Board has been created to connect local employers with the local workforce. This group now has 975+ members and growing daily. Post your job openings today!

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Use Tax
The Kearney Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the Kearney Ballot Question which will appear in front of voters on the November 2 ballot. The Chamber encourages residents to vote for the Kearney Question, which will keep sales tax money in Kearney and will keep local businesses equal to out-of-state companies, as well as generate funds for amenities and services.

The Chamber of Commerce recognizes how important this use tax initiative is to local businesses. We know that in an effort to save time and money, people sometimes shop online. However, when consumers shop online from out-of-state vendors for goods they can buy here in Kearney, it hurts residents, businesses and the city.

Currently companies outside of Missouri don’t pay local sales tax, which gives them an unfair advantage over our local businesses. This use tax initiative brings those tax dollars home to the people and businesses of Kearney.

“The City of Kearney recognizes the importance of the use tax initiative to local businesses right on the use tax information webpage,” said Executive Director Stacie Bratcher. “The city knows that local businesses invest in the community in major ways. That is directly in line with the Chamber’s first Pillar of Purpose, and it is extremely important to Chamber members that we support local businesses.”
Business of the Month
We are celebrating Singleton & Son Excavating, LLC as our Business of the Month!
Singleton & Son is a family owned and operated company established in 2007 by Jerry Singleton. Jerry is well known for providing “extra help” to his neighbors, customers, and community.

Jerry takes pride in taking care of his hometown, its residents and businesses, by providing dirt and gravel work, lawn care and landscaping, snow and ice management, and always a helping hand.

More than that, Jerry has a passion for Kearney, and has a knack for showing up when he is most needed. He has been especially instrumental this year in supporting the Kearney Enrichment Council and the Kearney Chamber by playing a major role in the KEC Gala, Oktoberfest, and the recent renovations at the Firehouse. For the Chamber Jerry took the vision for a simple drop box and turned it into an incredible emblem for the Chamber, he led the project management for the refurbishment of the Welcome to Kearney monument sign, served on the Scholarship Committee, and sponsored the Harvest Gala.

Most notable is how Jerry reaches out to others to see how he can make a difference in the community he grew up in. This is where Jerry stands out. He grew up here, and he wants to do things to taken care of his hometown. 

Jerry’s love for Kearney shines through his business and all he does to make home a better place.
New Members
Elizabeth "Liz" Seymour, Benefits Advisor
Coming Soon
Chamber Meetings & Events
October
November
26 – Finance Committee Meeting
28 – After Hours Costume Party
1 – Nonprofit Showcase Kickoff
1 – Fifth Pillar Book Club: Strengths Based Leadership, by Tom Rath
2 – Annual Board Retreat
3 – Membership Luncheon
9 – Ambassador Committee
9 – Ribbon Tying: Clay County Savings Bank Kearney
10 – Workshop: Business Culture for Success
15 – Holiday Giveaway Kickoff
15 – Annual Report to Board of Aldermen
16 – Marketing Committee
18 – Off the Clock After Hours
23 – Finance Committee/Board of Directors
29 – Nonprofit Forum
Off the Clock-After Hours
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28
4:30-6:30pm
Beware, it's a ghostly affair. Attend if you dare!
 
Join us for this come and go, Halloween celebration, networking mixer at STABLES. Meet and network with fellow chamber members, business professionals, and guests. 
 
Prizes awarded for Best Costume
(male & female)

Registration Required 
 
Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and one free drink ticket. Introductions and door prizes at 5:30pm. Don't forget your business cards!
 
Fifth Pillar Book Club
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1
12'Noon-1:00pm
Join the Chamber and Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Adam Mustoe, on
November 1st at noon for the next meeting of the Fifth Pillar Book Club, for a discussion on:
 
Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow - by Tom Rath 

 Bring your lunch to the meeting.
Beverages will be provided.
This event is free for all Chamber members and guests! Registration is requested.
 
Membership Luncheon
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
12'Noon-1:00pm
Join us for our monthly Chamber Luncheon the first Wednesday of November at the
First Christian Church in Kearney.

Registration is Required! 
 
A boxed lunch by D'Creamery is included for in-person attendees.

Deadline to Register:
Noon, Monday, November 1.

Guest Speaker:
Mr. Michael Barrera, District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Kansas City.
 
Visit the Chamber Calendar for more information on Chamber meetings and events. Due to the impact of COVID-19, Chamber events will look slightly different due to additional safety precautions that are being taken to ensure the safety of those in attendance. Details can be found within each event listing.
Member Renewals
Above & Beyond Club
Chamber Partners
Chamber Benefits
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