Abilene Means Business Newsletter
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Dear Members,
In accordance with Governor Laura Kelly's
Executive Order 20-16
establishing a statewide "stay home" order through April 19, the Chamber is still operating virtually.
Although we haven't physically been in the Chamber office for a few weeks, the Chamber Board and I have been working daily for your business and the community, bringing you information and resources as they come to our attention.
We want you to know that the Chamber is serving our members in the following ways:
- Created the Abilene AREA Business Resiliency: Restaurants, Retail, Resources group on Facebook. The group has grown to nearly 1,400 members, and has served as a great place for area businesses to share their updates and specials, and for us to share resources with the community.
- Added several new landing pages on the Chamber website for members and the community to find fact-driven information. Check them out here at: https://www.abileneks.net/abilene-area-covid-19-resources.
- We are answering calls to the Chamber's phone line directly during business hours.
- Participating in state and national webinars to obtain the latest information and resources.
- Involved in conference calls and emails with local Dickinson County leaders, other chamber executives across the country, and more.
- Working with our area non-profits and local strategic partners to ensure their information is shared with the community.
Please don't hesitate to use the contact info below with information, ideas to share or questions you may have. We're here to help during this unprecedented time in our history!
HOW TO REACH US:
CALL
Allison Blake, Executive Director
@
(785) 263-1770
FIND US ON FACEBOOK:
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP:
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Dickinson County CEO Selects Facilitator
After an exhaustive search, the Dickinson County CEO Board of Directors selected Abilene resident, Cynthia Deters as its first CEO Facilitator.
“We had a great group of applicants that brought a wide range of talents as we searched for our facilitator,” said Kyle Becker, Dickinson County CEO Board President. “Cynthia rose to the top of those candidates.”
Deters brings a comprehensive skill set that will be valuable in the role of Facilitator including project management and marketing, as well as excellent communication and collaboration skills.
“We are excited Cynthia will be leading this group and feel she will be an asset to the Dickinson County CEO program,” Becker said.
Deters currently manages the forming and developing department for the Deters Institute of Better Living, serves as treasurer of Deters Crop Consulting, manager of 2CS Ranch, LLC, as well as Catholic Youth Organization Leader and volunteer at St Andrew Church.
“I do not do anything halfway; working with students and strengthening our community requires enthusiasm, creativity, and an investment of time and other resources,” said Cynthia Deters, Dickinson County CEO Facilitator. “My work ethic and passion to see people succeed is what makes this commitment possible.”
CEO, which stands for Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities, is a year-long course designed to utilize partnerships with area businesses to mentor and teach students about starting their own business. The inaugural class will consist of thirteen students. In the first semester, the class will first create a business as a group and then in the second semester, each student will also launch their own business.
As Facilitator, Deters will spend 90 minutes a day with the CEO students. She will coordinate business visits, arrange guest speakers and maintain good relationships with and business community in order to create a learning environment that allows students to succeed.
“
This is an amazing opportunity coming to the students and businesses of Dickinson County. I am humbled and excited to be getting this program started and look forward to the challenges and growth in not only myself but especially in the students!”
The Dickinson County CEO class of 2020-2021 will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information, visit www.DickinsonCountyCEO.com.
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Abilene Unboxed Aims to Help Local Businesses Struggling due to Pandemic
A local high school student is taking an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and help Abilene area businesses at the same time. Abilene Unboxed, a new company offering surprise boxes filled with quality products from local companies, will launch this week.
Area business owner, Megan Carolan, contacted the Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce office last week to discuss ideas that could benefit the area’s struggling small businesses. “Ever since Megan opened her first business in Abilene just over 2 years ago, she’s been very invested in the community, making donations and holding fundraisers, mostly for students,” said Allison Blake, executive director for the Chamber. “We batted around some ideas, but nothing was really sticking.”
Then Doug Smart of Smart Insurance shared an idea he heard about from his daughter earlier this week. The concept, called Keep Edinburgh Thriving, creates gift boxes filled with quality local products in an effort to help their local businesses stay open. Similar to BarkBox or LootCrate, the boxes include 5-6 randomly selected items for a small box or 7-8 items for a large box.
The model was a good one for Abilene, but it came with several logistical questions. It would need startup capital, a distribution center, credit card processing, manpower to compile the different items from the various companies, then someone to box and ship the items, etc. An altruistic desire to help needed to be there as well, since products should be purchased mostly at retail price to really assist the local businesses.
“When I casually mentioned the idea to Megan, she was three steps ahead of me. She already has a shipping and receiving center for one of her businesses, Kansas Hempire, and she has the space to store the items while they wait for shipping,” Blake said.
Her teen son, Chevy, overheard the conversation and wanted to get involved. “My son typically mows lawns to earn a little money in the spring and summer. We decided that wouldn’t be a good idea this year with everything going on. He knows he won’t make much with Abilene Unboxed since the idea is to raise revenue for local businesses, but it will be a great chance for him to learn about running a business,” Carolan said.
Carolan will provide the startup capital for Chevy to get things running. They’re interested in hearing from any business in the area who might like to have their products included. This could be anything from small retail items to gift certificates from restaurants. Once they have gathered a collection of products, they will offer the boxes for sale to the public via the web. Boxes will be delivered to local buyers or shipped through USPS.
“These surprise gift boxes will be a great way for people to send locally-sourced gifts to friends and loved ones, or just a fun and safe way for locals to drive sales for area businesses,” Blake said. “This is something that could continue even after the “stay-home” order is lifted to showcase all of the fantastic shopping and dining we have around Abilene.”
To have your products considered for Abilene Unboxed, call (785) 479-6243 or
click here to email
. A website will be up by the end of the week.
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Community Foundation of Dickinson County
COVID-19 Emergency Grants for Non-Profits
At the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, we believe in the adaptability, resiliency, and indomitable spirit of our community. In response to the outbreak, we will provide mini-grants to assistance non-profits that are addressing needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is our goal to quickly and responsibly release funds within 48-hours to non-profit organizations that are meeting critical needs within our community.
The Covid-19 Emergency Grant grant cycle is now open. Grant applications will be accepted until 12/31/2020. Apply online.
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SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Emergency Advance Grants - IMPORTANT UPDATE
Congress has expanded eligibility for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and made an emergency advance of up to $10,000 available to small businesses and private non-profits harmed by COVID-19 within 3 days of applying for an SBA EIDL. To access the advance, you check a box within the application for an EIDL. The advance does not need to be repaid under any circumstance, and may be used to keep employees on payroll, to pay for sick leave, meet increased production costs due to supply chain disruptions, or pay business obligations, including debts, rent, and mortgage payments.
NOTE: If you applied for an SBA EIDL without applying for the $10,000 emergency advance, you will need to reapply for the EIDL in order to receive an advance grant. This is likely the case if you applied prior to March 30. SBA is aware that some EIDL applications will be duplicates that seek only an advance grant and should be able to screen your second application accordingly. You can access the
updated portal here
.
There has also been a change to the amount that may potentially be forgiven through the EIDL. To ensure that the greatest number of applicants can receive assistance during this challenging time, the amount of the advance your business can obtain will be determined by the number of your pre-disaster (i.e., as of January 31, 2020) employees. The advance will provide $1,000 per employee up to a maximum of $10,000.
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Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Executive Orders
Summary of COVID-19 Orders
March 17, 2020 to April 13, 2020
The business landscape in Kansas has morphed into something nearly unrecognizable in the past month. Keeping up with the constant changes is a daily struggle. The Kansas Governor's office has issued a series of Executive Orders with new guidelines as we adapt. Below is a progressive summary of the Executive Orders pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-March.
Summary of Orders from Newest to Oldest
April 13, 2020
April 9, 2020
April 9, 2020
April 9, 2020
April 7, 2020
March 31, 2020
March 28, 2020
March 24, 2020
March 24, 2020
March 24, 2020
March 24, 2020
March 24, 2020
March 24, 2020
March 22, 2020
March 22, 2020
March 17, 2020
March 18, 2020
March 17, 2020
March 17, 2020
March 17, 2020
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Eisenhower Presidential Library
Event Cancellations
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Abilene, Kan.
- All public events at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas, are cancelled through June. Regretfully, this also includes the
Symphony at Sunset Annual D-Day Commemoration Concert
slated for June 6.
"We deeply regret having to cancel this year's concert. We look forward to this event each year. However, the safety of our community is paramount. We are making efforts to either reschedule or move programs into a virtual capacity where possible. Unfortunately, the symphony concert does not lend itself to either of those options," states Dawn Hammatt, Director.
The National Archives and Records Administration is committed to protecting the health and safety of visitors, customers, and employees during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Exhibit and research facilities are closed to the public until further notice. The library staff is making every effort to continue providing essential services whenever possible, using online and remote capabilities.
For more information on virtual programs and activities, visit
www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov
and connect with @IkeLibrary on social media.
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Kansas Homemade Mask/Cloth Covering Guide
New evidence indicates that some people with coronavirus do not have symptoms of disease and can transmit the virus before getting sick. That means, the virus can spread to others nearby and from you when speaking, coughing or sneezing. To slow the spread of COVID-19, KDHE recommends individuals use cloth face coverings when going out in public.
For more information and how to make your own face masks,
click here.
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VISIT THE CHAMBER WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION!
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