Barton progress commerce and finance 2017

FACING THE FUTURE

Commerce and Finance

PROGRESS Special to the Great Bend Tribune • Sunday, February 26, 2017

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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

CATCHING THE WIND

New transload facility bring turbine parts and development to Great Bend

BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com

I

n January, massive wind turbine parts started arriving at the new Great Bend transload facility by truck and train. Today, the site is a field of white blades, towers and generators.

But, it hasn’t always been this way. This project dates back to 2015 and involved a grueling application process which pitted Great Bend and a host of other communities against one another for the coveted development.

“As the Great Bend transload facility and the surrounding area take shape, project partners are excited to share the newest developments,” Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Jan Peters said.

In addition to these parts, there has a lot going on at the developing site. Work has been done to level the land, remove World War II-era concrete, and repair roads and railroads.

The facility is located west of Great Bend in the city’s industrial park, The huge Wind turbine blades began to arrive in late January via semi-trucks. Other components showed up next week.

“This is a very exciting start to the Great Bend Transload project and shows that Great Bend is definitely open for business,” said Pat Cedeno, senior vice president of Watco’s Transportation Services Commercial team. Pittsburg-based Watco owns the K&O Railroad that will serve the facility.

“This positive development for future economic growth is evident by the forward thinking leaders and hard work by the partners,” he said.

These partners include Sherwood Construction which will manage the site, the City of Great Bend, the chamber, Fuller Industries and the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Logistics The site means more large trucks are using local roads and crossings, making safety the greatest area of focus and awareness, officials said.

Every attempt is being made to minimize the impact on citizen’s daily lives, Peters said. In a meeting involving law enforcement, city and county roads departments, logistics company personnel and economic development staff; all operational details regarding the moves were discussed to ensure that the greatest amount of safety measures are in place.

In addition all permits have been secured with The Kansas Department of Transportation, according to John Maddox with the Bureau of Transportation Planning, Freight and Rail Unit.

The wind turbine blades are coming from the south on U.S. 56 with minimal additional traffic on 10th

DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune

Shown is the field of wind turbine parts arrayed at the developing Great Bend transload facility west of town.

Street, but will impact traffic on Airport Road and Eighth Street in the Industrial Park. Additional train traffic will impact the at-grade rail crossing of U.S. 56 intersection near Straub International.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is coordinating with the K&O on a project that will install active flashing light signals and gates at the crossing.

“And to think, these projects are just the beginning to our future growth and the economic impact for our community,” Peters said. The Great Bend Transload facility has become well know in various circles and has the capacity to store many different types of products, such as aggregate, lumber and related construction materials, grain and heavy equipment.

“In addition, the warehousing space and available land at Fuller Industries gives us the perfect blend of resources to provide a quality destination for manufacturers,” she said. “We have worked hard to make Great Bend the right location as a premier shipping hub.”

Background Ground was broken at the site last July with a ceremony taking place at the site.

“We all need to think about the magnitude of this event,” said master of ceremonies Mark Min-

DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune

One of the massive wind turbine blades is unloaded at Great Bend transload facility in January.

genback. “This team has done a marvelous thing.”

He was referring to the many public and private partners involved in the project.

The idea for a Kansas facility was born several years ago, said Kansas Transportation Secretary Mike King. It happened after he visited a larger transload operation in Kansas City.

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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 •

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TRANSLOAD, from page 2 “We thought about what we could do on a smaller scale to impact more Kansans,” King said.

The idea took off, he said. After inviting Kansas communities to apply for a facility, 111 responded.

However, “Great Bend rapidly rose to the top of that,” King said.

Only eight cities were invited to submit proposals. Only Great Bend and Garden City were picked.

King attended the ground breaking in Garden City earlier the same day. He stressed that the two are not in competition.

“This is truly a regional center,” King said. “That’s what we want to do – create opportunities and know when its time for government to invest.”

“It takes a community like Great Bend to do this,” said Cedeno during the groundbreaking.

“I’ve been involved with this site for four years.” Cedeno said.

He’s been working with officials in Great Bend to figure out how to make this happen.

He credited King’s initial vision of Kansas being a global player, KDOT’s appreciation of rail transportation and the relationships he’s established for the project’s success. “It’s the right people and the right place.”

Cedeno said they want to bring value and creative ways to grow businesses. “We want to create jobs and economic development to the area.”

Matt Richie of Sherwood Constrution said doing business in western Kansas presents many logistical challenges. Such facilities help “bridge the gap.”

“It will make them more competitive,” he said.

The operation will be on 17 acres leased from the city for $400 per month. When running, there will be three tracks for loading and unloading, as well as staging, for up to 45 rail cars.

Watco is a small railroad company that works with 35 shortline railroads and services about 890 miles of track in Kansas and into Colorado. It manages 65 to 70 terminals or transload facilities across the country.

DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune

A worker unfastens the straps so a wind turbine blade can be hoisted off a trailer.

“Kansas is in the middle of the United States and Great Bend is in the middle of Kansas,” Cedeno said. This and the fact the Great Bend Municipal Airport, two trucking companies and other businesses are nearby make Great Bend an ideal fit.

In addition, the location near the airport has access to more than one rail line, on-ground storage and, through an agreement with Fuller Industries, warehousing options.

It is be K&O that signed the final state contract.

A pit was dug to hold the aggregate (a mixture of crushed rock, concrete and sand used in construction) that will be one of the staple products handled at the site.

The Kansas Department of Transportation/Kansas Turnpike Authority Transload Facility Site Analysis Committee selected the

DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune

The developing Great Bend transload facility west of town will occupy 17 acres near the Great Bend Municipal Airport.

finalists from the 111 proposals submitted for consideration.

Some communities submitted multiple sites.

The finalists included Abilene, Concordia, Eldorado (Refinery

Road site), Garden City (U.S. 50 Industrial Park), Great Bend, Great Plains Industrial Park just south of Parsons and Norton.

The selection committee heard presentations from the finalists

in July 2015 and made their final selection is expected later that summer. Peters and Great Bend City Administrator Howard Partington made the city’s case before the committee.

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ties such as housekeeping, cooking and leisure time. “The people we serve choose where and with whom to live,� Makings noted. “Many choose to live alone, while others want one roommate. A few prefer a small group setting. “But no matter what they decide, our employees help them make it work,� she continued. “This includes assisting with household tasks, enjoying a meal at a restaurant or attending a community event.�

Equally important are employees in day/employment programs. “Just as in most households, people work during the day, while evenings and weekends are devoted to a few errands and leisure activities,� Makings said. “Many Sunflower individuals work at our manufacturing plant or in our recycling operation with staff support.�

Those with severe disabilities who are not able to work spend time in specialized therapies at Sunflower’s facilities. “We are always looking for caring, compassionate people to lend whatever support is needed for individuals to reach their highest level of independence,�

Makings commented. “The job also is personally rewarding on many levels.�

All new employees in residential and day/employment services attend comprehensive orientation sessions, which often last several weeks. Topics

include ethics, first aid and CPR; nutrition and health; medication administration; and lift training to help people in wheelchairs. “I acknowledge our training is intense,� Makings said. “And it doesn’t stop after the orientation sessions; it is ongoing.

People with disabilities deserve no less.�

Salaries are competitive with the local job market; benefits include health and life insurance, paid time off, matching retirement plans, holidays and sick leave. A $200 bonus is offered after the initial training.

At Sunflower’s Early Education Center, families rely on the agency’s highly educated teachers and therapists who interact with children in their homes or other natural settings such as day care centers.

In addition, Incredible Years Preschool offers experienced and highly qualified teachers who offer a comprehensive curriculum that prepares youngsters for kindergarten. “Our employees consistently remark that their jobs are rewarding and fun,� Makings said. “They enjoy seeing the progress individuals make over short periods of time. “And they always talk about the smiles they get from people who appreciate Sunflower’s caring and support,� she added. “Anyone who wants to find a job that genuinely does make a difference is encouraged to contact us.�

Ladies Night Out scheduled

W

aters True Value, located in the Westgate Shopping Center at 1649 K-96, will offer Ladies Night Out from 5:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28. It’s the fifth consecutive year this event has been offered to the community and the 2017 event looks to be highly entertaining with a Mardi Gras theme, sponsors said. Admission is free, and all are encouraged to attend.

There will be shopping deals throughout the store,

plus door prizes, and selections from other vendors that will showcase their products. Many vendors will provide samples of their products to those who attend. “This event is designed so that ladies get to visit some of their favorite stores in one location on one special night,� said Michael Mayhill, store manager for Waters True Value. “They have the opportunity to visit with vendors and experience products in a way that they don’t usually experience them, in a warm

and casual setting.�

Mayhill said that vendors have committed to providing everything from refreshments and treats to chair massages. Additionally, Rosewood Winery will provide wine tastings, offering participants a variety of its favorite wines to sample.

While ladies are shopping, visiting and having fun, they have the opportunity to sit in on how-toclinics and demonstrations for do-it-yourself projects, ranging from painting to plumbing.

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hile a big part of the job for Sunflower Diversified Services staff members is taking care of business day-to-day, they must also predict needs for the future.

Part of this foresight involves hiring the best personnel to work directly with people who need a helping hand at home and on the job.

Sunflower serves infants, toddlers and adults with developmental disabilities in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.

The non-profit agency also plays a significant role in helping teenagers transition from high school to the “real world.� “It is not just the quantity of services that separates us from others, it is the quality of the people providing those services,� said Ladeska “Decky� Makings, interim executive director. “We hire exceptional people who undergo training specific to each person’s needs. Not everyone can say that. “In addition, Sunflower is the only agency or private business in this area that provides services for all ages,� Makings added. “We cover the whole spectrum – from birth through retirement.�

Sunflower is particular about direct-support employees because they work side-by-side with adults in their homes or on job sites.

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OPI and GBP offer full line of office, technical, printing services

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he marriage of Office Products Inc. (OPI) and Golden Belt Printing (GBP) was an illustration of local business owners respecting their past while keeping a close eye on the future.

The result is customers having easy access to anything and everything necessary in a modern office, said Joey Bahr, technology sales manager.

The partnership between the two companies began about three years ago. OPI locations are 1204 Main in Great Bend; 516 Broadway in Larned; and 724 N. Main in Russell. GBP is located at 1125 U.S. 281 Bypass. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before we had GBP, we had to take some projects to other companies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even our competitors,â&#x20AC;? Bahr said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now we have the technology to handle virtually any type of printing project at our fingertips. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Customers can talk with us at either OPI or GBP. We will get you to the right person at the right place.â&#x20AC;?

In the past, OPI was able to do single-color printing jobs before GBP came along. But now, the sky is the limit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are now a fullservice printing company,â&#x20AC;?

Bahr said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can do professional full-color jobs right here instead of taking them out-of-town or even out-of-state. And we have a great facility for vehicle wraps that is clean, sealed and climate controlled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;GBP has the best in printing technology to offer high-quality products,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Customers want this technology and we are

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Michael Juergensen, left, and Patrick Jacobs set up a server for an Office Products Inc. customer. Both technicians are available for networking and other technology-related services.

happy to oblige with the most up-to-date machines in central Kansas.â&#x20AC;?

For example, GBP has new label-making equipment with many whiz-bang features, as well as three Canon ImagePress machines. The Canons have exceptional finishing capabilities such as trimming, stapling and binding, along with direct-mail features. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our quality control is top-notch too,â&#x20AC;? Bahr commented. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can rely on ourselves instead of another company. Customers can be assured we will always stay ahead of the game, which helps them plan ahead too.â&#x20AC;?

Networking, training While OPI can equip any office with all the low-tech basics such as pens, paper, staples and office furniture, it also offers the most current advancements in the world of computers, copiers and other equipment.

For instance, OPI technicians install and manage networks for any size business.

Willie Spires, service manager, said OPI technicians guide customers to the best solutions to increase efficiency in the workplace. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Networking can be especially important when a business or agency has

multiple locations,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our tech savvy people can re-structure an existing system or install a new one. Because we know what is coming down the pike in all officerelated technology, we can troubleshoot todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problems and help businesses plan for tomorrow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We work with businessesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; IT departments and other personnel to make suggestions and offer advice,â&#x20AC;? Spires added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A networked system means that all computers have the ability to talk to one another, which increases efficiency throughout all departments.â&#x20AC;?

OPI also is available to provide remote-access diagnostics of business computers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This can save a lot of time and pre-empt future concerns,â&#x20AC;? Spires noted.

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In addition, OPI has factory-trained employees in-house that are wellversed in Canon multi-faceted copiers that come in a variety of sizes. OPI has a 20-year partnership with Canon and training is a top priority, Spires said.

OPI also respects customers who want to remain on the low-tech side of business. Therefore, it provides a three-inch-thick catalog that offers â&#x20AC;&#x153;a huge variety of options for virtually any type of business,â&#x20AC;? Spires said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those who like to thumb through the catalog can be assured our prices are competitive with big-box stores and others.â&#x20AC;?

OPI works with the largest distributor for independent dealers in the country, he explained.

Another benefit for OPI and GBP customers is the fact it is owned by a local family that has spent a lifetime in the business, Spires added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kenny and Terry Vink have always shown great foresight â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from expanding the number of OPI stores to buying GBP,â&#x20AC;?

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â&#x20AC;˘ GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE â&#x20AC;˘ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Hoisington looking to build more median income homes Down-payment assistance grants available

BY VERONICA COONS vcoons@gbtribune.com

F

or the past two years, one of the City of Hoisingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stated goals has been to increase the available safe and affordable housing in town.

In 2016, that inventory rose with the completion of Eastwood Apartments, a six-duplex project. Building on that success, additional groundwork was laid in September 2016, resulting in an advantageous opportunity for up to four families to achieve their American Dream of home ownership in 2017.

The Hoisington Land Bank and Housing Opportunities Inc. were successful in their effort to secure a grant from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation to encourage building median-income housing at Hoisingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s McKenna

Meadows subdivision.

The award of $100,000 in grant dollars will provide assistance for down payment and closing costs for four families ranging in size from one to eight people. The city is providing the lots free of charge to each household and is also offering a Neighborhood Revitalization Tax rebate totaling approximately $30,000 per household. This means the new homeowners will pay their yearly real estate taxes to the county and after the first year they will start receiving a rebate from the taxes they pay over a period of years. This is a total incentive of $55,000 per household.

According to Vicky Dayton, HOI executive director, the homes will be built to fit the covenants of four specific lots at McKenna Meadows, and will each include an open floor plan, with three bedrooms,

The maximum income allowed to qualify for the Kansas Moderate Housing Grant offering is approximately: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

person person person person person person person person

household ........................ household ........................ household ........................ household ........................ household ........................ household ........................ household ........................ household ........................

two bathrooms, a two-car attached garage, a full unfinished basement and the capacity to add up to two additional bedrooms and a bathroom plumbed in the basement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The three initial house plans for $175,000 are just a beginning point,â&#x20AC;? Dayton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The actual plan built will depend on how much of a loan the household is approved to build. This means if they can afford a larger home, they can.â&#x20AC;?

Banks typically look for

$ 70,031 $ 80,063 $ 90,000 $100,031 $108,094 $116,063 $123,281 $132,094

a 20 percent for a down payment and closing costs, which is $35,000 on a home priced at $175,000, she said.

With the $25,000 grants, each applicant will need only $10,000 to put down, and should be able to shoulder the remaining mortgage in order to qualify.

Income ceilings exist, Dayton said. She also noted that if an applicant is close, often times a case can be made for approval.

In addition to the four lots set aside for the pro-

gram, the Hoisington Landbank has additional lots for those who are looking for different options or to be their own contractor, Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell said.

By last December, HOI learned that the grants had been secured, and it was a short time later that Mitchell reported the Landbank had received several inquiries, as well as donations of fill dirt needed to improve the lots.

At this time, all four grants are still available, and can be obtained through the City of Hoisington or Housing Opportunities Inc. HOI is one of the largest general contractors in Barton County and has a long history of building single family home-ownership homes and rental properties over the past 17 years in Barton, Pawnee and Rice counties. Its office is located at 1313 Stone St., Great

Bend. Contact Dayton by calling 620-792-3299 or send email to vdayton@ housingopportunities.net.

Great Bend opportunity also available

For those interested in building a home in Great Bend, Dayton said the same program, minus the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax rebate, is available.

The Great Bend Moderate Income Housing grant supplies $175,000 to be used by seven households for down payment and closing cost grants of $25,000 per household. One household has already been approved for a construction loan through a local lender and construction of the home was completed last October. Six lots remain for those interested.

The price per home, with lot, is $175,000.

University entrepreneurship, manufacturing centers partner with state on grant program

K

ansas State Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and Advanced Manufacturing Institute have partnered with KS State Bank and the Kansas Department of Commerce to offer $90,000 in grant funding to innovators and entrepreneurs across the

state to help launch and grow new businesses.

The program is part of the state Commerce Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s JumpStart Kansas Entrepreneurs program, which aims to assist in the development of new ideas or grow Kansas-based goods-producing businesses. Awards for the program will range

from $5,000 up to $15,000 and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applications for the program will be accepted immediately and can be made through an online submission form on the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at k-state.edu/jumpstartKS. Grant awards will

be made on a first-come, first-served basis, pending approval, until all funding has been allocated.

The program is open to all Kansas-based individuals or companies.

The award funding can be used toward expenses such as business planning, engineering support, prototyping, market

assessments, creation of marketing/sales materials, or other activities that would assist in adding value to the business.

JumpStart Kansas Entrepreneurs is designed to incentivize and encourage small business hopefuls with startups while developing entrepreneurial spirit in Kansas. The program

is enhanced by its partnerships with eight partners across the state, including Kansas State University.

Also part of the program are Wichita State University, University of Kansas, Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State University, Emporia State University, Washburn University and Network Kansas.

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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 •

7

Ellinwood’s Santa Fe gets major update Travel corridor receiving 21st Century improvements

BY VERONICA COONS vcoons@gbtribune.com

E

LLINWOOD - A project that has been in the works since 2015 will be complete later this year, and will be one more step for Ellinwood in resolving critical drainage issues and providing a major update to one of the city’s main thoroughfares.

US-56, which becomes Santa Fe Ave as it travels east -west through the city, is currently being reconstructed to include new culverts and drainage along the highway where flooding has occurred in recent year’s following major downpours.

Unlike the typical asphalt overlay project, this one includes a complete removal of the existing asphalt roadway and its outdated sewer drains, to be replaced with a higher capacity drain system, a new retention pond, a new lift station, curb and gutter and a new concrete section of highway which will be better suited to accommodating semi-trucks traveling through the city.

Through coordinated efforts with the engineering firm Kirkham Michael, the city came to an agreement with KDOT to build a retention pond, provided the city agreed to maintain it, which would consist primarily of mowing. The design included a drain at the bottom of the pond to be placed higher than the adjoining ditch. The water in the pond will now drain slowly into the ditch over a few days, reducing the problem of mosquitoes breeding.

The tear out of the

VERONICA COONS Great Bend Tribune

Work on a KDOT highway reconstruction project along Santa Fe Ave began at the east side of Ellinwood last summer, and is beginning to creep further west.

roadway has also provided an opportunity for the city and other utility providers to move existing lines for gas, cable and communications, and update their infrastructure in the process.

While the months-long construction process has interrupted the flow of traffic, in the end, the City of Ellinwood will be the big winner.

The project wasn’t without problems. First, at the start of 2016 there was the issue of funding, with the State of Kansas sweeping funds from

KDOT over the previous years to supplement its General Fund. There was concern the project might be postponed indefinitely as many other projects in the state had been if work didn’t start soon. The street and the drainage projects were originally to be two separate projects occurring nearly simultaneously, requiring different contractors for each.

Progress was halted early in the spring of 2016 when bids for engineering of both the water and sewer projects associated with

the KDOT project were rejected as significantly higher than expected. It was determined that hiring separate contractors for each project was a problem because the window of time for completion was too tight.

The city and KDOT opted to combine both projects, and realized savings, allowing the project to be rebid later that spring. A contractor was picked in May, 2016 construction was set to begin prior to the start of the annual After Harvest

Festival in July. But, with work starting at the east end of the city, there was little impact to the event.

In late summer, a major rain event filled the ditches around the city, and caused work to slow on the lift and the pond. Then, the contractor encountered equipment issues that took some time to resolve. It wasn’t until October that the pace increased, and continued until December when bitter cold slowed work again. The ground began to freeze, slowing progress on the pond, and the cold

temperatures also slowed the concrete work. An ice event in January, 2017 also put a drag on the project, but the city and KDOT maintain that it will still be completed in 320 days.

Warmer weather throughout February has been a help. Several new culverts and manholes have been set for the new sewer system, and the road reconstruction starting at the east edge of town continue to creep west.

The entire project is expected to be complete by the summer of 2017.

8

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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 •

9

BCC accelerated career programs lead to higher wage jobs, little or no debt

G

raduating with a mountain of student debt is a common worry amongst parents and students. The Institute for College Access and Success reported the average student debt in the state of Kansas from four-year institutions is $28,008.

For some students, the debt is worth the pursuit of a dream career. For others, it is a terrifying burden they fear must be taken on to begin any solid career. Barton Community College offers an alternative; career technical education programs in numerous fields, which promise good wages for far less investment of time and money. Three of these options are Corrections, Welding and Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution.

Welding The welding industry is expected to grow four percent from 2014-2024 with a median salary of $38,150 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 16-credit-hour welding certificate program at Barton costs about $3,222 for tuition, course fees and a gear kit. This program allows students to get certified and in the field after one semester.

“The study load will allow students to hold down a full-time job and complete the academic requirements,” said Ovie Cade, Barton’s welding instructor.

Being able to hold a job while attending school is important for potential students to note as it helps to pay for the education they are receiving to graduate with as little debt as possible.

Cade attended on-the-job training and worked on a certificate program at the same time when he started. With dedication and passion, he became a success in the welding field quickly.

“I started off at minimum wage and I worked myself up to top paid level in the welding industry within three to five years,” Cade said. “There is always room to move up in the industry.”

Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution Barton’s Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution program is an accelerated Associate Degree earned within a year. The program is 64 credit hours and the program costs about $6,656 total. The field has a projected job outlook of 15 percent growth from 2012-2022 with a median wage of $54,420, per ONetOnline.org.

“Most students are able to handle the credit load,” said Vince Orth, Natural Gas Transmis-

sion and Distribution instructor. “We teach 8 to 5, five days a week. One week is three credits; you only have to study and worry about one book at a time for the first semester.”

While the full-time schooling method may appear intense, Orth wishes it were an option while he was in school. The ability to take the first semester to focus on one subject at a can be incredibly helpful. Waking up to go to school from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. also prepares students for the workforce where they will always be expected to arrive on time ready to work.

“You must be dedicated and dependable to get in our field,” he said. “The reason they pay well is because they expect a lot out of you.”

Orth said if a graduate is a hard worker, moving up is never out of the question.

“You can definitely better yourself, put in for promotions and most will allow you to put in for transfers within 12 months,” he said.

Corrections Barton’s Corrections Associate Degree program costs $7,072 and takes two years to complete. Correctional Officers (CO) earn a median wage of $40,580 a year and have

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a projected job outlook of 4 percent growth from 2014-2024 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Like most careers, the opportunity for promotion is available to any motivated employee. The first promotion usually happens within six months. From this point, COs can look for ways to move up the ladder.

“The progression could go from a regular CO all the way up to running the entire security of the facility as the Major of Security,” said Will Rains, coordinator of Correctional Education Services.

Students who are already employed by the Kansas Department of Corrections often use the degree and certification for promotions. Those students who are already employed by KDOC are looking to promote from a CO to Sergeant or as a correction counselor for a more regular work schedule and due to the changing landscape of corrections.

Corrections has been evolving over the past few years from security-minded warehousing of offenders into providing treatment and focusing on the recidivism rate.

Barton’s program is built to help students

stay ahead of the curve.

“This program encompasses the entire spectrum of corrections, from case management to mental health in order to assist transitions from security into other areas of corrections,” he said. “If a student wants to stay in security then they are building those skills too while gaining a well-rounded understanding of the corrections world.”

Barton Career Fair February is Continuing Education Month, which will culminate with a Career Technical Education Fair from 1-3 p.m.

Wednesday, March 1 in the Case New Holland Shop in the northeast side of the Technical building. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. and optional campus tours start at 10:30 a.m.

The fair is available for 8th grade students, high school students, current Barton students, community members and will feature demonstrations, hands-on-activities, refreshments, prizes and photo ops with the Barton mascot.

To sign up, contact Denise Schreiber at 620-792-9324 or schreiberd@bartonccc.edu.

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â&#x20AC;¢ GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE â&#x20AC;¢ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Great Bend enjoys construction boom

BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com

10th Street also the revival of the Village Mall shopping center. (See story on page 12)

F

rom remodeling to new construction, Great Bend saw an increase in building projects in 2016, Building Inspector Lee Schneider said.

Major projects included the Transload Facility in the Great Bend Industrial Park; two more apartment buildings (48 units) at the Reserves at Trailridge; the Fieldhouse athletic club at 2817 9th St.; demolition and new construction at CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions, 1809 24th St.; two new twin homes on Oakmont Ave. and a spec home on Spyglass Circle.

The city built a new public bathroom next to the new Fit Trail at Veterans Memorial Park and is replating the Amber Meadows subdivision.

Many of the improvements were on 10th Street, including an addition to the Dollar Tree, 3502 10th; construction of Freddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 3008 10th St.; and remodeling of Sonic drive-in, 3909 10th St., and Baltzell Motel, 705 10th St. West

Great Bend commercial building permits 2016 The following is a partial list of City of Great Bend Inspection Department permits issued in 2016 for building repairs, remodeling and new construction.

Included are the name, address, permit type (if other than building), work type and estimated cost. â&#x20AC;¢ AT&T, 1300 Stone, electrical, remodel, $80,000 â&#x20AC;¢ AT&T, 1300 Stone, mechanical, remodel, $20,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Lasting Life Ministries Inc., 4907 10th, electrical, remodel, $30,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Hangar, City of Great Bend, 9015 K St., building, demolish, $0 â&#x20AC;¢ WHB Inc., 2525 10th, repair, $16,154

â&#x20AC;¢ Suchy Realty LLC, 2519 5th, new, $75,000 â&#x20AC;¢ JJJM Investments LLC, 1324 Kansas, repair, $40,000 â&#x20AC;¢ CUNA, 1809 24th, mechanical, mechanical, $85,700 â&#x20AC;¢ City of Great Bend-Blizzard Energy, 9015 8th Building H, repair, $27,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Center for Counseling, 1225 Patton Road, repair, $16,386

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A bar and restaurant at 619 Main, Great Bend, is undergoing major renovation. Building Inspector Lee Schneider said the number of building permits issued increased in 2016 compared to recent years.

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11

CONSTRUCTION, from page 10 â&#x20AC;¢ Center for Counseling, 5815 Broadway, repair, $24,063 â&#x20AC;¢ EQ Muffler, 1008 Kansas, repair, $15,672 â&#x20AC;¢ Lisa Edgett, 1010 Grant, repair, $23,225 â&#x20AC;¢ MGM Properties, 1015 McKinley, remodel, $20,000 â&#x20AC;¢ B&H Development, 2017 Lakin, remodel, $5,000 â&#x20AC;¢ 1st Congregational Church, 3400 21st St., repair, $34,896 â&#x20AC;¢ Memorial Art Co., 2115 10th, remodel, $15,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Terminal Building, 9047 6th, new, $341,500 â&#x20AC;¢ JJJM Investments LLC, 1318 Kansas, repair, $38,250 â&#x20AC;¢ JJJM Investments LLC, 1324 Kansas, repair, $38,250 â&#x20AC;¢ First Church of God, 1224 Baker, repair, $1,900 â&#x20AC;¢ Prince of Peace, 4100 Broadway, mechanical, mechanical, $47,460 â&#x20AC;¢ Eagle Radio, 1200 Baker, repair, $32,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Barbara Nuss, 1801 Lakin, repair, $17,000 â&#x20AC;¢ GMS Motors, 205 10th, new, $15,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Kwik Shop No. 753, 3907 Broadway, remodel, $72,545 â&#x20AC;¢ River of Life Church, 1219 Main, repair, $10,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Rosencrantz-Bemis, 1115 281 Bypass, demolish, $0 â&#x20AC;¢ MGM Properties, 1015 McKinley, repair, $21,433 â&#x20AC;¢ David Huslig, 1807 Washington, repair, $14,500 â&#x20AC;¢ Barnes Family Trust, 5205 10th, repair, $7,936 â&#x20AC;¢ Plains State Bank, 800 Coolidge, remodel, $142,655 â&#x20AC;¢ USD 428 Riley School, 1515 10th, repair, $26,650 â&#x20AC;¢ USD 428 Riley School, remodel, $10,000 â&#x20AC;¢ USD 428 Park School, 1801 Williams, repair, $72,040 â&#x20AC;¢ USD 428 GBHS, 2027 Morton, repair, $121,880 â&#x20AC;¢ USD 428 Jefferson School, 2716 24th, repair, $23,916 â&#x20AC;¢ USD 428 Lincoln School, 5630 Broadway, repair, $61,208 â&#x20AC;¢ USD 428 Eisenhower School, repair, $189,900 â&#x20AC;¢ USD 428 GBHS, repair, $4,250 â&#x20AC;¢ Freddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 3008 10th, new, $750,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Freddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, electrical, new, $46,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Freddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, plumbing, new, $50,600 â&#x20AC;¢ Freddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, four signs, new, $36,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Freddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, mechanical, mechanical, $49,550 â&#x20AC;¢ Donald Beahm MD, 3923 Broadway, repair, $5,560 â&#x20AC;¢ Wendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, 3519 10th, mechanical, mechanical, $20,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Nazarene Church, 4811 Broadway, addition, $84,420 â&#x20AC;¢ Plains State Bank, 800 Coolidge, repair, $15,000 â&#x20AC;¢ William DesLauriers, 2106 Hubbard, new, $40,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Donald Damon, 2501 10th, remodel, $30,000 â&#x20AC;¢ The Buckle, 1313 Main, remodel, $15,000 â&#x20AC;¢ Trinity Lutheran Church, 2701 24th, repair, $48,545 â&#x20AC;¢ St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2101

SUSAN THACKER Great Bend Tribune

Buildings at 1324 and 1318 Kansas Ave. in Great Bend have been undergoing repairs, with signage promising a future sushi and steak restaurant downtown. â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢

Jackson, repair, $16,000 Patrick Cale, 1920 Kansas, demolish, $1,250 Rosewood Services Gallery, 1607 Main, remodel, $3,000 WHB Inc., 512 Washington, repair, $8,270 Ark Valley Veterinary, 1205 Patton, remodel, $31,500 Donald Damon, 8921 4th St., repair, $16,500 The Critter Place, 1901 Main, remodel, $15,422 Moore Properties, 1101 Main, remodel, $4,000 Ray Riggs, 701 Main, repair, $27,000 Auto Zone, 2219 10th, repair, $31,886 Sonic, 3909 10th, remodel, $135,000 JKJL 4 LLC, 2421 10th, repair, $23,731 J-Kat Corp., 2006 Broadway, repair, $2,285 Baltzell Motel, 705 10th, remodel, $153,000 JC Penney, 1500 Kansas, mechanical, mechanical, $160,000 Professional Cargo Service, 623 Baker, demolish, $0 Great Wall Chinese Buffet, 4705 10th, remodel, $31,300 Marmie Ford, 1815 10th, remodel, $82,557 Dominican Sisters, 3600 Broadway, repair, $36,500 MGM Properties LLC, 1017-1019 McKinley, new, $5,000 Mario & Maria Bustamante, 1404 10th, new, $59,200 Expo II, 9810 B-29 Way, repairs, $88,053 Leo Stos, 5306 7th, new, $81,950

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Lasting Life Ministries Inc., repair, 4801 10th, $58,917 First Presbyterian Church, 2800 Paseo, repair, $8,000 JKJL 4 LLC, 2421 10th, remodel, $50,000 Lumpyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, 2017 Forest, repair, $7,500 CUNA, 1809 24th, demolish, $0 New Leaf LLC, 1117 Williams, repair, $12,840 Smallcakes, 4901 A 10th St., remodel, $102,000 Advanced Therapy & Sports Medicine, 4801 10th St., remodel, $275,000 Chad Ehrlich, 522 Morton, new, $125,000 Kim & Roger Sell, 1004 Harrison, remodel, $8,000 Dollar Tree, 3502 10th, addition, $88,000 State of Kansas - SRS (DCF), 1305 Patton Road, repair, $20,000 Stratus Developments LLC, 4811 10th St., remodel, $610,000 Jack Kilby Plaza/Barton County Courthouse, 1400 Main, addition, $355,700 Jack Kilby Plaza, remodel, $17,600 Julie Spray, 2817 9th, remodel, $80,000 Jeff Woodral, 619 Main, remodel, $80,000 Watkins Calcara, 1321 Main, repair, $26,840 Rosewood Services Gallery, 1607 Main, repair, $31,680 Up N Rolling Skate Center, 4805 10th, remodel, $65,000

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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

WEST-SIDE STORY Village Mall on 10th Street makes a comeback

BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com

S

omething exciting is going on at the Village Mall shopping center — an area that had previously lost its attraction as an anchor along the primary retail corridor in Great Bend.

The strip on the south end of shopping center once housed a variety of stores, from Carroll’s Books Music Video store at 4801 10th St. to Food 4 Less at 4907 10th St. One of the last businesses in the strip, Village Cinema at 4805 10th St., showed its final movie on April 14, 2013, as construction wrapped up for the new Golden Belt Cinema 6 at Lakin and Kansas Ave. There were still free-standing businesses such as Sunflower Electric Supply, Aaron’s and Playa Azul Mexican Restaurant on the north end of the parking lot, along 10th Street, but the retail stores in the strip were gone.

Things started to change when ACE Hardware, 4902 10th St., opened in 2014 as the chain was celebrating its 90th anniversary. That was only the beginning.

This month, the mall is filled with construction crews as a variety of businesses prepare to open in newly remodeled buildings.

Advanced Therapy & Sports Medicine, Cirrus Dental Group, Up N Rollin Skate Center and Laser Tag, Smallcakes cupcake shop and Heartland Community Church are all moving into the mall. Smallcakes opened its doors on Feb. 18, although work on the exterior continued this past week.

Andy Mingenback from Brentwood Builders said his company (one of several doing work at the mall this month) is also constructing a retail shell for the next business that wants to locate there.

“It’s kind of exciting, because the mall will be completely filled,” he said. “It sat empty for so long.”

The area is in a building boom that is expected to continue, Mingenback added. “I think everybody in the construction industry is pretty busy right now.”

Great Bend couple Jack and Sara Love plan to open the new Up N Rolling in April. Four years ago they opened the skate center at 2805 9th St. and their new address will be 4805 10th St. Sara said they put in a new floor for the skating area, but the laser tag room will retain the slopped floor that once held theater seating — as well as an old movie screen.

SUSAN THACKER Great Bend Tribune

Construction continues at the Village Mall on West 10th St. Smallcakes had its grand opening on Feb. 18, but work was still being done last week on the front of the building.

“We thought we would preserve a piece of the theater,” Jack said.

Sara’s grandfather, Harlan Parr, owned Great Bend’s last two skating rinks (one at the site now occupied by Grace Community Church and another on North Main), and her uncle, Gary Parr, once had a job rotating the wheels on skates, she said.

The couple decided to open their own skating rink after taking their children skating in St. John. “They didn’t want to leave,” Jack said.

Advanced Therapy’s former location was closed Friday in anticipation of opening Monday, Feb. 27, at the new address in the mall, 4801 10th St. The business will host a Chamber Coffee and open house at 9:30 a.m. on March 16.

Teresa Malone at Advanced Therapy said the business will have more space which will allow staff to enhance programs.

There will be a small gym dedicated to balance and fall-prevention activities, and the gym will have an indoor walking trail around it. Another area will be dedicated to sports performance activities.

Malone said she’s excited about the new location and the great group of people at the other locations in the mall. “It’s so exciting to see something come back to life.”

Heartland Community Church will be located on the west end of the Village Mall.

Up N Rollin Skate Center and Laser Tag is moving to the Village Mall shopping center. An April opening is planned.

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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE â&#x20AC;˘ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 â&#x20AC;˘

NOW HIRING

NEW EMPLOYEES

TALKING POINTS FOR NEW HIRES: MIMIC YOUR CO-WORKERS

BY MARILYN KENNEDY MELIA CTW FEATURES

Check out these employment opportunities

JOB TIPS

PUT TO THE TEST BY MARILYN KENNEDY MELIA CTW FEATURES

More and more companies are asking potential employees to complete an online test to find out how theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d handle various aspects of the job.

For many, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a frustrating endeavor.

However, hold off on the indignation and think of the growing practice of putting candidates through the paces to be for your benefit, as well as for the employer, says Bettina Deynes, vice president at the Society for Human Resource Management.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expensive and time consuming to make a new hire, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Deynessays simulations that test how a candidate will respond to specific challenges of the job â&#x20AC;&#x153;are very common.â&#x20AC;?

Back in 2005, a SHRM survey found that 5 percent of firms were using virtual simulations.

Though they havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t conducted a survey recently, â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at least three times that now,â&#x20AC;? Deynes says.

Moreover, virtual simulations are just one form of these â&#x20AC;&#x153;try-outs.â&#x20AC;? They can also be real-world assessments, like asking a potential public relations manager to conduct a mock press conference, or a sales rep to drop by to demonstrate a product.

Some candidates bristle at these requests and drop out of the process. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But when [try-outs] are presented in the best interest of the candidate,â&#x20AC;? says Craig Bissett of Hiringsimulation. com. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have maybe a 5 percent drop-out rate.â&#x20AC;?

Even when a job seems perfect, explains Bissett, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard for applicants to really know how theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll fit in. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These let you go for a test drive before you quit [your current job],â&#x20AC;? he says.

Simulations are used for candidates at all levels, Deynes says. These try-outs are different from psychological assessments, which determine whether candidates have the temperament to handle the job challenges.

If a candidate is required to perform actual work, such as spending a day on a manufacturing line, labor laws require they be paid.

Š CTW Features

13

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to read the tea leaves to see if a new worker will thrive on a job.

All you have to do is read the new hireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emails and compare them to his co-workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; messages: If the the language style is similar, chances are heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good fit with the group and the job.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because a firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corporate culture is reflected in the language used in workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; emails, finds recent research from Stanford University.

JOB

WEEK

www.gbtribune.com

(Corporate culture is defined as shared beliefs and values amongst a group of employees , which is then reflected by certain behaviors.)

A new hire whose own emails are linguistically similar to his co-workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; messages is four times less likely to be fired than someone who never mimics the language style of his peers, the study finds.

Analyzing 10.2 internal emails at a midsize technology firm, the researchers labeled snippets of text under various categories, like anger, positive emotion, or sadness.

For instance, within the sales group of the company studied, the most prominent category was â&#x20AC;&#x153;profanity.â&#x20AC;? The study, to be published in the journal Management Science, states: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A newcomerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to comply with the norms concerning the degree and appropriate use of vulgar language serves as a strong signal of her ability to read organizational code and conform to it.â&#x20AC;?

Language, of course, is both written and spoken.

If a job candidate hears â&#x20AC;&#x153;off-putting or unusual languageâ&#x20AC;? during inter-

viewing, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily mean that he wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to adapt to company culture, notes Stanford assistant management professor Sameer Srivastava.

In fact, â&#x20AC;&#x153;some people can adapt,â&#x20AC;? explains Srivastava, â&#x20AC;&#x153;even if they do not share the cultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core values.â&#x20AC;?

Moreover, the study finds workers who initially donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t conform but quickly do, arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t â&#x20AC;&#x153;rejected by their colleagues and forced to exit.â&#x20AC;?

org, aim to help professional, typically college degreed workers. Both groups help companies arrange â&#x20AC;&#x153;returnshipsâ&#x20AC;? or internships for adults hoping to get back in the workforce.

An internship is a lowrisk way for a firm to hire on a worker to see if he or she has the skills for the job, explains Tami Forman of Pathforward. Although

Pathforward and iRelaunch target returning professionals, Forman says that the same techniques for reentering can be used by any returning worker.

Both sites offer blogs and other sections providing advice to those who want to re-enter.

Š CTW Features

RE-ENTERING THE WORKFORCE

WELCOME BACK TO WORK

BY MARILYN KENNEDY MELIA CTW FEATURES

Climbing a career ladder is tough, particularly if you jump off for a few years and then try to regain a foothold. But this year, it may be easier for those whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken off time to reenter the workforce.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because unemployment is lower than it has been for much of the past decade, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;employers are even more motivated to look at all the possible sources of talent,â&#x20AC;? says Carol Fishman Cohen, CEO of iRelaunch.com.

The typical â&#x20AC;&#x153;relauncher,â&#x20AC;?

Cohen explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;is usually female and between the ages of 35 and 55 who took a career break for childcare.â&#x20AC;? However, men increasingly are looking to return after child raising, and re-entrants also include retirees who want to come back and veterans and military spouses, Cohen says.

Though more hungry for talent, employers wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t immediately scoop up a candidate who last worked several years ago, especially if the job or industry has transformed since then.

Moreover, Cohen says, many re-entrants want to work again, but not at their

old job. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The key driver of a successful return is to spend the time to figure out exactly what you want to do now as opposed to before your career breakâ&#x20AC;? says Cohen, who has given a popular â&#x20AC;&#x153;TEDâ&#x20AC;? talk on the subject or returning to work.

Cohenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iRelaunch, and another group, Pathforward.

FAMILY PRESERVATION SUPERVISOR

PRETTY SECURE

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Percentage of Americans that ďŹ nd ďŹ nancial security to be among the most important traits in a potential mate, which outranks good looks (21 percent).

Source: SunTrust Banks, Inc.

Š CTW Features

Saint Francis is looking for dedicated, passionate employees who want to help protect children and strengthen families through

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Must be 21 years of age, have a valid KS driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license & pass background checks.

Submit resume to melanie.haxton@st-francis.org or visit our website: www.st-francis.org. EOE.

Š CTW Features

SCOTT COUNTY HOSPITAL Leading You To A Healthy Future

Scott County Hospital has openings for the following positions: PATIENT CARE

ECMC is currently accepting applications for ...

Acute Care RNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Physical Therapist â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FT PACU/Circulating RN â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FT Operating Room Supervisor RN - FT 1604 Aylward Ave., Ellsworth, KS 67439

Skilled Employees ECMC is currently seeking TXDOLÂżHG HPSOR\HHV IRU WKH IROORZLQJ SRVLWLRQV 5HJLVWHUHG 1XUVH 351 &HUWLÂżHG 1XUVLQJ $VVLVWDQW 351 0/7 RU 07 )XOO 7LPH DQG 351 5DGLRORJ\ 7HFKQLFLDQ 351 Materials Manager (&0& RIIHUV D OLNH QHZ IDFLOLW\ VLQFHUH FRPPLWPHQW WR VWDII DORQJ ZLWK FRPSHWLWLYH ZDJHV EHQHÂżWV ,I \RX ZRXOG OLNH WR MRLQ RXU WHDP SOHDVH DSSO\ DW www.ewmed.com ECMC is an EOE

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