Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce 2023/2024 Annual Report

2023-2024 Annual Report

HutchChamber 2023 Chair

2024 Chair

Joe Ontjes

Sarah Fankhauser

Luminous Neon

DCI

I’ve seen firsthand how membership dues and Reno Rising pledges, coupled with private gifts and public funds, are producing tangible returns through the passionate but thoughtful efforts of the Chamber and its many partners. I’m excited to see continued collaboration between the Chamber and governing bodies at the city, county, and state levels. While the Chamber pursues transformational economic development projects, it’s also helping to explore strategies in support of childcare, housing, and downtown redevelopment. I’m proud to be involved with one of the most impactful chambers of commerce in the state. The momentum is real, and your support has made it possible.

Let’s keep it going.” — Joe Ontjes, Luminous Neon, 2023 Chair

“As my tenure on the Board concludes, I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm for the future prospects of both the Chamber and Reno County at large. Witnessing remarkable developments such as the establishment of a new Industrial Park, which positions Reno County as a key player for major projects, and the continued growth and development of dynamic community partnerships like Career Quest, has been inspiring. Additionally, the introduction of the Downtown Hutch Master Plan heralds exciting changes. I have full confidence in Debra’s leadership and the Board’s direction, augmented by the exceptional capabilities of our staff, to propel the Chamber to greater achievements. Serving on the Board, particularly in the role of Chairperson, has been a profound privilege, and I am deeply thankful for the experience.” — Dan Springer Heartland Credit Union, 2023 Past Chair

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2023-2024 Annual Report

RisingTogether 2023 Board of Directors

Nick Baldetti

Niki Harvey*

Rob Hanson

Brett Henry

Tony Hoover*

Dr. Dawn Johnson

Scott Meggers*

Michele Pitts

Kevin Rule

Bryan Schulz

Dave Sotelo

Dan Springer*

Brooke Stover*

Holly Thomas*

Janeishka Venegas

Troy Hutton

Sarah Rodriguez

Lindsey Thiessen

Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System

USD 308

City of Hutchinson

Dillons

Scott’s Professional Landscape & Outdoor Powersports

Heartland Credit Union

Tyson Foods

Reno County Farm Bureau Association

Hutchinson Clinic

Adams Brown

Sleep Shoppe and Furniture Gallery

Holly’s Sweet Treats

Conklin Automotive Group

Kansas State Fair

Peoples Bank and Trust

2024 Board of Directors

Lori Bower BowerComm

Andrea Finlay Harley’s Bicycles

*Denotes 2023 Outgoing Board Members 12/31/23

First National Bank

Pools Plus

Hutchinson Clinic

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Leading On Big Issues Last year we embarked on exciting new projects together, many sparked by the two simple words – WHAT IF? In December, we gathered at our Annual Meeting where we challenged each of you to imagine what is possible if we all work together to grow Reno County!

I am proud of our talented team of professionals – Visit Hutch

partnerships with the City of Hutchinson, the Hutchinson

promoting tourism amenities across our unique communities,

Community Foundation and many donors who care about

Greater Hutch and Growth Inc embarking on a bold era of

preserving and activating historic spaces, renovating existing

economic development, Downtown Hutch promoting

buildings and bringing people and visitors together in new ways.

revitalization in the heart of Hutchinson, Market Hutch helping promote retail growth through the “Share the Love” campaign, and our Chamber Board of Directors, Ambassadors, volunteers and staff who serve our members and advocate on big issues for all of Reno County.

ground on a new Hilton Garden Inn while anxiously awaiting the grand opening of a new historic boutique hotel downtown.

Citizens across Reno County have identified several key priorities to achieve future growth – childcare, housing,

What if we began the next chapter of our Reno Rising strategic

workforce and economic development. It is exciting to be a

plan, developing a future industrial site to help us compete

part of this transformational work.

for new economic development opportunities? We are grateful for gifts from private donors like the Sharon Kimbell family, along with matching support from Reno County and the Kansas

Thank you for your continued ideas, creativity, and partnership to keep Reno County rising together!

Department of Commerce, and local city leaders who share a

In partnership,

vision for a greater future along the K96 Corridor.

Debra Teufel President/CEO

What if we grew the Career Quest program to all corners of Reno County, inspiring youth in their quest for careers of the future? What if we co-hosted the first Manufacturing Expo with Startup Hutch to create supply chain connections amongst our manufacturing and service members? Our united economic development efforts are positively impacting every corner of Reno County, creating jobs and prosperity for our future.

What if we started new events such as a first lighted parade in Downtown Hutch, and what if we launched a new Downtown Hutch Master Plan? These things are all possible because of

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What if we ushered in a new chapter of tourism, breaking

2023-2024 Annual Report

Meet the Chamber Team • Debra Teufel, President & CEO • Marcy Kauffman, Vice President of Membership • Belinda McClanahan, Membership Data Manager • Valerie Harper, Office Manager • Mary Lou Herring, Accountant • Ashley Scarborough,* Events & Communications Coordinator • LeAnn Cox, Vice President of Operations & Tourism • Holly Leiker, National Sports & Destination Sales Manager • Lacie Janzen,* Economic Development Manager • Lauren Storm, Business Retention & Expansion/ Workforce Program Manager • Sarah Diamond, Downtown Hutch Manager

*Denotes former Staff Member

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MISSION: Working Together to Grow Reno County With a variety of volunteer and network building opportunities, there are many ways to get involved with the Hutch Chamber. Our goal is to help you connect and find ways to hone your leadership skills for personal development and contribution to our committees and program of work. We are thankful for the hundreds of committee volunteers who help us accomplish our mission — Working together to grow Reno County.  Agribusiness Committee  Ambassadors  Visit Hutch Advisory Board

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2023-2024 Annual Report

 Downtown Coalition  Economic Development Advisory Council  Market Hutch

Public Policy Committee Small Business Council Tourism Coalition

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4,400

Events

Action Paks Mailed

105

Community Benefit Organizations

36

Ribbon Cuttings

766

Active Members

49

New Members

  Member Appreciation Each year, Chamber Ambassadors and Staff deliver Thank You appreciation gifts to our members along with an invitation to attend the Membership Cookout.

This year we had over 25 volunteers to help deliver bags to members and nearly 200 members attended the Membership Cookout the following week.

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Honoring Small Businesses Small businesses serve as an important driver of economic

at the following Membership Breakfasts and Luncheons.

growth and job creation in our community. The Small

A diverse cross-section of members and SBA sponsors review

Business Council nominates and selects an exceptional small

all 12 monthly winners to select the Small Business of the Year.

business to receive the monthly award which is presented

Thank you to the Small Business of the Month Sponsors

March

January

The Phoenician Salon & Spa

The Rock Group

February

Reflections Salon and Day Spa

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2023-2024 Annual Report

April

Good Vibrations

May

The Wool Market & DIY School

September

Esau & Miller Family Dentistry

June

Bornholdt Plantland

October

Temaat Retail Liquor Store

July

Cris Corey Agency - State Farm Insurance

November

Selwyn Marketing/Splinters-N-Rust

August

Plaza Astle Realty

December

Fair City Management

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Engaging & Advocating For Our M stnevE

1,544

3

H-Bucks Sold

Legislative Forums

Totaling $31,685

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Groundbreakings

4

Quarterly Action Paks

150

New Teacher Welcome Bags

Public Policy Advocacy

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Annually adopts a public policy agenda and serves as an

investment in the community and tourism. In 2023,

advocate for local, state and federal policies that promote a

we had several opportunities to visit the Capitol to advocate

positive business climate, economic growth, business

on topics such as economic development funding,

Representative Joe Seiwert, Debra Teufel, and Jackson Swearer of Startup Hutch

Debra Teufel, Lieutenant Governor David Toland and Lacie Janzen

2023-2024 Annual Report

embers Reno County Legislative Forums The Chamber held three Reno County Legislative Forums in February through April to hear issues important to our work. All of our State Representatives attended one or more of the forums.

New Events in 2023 Minority Business Mixer In it’s second full year, the Minority Business Mixer event in partnership with the City of Hutchinson Human Relations Office, hosted after hours mingles to get to know some of the minority owned businesses in the area.

Coffee in the County The Chamber partnered with Startup Hutch to offer Coffee in the County as a way to build awareness for new entrepreneurs and businesses across all corners of Reno County.

Representative Paul Waggoner, Representative Jason Probst and Representative Michael Murphy at regular Legislative Forum.

Coffee In the County at Hedrick’s Bed & Breakfast Inn - Nickerson

transportation infrastructure, workforce development, early childhood, child care & education, housing, tax policy, tourism and utility policies.

Minority Business Mixer at Preferred Real Estate Co-Sponsored by United Way of Reno County

Legislative Forum at Hutchinson Community College

Coffee In the County at Pleasantview Home Improvement – Pleasantview

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Women’s Conference The 2023 Women’s Conference was held on June 8 at the Crystal Ballroom, featuring keynote presentations, panel discussions and entrepreneurial success stories to help women leaders find their authentic leadership style. Keynote Presenter was Dale Wilsher, Executive Life & Leadership Coach.

Wendy Doyle with United WE spoke about the advocacy work that she is doing across the Midwest on issues of importance to women such as gender pay equity and childcare. An expert panel of local women in business spoke about their career journeys and words of wisdom for young women in business.

   Co-Chairs: Brittany Inskeep and Angie Davenport, Ashley Scarborough, Dale Wilsher, Debra Teufel, Marcy Kauffman

Dale Wilsher Keynote Speaker Panelists: Dr. Stacia Biel, Owner of Revive Chiropractic Lori Bower, Owner of BowerComm Sarah Fankhauser, President of DCI Lucinda Piligian, Owner of Fair City Management

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2023-2024 Annual Report

2023Awards Night The Annual Awards Night was held at the Crystal Ballroom at The Burt in Downtown Hutchinson on March 2, 2023.

Following are the award winners by category:

 Veteran Owned/Supporting Business – Chaffin Electric  Rising Star Award – Janeishka Venegas  Minority/Women Owned Business – Anchor Inn  Legacy Award - DCI  Ambassador of the Year - Rachelle Fideldy  Small Business of the Year - The Traveling Bowl

Veteran Owned/Supporting Business – Chaffin Electric

Pictured from left: Marcy Kauffman, VP Membership, Sarah Fankhauser (DCI), Janeishka Venegas (Peoples Bank and Trust), Rachelle Fideldy, Antonio & Rachel Flores (Anchor Inn), Gina Emel (The Traveling Bowl); Roger Chaffin (Chaffin Electric), Debra Teufel, President/CEO

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2023 Annual Meeting & Sponsor Expo

2023 Vice Chair, Scott Meggers

Keynote Speaker, Lt. Col. Scott Mann

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2023-2024 Annual Report

Debra Teufel, President/CEO

Outgoing 2023 Board Members, left to right: Scott Meggers, Scott’s Professional Landscape & Outdoor Powersports, Holly Thomas, Holly’s Sweet Treats, Dan Springer, Heartland Credit Union, Tony Hoover, Conklin Automotive, Niki Harvey, Dillons, Joe Ontjes, Luminous Neon

PREMIER SPONSOR

Annual Meeting is the grand culmination of the Chamber’s

teamwork garnered from a distinguished military career,

efforts each year, drawing in a diverse and dynamic

Mann brought a riveting and thought-provoking perspective to

crowd of 1,000 attendees and 119 sponsors. Held on

the stage. His insights resonated with the audience, inspiring

December 4th at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, this flagship

them to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and strive

event was not only a celebration of the Chamber’s

for excellence in their endeavors.

achievements but also a powerful platform for networking, collaboration, and inspiration.

Annual Meeting is more than just a gathering; it’s a “gathering of the tribe,” a coming together of like-minded

The keynote address was delivered by Ret. Lt. Col. Scott Mann.

individuals united by a shared vision for progress and

With his wealth of experience in leadership, resilience, and

prosperity for our community.

Nex-Tech Wireless

Heartland Credit Union Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System

ONEOK

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VisitHutch ByThe Numbers Visit Hutch is a division of the Hutchinson/Reno County

In the upcoming years, Hutchinson will host many events:

Chamber of Commerce. Its purpose is to promote

 North Central Jr Simmental National Show 2024  NJCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship 2025  New Zealand & California Rabbit National Show 2026  Santa Fe Trail Association National Symposium 2027  U.S. Senior Open Championship 2029  U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship 2032

Hutchinson and Reno County as an attractive travel destination for sporting events, agricultural events and livestock shows, conferences/meetings, motorcoach groups and leisure travelers.

The travel sector is an integral part of the Reno County economy. Visitors generate significant economic benefits

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to households, businesses, and government alike and represent a critical driver of the county’s economy.

National Sport Shows Attended

 Visitors spent $112 million in Reno county  Travel sector created 1,457 jobs  Visitors generated $12.5 million in state and local taxes

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Event Planner Meetings

11

Motorcoach Groups Hosted

Emails Sent

Facebook Impressions

TikTok Impressions

Google Paid Reach

562,476

4,215,159

1,306,491

445,009

Streaming TV Impressions

Streaming Radio Impressions

186,743

195,543

Share The Love Campaign By The Numbers In June 2022, Market Hutch launched a new branding campaign around the theme “Share the Love” that has been used to promote Hutchinson and Reno County restaurants, retail and attractions.

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2023-2024 Annual Report

Breaking Ground OnThe Future It took many years and many committed community leaders, but on October 30, 2023 the new Hilton Garden Inn broke ground on a 112-room hotel and conference center.

When completed, this $18 million project with 15,000 square feet of meeting space will enable our community again to host regional and national events without losing visitors to neighboring towns.

“I think it’s important to recognize the efforts it took of so many to find the path to make this development happen. There are so many more parts for a project like this to even get to the stage of physical construction. I think everyone did a good job in creating a mutually beneficial outcome for the developer and our community.”

— Jon Richardson, 2023 City of Hutchinson Mayor

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Greater Hutch Growing the Economy The Greater Hutch Economic Development Partnership is a collaborative, countywide effort created in 2016 with funding from a series of capital campaigns in a public/private partnership model with Reno County, area cities and over 80 investors.

Nickerson

Buhler 14

KEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES:

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Hutchinson

1) Business Retention and Expansion

South Hutchinson

50

Pleasantview 50

2) Business Recruitment and Attraction

Plevna

Sylvia

Abbyville

Partridge

61

3) Enhanced Community Development Capacity

Yoder Haven

Arlington

96

4) Workforce Development

Langdon Turon

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Pretty Prairie

The Reno Rising Campaign set goals over the five

Reno County recently earned the ranking as the top

year period of 2022-2026 and is on track to surpass

micropolitan city in Kansas by Site Selection magazine

the established goal of 400 new jobs created over

in 2022 & 2023, a distinction that places us in the top

the next 5 years.

28 micropolitan communities in the US.

2023 Greater Hutch by the Numbers

120

New Primary Jobs Created

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2023-2024 Annual Report

10

Backstage Pass Visits

$10M

M&E Investment

$24.5M New Capital Investment

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Recruitment Expansion Proposals

27

Retention Expansion Projects

#11

Most diversified county economy in U.S.

#28

Micropolitan City in U.S. by Site Selection Magazine

WSU CEDBR

The Reno County Economic Outlook Conference held each year in partnership with WSU CEDBR features experts on the forecast for the regional and state economy.

JW Machine

Greater Hutch helped James Weve of JW Machine with NRP and other incentives for their 5,700sf expansion in Hutchinson.

APAC Shears

Shawn Riley, APAC Shears, spoke to Reno County officials about the impact of their $5.5 million new Kansas headquarters expansion planned on Airport Road.

Graphic Impressions

Tom Westfall, Graphic Impressions, displays the new printing equipment recently installed in their new South Hutchinson location, allowing them to double their production to serve a new national customer.

Rising Together

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Spec Buildings and Industrial Pa Greater Hutch, during their Reno Rising campaign strategic plan, identified a lack of available industrial buildings and shovel ready sites as two development opportunities to help provide new product for the pipeline of projects. In the last two years, groups of investors in Reno County have started developing a variety of spec buildings to meet industry demand.

In November 2022, Salt City Investments broke ground in

New Industrial Park on K96 Taking Shape

the Kansas Enterprise Industrial Park in Hutchinson, which

Last year, Growth Inc. a division of the Chamber began

has resulted in renewed interest in attracting suppliers to

plans for the acquisition of land for development of a

support the needs of existing industry.

future industrial site on K96 thanks to a significant donation from the Kimbell family. Last year Growth Inc. was awarded

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In September, officials gathered in Buhler to take part in

a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce as part

the groundbreaking for Buhler Industrial Park Phase II.

of the Building a Stronger Economy BASE 2.0 program

This marks Buhler’s first major industrial investment in

which has allowed development to continue. Through

recent years. The Buhler Industrial Park offers practical

leveraging private donations, grant funding, and local

solutions for businesses in need of cost-effective,

partnership funds through Reno County’s ARPA support,

purpose-built spaces, tailored to accommodate the

Growth has been able to acquire over 300 acres toward

specific needs of small to mid-range industrial companies.

a future 500 acre master plan development.

2023-2024 Annual Report

rks Pave the Way for Future A steering committee engaging the cities along the

Quest Manufacturing Day, StartUp Hutch and Greater

K96 Corridor, Hutchinson, South Hutchinson, and

Hutch created opportunities for 23 area businesses to

Reno County officials are meeting regularly to work on

network with each other, connect with industry and

infrastructure and planning around site and the K96

community attendees, and educate over 300 Career

Corridor. In December, formal annexation and zoning

Quest students. Reno County 6th grade classes learned

of the new site for industrial purposes was approved

about careers available in the manufacturing industry

by the Hutchinson City Council which will allow

including welding, machining, electricity, business

Greater Hutch and Growth Inc. to begin to market the

services, cleaning, powder coating, accounting and more.

site for large industrial projects to bring jobs and grow the Reno County tax base.

Partnering for Growth Greater Hutch and Startup Hutch have partnered on many initiatives such as the Reno County Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Partnership, hosting Business Builder Lunch and Learns and Entrepreneurship events. Partnering on the first Manufacturing Expo combined with a Career

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Developing the Workforce of Tomorrow Developing the workforce of tomorrow is critical to the economic vitality of our region. In 2022, we launched Career Quest and in its second full year, Greater Hutch has scaled the program up to serve 650 6th graders across Reno County with on-site business tours and mega tour days of a variety of industries.

 Manufacturing Day

 Education Day

 Public Services Day

 Healthcare Day

 Agri-Business Day

Career Quest by the Numbers

650

Students Served

22

2023-2024 Annual Report

15

Schools Participated

20

Business Tour Hosts

10

On-Site Business Tour Days

6

Mega Tour Days

11

Industry Pathways

Collins Bus

“ I am so grateful for Career Quest and think everyone needs an experience like this.”

— Paige Loitz, Nickerson Elementary

“Thanks to Career Quest field trips I learned about apprenticeships, college options and

Kansas Department of Agriculture

costs for these colleges.”

— Koda McConnell, Central Christian School

“My Career Quest was a life-changing event.

It helped me determine what I want to be in life.”

— Natalie Hoag, Wiley Elementary

“Experiencing Career Quest helped me find new interests that I might look forward to in the future.”

— Shaylie Brown, Morgan Elementary

Miller Dairy

“All in all I think that the animal shelter was my favorite. I would really enjoy working there.”

— Maysen Wiens, Lincoln Elementary

“My favorite experience was (HCTEA).

Since the beginning of the year, my views have changed and I am now interested in animation.”

— Owen Price, McCandless Elementary

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Signing Day Celebrates Futures Greater Hutch hosted the 3rd Annual Signing Day event in May at the HCTEA where 80 students signed letters of intent to join their peers in a technical program pathway of choice in the fields of Automotive Technology, Collision Repair, Welding, Manufacturing Technology, Machine Technology, Construction Trades and Medical Services CNA & CMA. Family, instructors, administration, counselors, industries, potential employers, and government officials celebrated the students and the commitment they made to their future.

Greater Hutch is proud to partner with Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson Public Schools, Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy, and area business sponsors to host this annual celebration for students all across Reno County.

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2023-2024 Annual Report

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Celebrating Downtown Downtown Hutch, in partnership with the City of Hutchinson, manages the marketing and promotion of our vibrant Downtown, based on the four pillars of the Kansas Main Street model. Four Downtown committees meet regularly including the Coalition, Design, Promotion, and Economic Vitality teams which are energizing many new events and revitalization. From bringing life back to historic buildings, creating new spaces, boutiques, craft breweries, upper floor living, and a new boutique hotel, Downtown Hutch has had 65 new businesses open in the last 5 years.

Downtown Hutch by the Numbers

New events added in 2023

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Downtown Ribbon Cuttings

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2023-2024 Annual Report

3

IWW Loans Awarded

18

Active IWW Loans in Portfolio

 Easter Egg Hunt (April)  Chalk the Town (July)  Hutch High Homecoming Parade (September)  Shop and Treat (October)  Light Up Hutch Christmas Parade (December)

Downtown Master Plan The planning process took place over 12 months and consisted of four phases.

 Discover  Engage  Plan  Refine

The Incentives Without Walls program currently manages a

Plan. Through an 18 month planning process, consultants

loan fund that has seeded 125 new jobs and $8 million of

from Olsson Studios engaged the community in visioning

new investment since 2019. Efforts to revitalize downtown

exercises and surveys which will enable planning for the

are being further enhanced by the Downtown Hutch Master

next decade of Downtown momentum.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN HUTCH MASTER PLAN View the full plan at downtownhutchmasterplan.com

F&A Flooring

Layton45

Roma’s Italian Restaurant

Thoracic Park Wellness Clinic

Wildflower Boutique

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HUTCHINSON/RENO COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 117 N. Walnut, Hutchinson, KS hutchchamber.com 620.662.3391

OVATION MEMBERS • Allen Samuels CDJR • First National Bank • Heartland Credit Union • Hutchinson Clinic • Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System • ONEOK • RCB Bank • The Bradbury Group

MOMENTUM MEMBERS • Collins Bus

• NextEra Energy

• Crystal Ballroom at the Burt

• RE/MAX Elite Real Estate

• Dillons • Evergy • Kansas Gas Service • Howerton+White • Kuhn Krause

• Twisted Prints Co. • Tyson Foods • Peoples Bank and Trust • PrairieStar Health Center • Walmart