BUSINESS BUZZ
If you have news you would like to share with fellow Chamber members and beyond, be sure to add jhitchens@topekachamber.org to your media outlet list. We’d love to share your announcements and accomplishments with the community. Please join us in acknowledging the following Business Buzz worthy stories.
CLAIRE’S CORNER MADE POSSIBLE BY REDBUD FOUNDATION A pledge from the Redbud Foundation will fund an outdoor courtyard to be known as “Claire’s Corner” at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. This new public space includes a year-round allweather pavilion, an outdoor courtyard with café services and an outdoor amphitheater-type programclassroom area. The project is part of the library’s master facilities plan that addresses the maintenance needs and usage of the building approved by the Board of Trustees in July 2016. The Library Foundation announced the Redbud Foundation gift at their annual Wilder Society Tea on April 9 and the Board of Trustees approved the resolution to name the new area Claire’s Corner at the April 20 board meeting. “Glenn and Claire Swogger and the Redbud Foundation have been strong supporters of the library for many years.” said Gina Millsap, CEO, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. “Their 8
Summer 2017
TopekaChamber.org
commitment and impact on the library has been incredible. During the 2002 renovation/new construction of the library their personal investment supported the creation of the Millennium Café. Glenn is a music scholar and he presented the first lecture for the Hirschberg lecture series on ‘Bach.’ The Redbud Foundation’s generous gift of Claire’s Corner will provide an outdoor learning and program space that will be used most times of the year.” The Redbud Foundation is a privately held foundation created by Glenn Swogger, chairman of the Kaw Valley Bank, and his wife Claire. The Redbud Foundation focuses on arts, culture and the humanities. In addition to the courtyard/café expansion, the Redbud Foundation underwrote the library’s costs associated with converting the history collection of the library into a History Neighborhood.