Dear Chamber Supporters,
Tuesday we entered the new spring season, you can see trees downtown gaining color and foliage as we speak. Chilly mornings and warm afternoons are in full flow. With the time change a couple of weeks ago, I now get a chance to catch the sunrise regularly, which will only increase as the days get longer each week. Spring breaks were all finishing up or concluded recently; we’re in the final homestretch for this semester. Along with that comes an early Easter that will sneak right in before the end of March. The last time we had a March Easter was almost a decade ago in 2016―which coincidentally was also a presidential election year!
The Lincoln Event Space
Last Friday we had the unique opportunity to have an evening Ribbon Cutting at the Lincoln Event Space. This was largely due to the celebration that their team had been planning for their Grand Opening/Open House―the Chamber was glad to hop on board and provide the big scissors! As a result, a great crowd was able to take in the christening of the new Lincoln Event Space, owned and managed by Blake Harris (pictures here). This industry was new to Blake just a few years ago; in 2021 he would have jumped in full force in Miami County when he opened “The Haven” outside Louisburg. Just a year following the shutdowns from the pandemic, Blake saw an opportunity to take an entrepreneurial step that he had been thinking about for some time―open an event venue. He shared Friday that this dream was met with skepticism from many, including financial institutions to back him. After finding the funding to make it possible, he put all he had into producing an experience that he feels is one of a kind. In that calendar year, Blake and his team knew they needed over 30 events to break even on the investment…they finished that year with 120 events! Their expectations were blown out of the water. The following two years only saw growth as momentum built around their property and the business they created. Blake took this success as a sign to expand, and after looking at several properties to start a second location, none seemed to fit the bill. Then the property at 122 E 2nd St. fell in his lap. After seeing it online, he scheduled a visit the next day. Within 24 hours he was closing on the property.
Now, after taking over in the fall of 2023 and over six figures pumped into further renovations, our community was invited to celebrate at the Lincoln Event Space. Blake shared that a side of his family is originally from Ottawa, so this feels much like a homecoming. The business's new name has two meanings, one of which stems from his son, Lincoln. The other was the building's large pillars out front, reminding viewers much of the Lincoln Memorial in DC. This beautiful structure seated just off our downtown was originally built to be Ottawa’s post office. An interesting fact that Blake shared with the crowd was after further research, Abraham Lincoln happened to also be a postman long before his presidency―a great story to tell as brides and grooms come to visit this space for their future weddings. Along with this clientele, the Lincoln Event Space wants to continue to be a place where community events can occur; their team strongly desires to stay rooted in Ottawa through future partnerships on events. This mentality should be well received and go a long way in creating a bond with those who have the chance to utilize its floors. Something everyone can take away from last Friday… the Lincoln Event Space staff knows how to throw a good party! I look forward to many more in Ottawa’s future.
Legislative Coffee & Preferential Preference Election
All four local state legislators convened at Ottawa City Hall for a Legislative Coffee this past Saturday morning. In the hour-long session, they fielded around a dozen questions from the audience. With the help of the City of Ottawa IT team, you can watch the whole coffee back here. Topics spoken about that morning will be listed below with timestamps if you are interested in jumping to a designated topic or issue.
Challenges facing 340B program – 8:48
Medicaid Expansion – 12:35
Repository for precious metals – 25:15
Funding for school districts - 30:37
Senate Bill 311 – 39:40
Reproductive rights – 48:15
Continued conversations about Medicaid – 52:30
Much will happen at the capital between now and our next Legislative Coffee on April 20. Now more than ever, it is essential to be informed of the laws being discussed and those going into effect in the state that directly impact you as a citizen. I encourage you to be part of the conversation and look to create meaningful dialogue with those who represent you. Clearly communicating your stances on issues is a way for them to be more aware of what impacts our area. Here is a sheet with contact information for our local legislators. As we look ahead into the election year, I hope each of us will take time to learn and vote accordingly in our LOCAL races―the elected officials who make decisions that directly influence the processes around us. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the theatrics of national politics and possibly forget the importance of local government and its effect on our daily lives and institutions.
But on the topic of national political candidates… Tuesday this week the State completed its first State-run presidential primary since 1992 (you can view state-wide results here). Franklin County saw just shy of 7% of our registered voters participate in this election (you can view Franklin County’s unofficial results here). This rate of voters here locally matched much of what we saw throughout the state. I have a strong inclination that come August and November those numbers will drastically increase. After speaking with County Clerk Janet Paddock, if nothing else, this was excellent training for poll workers to understand the process and the technology that takes place on election day. As well as get a head start on citizens thinking about their voter registration, polling location, and process to vote early or on election day.
Behind the Scenes - March LFC
This month’s Leadership Franklin County class saw participants start their day with leadership curriculum before going out into the community to become informed on county history, the arts, as well as entrepreneurship in our area. Diana Staresinic-Deane was able to sit the class down in the one-room schoolhouse at the Old Depot Museum before letting everyone venture around the establishment (picture here). After a bite at the Pizza Village, the group was able to listen to those involved in our local arts, including physical works, music, entertainment and dance. The class was able to get a tour of local industry Hasty Awards before heading downtown to some of our small businesses, Ottawa Bike and Trail and Goat Milk Soap Store (picture here). We were able to finish the day at our local brewery, hearing from Melody Gentry, co-owner of the Not Lost Brewery (pictures here). Along with their business testimony, the class was able to see the trade secrets in the brewing area, learning how Not Lost brings their beers to life.
With the 23/24 class having one proper session before graduation, I would encourage you to think about your own workplace and who might benefit from this transformative experience. I think this group and the 30+ classes that came before can speak to the impact this has on the future leadership in our community. This is a great list to be associated with as so many graduates continue to make a difference through their respective leadership in our community. Whether that’s causation or correlation, we believe the skills, connections, and knowledge learned through these nine months make a difference in our county. Onward LFC grads!
Franklin County Farming Forward
March 17th through 23rd the whole nation comes together to celebrate National Agriculture Week. This coincides with Kansas’ proclaimed National Agriculture Month, which encompasses all of March. One of the bastions for agriculture in Franklin County includes our local Farm Bureau who creates programming during this time period to spread the good word. The week (and month really) celebrates and acknowledges the agricultural industry and its role in stabilizing the economy―including shaping our community in a massive way. With 12% of Franklin County’s workforce involved in ag industries, there is much to celebrate! Every year during Ag Week our local Farm Bureau organization pairs up with Kelly Neufeld’s office, Farm Bureau Financial Service, and hosts Chamber members at their office at 112 W. 17th St. to inform and update us on what agriculture is doing locally (pictures here).
Lacey Wray was able to share that the Farm Bureau Association’s purpose, both locally and nationwide, is to be the voice of agriculture, which is accomplished through advocacy, education, and services to those in the industry. A couple of glowing examples of how they achieve some of the educational goals in Franklin County is through their annual Day on the Farm event, as well as in the classrooms to demonstrate Bread in a Bag. Both events allow 3rd graders to participate in a hands-on way, whether learning about all the different aspects of agriculture at Sylvester’s Farm or how agricultural products like the production of bread impact our whole nation nutritionally. These are two outstanding programs designed to help local students better realize where their food, fiber, and energy come from. An excellent example of service took place last year when Franklin County Farm Bureau organized a massive food packaging process, and 15,000 meals were gathered to support those in our county. From an advocacy standpoint, Farm Bureau’s intentional discussions with legislators and bill production is a way they advocate from the ground up (literally and metaphorically). With over 600 members who are directly related to ag, this organization is a mouthpiece for their constituents on a local, statewide, and even national level.
Kelly Neufeld and his team come right along with the Farm Bureau Association and help insure and provide financial services for those in this sector―protecting our farmers' assets and preparing them and their families for continued success through the years. This support is necessary for the good work of farming and ranching to be done. Agriculture will always be Franklin County’s biggest industry…thanks to Farm Bureau for helping us better realize the importance of agriculture and spreading this message!
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Your Chamber continues to look towards finding ways to better serve our community. Stay tuned as our office will be announcing some big news here in the very new future on ways we intend on doing just that. Until then, I look forward to seeing you in and around all the spring festivities around the corner. Take care!
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
