Dear Chamber Supporters,
When I think about the holidays throughout the year, many have four-letter words that can be easily associated with them. Valentine's Day is love. Memorial Day and Veterans Day make me think of the word flag. Thanksgiving is an easy one… FOOD, and lots of it. Whoever says calories don't count during the holidays might be slightly enabling, but when there are so many great options, you can't take them for granted. Makayla and I were able to experience three Thanksgiving meals over the course of the week and we took full advantage. The only strange bit was that someone must have snuck into our place while we were gone, shortened all of my belts, and tightened my pant waists. I don't have any leads quite yet as to who, but I'll keep you posted.
Holiday Magic at 2nd and Main
Following Thanksgiving, we made it back to Ottawa on Saturday, November 30. Just in time to get things ready for the holiday festivities. The Mayors Tree Lighting and the Christmas Parade have never seen so many families on a chilly night downtown―truly one of my favorites so far (relive the evening here with pictures). The Chamber has been doing the lighting ceremony for as long as I know. The Ottawa Main Street Association has been hosting the parade for three years now, and you can tell they've really hit their stride. When together, these two programs complement each other perfectly and bring out the best holiday experience for those who make it to the intersection of 2nd and Main Street. Local internet and communications company KWIKOM was this year's title sponsor of the lighting. Big shoutouts for their contributions to making this night possible! Along with this monetary donation, we receive just loads of support from our partners who had tables and those who contributed their time and talent during the program (full list of those organizations/people here). I even got to meet THE man behind all the Christmas magic on display that night (picture here).
Global Leaders, Local Roots: Kalmar Ottawa
This week we had another double feature of Chamber Coffees. On Tuesday morning, longstanding tractor-trailer company Kalmar Ottawa hosted Chamber members (pictures here). Kalmar has been a pillar of the Ottawa community since its beginnings in 1943, when it was established as Ottawa Steel. Back then, the company focused on creating attachments for farm equipment. Over the years, it has evolved through various products and name changes. Today, it's best known for its signature innovation: the terminal tractor, marketed under the name Ottawa Truck. Not only did Kalmar Ottawa invent the terminal tractor, but it has also become the global leader in the industry, producing over 85,000 units—more than all its competitors combined. These tractors can be seen in 35 countries around the globe. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication and expertise of its employees right here in Ottawa, whose commitment to quality and reliability sets these trucks apart.
One of their newest innovations that will hit the market in 2025 is the introduction of the electric terminal tractor. These battery-powered trucks are made right here in Ottawa alongside their traditional models. Their team averages as few as six to as many as eighteen different trucks every day. Along with their electric tractors, the Ottawa site is also focused on other 'green' solutions. Most recently, Kalmar Ottawa was awarded the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for their sustainable hydration project. This entailed circumventing 42,000 disposable water bottles that were used on-site annually. This was done by switching to reusable bottles and installing water-filling stations. This resulted in cutting 787.5 pounds of plastic waste and saving $5,628 in operational costs annually.
Along with their US Factory (here in Ottawa), they also have factories in Poland, China, and Malaysia. Kalmar has always been one of Ottawa's largest employers. Currently, they have nearly 300 employees across all departments. A neat fact they shared Tuesday morning was that 60% of the 285 staff members in town have been employed for over five years. It's great to see this longevity in an organization! Much of this workforce is made up of Kansans, with many employees coming from area colleges following graduation. If you're interested in taking a tour of their facility, contact Talia Brown to get added to their list for 2025 tours (email here). It's an excellent opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes magic; just make sure to reach out before the holiday. Our community undoubtedly feels the benefit of having an industry like Kalmar located here in town; we're lucky to have them call Ottawa home!
Stories That Unite: Ottawa Library Celebrates 10 Years of O-Town Reads
Everyone knows that when the Ottawa Library hosts a Chamber Coffee, don't eat breakfast in the morning (pictures here)! We always love visiting our friends at 105 S Hickory Street (not just for their food) but because of their passion for reading and how they find ways to engage the whole community in this lifelong activity. A program that involves people of every age is their annual O-Town Reads. This entails the selection of THE annual reads book, which is as sacred as it is secret prior to this Chamber Coffee each year. Seven library staff make up the 'inner circle' that work their way through many books over several months to land a decisive winner each year. Once chosen, they swear to secrecy as they work on ordering a minimum of 500 books, order shirts to match the theme, and plan programming around the concepts throughout the story. This process has reached a milestone year for the Ottawa Library, as this is the 10th O-Town Reads book! A very successful program that sees hundreds of library goers participate.
If you were not able to make it this morning, I imagine you're on the edge of your seat! The 2025 O-Town Reads book is The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (picture here). This young adult novel stood out to the selection committee, and they are pumped to have 500 copies dispersed throughout our community (and beyond). The story is a historical fiction about a young girl named Ada who was born with clubfoot. Set in England during the WWII era, she and her younger brother Jamie find a way to escape their cruel mother, who has not only been neglectful but also abusive. This is a story about resilience, personal growth, lives being disrupted by war, and overcoming disability and stigma. Though this is a young adult title, all committee members found sentiment and real value in reading this novel—and hope you do too!
The War That Saved My Life can be picked up at the Ottawa Library. If you'd like to listen to the audiobook, ask a staff member who will help you out. A new addition to this year's book is a sticker located a few pages in containing a QR code. This code allows readers to share where they're reading from. The hope for this addition is to see how far-reaching the O-Town Reads program is. So whether you're on the coast reading, or sitting cozied up in your home here in the Midwest, make sure to connect with the library in this way. Also, while you're picking up your O-Town Reads book, check out their wreath auction (that ends tonight; bid online here!). And the traveling Orphan Train exhibit to learn more about the amazing story that brought many of our ancestors to the West. There is so much going on at the Ottawa Library; you won't want to miss out!
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Only a few days left to nominate local superstars for the Chamber's Annual Awards. The deadline for all online forms is the COB on Monday, December 9th. If there is someone in your organization that you believe deserves to be lifted up in this way, check out the five annual awards to see what might be the best fit (view those online here). Though they won't know until mid-January, Christmas gifts don't get much better than that!
I also want to remind you about our annual virtual auction and the need for item donations. Between the yearly banquet and this auction, they make up the Chamber's largest annual fundraiser. In addition to raising money for a good cause, every item has a place where donors are recognized for their gifts. For ideas on what to give, check out last year's auction for some inspiration (click here)! We wouldn't have a purpose if it weren't for you, our dedicated members. Nor would we be able to pull off successful events like this banquet year after year. Thank you for being part of our Chamber family!
I'm off to join COF for their annual Christmas celebration with their clients! See you soon,
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
