Author: KansasBizNews

The Kansas Manufacturing Council (KMC) on Tuesday announced the CIC Powerbox is the winner of the 2023 Coolest Thing Made In Kansas – Coolest Innovation . “The KMC is excited to celebrate the CIC Powerbox as the 2023 Coolest Innovation,” said KMC Executive Director Brandie McPherson. “Our panel of judges had a very difficult job in narrowing it down from the 40 products nominated to just one.” Presented by FORVIS, the KMC added this category to highlight the many ways Kansas manufacturers research and develop new products and work to improve products to address crucial challenges. The contest began with…

The Center for Economic Development and Business Research (CEDBR) recently published a report projecting Kansas’ population growth from 2021 to 2071.Though areas such as Topeka, for example, were projected to decline in population, local community leaders have expressed optimism in proving otherwise over time.The research forecasted population growth for different regions in Kansas by race, ethnic group, age, and gender. The projections utilized comprehensive data on statewide and regional population, birth, mortality, and migration rates for various demographic groups.“We allowed for migration to and from other counties and looked at fertility rates by those demographics,” said CEDBR Research Economist Jonathan…

The Kansas Department of Commerce on Thursday held its To the Stars: Kansas Business Awards ceremony in Wichita. The event recognized and celebrated the outstanding contributions of Kansas businesses and businesspeople.Nearly 300 businesses and individuals were nominated for awards at the ceremony in nine categories, including Agribusiness, Apprenticeship Champions and Partners, Business Innovation, Healthcare/Nonprofit, Manufacturing/Distribution, Non-Traditional Talent Pools, Retail/Service, Under 30 Entrepreneurs, and Welcome Back (recognizing businesspeople who left Kansas but eventually returned).SurePoint Ag Systems — base out of Atwood, Kan. — won the 2023 Governor’s Award of Excellence. Tank Connection — in Parsons, Kan. — earned the Governor’s Exporter…

The 2023 Coolest Thing Made In Kansas – People’s Choice tournament on Monday reached its final four products. Presented by FORVIS, Kansans cast more than 10,000 votes during the second round of tournament voting that concluded Friday. The four products who received the most votes in the tournament’s second round of head-to-head match-ups and are moving on to the final round of voting for the People’s Choice contest are: Alma Cheese Curds | Alma Creamery | Alma Cat 994 Large Wheel Loader Bucket | Caterpillar Works Tools, Inc. | Wamego Plainscraft Covered Wagons | Plainscraft, LLC | Topeka Vinyl Albums | Quality Record…

Evergy, Inc. last week announced a unanimous agreement has been reached regarding the Kansas rate case. Click here to read the settlement. The agreement was filed on September 29 with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) and must be approved by the state’s Commissioners who are scheduled to issue an order in December. Kansas businesses advocacy organizations —such as the Kansas Chamber and Wichita Regional Chamber — in July were granted intervention by the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) in the utility rate case. Kansas Chamber President & CEO Alan Cobb responded to last week’s agreement: “While this settlement is significantly better for Kansas ratepayers than what Evergy originally proposed,…

Four Kansas manufacturers have advanced to be this year’s Coolest Innovation made in Kansas. This is one of two categories in Kansas Manufacturing Council’s (KMC) — an affiliated program of the Kansas Chamber — Coolest Thing Made In Kansas contest. The four products advancing to the innovation finals are: C.P. Huntington Train by Chance Rides Manufacturing, Wichita CIC Powerbox by CIC POWERBOX, LLC, Pittsburg Cobalt Surf Boat/Surf System by Cobalt Boats, Neodesha Pri-Saver Water Conservation System by PRIMUS Sterilizer Company, Great Bend “Congratulations to our final four coolest innovations,” said KMC Executive Director Brandie McPherson. “The KMC added this category to the contest last…

The Kansas Business Hall of Fame (KBHF) on Wednesday inducted retired BNSF Railroad President and CEO, and current Kansas Regent, Carl Ice and late Salina entrepreneur and business owner Charlie Walker into the Hall as its 2023 Contemporary and Historical inductees, respectively. More than 125 family members, friends, and business leaders gathered for the KBHF’s 35th induction at the Emporia State University School of Business and Technology. “Mr. Walker and Mr. Ice had a tremendous impact on the Kansas business community and their respective communities,” said KBHF Executive Director John Rich. “KBHF is honored to recognize these two Kansas business…

Tour to visit more than 25 manufacturers in 12 cities The Kansas Manufacturing Council (KMC), in partnership with Kansas Manufacturing Solutions and Kansas Chamber, will host the 2023 Making Kansas Bus Tour to highlight the state’s manufacturing industry and the great career opportunities it offers. “The Kansas manufacturing industry is responsible for more than 15-percent of our state’s total economic output and employs more than 171,000 Kansans. Still, many in our state do not realize the impact the industry has on their communities”, said KMC Executive Director Brandie McPherson. ”We are excited to visit dozens of manufacturers and showcase the…

The Kansas Manufacturing Council (KMC) on Monday announced the eight products headed to the next round of voting for the 2023 Coolest Thing Made In Kansas – People’s Choice tournament.Presented by FORVIS, Kansans cast nearly 22,000 votes during the first round of tournament voting that concluded Friday.The eight products who received the most votes in the tournament’s first round of head to head match-ups now move on to the second round. The head to head match ups for the second round of the tournament are:Second round voting opens at 5:00 pm today (Monday, Sept. 25th). Kansans can vote in the second round of…