Author: KansasBizNews

The Kansas Manufacturing Council (KMC), an affiliated program of the Kansas Chamber, is looking for the 2023 Coolest Thing Made In Kansas.Presented by FORVIS, KMC launched this competition in 2020 to promote and elevate Kansas manufacturers and to highlight products developed and produced in Kansas and distributed across the U.S. and internationally.“The Kansas Manufacturing Council’s annual contest showcases Kansas’s wide variety of manufacturers that keep our state’s economy strong and our communities growing. It’s with great pride that KMC supports manufacturing technology and integration to embrace the future,” said Brandie McPherson, KMC Executive Director.Any product that is made in Kansas…

Three state organizations, including one in Kansas, lead the country for their work to raise awareness about manufacturing in their respective states.The Conference of State Manufacturers Associations (COSMA) recently recognized the Kansas Manufacturing Council,  Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and Oregon Business & Industry as finalists for the association’s 2023 Leadership Award. WMC on Wednesday received the award for its work to attract and maintain the manufacturing workforce.The Leadership Award recognizes the achievement of a state manufacturing association that has developed impactful initiatives to support manufacturers and strengthen manufacturing in its state.“It’s an honor for the Kansas Manufacturing Council to…

Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners in July donated more than 80,000 cans of emergency drinking water to 35 fire departments across Kansas. The brewer’s fifth annual partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) provides clean, safe drinking water to local fire departments nationwide.Nationally, Anheuser-Busch in July donated 2.5 million cans of emergency drinking water to more than 600 volunteer fire departments across 47 states.“The Kansas Chamber applauds and encourages efforts like this from Kansas business leaders,” said Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb. “By giving back, Anheuser-Busch empowers our heroes and makes a difference in the lives of…

Kansas construction company and livestock equipment manufacturer MJE, LLC and MJE Livestock Equipment — based in Montezuma, Kan. — recently partnered with local school districts to encourage students to take welding classes. For the 2023-2024 school year, MJE will fully cover the supplemental fees usually charged to students in welding classes at South Gray High School in Montezuma and Sublette High School in Sublette. MJE’s Chief Operating Officer Heather Jantz shared with KansasBizNews.com about how such educational partnerships help strengthen Kansas’ workforce. “As a native Kansan, I feel it’s important for business leaders to help cultivate our future leaders,” Jantz…

BG Products — headquartered in Wichita, Kan. — in June received the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2023 President’s “E” Award along with 10 other U.S. companies, for demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales over a four-year period. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo presented the awards to companies and organizations that made significant contributions to expand U.S. business in international markets. “The award recipients being honored today have seen tremendous success in international markets and generated substantial economic growth here at home that benefits American workers, families, and local economies,” said Secretary Raimondo. “I am excited to recognize these…

Kansas business leaders will gather on August 29th at The Venue in Leawood, Kan. for the next installment of the Conversations with the Kansas Chamber. The event will focus on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the state’s business community. “This is a must-attend event for Kansas business leaders who want to ensure their companies stay on track with the latest about AI,” said Kansas Chamber Vice President of Communications Sherriene Jones-Sontag. “The AI conversation will help prepare businesses to ride the wave of rapid technology changes instead of feeling overcome or overwhelmed.” The August conversation will feature a…

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) recently announced a partnership with AT&T to expand AT&T Fiber to more than 10,000 additional customer locations in Sedgwick County.The KOBD plans to award AT&T $2.2 million to help fund the project, which also will include funding investment from AT&T. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $10.4 million.“Bringing fast and reliable AT&T Fiber to Kansas communities like this shows how we’re helping to close the digital divide through public-private partnerships,” said AT&T Kansas President Jim Jamison.  “This decision from the Kansas Office of Broadband Development helps to bring the…

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly recently signed House Bill 2292 — bipartisan legislation actively supported by Kansas business advocates such as the Kansas Chamber — to improve the state’s workforce by offering tax credits and grants to employers who establish (or have established) apprenticeship programs. With a strong economy amidst labor shortages, Kansas employers are struggling to fill open positions. The legislation — known as the Kansas Apprenticeship Act — promotes and expands apprenticeships with businesses, healthcare organizations, educational institutions and nonprofit groups. “Apprenticeship programs offer employees valuable training and compensation while simultaneously meeting some of the urgent workforce needs in…

The Kansas Corporation Commission recently approved a transmission project to be located in southeast Kansas. The Grain Belt Express transmission project — owned by Invenergy Transmission – will be constructed in two phases. The first phase will run from Kansas to the Missouri interconnection point, which the energy company said will allow Kansas to realize the economic benefits of the line more quickly. A Grain Belt Express press release stated that the project will open a path to market for 100 percent domestic wind and solar energy produced in Southwest Kansas, while creating 19,350 direct Kansas jobs from construction of…

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. Thursday announced the ratification of a new four-year contract with employee members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). Kansas business advocates commend the quick full resumption of operations at that the company’s Wichita facility on Wednesday, July 5. “A strong aerospace and aviation manufacturing sector helps Kansas compete in the global economy and creates jobs not just in Wichita but across the state,” said Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb. “The Chamber and Kansas Manufacturing Council applaud Spirit AeroSystems and its employees for resolving this quickly and working to maximize the…