Author: KansasBizNews

Registration is now open for the first 2023 Conversations with the Kansas Chamber on Thursday, June 8 at the The Hudson in Wichita, Kan.The event will focus on the state’s banking industry and what businesses should know about recent bank closings and other related current events.“2023 marks the Kansas Chamber’s fifth year hosting this important forum on challenges and opportunities in the Kansas business community,” said Kansas Chamber Vice President of Communications Sherriene Jones-Sontag. “The biannual program offers Kansas Chamber members and their guests a way to learn more about present and future changes in Kansas’s business climate and public policy.”Moderated…

The Kansas Business Hall of Fame (KBHF) is currently seeking nominations of individuals for induction to be submitted no later than July 1. The KBHF recognizes outstanding leadership and excellence in the business world including business success, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.The KBHF inducts contemporary (living) and historical (deceased) Kansans who have distinguished themselves through notable achievements over a sustained career.“It’s important for the public to be aware of the contributions these honorees have made to our state,” said KBHF Executive Director John Rich. “They are an inspiration to the next generation. Many of the honorees started from meager means, but there…

A new law in Kansas aims at protecting Kansas ratepayers from further increases in the transmission delivery charge for electricity. House Bill 2225 addresses a rising transmission delivery charge (TDC) in the state. Having undergone an amendment process in the Kansas Legislature, the bill is a product of negotiations between ratepayers, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), and Evergy. “As Kansas electric utility rates have grown more uncompetitive, our ratepayer members are seeking to prioritize and adopt any option the state has to increase oversight and accountability on behalf of ratepayers,” said Kansas Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Eric Stafford…

The Kansas House of Representative and Kansas Senate recently passed Senate Bill 258 aimed at deterring out-of-state attorneys from filing lawsuits unfairly targeting businesses in Kansas for allegedly having websites not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill was sent to Kansas Governor Laura Kelly who signed it into law in April. Kansas business advocacy organizations — such as the Kansas Chamber and National Federation of Independent Business — were instrumental in rallying support from Kansas policy makers for SB 258. “The Kansas Chamber is pleased that the governor listened to reason on this,” said Kansas Chamber…

Spirit AeroSystems — based in Wichita, Kan. — has partnered with SkillBridge, a U.S Department of Defense (DoD) program for service members planning to reenter civilian life after military service. With approval from the DoD, SkillBridge participants take part in 151–180-day employment skills training focused on production at one of Spirit AeroSystems’ facilities in Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, or Texas. “Transitioning to civilian life can be very difficult,” said Spirit AeroSystems Human Resources Manager of Workforce Strategy Tammy Ingle. “SkillBridge is geared toward giving service members the essential skills they need to come into a job and acclimate to…

Tallgrass — an energy infrastructure company with corporate offices in Leawood, Kan. — recently joined with United Airlines Ventures and Green Plains in an initiative to develop new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through a combined investment of $50 million. “At Tallgrass, we are striving to innovate how we deliver the energy that powers our nation and enables our quality of life,” said Tallgrass Vice President of Business Development Alison Nelson in a press release. “Air travel uniquely connects people and improves lives, and the advancement of this novel SAF technology presents a meaningful opportunity to reduce emissions from aviation. We…

Previous Next The Kansas Chamber Wednesday recognized this year’s Chamber Champions at its 2023 Annual Dinner: Mick Urban, Kansas Gas Service ; Paula Landoll-Smith, Landoll; and  Ron and Julie Hein, Hein Government Consulting.The Chamber Champions are members whose support of and engagement with the Kansas Chamber goes beyond expectations and enhances the Chamber’s ability to be the state’s leading voice of the Kansas business community.The event’s Presenting Sponsor Amazon’s Vice President of Public Policy Ashleigh de la Torre introduced this year’s Ad Astra award winner, INTRUST Bank. The bank’s Chairman and CEO Charlie Chandler accepted the honor.The Ad Astra recipient…

Washburn Tech on Thursday held its 2023 National Technical Letter of Intent Signing Day. The event recognized its new recruiting class as they signed letters of intent to attend the college in the fall. Kansas industry leaders participated by greeting and shaking the hands of incoming students. Among those leaders, Kansas Manufacturing Council Executive Director Brandie McPherson said the event was an important opportunity to welcome the state’s future workforce onto their professional path. “The Kansas Chamber and Kansas Manufacturing Council are proud to partner with Washburn Tech at this most important event,” McPherson said. “We are thrilled to support…

The Kansas Chamber, Kansas Hospital Association, and Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) on Wednesday held the 2023 Health Care Virtual Career Day to highlight opportunities in this vital industry, connect students with employers and help them learn what’s required to become a health care professional. The free career fair event — open to students at all grade levels — gave attendees a virtual look into Kansas’ hospitals and the day-to-day life of health care professionals as well as video addresses from providers and Kansas business leaders. “The healthcare industry is an important part of our state’s economy and the…

Olathe-based Garmin’s Fēnix 7 Adventure Watches will play an important role in an upcoming Polaris Dawn human spaceflight. The health data the watches collect will provide 24/7 insights into the impact of space travel on the human body.In collaboration with SpaceX, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) chose the fēnix® 7 adventure watches for their extended battery life that will allow scientists to collect highly accurate health data from the astronauts on board. Biometrics such as heart rate, pulse oximetry, and sleep patterns will be continuously measured throughout the five-day mission.The information provided by the fēnix® 7 smartwatches…