News

Monday, April 08, 2019

The Montgomery County Action Council is committed to the economic development of our region. For job-seekers, we help to provide access to career guidance and skills workshops. Business owners have access to tax credits and resources to find qualified candidates. And we host events that give you a voice with our elected representatives. Stay informed about all of this by subscribing to our online newsletter. No longer will you have to hunt for information about what’s happening in the county. Instead, the information is delivered directly to your inbox. To sign up, click here.

Business Owners: Gain Access to a Trained Workforce in Montgomery County, Kansas

Monday, April 01, 2019

Launching or expanding a business in Montgomery County, Kansas, is a smart move right now. Why? Because you’ll have your pick of hundreds of skilled, motivated and educated employees ready for new opportunities. Montgomery County lost nearly 1,000 jobs in 2014 after Amazon closed its distribution warehouse. The region has been steadily rebounding since then, but more than 500 residents are still looking for work. That’s where you come in. A lower cost of living already makes Montgomery County an attractive area to live and work. You’ll face less competition for qualified workers than you would in other nearby counties. Plus,...

Expand Your Skill Set By Taking Advantage of the Resources at KansasWorks

Monday, March 25, 2019

The Montgomery County Action Council is proud to partner with Southeast KansasWorks. The organization is based in Independence and provides an abundance of resources to both employers and their prospective employees. KansasWorks will help you find a job. A trained associate will provide guidance to help you choose a career path, based on your skill set and the state of the labor market. Training programs, skills seminars and interview preparation are available as well. Scholarship and financial aid information is also available. As for business owners, KansasWorks can help better your workforce by offering customized training to your existing employees. If...

Join the Montgomery County Action Council

Monday, March 18, 2019

The Montgomery County Action Council is dedicated to building up our area’s economy. We want to see current businesses flourish, new companies launch and put down roots here, and continue to diversify the economy so that workers have a wide variety of career paths available right here in southeast Kansas. You can be a part of those goals by becoming a member! Joining the Action Council is easy. Click here to fill out the short application form. This information will be featured on our website. There are five levels of partnership; choose whichever one makes the most sense for you and...

A Financial Boost: Incentives to Help You Launch Your Business in Montgomery County

Monday, March 11, 2019

We want to see your company succeed here in Montgomery County, Kansas. When your business does well, the rewards benefit the entire community. That’s why we have created multiple programs designed to help your startup get off the ground, and for established small businesses to increase their revenues. For example, entrepreneurs may be interested in an E-Community Loan. Apply for funds up to $75,000 with very low interest rates. If you’re looking to expand in Montgomery County, tax abatements and financing packages are available. Our county is also an established Rural Opportunity Zone. That is an attractive recruiting tool; new employees...

List Your Company’s Job Openings On Our Website

Monday, March 04, 2019

Business owners: Are you struggling to find qualified workers to fill open positions at your company? The Montgomery County Action Council is here to help connect you with your future employees. Post available jobs on our website to spread the word and attract more candidates. The process is easy. Click here to submit a new posting. We ask that you provide a detailed description of the position, salary information and the type of experience you want your new workers to bring to the table. To attract even more eyeballs, consider adding photos or a video. This will help your posting stand...

SEK Day on the Hill Summary

Thursday, February 28, 2019

In January, MCAC helped to organize the annual SEK Day on the Hill at the Kansas Capitol. SEK Day on the Hill is an annual opportunity for all of Southeast Kansas to learn more about issues and policies that could affect the region. It is also an opportunity to join together as one organization representing over 200,000 Kansas residents in speaking with our elected and appointed officials. Joining us were Manufacturers, Educators, Bankers, Economic Developers, Tourism Directors, Chambers of Commerce, Municipalities, and retailers from across the region. We were honored to have Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers speak to our group on the efforts of...

Find Your Next Career Opportunity On Our Website

Monday, February 25, 2019

Are you a searching for a new career opportunity but unsure where to look? The Montgomery County Action Council is helping to spread the word about available positions right here in our region. Check out our website page dedicated to job postings. Each listing is complete with a detailed job description, resume requirements, salary information and how to apply. Need additional assistance? Get in touch with us and we’ll help to connect you with the resources you need and answer questions about the positions. We can also talk to you about local job training opportunities. Click here for more information.

A Smart Investment and Family-Friendly: Take a Look at Montgomery County, Kansas

Monday, February 18, 2019

Montgomery County, Kansas is an ideal place to raise your family. With a population of about 35,000, we’re small enough to give you that tight-knit community environment. At the same time, we’re also large enough to provide a diverse mix of job opportunities and cultural activities. Now is the perfect time to put down roots here and buy a house. A majority of our residents own their homes, and house values are projected to rise more than 20 percent by 2022. Incomes are on the rise as well. For a complete look of the demographics of Montgomery County, Kansas, click here.

Why Montgomery County, Kansas is Perfect For Your Family

Monday, February 11, 2019

Picture this: you’re working in your downtown office building. The sounds of bustling, exciting city life rolls past your window. Restaurants, museums and movie theaters are a short walk away. Then when the work day is done, a quick 15-minute drive can take you out to your home nestled on several acres, or to a quiet suburban neighborhood. Your weekends involve hunting, biking and boating in the nearby state park. Or, head over to one of our communities and enjoy a festival or other event. This is what a lifestyle can be like in Montgomery County, Kansas. Whether you prefer city,...

Manufacturing Made Easy: The Former Southwire Manufacturing Facility Has All the Bells & Whistles You’ll Need

Tuesday, February 05, 2019

Manufacturing companies will want to take a good look at the former Southwire Manufacturing Facility located in Coffeyville, Kansas, before someone else snatches it up! The property has more than 306,000 square feet of production space, a 91,000 square foot warehousing area, and more than enough space left for large offices. The building is rail served by the South Kansas and Oklahoma Line, making shipping hassle-free. This rail line has a direct connection to the Port of Catoosa, expediting international shipments. But what truly makes this property special is its extra features. It boasts 55,000 square feet of usable space in...

SEK Day on the Hill--Jan 31

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Please join us on January 31, 2019, at the Celtic Fox in Topeka for Southeast Kansas Day on the Hill starting at 7:30 a.m. Come enjoy breakfast and networking with Chambers and businesses across southeast Kansas, State Legislators, and State Officials! SEK, Inc. has planned a great opportunity for you to learn about the SEK legislative priorities, and hear from several of our area Legislators and State Officials on what to expect this Legislative Session. Featured speakers for the morning event include hearing from newly appointed Secretary of Commerce David Toland and Representative Richard Proehl. After the meeting, walk across...

Move Into the Former Amazon Distribution Center & Expand Your Warehousing Footprint

Monday, January 21, 2019

If your company needs extra space, check out the industrial park in Coffeyville, Kansas. The former Amazon distribution center is available and ready for new ownership. The building has more than 875,000 square feet of warehousing space, located on 102 acres. The main warehouse boasts 40 ft tall ceilings. There are also 76 loading docks, allowing for greater efficiency when moving product in and out. The area also has the workforce you need to operate your new warehouse. There are tens of thousands of potential employees living within a short commute to Coffeyville. Want the entire facility? You’ll want to grab...

MCAC moves forward on Strategic Plan

Friday, January 18, 2019

Montgomery County Action Council (MCAC) has hired Ady Advantage to prepare a Strategic Economic Development plan for Montgomery County. In the fall of 2018, MCAC was successfully awarded a USDA grant that enabled the organization to begin the project of developing a strategic plan and hire Ady Advantage. On January 22 and 23, consultants from Ady Advantage will visit Montgomery County and conduct a series of interviews with local employers and stakeholders. The intention of the project is to help establish: 1. How should Montgomery County grow? 2. How does the County sustain growth? 3. What strategy for growth should the county implement to realize other opportunities for economic...

Real Estate Made Easy: Find the Perfect Space for Your Business With Our Online Tool

Monday, January 14, 2019

Looking for the perfect location for your startup business? Or planning to expand your company’s footprint? The Montgomery County Action Council utilizes an easy-to-use online tool that’ll simplify your real estate search, called the LocationOne Information System. We keep an updated list of all of the commercial buildings and office spaces available across the county. You can search by city, square footage and acres available. Our interactive map shows you the asking price, distance to the nearest highway and airport, and a view of the street. Demographic information on each community is also available. Check it out here.

Stay In the Loop By Following Us on Social Media

Monday, January 07, 2019

Keep up with all the action happening in Montgomery County by following us on social media! You’ll find consistent updates on our Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin pages that will inform you about upcoming activities you care about. The Montgomery County Action Council is dedicated to helping local entrepreneurs and professionals succeed. We do this by keeping you informed about networking events, job fairs and skills seminars. We put a spotlight on new businesses and their successes. We also make sure you know about town hall meetings, so you have a voice in our political system. There’s no need to hunt for...

More than just lace and bows: Event rental business brings party decor options to Indy

Monday, November 26, 2018

While shopping for her own wedding, Adrienne Sanborn (soon to be Frazier) realized many of the costs associated with event planning are outrageous and she really wanted to change that … hence Something Borrowed Event Rentals and Customizations. “I am actually planning my own wedding, I’m getting married in three weeks. I was getting quotes for some rental items around here and it was ridiculous and they really don’t have what people want. I was looking online for some things and I came across these people in Broken Arrow, Okla. who were selling everything. They were retiring so I bought...

REFERRAL CENTER SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT: BUDDY BRANDS AND ECONOMIC GARDENING

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Economic Gardening is an entrepreneurial approach to economic development that seeks to grow the local economy from within. Its premise is that local entrepreneurs create the companies that bring new wealth and economic growth to a region in the form of jobs, increased revenues, and a vibrant local business sector. Economic Gardening leverages sophisticated corporate databases, geographic information systems, and digital marketing tools to help Kansas Companies better compete online. Manufacturers, service providers, and retailers that have a web presence and do business regionally or even nationally should consider Economic Gardening. The NetWork Kansas referral center has a national strategic research...

Kansas to Receive Millions in Federal Funding to Bring Broadband to Rural Areas

Friday, November 23, 2018

TOPEKA – The state of Kansas is receiving seven multi-million-dollar grants from the Federal Communications Commission to help expand broadband coverage to rural areas. The Connect America Fund (CAF), an FCC program, issued 103 grant awards to states with sizeable rural populations. Of those awards, seven are being awarded to Kansas, totaling $4.7 million. According to Stanley Adams, Director of Broadband Initiatives for the Kansas Department of Commerce, access to high-speed broadband internet will change the lives of many rural Kansans. “For rural Kansans who don’t have access to high-speed broadband, it means a lot” Adams said. “It means they’ll be able to...

WSU employment forecast projects job growth in 2019

Thursday, November 22, 2018

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) Wichita State University's Center for Economic Development and Business Research released it's annual employment forecast for Kansas and Wichita. The forecast projects the state will add nearly 14,000 non-farm jobs in 2019, with an anticipated growth rate of 1.0 percent. The majority of the growth is expected to occur in the service sector, which is projected to add more than 8,000 jobs and grow 1.3 percent. The production sector is forecast to add more than 2,800 jobs, for 1.2 percent growth, while the trade, transportation and utilities sector is projected to grow 0.9 percent, adding more than 2,300 jobs. The government...

Kansas Governor’s Energy Conference Praised as Important and Informative

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

TOPEKA – The Kansas Governor’s Energy Conference took place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, Kansas. The event featured more than 20 speakers and panel participants over the course of two days. Participants from all corners of the state, and beyond, gathered to speak with and listen to the leading minds in energy. There were lectures on topics ranging from wind energy, energy storage, solar power, and many more. In addition to the panel discussions and lectures, several area energy representatives set up exhibits outside the rooms where the presentations were held. These groups included Westar Energy, NextEra Energy, and the...

New KANSASWORKS App Launches Today

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

TOPEKA – To better assist job seekers with finding great employment in Kansas, the Kansas Department of Commerce and KANSASWORKS are pleased to introduce the new KANSASWORKS app, available today on both Apple and Android devices. This free app was designed to make it easier for Kansans to find work in the state. Once installed, the app will be able to find jobs through keyword and title searches or by zip code. “Our agency is working hard to bring new business to the state and help companies that already call Kansas home to grow and become great successes,” said Robert North, Interim...

Governor Colyer Proclaims Date for Kansas Apprenticeship Week

Monday, November 19, 2018

TOPEKA – The week of November 12-16 was named Apprenticeship Week in the State of Kansas. This is being done to recognize the value and importance of the statewide Registered Apprenticeship Program in meeting the workforce needs of Kansas employers. The Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven model that combines on-the-job learning with job-related instruction leading to increasing levels of measurable skill attainment and wages. There are presently 1928 registered apprentices in Kansas receiving both on-the-job training and paid employment from 257 employers, with the numbers growing weekly. Through this program, apprentices receive on-the-job training from an experienced mentor for at least...

ACT/WorkKeys to be administered free to Kansas juniors in 2018-2019

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Kansas juniors will be able to take the ACT test and WorkKeys assessment for free during the 2018-2019 school year, the Kansas State Department of Education announced. Kansas joins 18 other state education agencies currently providing the ACT for students. The ACT test, introduced in 1959, gauges a student’s readiness for success in the first year of college. The test provides standardized data on student achievement and readiness. The no-cost ACT test will be offered statewide Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. The ACT WorkKeys assessments have been used for more than two decades to measure essential workplace skills and help people build career pathways....

Department of Revenue offers resources, assistance for business owners

Monday, October 29, 2018

Starting and running a business is challenging under the best of circumstances, and that’s why the Kansas Department of Revenue works to ensure its services are easy to use and accessible. KDOR offers a wide variety of resources to help businesses navigate the often complex world of taxes. These resources include articles and videos with information on business registration, sales tax policy, tax eligibility, and lessons about how businesses can best comply with the necessary regulations to operate in Kansas. Continue to full article

Kansas Awarded $200,000 in Grant Funding to Expand Exports

Friday, October 26, 2018

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Department of Agriculture have been chosen by the U.S. Small Business Administration as recipients of SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), which will be used to provide much-needed export assistance to Kansas small and medium-sized businesses. For the current grant year, SBA has awarded Kansas $200,000 in STEP funding. Kansas Commerce is administering the grant in tandem with the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The STEP program is funded in part through a grant with U.S. Small Business Administration. Since 2012, more than 100 Kansas small businesses have achieved $23 million in...

Manufacturing Summit A Huge Success for Manufacturers in Kansas

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

TOPEKA – More than one hundred manufacturing professionals from across the state came together to hear advice from industry leaders, network, and learn about the newest innovations in Kansas manufacturing at an event held by the Department of Commerce last week. There were presentations on a wide range of topics all throughout the day. Lectures either involved one speaker or a panel of several experts. Speakers for the event included several professionals from various sectors of the manufacturing industry. Paul Jonas, Director of Technology Development for National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), gave a presentation on new 3D technology that will impact...

Governor Colyer Announces New "Land in Kansas" Strategic Economic Development Initiative

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Governor Jeff Colyer announced the launch of a new economic development initiative aimed at attracting investment and promoting business expansion in Kansas. Colyer was joined by Interim Secretary of Commerce Bob North, Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey, and other economic development professionals from across the state. The new initiative titled “Land in Kansas” takes a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to economic growth. The key components of the plan include a new state marketing campaign, a top-down review of economic development programs in the state, and a pilot program to enable communities across the state to better target specific areas for economic growth. Under...

Governor’s Office Receives Grant for Statewide Broadband Mapping Project

Monday, October 22, 2018

The Information Network of Kansas (“INK”) Board of Directors has approved a $300,000 grant request by Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. to complete a Statewide Broadband Mapping project. The project, which will be undertaken by non-profit Connected Nation in partnership with the Governor’s Office, will prepare a statewide broadband map of wireline and wireless coverage. This map will provide the Statewide Broadband Expansion Planning Task Force, created when Governor Colyer signed Sen. Sub. for House Bill No. 2701 into law, with a snapshot of broadband coverage in the state. The map will assist the Task Force in its efforts to identify and...