News Archive
News Articles
When entrepreneurs attempt to bring a new vision to life, securing startup funding with minimal capital on hand can be one of the steepest hurdles to overcome. For Hali Schultheiss, founder of Brio Med Spa & Wellness in Independence, Kansas, turning that vision into a thriving reality was made possible...
The parent company of social media platforms Facebook and Instagram agreed to one of the largest state consumer protection settlements in American history, paying $17.1 billion to most U.S. states and territories and promising to implement sweeping safety features to protect kids.Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said Wednesday the state’s...
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced sweeping new efforts to strengthen school meals by connecting more American farmers with local schools, investing in school kitchen infrastructure, and giving states and school districts new tools to serve healthier,...
The Shifting Landscape of Location Strategy
Aug 13 2026The conditions that are influencing location decisions are experiencing accelerated change. Corporate real estate and site selection professionals are operating in an increasingly complex landscape that requires location evaluations that take a range of surging forces into account. Labor availability, housing affordability, population growth, infrastructure capacity and automation are among...
Kansas Tourism has announced that applications for the Attraction Development Grants program will open August 17. The program is designed to provide funding support for the development of new tourism attractions or the enhancement of existing attractions that encourage travel to and throughout Kansas. A total of $1 million will...
More Than a Night of Food: Why Hoggy Style BBQ is Coming Back to Taste of Montgomery County
Aug 11 2026More Than a Night of Food: Why Hoggy Style BBQ is Coming Back to Taste of Montgomery CountyFor food vendors, getting your name in front of new customers can be one of the hardest parts of growing a business. Taste of Montgomery County offers a unique opportunity to do exactly...
How Water Is Reshaping Site Selection
Aug 10 2026What could be simpler than water? Or more complex? For many industrial and advanced manufacturing projects, water is becoming a first-tier site selection variable alongside power, labor, and transportation infrastructure. Evaluating a site’s water readiness now goes beyond asking whether water service exists. Corporate users increasingly need to understand available...
Signed into law last month by President Trump, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act aims to cut away some of the red tape currently driving the shortage of affordable homes in the U.S. In a new report, Realtor.com took a look at how some of those changes are poised...
People from across Southeast Kansas and neighboring states will be sampling their way through hard-to-resist menus from dozens of local food and drink vendors during Taste of Montgomery County on September 17th, 2026 at Lakeside Cedar Lodge in Cherryvale, KS.Are you a vendor who would like to participate? There’s still...
Site selectors, are you looking for a low-cost, Midwestern location within easy reach of Tulsa, Joplin, Wichita and Kansas City?Fifty-nine shovel-ready acres in Caney Industrial Park North are now available to any business looking to take advantage of a strategic, central Kansas location that offers strong utilities, attractive incentives and...
A Dream Bakery Becomes a Reality When Tercia Gustin opened MuffinTops Bakery in Independence, Kansas, she set out to bring fresh, homemade baked goods to the community. Established in 2025 at 110 E. Laurel, the bakery became a reality with support from the Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC), housed within...
Building Strength Through Community: Penn Avenue Fitness Celebrates Growth with Support from the Kansas SBDC Starting a business takes vision, determination, and the willingness to seek guidance along the way. For Chance Cargile, Shaeli Cargile, and Amy Rash owners of Penn Avenue Fitness LLC in Independence, Kansas, success has come through...
Two Montgomery County Action Council members are helping showcase the strength of our local aviation industry on a statewide stage!Through the Aviation Honors segment on Good Day Kansas, sponsored by Skyward Credit Union, two outstanding Montgomery County businesses have recently been featured for their innovation, growth, and impact.On May 1,...
SBDC May Highlight: Cherryvale’s LaundryThe Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) is proud to highlight Cherryvale’s Laundry, a locally owned business serving residents throughout the Cherryvale community with dependable, customer-focused service. What began as an idea quickly became a reality with the help of guidance and support from Montgomery County...
There is a housing shortage across the United States, with an estimated deficit of 4.7 million homes. This crunch is felt in major metropolitan areas and rural communities alike, but the cities that comprise Montgomery County, Kansas, are taking action. Each municipality is taking steps to increase housing inventory through...
How Forward-Thinking Companies Are Redefining Workplace Wellness — and Winning Because of It
May 1 2026I remember the exact moment I knew something had to change. I was answering emails at midnight, physically present but mentally checked out, running on caffeine and the vague promise of a weekend that never felt restful. I wasn’t alone.According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Report, declining engagement...
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced the recipients of the 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards, recognizing the outstanding leaders, organizations and programs that are driving innovation and expanding Registered Apprenticeship opportunities across the state.“Our apprenticeship partners have played a tremendous role growing our workforce over the last several years,”...
As the retail real estate industry enters 2026, one conclusion is no longer debatable: reports of brick-and-mortar retail’s demise were not only premature—they were fundamentally wrong. Physical retail has not vanished; it has recalibrated. Today’s retail market is leaner, more data-driven, and far more selective about where and how it...
MPAC Aviation Services & Their SBDC Story
Apr 17 2026SBDC April Highlight: MPAC Aviation ServicesFounded in 2018, MPAC Aviation Services is a locally owned aviation business based in Independence, Kansas, specializing in engine accessory overhaul management for turbine aircraft. Serving customers across the aviation industry—including corporate, agricultural, public-use, and military sectors—MPAC helps clients navigate the complex and costly process of...
Rural Communities: Worth the Investment
Apr 14 2026At Strengthening America’s Economy through Rural Investment: A Working Forum, Washington, D.C. with Federal Reserve Governor Michael S. Barr.It is great to be here with you today.1 During my career, I've had the opportunity to work on issues affecting rural communities, especially access to capital. My time at the Federal...
El Charro & Their SBDC Story
Apr 2 2026Small Business Highlight: El Charro of Coffeyville, KSSince opening its doors in 2011, El Charro has been serving the Coffeyville community with authentic flavors and a strong commitment to customer care. Owned by Salvador Bermudez, this locally loved restaurant has grown into more than just a place to eat—it’s a...
There are many opportunities for residents and employers in Montgomery County to get involved in workforce development by identifying upskilling opportunities and exploring new ideas. There are a few upcoming events that make it easy to connect with professional groups in the community while investing in Montgomery County in the...
Nordic Turbine Service & Their SBDC Story
Feb 23 2026Nordic Turbine Services of Independence, KSSince launching in November 2020 and transitioning to full-time operations in February 2023, Nordic Turbine Service has steadily built its presence at 3848 West Main as a specialized jet engine overhaul facility serving the aviation industry. Founded by Daniel Thorenson under Thorenson Enterprise LLC, the company...
Discount Delights Opened in Cherryvale, KS
Jan 27 2026Cherryvale now has greater access to affordable grocery options right within the community! Discount Delights, located at 218 W. Main Street in Cherryvale, opened in mid-December and is owned and operated by Jonathan Beth.The store offers a wide selection of shelf-stable essentials, including canned goods, snacks, cereals, noodles, baking items,...


