Dear Chamber Supporters:
Well… I don’t believe last night went the way most Chiefs fans wrote it up in their head before the game. With a lot of anticipation for the new season built up, the reigning champs did not look completely up for the task. An admittedly slow start to Kansas City’s season, which is not hard to do when you’re so heavily favored. Lots of talk about the missing superstars Kelce and Jones, though it was really just a handful of costly mistakes from the players on the field that made the difference on the day. We’ll see how they rebound!
If you’ve been seeing the perpetual fog in the air over the last couple of days, it’s obviously not celebratory Chiefs fireworks lingering about, it’s actually the result of wildfires that took place in Canada this past week. This unprecedented wildfire season matched with winds from the northwest has resulted in fine particle pollution making its way down through the Midwest, including much of Kansas. Some have noted that the outdoors had a mild scent as the haze made its way through Ottawa. This smog has resulted in unhealthy levels of air quality, with warnings to not spend prolonged periods of time outside yesterday. These levels look to be dropping as we enter the weekend, just in time for some antique tractor viewing to take place over in Forest Park.
Wellsville Chamber Strategic Planning
This past Tuesday evening the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce concluded a successful Strategic Planning session that brought together a diverse group of over thirty community members… I was invited to sit in and share our organization’s perspective (pictures here). This event was aimed at charting a new direction for the community organization, focusing on what it looks like to foster stronger connections with local businesses and creating networking opportunities to enhance Wellsville's growth and vibrancy. Throughout the session, participants engaged in lively discussions, brainstorming, and collaborative exercises. They explored different strategies and initiatives to benefit both local businesses and the broader community. The event's overarching goal was to harness the collective wisdom and talents of Wellsville residents, ideas ranging from community events and promotions to collaborative marketing initiatives that take advantage of Wellsville’s unique position on I-35.
The act of this Strategic Planning session demonstrates the commitment of Wellsville's Chamber of Commerce to the betterment of the community. New Director, Jackson Dwyer will now be able to take these ideas back to his board to use as a blueprint for future endeavors and collaborations. Wellsville is poised toward a bright future; I look forward to finding ways to connect and partner with them when we can. When there is synergy within community leadership there are greater possibilities to make an even more inviting and prosperous place to call home.
Day on the Farm
Sylvester's Ranch, just south of Ottawa, hosted the annual Day on the Farm event again this past week… seemed to be a resounding success and another testament to the power of community collaboration (pictures here). This cherished event, which has been made possible by the generous support of Sylvester Ranch since the mid-80s, saw the convergence of several local groups, including the Franklin County Farm Bureau Association, K-State Research and Extension, local FFA groups, FCCLA and others. The highlight of this fun-filled day is the participation of 300 enthusiastic third graders from schools all across the county, along with the invaluable contributions of a dedicated group of parents, teachers, and volunteers. Together, they move throughout the event to form an educational and memorable experience. Day on the Farm is more than just a field trip; it’s a hands-on learning adventure for these young minds. The event provides an opportunity for children to connect with agriculture, nature, and the rural way of life. Allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from, how crops are cultivated, and the vital role of farmers in our community. Participants had the chance to explore various facets of farm life, from interacting with farm animals to witnessing the marvels of agricultural machinery. They also learned about sustainable farming practices and the importance of environmental stewardship in ensuring a healthy future for our planet.
The event wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering support and dedication of all involved, from the organizations that came together to make it happen to the teachers who recognized its educational value and, of course, the eager and inquisitive young students who embraced the opportunity to connect with our agricultural heritage. Day on the Farm is a beautiful example of how a community can come together to provide enriching experiences for its youth. Planting seeds of knowledge that will hopefully grow into a lifelong respect for the land and those who cultivate it.
NCCC Community Fair
Our Neosho County Community College Ottawa campus invited businesses, public and private, to come out and interact with students yesterday morning for their annual Community Fair (pictures here). This event can serve as a bridge connecting the 335 eager students who are enrolled this year to opportunities that align with their studies. Groups that displayed booths at the event were able to share more about themselves and their work culture, while also supplying information on how to get connected now or once they graduate and are looking to move into their respective field. Health related programs collectively make up the largest number of student pathways at NCCC, including Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Surgical Tech, CNA, CMA, Phlebotomy, Medical Assistant, and their newest program Diagnostic Medical Sonography. This is a huge resource locally as we can see individuals who study here in Ottawa have a higher opportunity to stay here and work in these fields that are in such high demand. Events like this help expose our students, whether in high school or higher education, to the opportunities that exist in Ottawa and Franklin County. When we consider workforce development challenges, these connections can create a snowball effect and make a difference locally. We’re a more complete community with NCCC educating us, thanks for opening your doors for engagement!
The month of September is known for its excitement with a handful of great community events around the corner. Check our website calendar here for more detailed information. If you don’t see your event up there, click the “submit your event” button and we’d love to have it included. Whether it’s tractors in Forest Park or Optimus Prime in the Orscheln/Tractor Supply parking lot, you don’t want to miss out on the fun! See you soon,
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000