This week has been FULL of exciting activities. Times like this make this job so rewarding, as it was full of connection and optimism! I feel fortunate to be involved in this way. Read more below to learn about the many things that went on in town…

Franklin County’s World Cup Playbook: Preparing for Visitors & Opportunities

Monday morning was a big day for Ottawa University. For starters, it was day one of the 2025 fall semester. Hundreds of students from around the country (and globe for that matter!) made their way to the heart of Ottawa to start, or continue, their educational journey. Along with students, faculty, and staff, they also hosted congressional representative, Sharice Davids, for a county-wide conversation about the 2026 FIFA World Cup (picture here). A large group of community leaders joined the chat, including city and county staff and commissioners, as well as safety partners such as the police, sheriff’s office, EMS, and highway patrol. They also collaborated with economic development partners and individuals involved in local planning.

The panel presenting alongside Sharice included representatives from the Department of Commerce, KC2026 (the World Cup planning group for KC), and the U.S. Secret Service. Conversations centered on the impact that would take place on the entire KC metro, including Ottawa and Franklin County. This impact will undoubtedly be reflected in increased tourism, which will also have a positive effect on our local economy. A tournament of this magnitude, spanning over two months with several large-profile games and the possibility of hosting one or more teams in our region, all brings loads of opportunity. However, the increase in visitors also presents challenges, including infrastructure strain, transportation issues, and health risks. The purpose of this roundtable was to discuss various scenarios, explore support systems, and identify local concerns to better prepare our community while learning about available resources.

Here are some of the key takeaways from this meeting that I found most helpful and can help prepare our business community.

For those hosting events in June/July/August 2026, local programming can be uploaded (after creating an account) through the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). It was stated that these programs will be uploaded to a centralized location for those seeking activities in the KC area (more info here).
Maybe you don’t have an event planned, but you’re hoping your business can capitalize on the increased traffic. We were also informed that KC 2026 is collaborating with the Department of Commerce to extract information that is currently available on the TravelKS.com website. To view Ottawa’s profile and the pages that comprise it, please visit the following link (viewable here). If you would like to make changes to your listing or start a new one, please contact Hunter Feyerherm for assistance (Hunter’s email address is here).

Several tools are being developed that will provide significant assistance to our local businesses as well. As these are rolled out, I will ensure that they are shared through our channels.

One was referred to as the “KC Gameplan,” which will serve as a guide for businesses in our area on what to expect and how to best prepare for the summer of 2026.
Another tool mentioned was a guide called “World Class Welcome,” a cultural package being prepared by Johnson County Community College. This will provide guidance on how to be hospitable to all those traveling into our community and patronizing our businesses—especially those who might have language or cultural barriers.
Lastly, ConnectKS is another tool that I spoke about in a recent newsletter in July . The Kansas Small Business Office at KS Commerce built this online resource (link here). Along with this, they will create some small business development materials that provide practical advice to those planning for the summer of 2026.

As Les Brown said, "It's better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared." We are confident that this opportunity will yield benefits for our region. It's up to us to make sure we capture some of that here in Franklin County, too!

Bridging Campus and Community

One of my favorite events each year is Ottawa University’s Fusion event downtown. Legacy Square is the place to be on the second day of school each year in town. The entire student body gathers there, along with community booths that celebrate the start of a new school year and help connect with incoming students (pictures here). It's quite the party! Featuring food, music, games, and great company, it's easy to see why this event is always a great hit. As students move through the tables under the large pavilion, they pick up material, swag, and an understanding of what makes Ottawa so great: the business community and the local leaders who show up on days like these.

Regardless of whether or not you made it out or not, there are still opportunities to connect with OU students throughout the school year, not just in August. JieJie has prepared this flyer to ensure that all our members are aware that the atrium on campus is a great place to set up a booth to catch students as they move to and from the cafeteria (view the flyer here). Connecting with Dean of Student Life, Dr. Donald Anderson, to confirm your organization and a time is all that's needed. This can look like sharing job/internship opportunities, or promoting activities and other opportunities in town. As a student, I always enjoyed connecting with outside groups who took the time to show up and show off all the things going on.

This was the second year of the Parade of Champions, which moved north on Main Street before Fusion began. Last year was a good litmus test, but this year’s parade was the real deal (pictures here)! With a dozen floats between OU and Ottawa High School. Onlookers recognized and congratulated the achievements of those who excelled in the 2024/2025 school year. Opportunities to bring together citizens and OU students like this are invaluable as we continue to foster a culture that supports one another on and off the field/court. To check out what fall sports are on the calendar, check out both OU and OHS’s sports calendars here (OU and OHS respective sports calendars here). If you’re like me and you need a calendar alert, you can actually add games straight to your calendar on their sites—which hopefully results in me catching more great sporting events this year!

Countdown to Takeoff

On Tuesday night, Chamber Trip travelers came together both in person and virtually as they geared up for their upcoming European adventure. In one month’s time, 74 Chamber travelers will head out of KCI with tickets to Munich, Germany, where they will spend nine days exploring Austria, Germany, and Italy. There they will have tons to see, including mountains, castles, and even experience Oktoberfest. Before every international voyage, Sherri works with our travel agents to make sure that there is no question unturned and that everyone is prepared for the journey ahead. Between large group conversations like this and regular communication with travelers throughout the year, Sherri always goes above and beyond for those participating in a Chamber trip!

If you are interested in experiencing France in 2026, take a look at what's in store (more info available here).

Forty Years of Leadership

Wednesday night, Leadership Franklin County classes from the past forty years came together at the OMA for an all-class reunion (pictures here). This program has been discussed internally by the board for around a year. Like any event, it takes time and effort to make things come to fruition. We are grateful to have a handful of our current LFC Trustees go out of their way to provide food, drinks, and an opportunity for mingling with those from all four generations of classes.

As a community, we are fortunate to have a space like the OMA to host such diverse programs! We utilized the basement for the reunion, which worked like a charm. The planning committee collaborated with the Franklin County Historical Society to locate photos from past years to display, some dating back to the 1980s. Alums were able to pinpoint dates of these memories, share pieces of wisdom with future classes on notecards, and even walked away with some gifts! Along with a raffle for some LFC gear, we also planned to recognize whoever was in attendance who participated in the earliest class. After everyone had shared their class dates, Pam Harris was the decided winner, having taken part in the second class ever in 1986-87! We’re blessed to have her lead in so many different ways over the years. Ottawa and Franklin County wouldn’t be the same without her!

All in all, it was a splendid evening connecting and reminiscing. Of course, the people present were the best part! Getting to catch up with so many who have changed roles, moved away, or even retired made it an enjoyable evening. I hope that as the Board of Trustees moves forward, consideration will be given to programs like this in the near future as well. Thanks to all who came out!

Franklin County Career Day Returns November 5

This week, the annual Franklin County Career Fair committee convened to add the finishing touches to this year’s event. The Franklin County Development Council, in partnership with our Chamber and all of our Franklin County school districts, is excited to host Franklin County Career Day on Tuesday, November 5, at Ottawa High School. This morning of discovery and exploration of our county brings together more than 300 high school juniors to engage with the many opportunities available to them—from local careers and higher education to military service and community engagement.

We invite businesses and employers to participate in the career fair portion and connect directly with students about job opportunities, internships, and future career paths. Additionally, nonprofits and civic organizations are encouraged to join our community engagement section to showcase ways students can get involved, volunteer, and make an impact while they’re still in high school or after graduation. The cost to participate doesn’t get much better, as it is totally free to attend! You'll just need to dedicate the morning of the 5th to your calendar. This is a fantastic chance to inspire the next generation, highlight opportunities right here in Franklin County, and start building connections with your future workforce and community leaders. For more details or to reserve a space, please get in touch with Paul Bean (contact information here) or me to add your name to the list.

Following the LFC Class of 25/26

Yesterday and today mark the first and second classes for the LFC class of 25/26. With rain in the forecast for much of the past week, the LFC board was concerned that the first day of festivities might be hindered. For those familiar, this includes the climbing of the 30-foot-tall Power Pole. An exercise that involves trust and facing one's fear of heights as they work together to not only climb to the top, but then jump off the small platform from above. But the team's worries were unwarranted as the weather was as perfect as it could be. The day was filled with team-building activities, icebreakers, and get-to-know-yous. Just in time to start again today with curriculum and an afternoon of service, as today’s theme is 'Serving the Underserved.'

Stay tuned for regular updates from this class by following Leadership Franklin County on social media (visit here).

Hope Grows in Ottawa

This morning’s Chamber Ribbon Cutting was hosted by local nonprofit, Hope House (pictures here). For those unfamiliar, Hope House is a faith-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting individuals and families across Franklin County. Founded by a coalition of local churches, their mission is to offer hope and practical support through programs like their food pantry, clothing assistance, utility and fuel aid, and emergency housing during extreme weather. From the food pantry's perspective, they serve around 250 households each month. But they’re much more than just a food bank! As a result, those numbers are pretty conservative. Michelle Graff, Co-Director of Hope House, referred to themselves as the central hub for those in need. Knowing that Ottawa’s school district comprises 60% of its students who receive free or reduced lunch, there is a significant need. So, if Hope House is unable to help directly, they’re connecting people to additional resources/partners. By uniting all these social service organizations, they can make the most significant impact with the resources at their disposal. Michelle is joined by her co-directing partner, Tiffany, along with the power of dozens of volunteers, which helps the organization thrive on collaboration and compassion. Their ongoing efforts ensure that our neighbors facing hardship have a place to turn when they need it most.

The ribbon cutting this morning was not for their beautiful building on 17th Street, but rather for a new addition just right outside! A brand new, fresh food produce stand now sits next to Hope House’s blessing box and has been dubbed the “Neighbor 2 Neighbor Produce Stand” (picture here). A location where those facing nutritional hardship can find a source of free fruits and veggies. Much like Hope House’s reliance on community partners stepping up, this produce stand engaged several community groups and individuals to make it a reality. Spearheading this effort was the Franklin County Action Network, which collaborated with half a dozen community organizations and volunteer groups to not only construct the stand but also help stock it with fresh foods. Much of the produce today was planted throughout Ottawa in community gardens organized by ECKAN. Michelle Jones shared that this project not only grew produce, but also grew connections as volunteers from different walks of life, and generations came together to give back in this way. What a remarkable testament to the power of partnerships!

I hope you have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend! Talk to you soon,

Ryland Miller

President/CEO

Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce

ryland@ottawakansas.org

785-242-1000