Bridging Policy and Agriculture
Once a year, the Franklin County Farm Bureau Association hosts a Legislative Dinner that took place this week. They invite Farm Bureau representatives from the federal, state, and local levels, along with our congressional, state, and local elected officials (pictures here). Over the past three years that I’ve attended, it has been an excellent opportunity to mingle with those in attendance, while also learning about the challenges, successes, and conversations happening within the agricultural industry in Kansas.
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From a federal perspective, it was shared that the Big Beautiful Bill had some wins for the agricultural industry in Kansas (recent article talking about this topic here).
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From the state, Farm Bureau played a bit of offense and defense this legislative session. With the shortened timeframe, things moved quickly, but several things may not have come to fruition like they may have initially hoped. It was shared that they expect 2026 to be an interesting session as it is a state election year. Nonetheless, Farm Bureau will continue to support our state farmers and ranchers in Topeka. They also work to equip locals with the materials to spur conversations with their legislators.
The location for this dinner changes each year, highlighting an agricultural partner and the work they do. This year, KanEquip opened its doors to guests. Randy Robinson, the manager of the Ottawa location, demonstrated how much their store and shop have changed due to the significant investment made in the establishment over the past year. These upgrades have tripled their footprint and almost doubled their staff with the expanded space. This also increases their parts inventory and service opportunities for those looking to work on or get their machines tuned up. It’s really an incredible space and a fantastic location for this evening's conversation with Farm Bureau. I am thankful for Lisa Rivers and her dedicated board, who provide leadership to our county and foster meaningful discussions, such as the one that occurred this week!
Last call for Ladies Night Out
Though it’s the first week in September, we’re already approaching the deadline for t-shirt preorders and business registrations for Ladies Night Out. The deadline for both of these submissions is Monday, September 8. If you’re interested in being on our scavenger hunt map, don’t wait (register here)! If you would like a fun denim and diamonds-themed shirt, find it here (link here). Whether you’re setting up a booth, participating in your store, or joining the scavenger hunt, we want you in Ottawa on September 26 from 1-7pm (event info here).
Vote Today to Put Ottawa on the Music Map!
Big news coming out of Ottawa this week! Earlier in the year, Tiffany Evans, Director of the Ottawa Memorial Auditorium, submitted a grant application for a prestigious and highly competitive national grant opportunity (full press release here). The Friends of Ottawa Memorial Auditorium (the OMA’s foundation) has been chosen from 300 communities to advance to the public voting phase for a multi-year grant opportunity! This grant is through the Levitt Foundation and is worth up to $120,000, which would go towards free outdoor music here in town. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is up for grabs, but we need your vote to help bring this to fruition next summer (click here to vote for Ottawa)!
If awarded, this grant would allow the OMA to host seven to ten professional concerts each year for three years, featuring a diverse mix of genres and talent. Imagine Legacy Square transformed into a vibrant community destination where neighbors gather under the summer sky, families and friends enjoy live music, and visitors discover Ottawa as a cultural hub. And the timing couldn’t be better! Summer 2026 will be historic, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and hosting the FIFA World Cup right here in Kansas City. Securing this grant means Ottawa will be ready to celebrate in style, offering unforgettable musical experiences for locals and visitors alike.
Although this is a fantastic opportunity, it’s by no means a given. There’s still plenty of work that needs to be done by us, the community, to ensure we reach the next stage. There are 100 other communities in this stage, and only 50 move on. We’re up against some major players as well… cities like Atlanta, San Diego, Chicago, Miami. But Ottawa has something special: an engaged, passionate community that shows up, supports one another, and knows how to make its voice heard. Every vote counts, and together we can prove that small communities can make a big impact! Voting is open NOW through September 15. You can help make this dream a reality in two easy ways:
Your vote matters. Let’s put Ottawa on the map and make our summers unforgettable!
Step Into the New Starbucks at OU
Ottawa University has been ‘brewing’ up some changes in their student union as they kick off this new semester. Starbucks has been a fan favorite on campus since it was installed nearly a decade ago in the newly renovated cafeteria. The tricky bit was that it was located in the middle of the seating and food line area, making it less accessible and logistically challenging during busy hours in the caf. As a result, OU is proud to unveil the newly redesigned Starbucks (pictures here).
This new space is not only for students, faculty, and staff, but the public is invited to take part in the caffeinated delight. You’ll find the same full menu of Starbucks drinks and snacks. Along with all the components for baristas to make drinks, there’s also comfortable seating and a relaxed spot to catch up with friends and neighbors, or maybe even a study break. American Dining Creations (OU’s campus dining company) continues to manage the space and staff, as it did before. As a result, their team comprises a mix of students and community members. Ottawa University invites you to take a moment to spend time on campus to watch an upcoming sporting event, take a leisurely stroll, or perhaps even order your favorite drink next time you visit.
A Little Coffee, a Little Jesus
This morning’s Chamber Coffee took place at the historic First United Methodist Church in downtown Ottawa (pictures here). Church leadership hosted this event to show off their beautiful building, talk about the history of their congregation, and also to introduce their new Pastor, Anne Gahn. Anne joined our community last year as a transplant from Nebraska, having spent twenty-four years in the Husker State. She joins an Ottawa Methodist Church that has graced our community for over a hundred and fifty years.
For generations, this church has been serving Ottawa residents and continues to do so. This includes the need to adapt some of their offerings to meet the needs of our population where they are, like offering virtual services. One of the neat programs shared by Reverend Anne was the work that was spurred by a good deed. A group of youth came up with an idea to bake some cookies for those in the congregation who are no longer mobile enough to make it in person on Sunday. What was discovered was that these individuals were struggling, both mentally and spiritually, being restricted to their homes because of their health. The church’s response was to start a visitation ministry, where these community members could be regularly impacted and supported. This looks like a committee of eight individuals who meet regularly with those stuck at home. Anne mentioned that they are willing to expand this program to more individuals if others are currently being missed. If you have someone in mind, share this with Anne or a member of their congregation to get them in a rotation (contact here)!
In Anne’s closing remarks, she shared that on all the tables, they had some material on their church to learn more, they had some mints to help cover up the inevitable coffee breath, and they also had little rubber Jesuses―“Because everyone needs a little Jesus in their life” (picture here). I hope that if you weren’t there this morning, you’ll still take the opportunity to meet Anne and continue to welcome her to our community!
Your Guide to Ottawa’s City-Wide
Twice a year, the Ottawa Recreation Commission helps local garage sales advertise by compiling addresses and seller info for the City-Wide Garage Sale (check out that list here). The first weekend of May and September marks the period of time when garage/yard sales don’t need to register with the City of Ottawa and can benefit from the increased volume of activity. Along with residential sales, businesses throughout Ottawa will be open, making it a full day of shopping fun! Thanks, ORC, for providing a platform for the families to get the word out about their sales.
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The Kansas City Chiefs are back! Their first away game is tonight against the San Diego Chargers. And though the Chargers might be the home team, they are also far away from home as they host the Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I’m hoping for a fun start to the season as we root on our local boys in red. Go Chiefs!
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
