Ottawa Chamber Recognized at Statewide Conference in Atchison

The first half of my week was spent with 30+ other Chambers across the state. Each fall, the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas (CCEKS) comes together for a fall conference that offers professional development, resource sharing, and networking opportunities with other communities throughout the state. Every year, a different community hosts the conference. This year, we traveled only an hour or so north to Atchison―a community not so dissimilar to our own. Atchison is home to a small liberal arts college, a similar population, and a rich Kansas history with historic depot museums, Victorian architecture, and an exciting downtown.

I have the privilege of serving on the board of directors for CCEKS. Along with planning the conference, this group acts as a support system and connection piece for Chambers across the state. With a significant portion of our efforts focused on the fall conference, we strive each year to develop new ideas that will spark engagement and foster a positive and uplifting culture. This year, we introduced an awards program, specifically for communication programs/efforts. I participated by submitting one of our recent Legislative Action videos, created in conjunction with the City of Ottawa and Franklin County Government, titled "Be In The Know – County Government” (view that video here). I share this because our Chamber was selected as one of the few winners (photo here)! It’s always a victory when we receive recognition from a regional level for our community.

Because I was out of town for a few days, JieJie was able to fill in and write about some of the great things that I missed. Check out her blurbs below!

Fall in Love with PrimeTime’s New Fall Menu! (with JieJie)

Your Community Liaison, JieJie here! This week has been nothing short of busy, so I’ll be stepping in to keep you up to date on the home front while Ryland is away. On Tuesday, we had the pleasure of attending a Business After Hours hosted by PrimeTime Grille (Pictures Here). Every six months or so, PrimeTime rolls out new seasonal menu items, and this fall is no exception! With the colder weather setting in, their menu is heating up. Keep an eye out for official updates in the next week or two, including two permanent soups: Chili and Chicken Enchilada Soup, with a rotating Soup of the Day. Other exciting additions include a thicker crust pizza and a creamy white cheddar Mac & Cheese that’s sure to be a hit. Seafood fans, don’t miss out on their fried catfish! (View Their November Special Here) PrimeTime isn’t slowing down on the fun either; live entertainment happens every Friday and Saturday night, with Trivia Nights held on the first and third Wednesdays each month. Not a dinner person? Try their brunch buffet, which looks to also be in constant rotation! Enjoy other amenities such as a 10% military & law enforcement discount, or rent out their party room with updated flooring! PrimeTime continues to look for ways to provide quality food and service to our community, and with that, we are grateful!

2025 Career Day (with JieJie)

Every year, the Franklin County Development Council hosts a “Career Day” to all Franklin County Juniors. This day provides them opportunities to explore career options and learn more about ways they can invest in their future. The FRCO Career Day 2025 had over 300 students exploring different fields such as engineering, finance, business, and civic engagement. The Chamber had the privilege to be one of eight civic engagement groups, emphasizing the importance of community involvement (Pictures Here). The response from the students was positive, and several students had follow-up questions relating to the fields of their interest. Community involvement benefits several sectors of your life such as building connections, expanding perspective, and strengthening your local economy. Anyone, at any age, can get involved, and some may already be contributing without realizing it. Easy ways to contribute include shopping and eating locally, donating or purchasing clothing at your local thrift store, or reading a newsletter, like this one. With that, I’m handing it off to our original author, back to you Ryland!

Election Results Are In

Though I was not in town for the general election, I didn’t miss my chance to participate by voting early! Thankful for our local Clerk's office, which works diligently to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in this civic duty. After thousands participated county-wide, the unofficial results of the polling day were announced on Tuesday evening (view them here).

For those residing in Ottawa, there were two races and a special question to pay attention to. The one-cent sales tax question was approved by two-thirds of voters, extending the sales tax for another ten years.
The City Commission was bound to have at least one new member, given that only two incumbents were running and three spots were open. The election saw both incumbents, Mike Skidmore and Emily Allen, see reelection. Joining them is Tim VanLeiden, a native Ottawan and longtime business owner.
USD 290 had three open positions and four candidates in the race, three of whom were incumbents. All three, Mimi Turner, Chris Cunningham, and Glendy Spigle, were reelected.

Congratulations to those chosen to lead in their respective roles! And to all who put their names forward for public positions, thank you for your willingness to give back to your community. I’m hopeful that the desire to serve can still shine through in other capacities. It takes everyone to keep moving our community forward!

Looking Ahead: Chamber Prepares for 2026

This time of the year is always a time of planning and transition, as our office looks ahead to 2026. Along with a new year comes a new budget, new goals, and new strategic priorities. It also means the retiring of and the election of new board members. In a few weeks' time, our local Chamber Board Selection committee will meet to select these new individuals through nominations from our members (you!). If you know of someone who is interested, or if you are interested yourself, please share this with me so I can include your name in this conversation (email me here). I personally rely so heavily on my board members, and I’m thankful for those who currently serve. I look forward to honoring that service and discovering great new faces to join the Chamber’s table. There is a great deal of momentum surrounding our organization; it’s an exciting time, indeed!

Discovering Camp Chippewa

This morning’s Chamber Coffee took us west of town, where we gathered at Camp Chippewa and Retreat Center (pictures here). It’s hard not to feel a sense of peace as you drive through the winding gravel roads, which give way to a wide-open landscape of color-changing trees, pastures, and ponds that have welcomed generations of campers since the late 1950s. Camp Chippewa is situated on more than 600 acres of land known as the Chippewa Hills. Run by its dedicated staff and overseen by the Great Plains United Methodist Conference, this camp hosts over 600 campers and more than 30 seasonal staff members each summer, while offering a range of programs. Although their youth experiences are often what they’re known for, facilities are also rented to schools, churches, nonprofits, and community groups for retreats and special events throughout the year. Because this work is year-round, their team cares for and prepares Camp Chippewa for thousands of people each year.

Director James Rickner shared a little of the camp's history this morning. A story that begins in 1958, when the Kansas Methodist Conference received a 219-acre farm as a memorial gift from the family of Barbara Ellen Funk. She was a young woman whose life was cut short, but whose faith and love for others have left a legacy. What was a tragic loss was used to extend an amazing ministry that has been shared with our community and beyond for over 60 years. That generous gift became the foundation of the camp we know today. Camp Chippewa has since expanded to over 600 acres and continues to shape lives through outdoor ministry and fellowship.

This ministry and fellowship will be on display over the next month, as James shared some exciting opportunities coming up. The well-received Bethlehem Project is just around the corner (December 5-7), and everyone is invited! This entails a live nativity experience that draws more than a thousand visitors each Christmas season (more info here). It takes an incredible team of volunteers to bring the story to life, and preparations are already underway. In fact, there’s a workday tomorrow, Saturday, November 8, from 8-5pm for anyone willing to lend a hand. Whether you can stay an hour or the whole day, James said you’ll get fed and make a real difference. If you cannot physically support their mission as a volunteer, there are other ways to give back. This can be done through gifts and sponsorships (more info here). If you’d like to contribute to Camp Chippewa’s mission of creating a space where people can experience connection with God, with one another, and with the outdoors, look no further!

We’re grateful to the Camp Chippewa team for hosting this morning’s Chamber Coffee and giving us a glimpse of what makes this place so special. Whether you’ve got a child ready for summer camp or a group looking for a beautiful setting to reconnect, you’ll find Camp Chippewa just a few miles outside of Ottawa. As James stated, one of Franklin County's best-kept secrets.

Tomorrow morning, the Franklin County Honors will host the annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Ottawa (more info here). It’s always a great display and fun for the whole family. See you there!

Ryland Miller

President/CEO

Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce

ryland@ottawakansas.org

785-242-1000