Lunch, Learning, and Local Industry
This week, the Ottawa Area Young Professionals (OAYP) infiltrated Kalmar Ottawa for a Lunch and Learn (pictures here). We had over 30 in total attend from the community and a good chunk of Kalmar employees, who came together to learn a little bit about the YP program and about the long-standing industrial partner, Kalmar.
JieJie shared that the newly resurrected Young Professionals is in full swing with regular programming. Having just finished up Speed Networking in March, Lunch on Wednesday, and bowling night right around the corner later in April on the 17th. Between social, educational, and service programming, anyone between 18 and 40 should have plenty of opportunities to stay connected–and anyone is invited! Chamber member or not, getting plugged in and being part of a really cool group of young people is available to students and professionals alike. Here is some info on their next program (view that here).
Kalmar, an 83-year-old business in town, is rooted in the community where it began back in the 1940s. Originally as Ottawa Truck, this tractor manufacturer has been a cornerstone of our community. Currently employing 300 community members, one of Ottawa’s largest employers, they have a proven track record of taking care of their people. Recently, they retired their longest-tenured employees of 40+ years. The majority of their employees have been with the company for 5+ years. Ottawa has changed a lot in the past 83 years, and so has Kalmar Ottawa. But rather than growing apart, they are continuing to adapt together, both benefiting from one another’s success. We’re lucky to have such an engaged industrial partner in Kalmar.
Outside of learning about these two organizations, it was a blast connecting with one another, meeting new faces, and growing our networks. If your business would like to think through programming with the OAYP, JieJie would love to chat further (email here). That could look like tours, learning opportunities, or sponsoring their social programming. If you have people of the younger variety working with/around you, nudge them our way! There’s so much opportunity ahead, I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
A Warm Welcome for Ottawa’s New City Manager
Last night, the City of Ottawa hosted the community for a Chamber After Hours at Corner Market to introduce the new City Manager, Thatcher Moddie (pictures here). Thatcher joins Ottawa after serving three years over in Herrington, KS, and a five-year stint in Goodard, KS prior to that. He’s scooting a little closer to home, as he grew up in Burlington, just south of us, where his folks still live. He brings with him his family, including his 14-month-old son. A great crowd came to welcome him and connect with those in attendance. All in all, it was a lovely evening!
I was able to have lunch with Thatcher this week, and as we were chatting, it was obvious that he has wasted no time meeting people all throughout town. If you have had the chance to shake his hand already, it’s probably fair to assume you’ll need to restate your name when you see him next, as he’s been introduced to hundreds of people in his short two weeks in Ottawa. While it’s still early days, it’s obvious that he is not slowing down anytime soon. Very excited and hungry to work on making Ottawa the best it can be. The Chamber is proud of its relationship with the City of Ottawa and is certain Thatcher’s appointment will only allow that to flourish. To many years of success!
Welcoming More New Faces to Ottawa
Less than a month ago, we welcomed the Green family to Ottawa as the first household to move under our recently introduced state relocation program. David and Jessica Green joined us last night at the After Hours and were able to get introduced to quite a few people in town. They are a super sweet couple and a great addition to our community. I am extremely excited to share that two more households have arrived in Kansas, bringing the total to three moved households. The Waldbilligs and the Burroughs have joined us from North Carolina and Oklahoma, respectively. Between the three households, that’s six adults and four kiddos who have joined our community. I have had the chance to sit down with all six of them over the past month, and we couldn’t have asked for better neighbors. Personable, down-to-earth, and excited to be here in Franklin County. I knew this program had the potential to make a significant impact, and I’m pleased to announce that it is already coming to fruition. If you would like to say “hi” to one or more of our new families, let me know, and I’d love to connect you!
KC2026 Fan Festival Registration Open
This summer, we believe there will be fantastic opportunities to connect with travelers from all over the world who will set foot in Ottawa and Franklin County—super exciting to think about and be part of. There are a handful of reasons for the increase in tourism surrounding the World Cup. Some will come for the games that will take place at Arrowhead, the fact that four countries will have their home bases located in our region will draw folks in, and, of course, the Midwest hospitality that travelers will experience doesn’t hurt.
Whether you’re a soccer fan or not, or whether you have tickets to a game or not, you can experience the World Cup firsthand through KC2026’s Fan Festival. As Kansas City takes center stage during the World Cup, you can get a piece of the action at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. KC2026 Fan Festival is an experience that is being sold as one that feels just as big as the matches themselves. Set against one of the most iconic backdrops in the region, with a capacity of 25,000 fans, this should be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
On select match days, the grounds will be open to the public to enjoy live game broadcasts, entertainment, food, and an energy that comes when people from all walks of life come together around something bigger than themselves. Whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan or just looking for a reason to be part of the excitement, this will be a very neat moment for our region. And the best part is that registration is now open, and it’s free (link here)!
Spring Cleaning Made Easy
Spring is here, and there’s no better time for some spring cleaning. If you’re inside the city limits of Ottawa, this weekend is Citywide Cleanup days. Stop by Franklin County Recycling Center (2000 Block Elm Street), the parking lot west of City Hall (101 South Hickory Street), or the Salt storage shed (1300 block of north Cherry Street) now until 3pm Saturday to drop off your junk (full press release here)! If it doesn’t fit in your dumpster by the curb, this is a great opportunity to get it out without having to pay a dime, thanks to the City of Ottawa!
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I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter!
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
