UPDATED SUMNER COUNTY PROFILE

The Kansas County Profiles were updated in January 2009. Check out the latest data for Sumner County at: http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/kcced/profiles/pdf/20191.pdf

This report contains 12 categories of information: Population, Vital Statistics and Health, Housing, Education, Social Environment, Business, Employment, Income, Banking, Government, Crime, and Agriculture. 

The Kansas County Profile Report is published annually by the Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR) at the University of Kansas with support from KU Entrepreneurship Works for Kansas.*

 

For additional information about Kansas, please refer to the Kansas Statistical Abstract, available online at http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/.

 

Please address any correspondence regarding these reports to the Institute for Policy & Social Research, The University of Kansas, 607 Blake Hall, 1541 Lilac Lane, Lawrence, Kansas 66044-3177, e-mail ipsr@ku.edu or call 785-864-3701.

New Businesses for December

Belle Plaine - 4 Peas in a Pod has opened in the business formerly known as Cafe on the Corner.  The old location on 4th street will be the restaurant’s desert shop offering baked goods and milk shakes.   Mindy Fuller, owner is excited about the new location and looking forward to the expanded dining area.

Wellington - DJ’s Bar and Grill opened on December 19, at 213 W 15th (Owners Dwight & Violet Rowan and Jimmy & Bonnie Gollihugh).  The bar and grill features two couches in front of a big screen television, pool table area, darts, poker, pinball, and a variety of food and beverages.

New Businesses for November

Wellington – The new Sears Store, 1108 E 16th, held it’s Grand Opening and ribbon cutting.   Fashion Emergency opened in the 107 N Washington building.

Conway Springs – Main Street Wine and Spirits

Argonia – Pizza Plus at 204 South Main, will offer a variety of pizzas and toppings, stromboli, oven baked sandwiches, calizone, spaghetti, lasagna, tacos, sanchos, burritos, salad bar, and hot wings with new items added daily.  Owners are Shawn Drouhard, Kathy Peterson, and Shelby Adams.

WIND WORKING GROUP

The Sumner County Economic Development Commission and the Sumner County Farm Bureau have been working together to start the discussion of wind energy possibilities in Sumner County.  We have conducted a wind farm tour, several informational meetings, and conducted a survey of interest on this issue.  From these endeavors there has been a great deal of interest shown in pursuing wind energy development as well as other alternative energy possibilities within Sumner County.  There have been a variety of ideas discussed on how best to pursue these issues in the future. As a result of these discussions two groups have formed.  One group is called the Sumner County Wind Coalition, which is a group of landowners pursuing wind farm development.  The other is a group called the Alternate Energy Task Force, which is pursuing wind energy development as well as other energy related issues and ideas.  Each of these groups is proceeding as separate citizen-driven organizations.  As these efforts have now become organized and are citizen-driven, the Sumner County Economic Development Commission and the Sumner County Farm Bureau will no longer be serving a leadership role in these efforts.  However, if any landowner, business or developer needs assistance with your project, please feel free to contact the Sumner Economic Development Commission and we will do our best to serve your needs.   To contact the Sumner County Wind Coalition, please call Bob Hendricks (620-455-3620) or Dennis Metz (620-222-1081).  To contact the Alternate Energy Task Force, please call Keala Timko (316-789-5395) or Bill Warner (620-664-8187).

Recent New Businesses

The following businesses have recently opened, held ribbon cuttings, or made growth changes in Sumner County cities during September.

• Eric Rinehart Portraits opened at 106 N Washington, Wellington.  The studio is owned by Eric and his wife Angela.  Eric hopes to be as successful as his father.
• Homestead Restaurant and Steak House, 121 N Main, Argonia opened in the formerly known location of Mama C’s.  The restaurant is owned by Brenda and Mike Leverick (previous owners of the Homestead Restaurant in Wellington) and will feature a salad bar and homemade specials.  Hours are 6:00 AM-8:00 PM week days and 6:00 AM-2:00 PM on Sundays.
• Shear Expressions beauty salon, 115 N Main, Argonia opened with Mandy Jeffries as operator.  Mandy is experienced in mens, womens, and children’s haircuts as well as shampoos and sets, color, perms, manicures and pedicures.  Mandy will be open Monday and Thursday 12 PM to 8 PM; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 AM to 5 PM.  You may call for an appointment at 620-435-6191.

SCEDC to Market Region and State at NBAA Trade Show

Twelve state and regional partners have joined forces to market Kansas and the South-Central Kansas region as the “Air Capital of the World” at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention.

“South-Central Kansas is known throughout the industry for our aviation industry cluster,” said Janis Hellard, Director.  “Working with other area partners and the state, we are making sure we let the entire industry know that this is the region with the business, the infrastructure, and the partnership to help aviation companies succeed.”

Through the efforts of the partners, the region will have a larger presence than before at the NBAA show, the largest business aviation trade show.  In recent years, other states and communities have increased their presence and efforts to recruit aviation industries.  This booth will have a large regional presence with great state support through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

“NBAA is one of the best opportunities to create connections.  Sometimes that’s by showing our support for our existing aviation companies, or showing other businesses what our current businesses or our community has to offer, ” said Director Hellard.  “Together those connections mean growth for our community, region and state.”

In addition to supporting existing business and marketing the benefits of the region, the partners will also market advanced research and training capabilities, and development opportunities at airports.

Our “Air Capital of the World” delegation includes:  Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition, Kansas Department of Commerce, Butler County Economic Development, Harvey County Economic Development/Newton City-County Airport, Composites Kansas Wired Initiative, National Institute for Aviation Research, Reno County Economic Development/Hutchinson Community College/Hutchinson Airport, Sumner County Economic Development Commission, Wichita Area Technical College, Wichita Mid-Continent Airport/Col. James Jabara Airport, K-96 Corridor Development Association, and Nimlok Kansas/The Design Centre.

 

Belle Plaine Service Area Re-Opens

The Belle Plaine Service Area on the Kansas Turnpike now has a new place for motorists to refill, refresh and relax.  EZ GO opened the new service area with 30 gasoline pumps and a new convenience center including drink and food stations, souvenirs, and restrooms.  EZ GO began operating the convenience store at the service area in October and began working with the Kansas Turnpike Authority to build a new store and fuel station.  The official ribbon cutting was held on August 28, with KTA President & CEO Michael Johnson, members of the KTA Board of Directors and EZ GO President Carey Johnson present.

Wind Energy Informational Meeting

If you are interested in Wind Energy Development in Sumner County, you are invited to attend an informational meeting on September 9, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Raymond Frye Complex, 320 N. Jefferson in Wellington.  A short presentation will be given followed by a survey to gauge the level of interest in wind energy development in Sumner County and more. Please come and let us hear from you about your interest, concerns, questions etc. so we can better determine our future course of action regarding wind development in Sumner County.

State Selects Harrahs

The Kansas Lottery Review Board selected Harrah’s Mulvane site as the future site of the Sumner County casino.  Four of the seven board members voted in favor of Harrah’s.  Marvel Gaming received two votes and Penn National received one.

Harrah’s plans to build a $535 million casino resort at the Kansas Turnpike interchange near Mulvane.  The resort would include a casino, hotel, retail, convention center, restaurants, golf course, and a residential addition.

Electric Transmission Line Meeting

The Sumner County Economic Development Commission, Representative Vince Wetta, and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting an informational meeting regarding plans for the “Kansas V Plan” proposed by ITC Great Plains. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 28^th at 6:00 PM at the Raymond Frye Complex. A portion of the proposed “V Plan” electric transmission line will run through Sumner County.  This transmission line could possibly provide opportunities for wind farms to distribute their electric generation to the grid.  Kimberly Gencur Svaty and Carl Huslig of ITC will be presenting their plan.

Also present at this meeting will be representatives from the Kansas Corporation Commission. They will be available to discuss this issue and answer any questions the audience may have. The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) regulates five cornerstone industries in the Kansas economy. The Commission has the responsibility of ensuring that natural gas, electricity, telephone and transportation vendors provide safe, adequate and reliable services at reasonable rates. The Commission also has the mandate of assuring that oil and gas producers protect correlative rights and environmental resources.

If you need further information, please feel free to contact the Sumner County Economic Development Commission at 620-326-8779, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce at 620-326-7466, or Representative Vince Wetta at 620-326-5205.