Thursday, June 2, 2011
KDOT - Highway 69 Announcement
One of the chamber’s top longtime priorities took a significant step forward Wednesday, as close to 100 regional business, government and community leaders joined Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Secretary Deb Miller to unveil those projects in the southeast region of the state to be included in the state’s new T-Works plan. This plan will pump approximately $190 million into Southeast Kansas via eight different major highway projects, including a $47 million upgrade of Highway 69 from Fort Scott to Arma.
The state will build an upgradeable expressway on this stretch of Highway 69, which will only leave six miles of two-lane road between Pittsburg and Kansas City. Area leaders have long touted the economic development possibilities associated with a four-lane connecting Pittsburg with the bustling Kansas City area. The announcement will also help further nurture Pittsburg State University’s recruitment from the Kansas City area and will ensure that students, friends and families traveling Highway 69 will have access to a safer, more modern roadway.
The chamber wishes to thank Governor Brownback, Secretary Miller and the Kansas legislature for their investment in southeast Kansas and the Pittsburg area. The chamber also thanks all those local and regional leaders who have championed this cause for the better part of a decade. Wednesday's announcement was a major step in the chamber’s longtime goal of a four-lane Highway 69 from Kansas City to Interstate 44.
The state will build an upgradeable expressway on this stretch of Highway 69, which will only leave six miles of two-lane road between Pittsburg and Kansas City. Area leaders have long touted the economic development possibilities associated with a four-lane connecting Pittsburg with the bustling Kansas City area. The announcement will also help further nurture Pittsburg State University’s recruitment from the Kansas City area and will ensure that students, friends and families traveling Highway 69 will have access to a safer, more modern roadway.
The chamber wishes to thank Governor Brownback, Secretary Miller and the Kansas legislature for their investment in southeast Kansas and the Pittsburg area. The chamber also thanks all those local and regional leaders who have championed this cause for the better part of a decade. Wednesday's announcement was a major step in the chamber’s longtime goal of a four-lane Highway 69 from Kansas City to Interstate 44.
Monday, April 11, 2011
NPC Adds 40 Jobs to Pittsburg Call Center
NPC International, the world’s largest Pizza Hut franchisee, has announced another major investment in its home state. In June 2009, the company located an inbound call center in Pittsburg, which initially created 160 local jobs. The company announced today that, effective April 6, it has transferred operations from its Portland, Oregon, call center to Pittsburg, which created an additional 40 local positions. The move brings NPC’s Pittsburg call center employee count to 213.
In making the announcement, Susan Dechant, NPC Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President of Administration, said the move not only adds more local jobs, but will also offer greater flexibility for existing Pittsburg call center employees. “Since Portland is on a different time zone and has a different rush period, this allows us to offer longer shifts for our Pittsburg team. It also levels call volumes, which helps with staffing predictability. This announcement creates a cost savings to NPC and allows us to expand our Pittsburg presence, a true win-win situation.”
Other NPC call centers include those in Birmingham, Alabama; Springfield, Missouri; and suburban Memphis, Tennessee.
Local officials lauded the announcement. Pittsburg economic development director Mark Turnbull said the move was one city officials would like to see duplicated in the future. “Our commission has always been very supportive of existing local companies like NPC. Anytime a project like this can make a local business more efficient, while creating jobs, it’s a great opportunity.”
Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce president Blake Benson added that NPC’s decision to invest in Pittsburg would further deepen the company’s roots in the area. “Our community has had a great relationship with NPC for over 50 years and it’s exciting to see that partnership continuing to grow,” Benson said.
Founded in 1962 by Pittsburg businessman Gene Bicknell, NPC, International currently operates 1135 stores in 28 states. The company went public in 1984 and was acquired by Merrill-Lynch Global Private Equity Group in 2006, but continues a strong Pittsburg presence. The local office currently employs approximately 122, with another 48 employed in the company’s local Pizza Hut locations. NPC is among Pittsburg’s top ten largest employers.
Those interested in applying for positions at the call center should inquire at jobs@pizzahut.com.
In making the announcement, Susan Dechant, NPC Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President of Administration, said the move not only adds more local jobs, but will also offer greater flexibility for existing Pittsburg call center employees. “Since Portland is on a different time zone and has a different rush period, this allows us to offer longer shifts for our Pittsburg team. It also levels call volumes, which helps with staffing predictability. This announcement creates a cost savings to NPC and allows us to expand our Pittsburg presence, a true win-win situation.”
Other NPC call centers include those in Birmingham, Alabama; Springfield, Missouri; and suburban Memphis, Tennessee.
Local officials lauded the announcement. Pittsburg economic development director Mark Turnbull said the move was one city officials would like to see duplicated in the future. “Our commission has always been very supportive of existing local companies like NPC. Anytime a project like this can make a local business more efficient, while creating jobs, it’s a great opportunity.”
Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce president Blake Benson added that NPC’s decision to invest in Pittsburg would further deepen the company’s roots in the area. “Our community has had a great relationship with NPC for over 50 years and it’s exciting to see that partnership continuing to grow,” Benson said.
Founded in 1962 by Pittsburg businessman Gene Bicknell, NPC, International currently operates 1135 stores in 28 states. The company went public in 1984 and was acquired by Merrill-Lynch Global Private Equity Group in 2006, but continues a strong Pittsburg presence. The local office currently employs approximately 122, with another 48 employed in the company’s local Pizza Hut locations. NPC is among Pittsburg’s top ten largest employers.
Those interested in applying for positions at the call center should inquire at jobs@pizzahut.com.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Total Resource Campaign - Check Presentation
The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce marked the conclusion of their 2011 Total Resource Campaign on Thursday, February 24, with a celebration at their weekly Chamber Coffee. The Coffee, hosted by Ron’s Supermarket, was highlighted by the presentation of a check from the campaign’s top grossing team to the Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc.
With a total of $20,775 in procured sponsorships, top honors in this year’s Total Resource Campaign were earned by Brenda Hurt and her team. A check for $500 was awarded to Hurt’s team, who in turn presented the check to Sandy Morris, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc.
“Contributions from the community are critical to the survival of the CAC, especially during these current economic times,” said Morris. “Five hundred dollars will go a long way towards helping children and families in crisis.”
The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Total Resource Campaign is a weeklong event in which volunteers secure sponsorships for the upcoming year. The funds raised during the campaign make it possible for the Chamber to sustain programs for business development, community improvement and member services.
“Considering that 75% of our budget comes from membership investments and sponsorships, a successful Total Resource Campaign is crucial to continuing our work on behalf of the community and Pittsburg area employers,” said Blake Benson, President of the Pittsburg Area Chamber. “We thank these dedicated TRC volunteers and our generous chamber members for the support they give us and congratulate the Children’s Advocacy Center on this recognition.”
The Chamber also honored other TRC volunteers in attendance at the event. In total, TRC volunteers raised over $65,000 in sponsorships.
With a total of $20,775 in procured sponsorships, top honors in this year’s Total Resource Campaign were earned by Brenda Hurt and her team. A check for $500 was awarded to Hurt’s team, who in turn presented the check to Sandy Morris, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc.
“Contributions from the community are critical to the survival of the CAC, especially during these current economic times,” said Morris. “Five hundred dollars will go a long way towards helping children and families in crisis.”
The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Total Resource Campaign is a weeklong event in which volunteers secure sponsorships for the upcoming year. The funds raised during the campaign make it possible for the Chamber to sustain programs for business development, community improvement and member services.
“Considering that 75% of our budget comes from membership investments and sponsorships, a successful Total Resource Campaign is crucial to continuing our work on behalf of the community and Pittsburg area employers,” said Blake Benson, President of the Pittsburg Area Chamber. “We thank these dedicated TRC volunteers and our generous chamber members for the support they give us and congratulate the Children’s Advocacy Center on this recognition.”
The Chamber also honored other TRC volunteers in attendance at the event. In total, TRC volunteers raised over $65,000 in sponsorships.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Chamber Pushes for Employer Relief
Pittsburg area employers took center stage at a Kansas Senate meeting on February 8. Pittsburg Area Chamber President Blake Benson testified before the Senate Commerce Committee in support of Senate Bill 77, which would revamp the state's unemployment insurance (UI) system. Kansas employers are required to pay UI tax on the first $8,000 of an employee's salary. That money, along with payments from all of the state's other employers, goes into a UI trust fund used to pay state unemployment benefits.
With the recent economic recession and a huge increase in unemployment claims, the state's UI trust fund was on the brink of bankruptcy in late 2009. As a result, the state of Kansas drastically increased UI tax rates on most of the state's employers, regardless of the number (or lack) of unemployment claims filed against that employer.
In supporting Senate Bill 77, Benson supported modernizing the system to reward responsible employers while shifting more of the burden to those employers with negative experience ratings. "Not only were the (2010) UI tax increases surprising and costly, they unfairly penalized responsible employers trying to avoid layoffs in the middle of the worst recession our state has seen in decades," said Benson. "Senate Bill 77 would help restore employers' confidence in the system by adjusting benefits and fairly increasing the burden on negatively balanced employers." Senate Bill 77 would also allow employers to return to their pre-2010 experience ratings.
Benson warned that keeping the high UI tax rates could threaten job growth in the state. "We cannot expect employers to sustain this considerable burden while also asking them to lead our economic recovery. Senate Bill 77 would also bring stability to the trust fund and allow the state to meet its obligations without further risk to this recovery."
For more details about Senate Bill 77 or any items included in the Chamber's 2011 legislative agenda, call the Chamber at 231-1000.
With the recent economic recession and a huge increase in unemployment claims, the state's UI trust fund was on the brink of bankruptcy in late 2009. As a result, the state of Kansas drastically increased UI tax rates on most of the state's employers, regardless of the number (or lack) of unemployment claims filed against that employer.
In supporting Senate Bill 77, Benson supported modernizing the system to reward responsible employers while shifting more of the burden to those employers with negative experience ratings. "Not only were the (2010) UI tax increases surprising and costly, they unfairly penalized responsible employers trying to avoid layoffs in the middle of the worst recession our state has seen in decades," said Benson. "Senate Bill 77 would help restore employers' confidence in the system by adjusting benefits and fairly increasing the burden on negatively balanced employers." Senate Bill 77 would also allow employers to return to their pre-2010 experience ratings.
Benson warned that keeping the high UI tax rates could threaten job growth in the state. "We cannot expect employers to sustain this considerable burden while also asking them to lead our economic recovery. Senate Bill 77 would also bring stability to the trust fund and allow the state to meet its obligations without further risk to this recovery."
For more details about Senate Bill 77 or any items included in the Chamber's 2011 legislative agenda, call the Chamber at 231-1000.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Chamber Unveils “Women of Distinction” Calendar
The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce tonight released its 2011 “Women of Distinction” calendar, which spotlights 12 area women who lead by example in donating their time and talents for the betterment of the community.
The “Women of Distinction” calendars were unveiled Thursday night at a reception recognizing the 2011 honorees. In announcing this year’s slate of recipients, chamber board chairman Brad Hodson said, “These ladies are the unsung heroines of the Pittsburg area, often working behind the scenes to make Southeast Kansas a better place to live, work and play. It’s our privilege to shine the light on these women and their efforts.”
This year’s honorees are:
Susan Baden – Pittsburg Family YMCA
Judy Collins – Fort Scott Community College
Sharon Dean – Community volunteer/Ronald McDonald House
Susan Dechant – NPC, International
Janice Dellesega – Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Brenda Hurt – Commerce Bank
Ronda Ison – United Way of Crawford County
Denise Kreighbaum – Covenant Harvest Church
Dr. Gina Pinamonti – Pinamonti Orthodontics
Pink ladies of Via Christi (group)
Johnna Schremmer – Pittsburg State University
Shelley Van Sharr – Pittsburg Family YMCA
Chamber President Blake Benson pointed out the calendar is also the Pittsburg area’s only complete community calendar featuring civic, school, sports, religious and other events for 2011. “Working in conjunction with the Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau, we were able to amass a very impressive lineup of events scheduled for next year,” Benson said. “From symphonies to church chili feeds to sporting events, this will be a valuable tool for area residents.”
A $10 value, copies of the 2011 “Women of Distinction” calendar are available free of charge at the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, 117 West Fourth Street.
The “Women of Distinction” calendar project has garnered attention from chambers of commerce across the region. Following the local publication’s creation in early 2007, it was honored as one of the year’s top projects by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce Executives association. Similar calendar projects have since been launched in Coffeyville and Liberal, Kan., along with Benton, Ark.
Friday, November 5, 2010
November First Friday Coffee
The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the National Health Care Act took center stage at the Chamber's First Friday Coffee on Friday, November 5, at the Lamplighter Inn, 4020 Parkview Drive, Pittsburg.
Approved by Congress in March, the National Health Care Act introduced a sweeping set of ch...anges in the American medical system. Although some of these changes have already taken effect, a number of them will be phased in over several years.
Opinions on the act vary, but the Chamber feels employers should be ready to comply with the law. "Whether you supported the national health care bill or not, it's now law," said chamber president Blake Benson. "There are several new requirements of employers included in the National Health Care Act and we just want them to be prepared. The coffee was a fact-based, non-biased discussion of the act."
The 2010/11 First Friday Coffee series is sponsored by Pittsburg State University.
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