<![CDATA[Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

<![CDATA[Salina Area Chamber of Commerce - Salina Business 365]]>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:36:47 -0700EditMySite<![CDATA[Coming Home: Salina Named "Pilot Community" for National Campaign to Attract Boomerang-Residents]]>Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:28:59 GMThttps://www.salinakansas.org/salinabusiness365blog/coming-home-salina-named-pilot-community-for-national-campaign-to-attract-boomerang-residents

In a heartfelt initiative to drive population growth, economic stimulus, and workforce development here in the Sunflower State, the Kansas Department of Commerce officially declares the beginning of the Love Kansas Campaign, in an effort to draw "boomerangs" who have moved out of state, back into the Kansas economy. Salina has been chosen as a pilot community, in which, our city has been gifted a grant to support our own efforts of drawing previous residents with ties in the community, back to Salina.

The Love Kansas campaign was officially launched in Manhattan, Kansas at the Flint Hills Discovery Center by Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, who shared the story of his own boomerang back to Kansas. What started as a simple phone call from a friend turned into a personal invitation to move back to Kansas, and has now been an incredible personal and professional journey for our Lt. Governor. Highlighting the importance of sincerity and authenticity, Lt. Governor Toland urged the residents of Kansas to do the same, and handwrite personal invitations to those family members and friends that have moved out of Kansas, back into our communities.

Love Kansas will market the state's impressive job opportunities, affordable living, and high quality of life. This nationwide marketing initiative will be a grassroots campaign driven by passionate local communities but will target key markets throughout the United States. As such, Salina has been identified as a key player in the efforts and has been named a pilot community.

As part of being a pilot community, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Love Kansas Launch Party on Wednesday, July 31st, from 4:30pm to 6:00pm in the Visit Salina Annex (218 N 7th St, Salina, KS 67401). During this come-and-go event, attendees will hand write personal notes to family and friends no longer living in Kansas and invite them to move back to our community and build their futures here. Attendees can then enter to win a special prize drawing for participation, and all attendees that turn in a completed invitation will receive a free Love Salina T-Shirt.

Join us in spreading the word and invite those that you know and love to experience the warmth of community and excitement of opportunity in Kansas, where we put the Heart in Heartland.

]]><![CDATA[Salina Symphony Announces Auditions for the 2024-2025 Season]]>Wed, 10 Jul 2024 16:37:09 GMThttps://www.salinakansas.org/salinabusiness365blog/salina-symphony-announces-auditions-for-the-2024-2025-season

The Salina Symphony, a semi-professional orchestra located in north-central Kansas, is announcing auditions for the 2024-2025 season.

Auditions for the following Salina Symphony positions will be held Mon., Aug. 26, and Tues., Aug. 27, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Symphony Rehearsal Hall, 132 S. 5th St.: principal violin II, principal string bass, and section strings. Audition requirements are posted at www.salinasymphony.org. For more information, please contact the Symphony Office at 785-823-8309.
The Salina Symphony is dedicated to its mission of enriching lives through artistic music performance and education. For more information, contact the Symphony Office at 785- 823-8309 or visit salinasymphony.org.

]]><![CDATA[K-State Salina student body elects Lippert and Watson to serve as SGA leadership]]>Wed, 12 Jun 2024 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.salinakansas.org/salinabusiness365blog/k-state-salina-student-body-elects-lippert-and-watson-to-serve-as-sga-leadership

The newly elected Student Governing Association president and vice president at Kansas State University Salina are ready to implement their ideas for the 2024-2025 school year.

Students at K-State Salina elected Keenan Lippert, junior in uncrewed aircraft systems flight and operations, Sabetha, as president and Stephen Watson, sophomore dual majoring in aviation maintenance management and professional pilot, Tomball, Texas, as vice president in the annual Student Governing Association, or SGA, campus elections. Lippert and Watson plan to focus their leadership efforts on maximizing student involvement on campus.

"We want to emphasize involvement and being a voice for students," Lippert said. "K-State Salina has a good culture of student involvement when it comes to clubs and service projects that benefit our community. We want to build upon that foundation and continue to make campus a productive environment for students to learn and develop leadership skills. We hope that this involvement will progress into ideas that bring new activities to the campus and connect students with one another."

Both students have been involved with K-State Salina's SGA this past year. Lippert held the role of secretary, and Watson was a senator and community service coordinator. This experience has allowed the duo to develop and learn more about their passions for serving the campus, its students and the broader community.

"I've always been huge on community service," Watson said. "Being the community service coordinator allowed me to exercise my passion and share that with other students. I think when students become a part of SGA, it allows them to have a large say in what happens around campus, which is a huge step in their professional careers because they can see how an organization runs and the difficult decisions that allow it to progress."

SGA at K-State Salina meets weekly to discuss and address the issues and concerns of campus. The meetings are open to all students, faculty and staff. The organization is responsible for filling many student leadership roles, including cabinet chairs that focus on different campus initiatives like programming events for students, diversity affairs and community service. SGA also nominates students to be senators to help have input and vote on matters of importance. This representation is diverse and includes many members studying different academic focuses.

"I think SGA is important because it gives our students a voice. It gives a reason for students to give input on important decisions involving this campus," Lippert said. "Stephen and I are students ourselves and are excited to be able to support the campus to the best of our ability."

]]><![CDATA[Reduced Hours for OCCK Transportation June 19th for Juneteenth]]>Wed, 12 Jun 2024 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.salinakansas.org/salinabusiness365blog/reduced-hours-for-occk-transportation-june-19th-for-juneteenth

OCCK, Inc. Transportation will have shortened hours on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in observation of Juneteenth.

On June 19th, CityGo buses will run from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with no peak routes running.

Regional paratransit, GoAbilene, and GoConcordia vehicles will run a reduced number of trips.

81 Connection and KanConnect will run normal schedules.

Transportation services will resume normal operating hours on Thursday, June 20th.

OCCK, Inc. provides services in north central Kansas to anyone with any type of long or short-term disability, starting as early as birth and following people through their whole lives. OCCK provides an array of supports for success at home and in the community, including independent living skills and supports, employment and career training, Alzheimer’s supports, autism services, assistive technology, children’s services, transportation, specialized therapies, and home health care.

OCCK is committed to providing transportation services to the general public, seniors, and persons with disabilities, through a variety of programs, including a fixed route service in Salina, CityGo, a regional paratransit service that serves fourteen counties, non emergency medical transportation for people with Medicaid, as well as non emergency medical transportation for clients of Salina Regional Health Center, a regional fixed route service, 81 Connection, KANcycle – the regional bike sharing program, GoAbilene public transportation, GoConcordia public transportation, and the newest program, KanConnect.
For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit www.occk.com. For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit www.salinacitygo.com. Or, contact the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.

]]><![CDATA[Rolling Hills Zoo’s Elephant’s Trunk Gift Shop Reopened]]>Mon, 10 Jun 2024 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.salinakansas.org/salinabusiness365blog/rolling-hills-zoos-elephants-trunk-gift-shop-reopened

Rolling Hills Zoo is thrilled to announce that their newly remodeled and expanded Elephant's Trunk Gift Shop has officially opened its doors. Renovations taking place over the last few months have transformed the gift shop into a more spacious, accessible, and customer-friendly destination, doubling its previous square footage.

One of the most notable improvements is the addition of three new admission windows. These will significantly enhance customer service by reducing wait times and ensuring a smoother entry experience for the zoo’s guests. Accessibility has also been a key focus, with the installation of a new exit door designed to make exiting the shop easier for everyone.
The gift shop now features a stunning wall of windows that brighten both the shop and the lobby. This design choice creates a welcoming, open atmosphere that the zoo is sure their visitors will love.
Inside, new displays are being installed, along with a beautiful natural edge wood countertop, adding a touch of elegance and warmth to the space. As the final touches are being finished, a new Rolling Hills Zoo logo sign is being installed to complete the gift shop’s fresh, modern look.
Additionally, the zoo’s inventory management has improved with the introduction of a new storeroom, providing much-needed space for gift shop staff to organize and manage merchandise efficiently.
To ensure a seamless experience from the moment guests arrive, a new sidewalk has also been added leading up to the admission windows along with a walkway that takes visitors directly into the zoo. These additions guarantee smooth and easy access, enhancing the overall guest experience.
Rolling Hills Zoo invites their guests to visit the Elephant's Trunk Gift Shop to see the beautiful renovations for themselves. Whether you're picking up a souvenir or simply enjoying the new space, Rolling Hills Zoo is confident that the improvements will make your visit even more enjoyable.

]]><![CDATA[CKD is Making a Difference!]]>Wed, 22 May 2024 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.salinakansas.org/salinabusiness365blog/ckd-is-making-a-difference

Please find attached the May 2024 “Making a Difference” Report. This series highlights recent impacts the programs and services provided by the Central Kansas Extension District have made in Ottawa and Saline Counties.

To view upcoming programs and events, please visit our website at https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CentralKansasDistrict.

]]><![CDATA[OCCK Transportation will be closed on Memorial Day]]>Mon, 20 May 2024 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.salinakansas.org/salinabusiness365blog/occk-transportation-will-be-closed-on-memorial-day

OCCK, Inc. Transportation will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in observation of Memorial Day.

No vehicles will run on Monday, May 27, 2024, including Paratransit vans and buses, as well as Salina CityGo buses, 81 Connection buses and GoAbilene, GoConcordia and KanConnect vehicles.

Transportation services will resume operating hours on Tuesday, May 28th.

]]><![CDATA[K-State Salina recognizes students with campus awards]]>Thu, 16 May 2024 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.salinakansas.org/salinabusiness365blog/k-state-salina-recognizes-students-with-campus-awards

Two Kansas State University Salina students have been recognized for their hard work and achievements both inside and outside of the classroom. The campus presents these awards to students annually to recognize efforts that go above and beyond the expected duties of getting a college education.

Bryce Griffin, graduate student in integrated systems design and dynamics, Salina, is the recipient of the K-State Salina Student Employee of the Year award. This award recognizes the invaluable work student employees perform at the Salina campus by demonstrating reliability, initiative and professionalism and leaving a lasting impact on those they assist in day-to-day operations. Griffin is a student employee in K-State Salina's Information Technology, or IT, department.

According to his nominators, Griffin represents himself and the IT department well and treats anyone who comes into the office with respect.

"He makes sure to interact with those around him with a great attitude," nominators said. "On top of soft skills, he also takes the time to learn hard skills well, even volunteering and requesting to be trained on things that don't necessarily fall into his responsibilities, so he's able to assist if needed."

Jack Byrne, senior in professional pilot, Wichita, is this year's Outstanding Graduating Senior Award recipient. The recognition acknowledges the campus's strongest student leaders who have made outstanding contributions to student life during their K-State careers. Byrne is a resident assistant in Earhart Hall and a certified flight instructor for K-State Salina's flight program.

According to nominators, Byrne's friendly attitude is contagious.

"He genuinely gets to know his residents, aviation students and the campus community," nominators said. "He is respected by his peers, faculty and staff."

Byrne also received the Dean of Students Outstanding Graduation Senior Award, which acknowledges the significant contributions of graduating seniors universitywide to student life during their K-State careers.

]]><![CDATA[The Sunflower Summer Fun Has Begun!]]>Tue, 14 May 2024 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.salinakansas.org/salinabusiness365blog/the-sunflower-summer-fun-has-begun

Looking for a summer adventure in Salina? The Sunflower Summer Program by Kansas Tourism offers FREE admission to over 200 attractions across the state, with 6 incredible stops in Salina, for Kansas residents only! From May 25 to August 11, 2024, school-aged kids (Pre-K to 12th grade) can explore museums, zoos, historical sites, and more!

Download the app, only available starting May 25th. Free admission is only available once per attraction, and up to two adults can accompany a group of students for free as well. Visit SunflowerSummer.org for details. Don't miss out on your chance to experience Kansas like never before!

]]><![CDATA[Local Insurance Agency Receives National Recognition]]>Mon, 13 May 2024 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.salinakansas.org/salinabusiness365blog/local-insurance-agency-receives-national-recognition

Iron Insurance Partners has recently been featured on the cover of “Rough Notes Magazine,” a leading publication in the insurance industry.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by our peers and throughout the insurance industry. Rough Notes has a 146-year history in shaping and regulating the insurance industry, so to be recognized as their Agency of the Month and featured on the cover indicates our organizations’ commitment to excellence,” said Mark Skidmore, IIP President.”

Iron Insurance Partners is the result of a 2022 merger between Assurance Partners (Salina, KAN) and Keller Leopold Insurance (Garden City, KAN). These two entities have over 135 years of combined experience in the insurance and risk management industries. This is only the second time a Kansas agency has been recognized by Rough Notes Magazine as an Agency of the Month.

With 14 locations in 12 communities, Iron Insurance Partners employs 106 professionals. Thirteen of their locations reside within Kansas, with one office situated in Canon City, Colorado.

“We are excited for the future of our organization. We’ve experienced a tremendous amount of growth over the last three years and this honor just reinforces our agencies core values: Honor Relationships, Whatever it Takes, The Right Way; Embrace Ingenuity, Growth Mindset,” said CEO Shawn Myers.

To view the article, click https://roughnotes.com/opposites-attract/ or open the enclosed attachments.
For more information about Iron Insurance Partners, please visit http://www.ironrisk.com

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