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Newsletter March – April 2009
Welcome New Chamber Members
Programs and ResourcesHere are some programs and resources that Chamber members and other businesses should be aware of. You may want to pass on the information to others that might appreciate the information. Kansas Department of Labor - Kansas Shared Work Program This program is designed to help a firm keep its trained staff while facing difficult times. An interested employer may obtain a Shared Work Plan application by contacting the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) at (785) 291-6123. To participate, an employer must have reduced the normal weekly hours of work for an employee in the affected unit by at least 20 percent (but no more than 40 percent), and the plan must apply to at least 10 percent of the employees in the affected unit who meet monetary requirements for regular unemployment compensation. If the plan is approved by KDOL, workers who qualify for unemployment benefits can receive both wages and Shared Work benefits. The Shared Work benefits are the percentage of regular unemployment benefits matching the reduction described in the employer's plan. For more details go to www.dol.ks.gov/UI/html/swepempinfo_BUS.html Kansas Works – Summer Employment Program Summer Employment Opportunities provide youth, up to age 21, direct linkages to academic and occupational learning. Wages for youth participants are funded wholly through the Workforce Investment Act. Businesses that participate benefit by contributing to the development of good work habits and basic work skills. Youth participants benefit by learning occupational skills while earning a wage. Summer Employment assignments are offered from the date secondary school is dismissed for the summer until the secondary school begins in the fall. The contact person is Travis Allen, 620-232-7490. See the attached flyer for more details and contact information. NetWork Kansas – Resources for Starting or Growing Your Business The State of Kansas launched the redesign of the Kansas Business Center www.kansas.gov/businesscenter, the official state resource for information, filings and personal assistance needed to start or maintain a Kansas business. The Kansas Business Center is a statewide initiative involving 11 state agencies and associations, including the Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) and the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship (dba NetWork Kansas). Regional offices of the Kansas Small Business Development Centers (www.kansas.gov/ksbdc) and the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship's NetWork Kansas (www.networkkansas.com) organization participated in the development of this project. Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association – Attention businesses that attract tourist! Miami County is currently a member of KCCVA therefore attractions, restaurants (not chain), shops and meeting space locations can be posted on the www.VisitKC.com site free, under the basic membership level. Lodging can be promoted by a link to hotel listings. Your business may want to join (for free as a Miami County business) and possibly upgrade this basic membership level (at your cost) for even more advertising benefits. We suggest you view the website to become familiar with categories, descriptions used and photos submitted. The Chamber office has the program application form. U.S. Small Business Administration - Release Date: February 18, 2009 SBA Warns of Fraudulent Attempts to Obtain Bank Account Information from Small Businesses WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a scam alert today to small businesses, warning them not to respond to letters falsely claiming to have been sent by the SBA asking for bank account information in order to qualify them for federal tax rebates. The fraudulent letters were sent out with what appears to be an SBA letterhead to small businesses across the country, advising recipients that they may be eligible for a tax rebate under the Economic Stimulus Act, and that SBA is assessing their eligibility for such a rebate. The letter asks the small business to provide the name of its bank and account number. These letters have not been sent by or authorized by the SBA, and all small businesses are strongly advised not to respond to them. The scheme is similar in many ways to e-mail scams often referred to as "phishing" that seek personal data and financial account information that enables another party to access and individual's bank accounts or to engage in identity theft. The SBA is working with the SBA Office of Inspector General to investigate this matter. The Office of Inspector General asks that anyone who receives such a letter report it to the OIG Fraud Line at 1 (800) 767-0385, or e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . New Businesses to Louisburg
Calendar
Members will be informed of additional dates and events by email. The Chamber office has new 2009-2010 Kansas Highway Maps. You are welcome to stop by and pick up a small supply if you like. |
