Chamber Chocolate Crawl

Sweet Treats as Fundraiser

The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce is hosting their inaugural “Chocolate Crawl” on Saturday, February 13, 2021, with the event being sponsored by Graphic Concepts, Inc.

“The chocolate crawl is a fundraising initiative for the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce that supports our local businesses,” said Cameo Rector, El Dorado Chamber of Commerce Director.

Touted as the sweetest thing ever, the “Chocolate Crawl” will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at participating area businesses. During that time, attendees will travel from business to business, while satisfying their sweet tooth. The act of crawling on hands and knees is not recommended.

“Chocolate locations will be revealed at the time of ticket purchase,” said Rector. That’s part of the fun, kind of like a speakeasy. You need a ticket to learn the locations.”

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the El Dorado Chamber office located at 201 E. Central. Additionally, tickets can be purchased by calling 316-321-3150 or by sending an email to ​crector@eldoradochamber.com

Ticket sales end Friday, February 12th at 4 p.m.

Business Grant Deadline Approaching

The City of El Dorado received an award of $132,000 from the Kansas Department of Commerce for a COVID-19 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) Program to assist businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic who employ persons from low- to moderate-income households.

The cities of Augusta and Andover also received grants for $132,000 and Rose Hill received a grant for $66,000.

The City of El Dorado invites businesses within the community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for CDBG-CV funds. Businesses must provide the necessary documentation, described in the grant packet, for the City to determine a business’ eligibility. Failure to provide the required documentation by the deadline may require the City to disqualify an applicant. Businesses must meet the following requirements to be eligible to receive funds:

Must be physically located within the corporate limits of the City of El Dorado;

Must have one to fifty employees, including the owner;

Must have at least 51% of their full-time working for persons from low to medium income households

Must provide proof of financial hardship due to COVID-19;

Must submit the application and all required supporting documentation; and

Must disclose if they have received capital through alternative sources such as the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) or Payroll Protection Program (PPP) Loan at the time of application submittal.

The City will make CDBG-CV funds available so long as such funds remain available for distribution. Businesses with one to five employees may receive grants of up to $7,500 and $10,000 for businesses with six to fifty employees.

Grant recipients authorize the City to publicly disclose their business name and grant award amount. The City will not disclose other information submitted by the business unless otherwise required to do so by law.

Businesses seeking a grant from the CDBG-CV program should carefully review the grant packet to determine the requirements and necessary documentation prior to submitting an application. The City will only consider complete applications.

The grant packet and information for applications can be obtained online at  http://eldoks.com/DocumentCenter/View/5133/CDBG-CV-Grant-Forms or by picking it up at City Hall. 

The City must receive grant applications by 3:00 pm on September 16, 2020. Late applications will receive consideration only if funding remains available after the first round of funding.

BRING YOUR APPLICATIONS TO CITY HALL, 220 E. First Ave., El Dorado, Kansas. 

For more information concerning the program, contact Gloria McDowell at (316) 440-3962. 

Chamber Director Resigns

Effective Friday, August 28th, Jordan Buxton will be leaving her current position as the Executive Director of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce.

Jordan Buxton served as the Executive Director of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce for almost two years.

Buxton will be staying in the community and has accepted the position of Director of Marketing and Communications for Gravity::Works Architecture PA.

In a statement to the El Dorado Chamber Board of Directors, Buxton expressed her extreme gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to work in the community she lives and loves.  

The Board of Directors said, “We are thankful for the time and work that Mrs. Buxton has done for the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce and we wish her well in her future endeavors.”

Buxton is proud of the work that the staff, Board of Directors and Committees have accomplished and the support they have provided to the business community, especially during a time of need.  

During a time of uncertainty, she worked with the  Board of Directors to create a micro grant to aid in supporting small businesses which lead to a partnership with the City of El Dorado to award and allocate $150,000 to 20 different local businesses during a time of need.  

Buxton worked to provide accurate and up to date relief information while acting as an advocate for the business community.  She has high hopes for the Chamber’s future and hopes it will continue to grow and provide value and benefits to the business community.   

Buxton has been serving as the Executive Director of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce for the last two years and in that time has managed to grow membership, introduce new events such as the Moxie Mixer and the Career Expo.  She has worked to create a workforce foundation by collaborating with local education partners; El Dorado and Circle High Schools and Butler Community College.  

Buxton implemented the “Love Local. Shop El Dorado” Facebook page for all local businesses to share and promote their services and products.  

The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will begin actively interviewing prospective candidates to fill the Executive Director’s position.   

The job posting can be found on the Chamber’s website.

http://eldoradoks.chambermaster.com/jobs/info/executive-and-management-executive-director-el-dorado-chamber-of-commerce-149

The Daily Spot

There’s a fun new spot in town – The Daily Spot. 

Owners Desiree Maw and Brandon Newton held a soft opening on Thursday, August 12th at their new location in the strip mall at 2710 W Central in El Dorado. 

Owners Desiree Maw and Brandon Newton serve up shakes and smiles to customers.

The Daily Spot sells nutritional meal replacement shakes, protein snacks, herbal and energy teas and coffees. 

“All of the taste with none of the guilt,” Maw tells customers.

“We saw over 100 people in 3 hours yesterday,” said Maw. 

The hours of operation for the Daily Spot will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.  They have plans to extend hours in the future. 

There are over 100 flavor combinations.

Maw and Newton recently moved to Kansas from Edmond, Oklahoma, and have locations in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas.

Maw said they saw an opportunity to open stores in the small cities outside of Wichita. 

“We moved here to impact communities and provide a positive outlet,” said Maw. 

Maw said, “Jordan Buxton with the Chamber of Commerce supported us and help us get connected with Butler and Circle and El Dorado Schools to plan give back days and fundraisers to be announced in the future.”

“We are excited as time goes on to be a safe place where students can study, business owners can have meetings and moms can bring their kids. We want to be a safe place for people to hang out and be themselves,” said Desiree.

Butler students Jaelyn Sheffler, left, and Riggin Carney, right, stopped in after class to try the shakes.
Behind them are owners Desiree Maw, left, and Brandon Newton, right.

Butler students Riggin Carney and Jaelyn Scheffler stopped in after hearing about it on social media and from a friend.

“I’ll definitely come in to study,” said Carney. 

With a variety of shake flavor combinations, customers can try a different flavor everyday of the month.

After trying the mint Oreo shake Sheffler said, “It’s really good.” 

“Mine tastes exactly like a Banana Nut Muffin,” said Carney. 

A Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, August 22nd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with giveaways provided and other small businesses on hand to help celebrate.

“We will have a specialty drink for sale, said Maw. “And we will have a good time.”

Essential Businesses Identified

The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping members, as well as non-members, during this challenging time.  

Executive Director, Jordan Buxton is staying abreast of ever evolving changes, “We are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information and it is continually changing,” 

Through their weekly “Monday Morning News” the Chamber is working hard to assist area businesses transition through the stay-at-home order.  

“I want to make sure that our members are aware of the changes,” said Buxton.  

On Saturday, March 28th Governor Laura Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order.  Among the list of allowable activities includes essential business functions identified as Kansas Essential Function Framework (KEFF).  

KEFF focuses on four functional areas: Connect, Distribute, Manage and Supply. Individuals,  included in this framework, are allowed to leave home to perform work activities as necessary for the continued operation of these essential businesses.  

Individuals in areas of business, not deemed essential by KEFF, are required to work from home. 

The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce distributed a list of essential businesses as identified by the state of Kansas in Executive Order 20-16.  

Buxton encourages individuals, whether members or not, to subscribe to the weekly email newsletter to receive  information affecting business and employment, as it becomes available. Sign up is available on the chamber website.

Kansas Essential Function Framework (KEFF) 

KEFF 100 CONNECT

1. Operate Core Information Technology Networks
2. Provide Cable Access Network Services
3. Provide Internet Based Content Information and Communication Services
4. Provide Internet Routing, Access, and Connection Services
   • Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
5. Provide Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Services
6. Provide Radio Broadcast Access Network Services (includes Traditional Television)
7. Provide Satellite Access Network Services
8. Provide Wireless Access Network Services
9. Provide Wireline Access Network Services

KEFF 200 DISTRIBUTE

1. Distribute Electricity
2. Maintain Supply Chains for Essential Functions and Critical Infrastructure (as defined by DHS)
3. Transmit Electricity
4. Transport Cargo and Passengers by Air
   • Manufacture, distribute, sell, or maintain aircraft or aircraft parts
5. Transport Cargo and Passengers by Rail
   • Manufacture, distribute, sell, or maintain trains or train parts
6. Transport Cargo and Passengers by Road
   • Operate or maintain gas stations and associated convenience stores and restaurants (but only as allowed in KEFF 400.6.b)
   • Deliver mail, packages, food, groceries, beverages, or other cargo (this applies to transportation by air, rail or vessel as well)
   • Manufacture, distribute, sell, or maintain automobiles or automobile parts
   • Transpmi faim equipment, supplies, seed, and personnel to farming operations
7. Transport Cargo and Passengers by Vessel
   • Manufacture, distribute, sell, or maintain cargo or passenger vessels or parts for such vessels
8. Transport Materials by Pipeline
9. Transport Passengers by Mass Transit

KEFF 300 MANAGE

1. Conduct Elections
2. Operate Media Outlets
3. Develop and Maintain Public Works and Support Services for Essential Functions
4. Educate and Train Essential Functions Personnel
5. Enforce Law
6. Maintain Access to Medical Records
7. Manage Hazardous Materials and Waste
8. Manage Wastewater
9. Operate Government
   • Perform government contracts
   • Operate public and private schools to the extent allowed by other executive orders, including Executive Order 20-07, and under direction of the State Board of Education, the State Department of Education, and Kansas Board of Regents.
   • Perform the essential operations of State, county, and municipal governments
   • Operate State Constitutional offices
10. Perform Cyber Incident Management Capabilities
11. Prepare for and Manage Emergencies
    • Manage or operate planning, cleanup, or other emergency responses, including private entities.
12. Preserve Constitutional or Legal Rights
    • Manufacture or sell firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition
    • Perform or attend religious or faith-based services or activities
    • Perform legal services
13. Protect Sensitive Information
14. Provide and Maintain Critical Infrastructure
    • Construct or repair roads
    • Construct, maintain, or clean buildings
    • Produce or distribute construction materials
    • Maintain specialized manufacturing or industrial equipment
15. Provide Capital Markets and Investment Activities
    • Perform accounting services
16. Provide Consumer and Commercial Banking Services
17. Provide Funding and Liquidity Services
18. Provide Identity Management and Associated Trust Support Services
19. Provide Insurance Services
20. Provide Medical Care and Services, Including Mortuary Services
    • Provide pharmaceutical services
    • Provide funeral or memorial services
21. Provide Payment, Clearing and Settlement Services
22. Provide Public Safety
23. Provide Wholesale Funding
24. Store Fuel and Maintain Reserves
25. Support Community Health and Mental Health Services
    • Operate laundry services

 

KEFF 400 SUPPLY

1. Exploration and Extraction of Fuels
2. Fuel Refining and Processing Fuels
   • Produce or deliver propane or natural gas
3. Generate Electricity
4. Manufacture Equipment Used for Essential Functions or Critical Infrastructure (as defined by DHS)
5. Produce and Provide Agricultural Products and Services
   • Manufacture or maintain agricultural equipment
   • Manufacture or distribute agricultural supplies such as seeds and chemicals
   • Raise, process, or distribute poultry, livestock, or other animals for human consumption
   • Prepare, till, plant, maintain, or harvest grains, fruits, or vegetables
6. Produce and Provide Human and Animal Food Products and Services
   • Manufacture or process food or food products
   • Prepare or serve meals for takeout or delivery
   • Sell groceries, including alcoholic beverages (not for on-site consumption)
7. Produce Chemicals
8. Provide Metals and Materials
9. Provide Housing
   • Operate or maintain rental property
   • Operate or maintain student housing
   • Operate or maintain long-term care or senior living facilities
   • Construct, supply, clean, or maintain single family homes or other housing
   • Provide real estate services
   • Operate or maintain housing shelters or charities
   • Operate or maintain animal shelters
   • Operate or maintain hotels or motels
10. Provide Information Technology Products and Services
11. Provide Material and Operational Support to Defense
12. Research and Development
13. Supply Water