Kansas City, Kansas, Community College has many resources to help area businesses. This was the message members of the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce heard Friday, Sept. 7 at a luncheon in the Jewell Building.
The college offers various opportunities through SEEN– an acronym that stands for “Sustainable Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Networks.” The opportunities include:
*Business consulting sessions. The Small Business Development Center at the college offers confidential and comprehensive consultation.
*The SEEN Resource Center. Based on availability, this center offer computer labs, Wi-Fi Internet service, printers and a conference room.
*Business Writing Workshop. This is designed for the entrepreneur who does little or no writing but wants to advance his or her career by improving writing skills.
*Minority Certification Workshop. This is for minority and women-owned businesses who want to increase their business volume through contracting.
*Business Solution Series. Various experts will lead a series of breakfast meetings. The topics and dates will include “Green up and save” at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18; “Managing procurement” at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20; “Internet marketing” at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16; Managing benefits” at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13; and “Maximizing networking” at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4. The cost will be $10 and breakfast will be provided. Sponsors will include the college, the Chamber of Commerce, the Wyandotte Economic Development Council and the Unified Government. For more information about the courses, telephone Jay Matlack at 913-221-8768 or e-mail [email protected]
The college also offers an internship program for area businesses. Students in various disciplines include accounting, marketing, criminal justice, digital imaging design, audio engineering, paralegal, victim services, early childhood education, web design and computer-aided drafting.
For information about the intern program, telephone Eric Kirkwood at 913-288-7388.
Brian Bode, the vice president for operations at the college, spoke about the construction progress of the Technical Education Center that was the former Walmart building near 65th Street and State Avenue.
Bode admitted the remodeling of the building was taking more time than originally anticipated because of some serious structural issues. However, Bode said the building will be ready for occupancy in August of 2013; the college then will move its classes from what used to be the Area Technical School near 59th Street and Parallel Parkway to the remodeled quarters.
A few years ago, Ray Daniels, who was chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees, said he wanted the school to be the “go-to place to get things done.” It is quite obvious that such a philosophy exists when dealing with area businesses.
Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press.
He is the executive director of Business West.