Business West holds annual meeting, elects officers

Business West held its Annual Meeting Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Rowe Ridge Vineyard and Winery. Officers and Board Members for the coming year were elected as the membership unanimously accepted the Nominating Committee’s Report. Those elected include Pam Rowe, President; Kim Singleton, President-Elect; Donna Tilden, Past-President; and Brent Lathrom, Treasurer. Board members elected to two-year terms were Sheryl Raglow Becker and Rusty Roberts. Directors who will continue to serve another year are Jim Echols, Michelle Hereford, Dr. Jane Winkler Philbrook, Mary Thurber, Colleen Roberts and Linda Wolford.

Dr. Jessica Dain, the superintendent of schools in the Piper District, was the keynote speaker. A report of that speech is attached.

Treatment plant to serve Western Wyandotte County

Unified Government officials cut a ribbon Wednesday, Oct. 27 to mark the ceremonial beginning of the operation of a new Wolcott Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant utilizes a new technology, aerobic granular sludge, which eliminates many of the traditional treatment steps. The Public Works Department began planning for this plant in 2015. The plant processes flows of about two million gallons daily; its capacity is estimated up to four million gallons daily during the next ten years. Ultimately, the capacity is estimated to handle daily flows of 18 million gallons and would serve 64,300 homes. The plant cost about $54 million.

Banker chosen to serve on Advisory Council

 Mary Buche, a Senior Vice President at Bank of Labor, recently was named to the Advisory Council of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Buche has 33 years’ experience in financial services. Committee members serve two-year terms. The Bank of Labor was formerly known as Brotherhood State Bank; it was founded in 1924.

Turner Diagonal project wins national award

The Turner Diagonal project recently won the 2021 America’s Transportation People’s Choice Award. The annual competition is sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Automobile Association. Competition came from 80 entries from 25 states. The interchange was completed in record time and came about to accommodate increased traffic from the nearby Turner Logistics development. Turner Logistics is a two-day drive from 85 percent of the U.S. population.

‘Potato King’ receives business award

Junius Groves, a potato farmer from Edwardsville, was recently inducted into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame. Groves was born in 1859 as a slave in Kentucky. He made his way to Kansas at age 19. By 1913, he owned 500 acres of rich farm land that produced 55,000 bushels of potatoes a year. He was a founding member of Kansas State Negro Business League. He died in 1925.

Agency receives accreditation

The Wyandot Behavioral Health Network recently received accreditation from an international organization that sets standards for mental health and other rehabilitation services. This came after an on-site visit and review of policies by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The award is for a three-year period.

Members always welcome

All members of Business West are always welcome to attend the organization’s monthly Board of Directors meetings. The Board meets at 12:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the Board Room of The Dotte Spot Bar and Grill, 8123 Parallel Pkwy. in the Arrowhead Center.

For questions or comments, telephone 913-766-4300 or 913-406-6266 (cell phone) or email [email protected].