May Unemployment Rates/Labor Reports
The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) reports the labor market posted a healthy increase in jobs over the month. Seasonally adjusted private sector jobs grew by 8,700. This is in line with the Kansas Index of Leading Indicators (KILI) which continues to forecast positive employment growth in Kansas.

Not seasonally adjusted data showed an addition of 10,300 private sector jobs from April to May and a gain of 14,400 jobs from May 2012 to May 2013. The manufacturing industry has seen consistent increases in the number of hours worked by production workers which has been above 40 hours per week for several months. This typically is followed by increases in employment, as seen in this month's report.

"In May, Kansas recorded substantial growth in jobs and a reduction in continued unemployment insurance claims. Growth was led by the private sector, with the largest non-seasonal increases in Leisure and Hospitality, Professional and Business Services, and Manufacturing jobs," said Efua Afful, Labor Economist.

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 5.3 percent to 5.8 percent (mostly due to seasonal changes) while the smooth seasonally adjusted rate saw a slight increase from 5.6 percent to 5.7 percent. Much of the increase in the unemployment rate was due to employees affiliated with colleges, universities and Unified School Districts which closed for summer break. Examples of these are workers in occupations such as food service, custodial services and transportation.

"Over the past two months there has been an increase in the seasonally adjusted labor force numbers. The increase in the labor force suggests that Kansans have confidence in the ability of the economy to provide employment opportunities, "said Lana Gordon, Secretary of Labor.
Mitchell County is 3.6 for May 2013 compared to 3.1 in April and 3.1 in May of 2012.
Are you ready for the Fourth of July! Stop by the Heart Choices Fireworks stand!
Open June 29, 30, July 1, 2, 3, 4 - 10 am to 10 pm.
Tent is located at the north end of West Wind Plaza---in front of ALCO.
All proceeds go directly to Heart Choices and are used in the North Central Kansas area.
Don't send your blow-up bucks out of town!
Family packs Kid packs Black Cat Large aerial displays
A great variety!
OPEN SATURDAY!!
Waconda Lake Fireworks!
Mark your calendars!!! 
Fireworks at Waconda Lake
Saturday July 6th at dusk around 9:30ish
One of the greatest 4th of July traditions that we share in North Central Kansas is the fireworks display at Waconda Lake. Unfortunately, this tradition is in great jeopardy of not being able to continue due to the lack of an interested party to organize the event. For the last several years, the fireworks display at Waconda Lake has been a huge draw and very well attended. Therefore, the newly formed Waconda Lake Fireworks Association has taken on the task to bring this even back to our area lake.
The Waconda Lake Fireworks Association has completed arrangements for a spectacular fireworks display at dusk (approximately 9:30 pm) on Saturday, July 6, 2013 and we are asking for your help and financial support.
This fireworks display will be enjoyed by many area residents, but it cannot be continued without donations, as our association is an all-volunteer, non-profit association.
Our fundraising goal for this fireworks display in 2013 is $7,000. This includes fees for the professional pyrotechnics of Rainbow Fireworks, insurance, permit fees, and advertising. Attached is a form which outlines sponsorship opportunities.
We hope you consider supporting this exciting venture and tradition.
The committee feels that the Waconda Lake Fireworks Display will benefit not only our area community members but area businesses as well.
Thank You.
Heather Johnson
Waconda Lake Fireworks Association, Chairman
S&S Drug, Office Manager
2014 CDBG Housing Grant Application
The City of Beloit is now accepting pre-applications for a CDBG Housing Grant.
All households receiving housing rehabilitation assistance must meet low to moderate income guidelines set by the HUD.
These funds can be used to assist the full range of specialty and minor repair programs and it has no minimum investment requirement. There are a wide variety of rehabilitation approaches that are possible under the CDBG programs including:
• Minor, Moderate or Substantial Rehabilitation
• Reconstruction - Involves demolishing an existing residential unit and rebuilding another on the same site
• Historic Preservation - Involves rehabilitating structures that are determined to be historic.
• Code Enforcement - must be undertaken in deteriorated or deteriorating neighborhoods.
• Home-based business rehabilitation - program funds can be used to make improvements to single family residential properties that also serve as places of business.
• Rental rehabilitation, tenants must be documented to be low to moderate income. If the owner of the rental unit can also be documented to be low to moderate income, the may propose a 100% grant on the rental unit. If the owner of the rental unit is not a Low to Moderate Income, he must contribute 25% towards the rehabilitation cost in cash.
• Demolition of residential structures is an eligible activity within a housing rehabilitation grant and does not have to meet the Low to Moderate Income requirement.
For more information or request for a pre-application, please contact:
Heather Hartman
Mitchell County Community Development Director
123 North Mill Street
Beloit, KS 67420
7853.738.3000
hhartman@beloitks.org
This is the best kept secret in our own backyard! Have you ever really understood what the economic impact of the college is to our community? We have approximately 900 students (full and part time) enrolled for the 2013-2014 academic year (includes both Beloit and Hays campuses). The economic impact of the college (and the students) is significant.....a recent study indicated NCK Tech generated $31,679,608 in Kansas and $849,200 in volunteerism in Mitchell and Ellis counties. The college employs approximately 70 individuals in Beloit and 35 in Hays and, unlike community colleges, there is NO direct tax burden to the respective counties!!
A Kansas Board of Regents report indicates the state of Kansas invests annually $13,921,809 into Technical Colleges and, as a result, Tech Colleges have a $220,505,469 positive annual economic impact on the Kansas Economy. If you do the math, each dollar of state investment returns $15.84. The college routinely draws visitors to Beloit and those visitors purchase food, fuel and numerous other items during their stay in Beloit.
NCK Tech would like to partner with Chamber Members to help promote your business. The Chamber would like to offer, to students, a list of participating businesses who would give a discount, coupon or any other promotional item to students who produce their Student ID card.
If you would like to participate in this new and exciting program, contact the Chamber office at 738-2717.
Noteworthy News
The Chamber wants to help spread the word about your business. "Noteworthy News" is your opportunity to do just that. It's a great way to inform other Chamber members about anything that's new within your organization. Fill us in on what's happening from staff changes to a new product or service. Send it to beloitchamber@nckcn.com by Thursday afternoons and I will include it in Chamber Chat!
Calendar of Events
Monday, July 1st - 7pm - Mitchell County Fair Board - Guaranty State Bank
Thursday, July 4th - Chamber Office Closed
Friday, July 5th - Chamber Office Closed
Saturday, July 6th - 9:30pm - Waconda Lake Fireworks - Waconda Lake
Tuesday, July 9th - Noon - Rotary - Porter House
Thursday, July 11th - 11am-6pm - Community Blood Drive - NCK Tech Wellness Gym
Thursday, July 11th - Noon - Chamber Board Meeting
Thursday, July 11th - Noon - Mitchell County Historical Society - Plum Creek
Tuesday, July 16th - Noon - Rotary - Porter House
Wednesday, July 17th - 9:30am - Ministerial Alliance
Thursday, July 18th - 12:30pm - SVED Board Meeting - North Central Regional Planning
Saturday, July 20th - 10am-5pm - Waconda Indian Festival - Glen Elder/Waconda Lake
Sunday, July 21st - 10am-5pm - Waconda Indian Festival - Glen Elder/Waconda Lake
Tuesday, July 23rd - Noon - Rotary - Porter House
Thursday, July 25th - Noon - Mitchell County Historical Society - Plum Creek
Saturday, July 27th - St. John's Harvest Festival
Tuesday, July 30th - Noon - Rotary - Porter House
Thursday-Saturday, August 8-10 - Mitchell County Fair
At any time, please feel free to stop by the Chamber office at 123 N Mill St. or call me at 738-2717.
www.beloitchamber.com
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