General News in the 316

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A free article on Novacoast.

KAKE - Novacoast announces new headquarters in downtown Wichita

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KWCH - Shaquille O'Neal coming to Wichita with Storytime Village

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Storytime Village, Inc. announced the appearance Monday of basketball Hall of Famer and cultural icon Shaquille O’Neal, one of the world’s most prominent athletes. O’Neal’s appearance will be on Sept. 10 at Hoops 4 Literacy, a charity basketball game to support early literacy for Kansas children.

Shaquille O’Neal, commonly known as “Shaq,” is considered one of the most dominant basketball players in the history of the NBA. At 7-feet-1, Oneal’s larger-than-life personality and powerful athleticism have resulted in worldwide admiration and one of the most passionate fan bases in sports and entertainment.

Hoops 4 Literacy is the finale of a three-day Kansas Literacy Festival from September 8th-10th. O’Neal will attend the event to promote literacy to children and meet community members.

First, promoting literacy to the youth is generally a good thing.

Second, having Shaq in town can't hurt.

[WstateU]

KWCH - Shaquille O'Neal coming to Wichita with Storytime Village



First, promoting literacy to the youth is generally a good thing.

Second, having Shaq in town can't hurt.

That's awesome!

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WBJ - Meet the 2022 Wichita Inno Fire Awards

These are for Wichita area startups. A few I believe we've touched on in the past.

Ecosystem Advocate: FlagshipKansas.Tech


FlagshipKansas.tech was founded to help promote the startup-driving technology industry in Kansas. And in in the past year, it has added new focus on one of the most valuable resources in any industry — the talent pipeline.

Flagship was recently selected for a State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity, and Innovation (SAEEI) grant to develop and implement apprenticeship programs and the organization was added as part-time administrator of the initiative.

Flagship also advocated in the Kansas Legislature for House Bill 2466 to help expand computer science courses in schools around the state.
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Fire starters/community builders: Wichita Startup Week


Organized entirely by volunteers, Wichita Startup Week brought a wealth of resources and inspiration to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem in its inaugural year.

Presented by Koch Industries Inc. and held for the first time last October, the event drew more than 300 attendees and distributed more than 2,300 tickets to various sessions during its five days of programming.

And from the event came numerous success stories, from the introduction of new startups like Soya Fuel to the broader community, to existing businesses able to grow through the event’s networking opportunities and even to entrepreneurs inspired to finally run with their own ideas after attending.

After a big opening salvo, Wichita Startup Week is gearing up to light even more entrepreneurial fires in 2022.
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Revenue growth: Knowledge as a Service/Ringorang


A Wichita-based startup is bringing a digital solution to employee training as a means of helping companies build the kind of skilled workforces that can help them navigate the labor challenges of the world after Covid-19.

Knowledge as a Service (KasS) relocated its operations to Wichita in 2021. KaaS is the provider of Ringorang, an app-based, continual training platform that employers can use to help drive home the skills needed for everything from safety to processes.

From Fortune 100 companies to the federal government, the company’s growing list of customers have helped drive revenue growth of 645% from the first quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2022.

But a global reach hasn’t kept KaaS from thinking local.
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Market growth: Fair Market Health


In its mission to change the way health care is paid for, Wichita-based Fair Market Health has quickly expanded its reach.

Fair Market Health was launched in 2018 and is now led by president and CEO Dean Jargo, who had spent 20 years at Koch Industries in Wichita.

The company partners with health-care providers to build a price-transparent marketplace that runs the full spectrum of health-care services.

That allows consumers to shop for services based on all-inclusive pricing while helping alleviate the fatigue the FMH leaders say they’ve discovered among providers from the red tape of the traditional insurance model.

And the digital marketplace helps cut costs for individuals, business customers and service providers by removing the need for the third-party payer system dominated by insurance carriers.
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Catalysts/investors: NXTUS Inc.


Entrepreneurial organization NXTUS Inc. has been taking a bite out of the lack of capital some have said has been a hindrance for startup activity in the Wichita region.

Last month, the group announced it had reached nearly $1.5 million in growth capital over the past nine months to push its four-year total to $4.5 million.

The $1.5 million went to nine regional startups, including $280,000 to three Wichita-based companies.

“Overall, NXTUS exists to help entrepreneurs build companies of significance by connecting them to capital, customers, and community,” said Quinn Robertson, who runs NXTUS' Accelerate Venture Partners angel investment group and other NXTUS capital programs. “On the capital front, we are keenly focused on expanding awareness and increasing the supply of risk capital in Kansas.”

Above are obviously the winners and just a small tidbit of what was said about each.

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An interesting new addition to Wichita

WBJ - Eastgate Shopping Center lands tactical apparel and gear business

5.11's products include footwear, soft cases for gun storage, backpacks, outerwear, pants, shirts and more.

The company, which has stores in 31 states and multiple international locations, touts the value of its offerings to the law enforcement, first responder and military communities — and added that it seeks to hire military veterans and those who have served in those professions whenever it can.

Classic Real Estate, which has helped lead previous Eastgate Shopping Center deals alongside Walter Morris Companies, worked with CBRE's David Hickman on the lease for the space that's just over 4,000 square feet.

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

An interesting new addition to Wichita

WBJ - Eastgate Shopping Center lands tactical apparel and gear business

Love this place!!!

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WBJ - NXTUS announces 20 local startups entering new accelerator program

NXTUS Inc. on Thursday announced a large group of local startups that will participate in the entrepreneurial organization’s inaugural NXTSTAGE Enterprise Engagement Series.

The goal of the accelerator program, originally announced in March, is to help the participants connect to key potential customers as they refine their early-stage businesses.
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The participating startups for the 2022 program are:

• 2UAuto

• Air Capital Press

• Fair Market Health

• HyperBorean

• MatchSavings

• InnovaPrep

• Ringorang

• Legacy of Negasi

• More than a Meal

• Nomad Laser Cleaning

• PlantTea Therapy

• PLOT

• Quicc

• Soya

• Spyder

• The Tee Box Group

• The Thread

• True Compass

• Viaanix

NXTUS has more on the program and links to the respective websites of each participant available online.

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WBJ - 2022 Commercial Real Estate Guide: Class A, downtown office space keeps grabbing interest

Sounds like Class A space is hard to find and isn't on the market long. Also sounds like they believe there is some future potential in Wichita being a draw to bring in coastal companies due to cost of living and commute times. Wichita really needs to keep its momentum moving forward with office, retail, residential and extracurricular opportunities.

"Anything that is really nice is gone before it hits the market," said Jake Ramstack, commercial broker at InSite Real Estate Group.

Ramstack said the Wichita office market — with 45 office, bank or medical deals through May — is keeping pace with 2021's 114 transactions for the year.
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The new Ballpark District next to Riverfront Stadium will include a combined 120,000 square feet of Class A office and ground-floor retail space within two new, six-story buildings.

NAI Martens president Grant Glasgow, who along with Ahern is working with Overland Park-based EPC Real Estate to land office tenants in the to-be-built structures, said it's too early to talk trends with the level and type of interest in the space — but it is getting attention.

"It’s not very many times something is built in this market that changes the skyline," he said.
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Recent conversations with local real-estate professionals about the downtown office scene — and the overall real-estate market — have two distinct elements: What comes across as genuine optimism about the progress the city is making, balanced with an awareness of the uncertain short- and long-term impacts that inflation, supply chain and overall economic headwinds could have.

Stafford said "companies are being very deliberate" in determining longer-term office space needs, but that Occidental has seen about a 20% increase in office tours compared to this time last year.

While he said there may not be many 10,000 square-foot-plus deals out there, he is seeing more 2,500 to 4,000 square-foot deals. National and regional companies looking to open a local office in Wichita is one opportunity area Stafford sees.

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Wichita by EB - What's Happening This Weekend in Wichita (August 5-7)

■ NBC World Series | August 5-6
Where: Eck Stadium
In 2022, the NBC World Series will be split between Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson, KS (July 28-31), and Eck Stadium in Wichita, KS (August 1-6).

■ A Summer of Magic: Harry Potter Dome Theater Experience | August 5
Where: Exploration Place
Exploration Place is bringing the world of Harry Potter to Wichita! Each week our wizard and muggle guests will watch one movie in the series on the dome screen with booming surround sound. Before the show, participate in themed classes and interactives provided by a variety of Hogsmeade shops and magical places. Butterbeer will flow freely and there will be an opportunity to take home muggle artifacts.

■ First Friday Under the Stars | August 5
Where: Old Cowtown Museum
Enjoy entertainment, food and drinks in the old west the first Friday of every month! Each month will feature different entertainment and experiences, so please be sure to follow our Facebook page to get all the info!

■ Ted Nugent Live | August 5
Where: Kansas Star Casino
Ted Nugent has carved a permanent place in rock & roll history selling more than 40 million albums, performing over 6,500 high-octane live shows, and continues to set attendance records at venues around the globe.

■ Filipino Barrio Fiesta | August 6
Where: Sedgwick County Park
Celebration of Filipino Culture. Please join us on August 6, 2022 starting at 12 noon – 6 pm at Sedgwick county Park Sunflower shelter.

Above are just a few of the things going on.

Upcoming concerts

The Cotillion
■ August 5 | Jason Boland & The Stragglers
■ August 14 | Pop Evil
■ August 24 | Sean Kingston
■ September 1 | “Weird” Al Yankovic
■ September 6 | Modest Mouse
■ September 8 | Pecos & The Rooftops
■ September 11 | Hanson
■ September 12 | Testament

Intrust Bank Arena
■ August 6 | Dierks Bentley
■ August 25 | Morgan Wallen
■ August 26 | West Fest feat. Ice Cube and Cypress Hill
■ September 13 | Backstreet Boys
■ September 17 | Keith Urban
■ September 25 | Alabama

Hartman Arena
■ August 5 | KEYN Music Series
■ August 12 | KEYN Music Series
■ November 12 | Judas Priest

Kansas Star Casino
■ August 5 | Ted Nugent
■ September 2 | Brantley Gilbert
■ September 23 | The Oakridge Boys

Temple Live Wichita
■ August 10 | Matisyahu
■ August 14 | Silversun Pickups
■ August 19 | Bart Crow

WAVE
■ August 5 | 10 Years
■ August 12 | Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
■ August 13 | Three Days Grace
■ August 18 | Jamey Johnson
■ August 19 | American Aquarium
■ August 26 | Shamarr Allen

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KAKE - Wichita woman launches app to try to help bars, restaurants find extra workers

The app aims to make it easier for bars and restaurants find staff to fill last minute shifts or help with bigger events. She got the idea from her own experience working in hospitality.

"My specific job was finding people to work if we had somebody call in, or if we had a big event and that's where I spent most of my time was digging through names and numbers of people that had worked for us in the past and it was so time consuming.”

White says the coronavirus pandemic slowed down her work on the app but she says getting pushed back to launch it now has actually led to a major response from businesses.

"Staffing is so hard to find right now, people don't want to work full time. Restaurants are shutting down; restaurants are closing down for a day if somebody can't come in and so it's I think it's really causing an issue from the top down. People are struggling."

She is keeping the app local for now, opening it to business in Wichita at first while she and the others that have helped her work out the kinks. "We're asking now is just people to give us feedback so we can better serve their needs. So, there's there might be some trial and error as we move forward, but it is functioning.”

However, she does want to expand it as much as possible as it gets more use and she can improve its functionality.

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AOL - What to do in Wichita this weekend: Bid farewell to summer at the zoo, Old Cowtown

A few more things going on this weekend.

Late night at Old Cowtown


6-10 p.m. Friday, Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W. Museum Blvd.

Old Cowtown Museum’s monthly evening event First Fridays Under the Stars returns on Friday with an art exhibition by Wichita artists in the Visitor’s Center as well as ghost tours, a baseball game by Cowtown Vintage Baseball Club and much more. There will also be food for sale from The Bomb BBQ and adult beverages from Shaken or Stirred Bartending. The event is from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, and admission is $6. Cowtown members, active and retired military members, teachers and kids 4 and under get in free.


Discount Day at the Zoo


9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd.

The Sedgwick County Zoo is inviting animal fans to end the summer at its Back to School Bash on Saturday, when they’ll get discounted admission of $3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members will get in free with membership cards and photo IDs. Tickets can be purchased at the zoo entrance or at scz.org.


River glow tour


7:30 p.m. Friday, Arkansas River

Wichita’s Park and Recreation department is putting on another moonlight kayak trip across the Arkansas River on Saturday for its Floatin’ on the River Glow Tour. Participants will depart from the boat ramps just south of the Wichita Boathouse and end up at the Keeper of the Plains. Desserts and snacks will be provided afterward. Check in is from 7:30 to 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $35, and floaters must be over 16. All participants must pre-register at http://wichita.gov/ParkandRec/Pages/RiverRecreation.aspx. The summer’s final glow tour will happen on Aug. 26.

I also know that the Museum of World Treasures is having a customer appreciation day on Saturday, where admission is half price.

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WBJ - ICT21 industrial project nears a half-million square feet under construction

Wichita banking on the need for much more warehousing space.

Already the Council has approved IRBs for two 180,000 square-foot spec warehouses for the ICT21 development, which are currently under construction, along with a tax increment financing district to help fund infrastructure and road improvements.

The warehouses are the first pieces of the 130-acre, multi-million dollar industrial park that will transform a former oil refinery site that was demolished in 2009 at 21st and I-135.

If the use of IRBs is approved Tuesday, it will bring the development project up to 550,000 square feet of industrial warehouse space under construction.

Webb Industrial Park, meanwhile, located at 40th Street and Webb Road in northeast Wichita, comes in at 415,000 square feet of warehouse space completed or under construction.

Leases for the first two warehouses haven't been announced, but Marty Cornejo has said "we have some amazing prospects," including from companies from outside the Wichita market. Cornejo said the Greater Wichita Partnership has been involved with tracking the right kind of tenants, and Grant Glasgow of NAI Martens is the leasing broker.

According to a development agreement with the city, ict21 is expected to receive certificates of occupancy for the three buildings by Oct. 31, August 2023, and July 2024.

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WBJ - Kansas African American Museum launches $6M campaign for long-awaited move

As it celebrates it 25th year in operation, the museum announced Thursday it is nearly halfway through a $6 million fundraising campaign to renovate and relocate to a new building at 201 N. Main, a former Sunflower Bank branch that's at the northwest corner of 1st and Main streets in downtown Wichita.

"Our new home will be twice the size and much more accessible and visible," said Ted Ayres, the museum's immediate past president, in a news release.

It's a long-awaited move for the local museum, which is currently sandwiched between the county jail, the county courthouse and a parking garage.

"I think it's a beautiful building that lends itself to certainly being repurposed for a museum, and the location is prime," said Denise Sherman, TKAAM's executive director, in an interview with the WBJ.

County records show the museum had purchased the former bank property in December 2021.

The campaign for a new TKAAM Museum & Cultural Center has so far raised $2.8 million, with Fidelity Bank, Cargill, Intrust Bank, Evergy, Meritrust Credit Union, Cox, Commerce Bank and Emprise Bank listed as major corporate donors. The Wallace Foundation, the William T. Kemper Foundation and The Charitable Foundation also gave to the effort.

Sounds like a much needed move and upgrade for the museum.

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KAKE - Amateur water skiers competing in Maize this week

We briefly mentioned this previously, but they began competitions on Sunday. A number of new visitors to the area is always a nice thing.

MAIZE, Kan. (KAKE) - Water skiers from around the world, including some holding world records, started competition Sunday in the world's largest water ski tournament in Maize.

The tournament runs through August 13th with more than 700 skiers competing.

Amateur skiers are expected to compete for national titles at Mystic Lakes.

"Normally when you tell people that we're hosting the water ski national championships here in Wichita they kind of look at you funny. But yeah this facility out here at Mystic Lakes was built just for this," remarked Josh Howell from Visit Wichita.

"Nationals is traditionally on a coast so either east or west so it's great for both to kind of come to the middle and meet and see old friends and new friends. Wichita you wouldn't think of it but it's great for the little sandpits and then we purpose build them for tournament water skiing so we're in a water skiing mecca and not many people know about it," added Chief Announcer Cole Kalkbrenner.

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KSN - Cosmosphere in the top 10% of attractions worldwide

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Website Trip Advisor has presented the Kansas Cosmosphere with its 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award.

It’s the second time that the Smithsonian-affiliated science education center and space museum has been recognized by the travel review website.

“This 2022 recognition comes as Cosmosphere celebrates 60 years of space and science education,” said Jim Remar, president and Chief Executive Officer at the Cosmosphere in a news release. “Our visitors have been wonderfully engaged over those years, and we appreciate every single one of them. We look forward to lighting that spark of interest in science education and the history of space exploration for years to come.”