Emergency Response Initiatives
When something unexpected hits Great Bend, whether it is a pandemic, a severe storm or the sudden closure of a major employer, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce steps in as Catalyst. Convener. Champion. This page gathers the Chamber's emergency response initiatives in one place: its response to the closure of ValueHealth/Benefit Management LLC, the July 16, 2023 storm, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
ValueHealth / Benefit Management LLC Closure
Letter from the Chamber President
Dear Chamber Members,
In light of the unfortunate closure of ValueHealth/Benefit Management LLC and the resulting job losses, I wanted to share with you how the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and partners are responding and outline the steps we are taking to assist those affected.
Rapid Response Coordination: We are actively working in partnership with KansasWorks, Great Bend Economic Development, and Barton Community College to organize a Rapid Response event. This will provide immediate support and resources to those who have been left unemployed.
In the meantime, if you know someone affected by this closure, please direct them to Maria Gamez at KansasWorks. She can provide access to a wide range of direct services, benefits, training opportunities, and income support.
Maria Gamez, Kansas WorkforceONE Employment Specialist, CWDP
KANSASWORKS – Great Bend, 1025 Main St
Phone: 620-793-5445 | Cell: 620-214-0377 | Fax: 620-793-3188 | TTY: 711
Email: maria@kansasworkforceone.org
Community Support: Our team has been fielding numerous calls from concerned citizens, our members, customers of ValueHealth, and various agencies who wish to offer their help to those impacted.
Emergency Response Page: We are launching an Emergency Response page on our website, similar to what we created during the COVID-19 pandemic and the July 2023 storm. This page will serve as a resource hub for displaced employees and any businesses struggling with the ripple effects of this closure. Please watch our social media and emails for the release once completed.
Job Postings: We encourage our members to post their open positions on Central Kansas Jobs and KansasWorks. This will help connect those seeking employment with available opportunities in our community. Post at centralkansasjobs.com and kansasworks.com/employer.
Additional Resources: Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas: We've also spoken with Rebecca Ford from Catholic Charities, who has assured us that they are ready to assist as well. If you know anyone in need, they should contact the Catholic Charities office at 620-792-1393 for potential support with rent, utilities, hygiene items, and referrals for unemployment and other essential services.
A Reminder to Our Members: The Chamber Staff, Board, and Ambassadors are always here to support your business and employees, no matter the size of the need. Whether you're navigating challenges or celebrating successes, we want to help you through the highs and lows. If we aren't able to address the need directly, we will work to connect you with the appropriate resources and solutions. Please don't hesitate to reach out. We are committed to being there for you, every step of the way.
Please know that as things continue to develop, we will help communicate with our members and community-at-large. The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce is here to support our community during this challenging time. Thank you for your time and please feel free to share this information with those in your circles of influence so that we can reach those who need it.
Yours in service,
Megan Barfield, President & CEO, Great Bend Chamber of Commerce
What Is Rapid Response?
In its April 2020 Outlook Business Journal, Kansas WorkforceONE explained the Rapid Response service the Chamber is organizing with its partners. Rapid Response services provide support for workers and employers facing lay-offs to make the transition smoother for both.
How it works: Once an employer determines that a lay-off of any size is necessary, the employer contacts Kansas WorkforceONE to schedule a Rapid Response employee meeting. Holding the meeting before the separation date gives workers time to consider their options. The team explains pertinent information to the employees who are facing unemployment, and each impacted employee receives a Rapid Response packet.
How long and when: Meetings last about an hour depending on the size of the group and the number of questions. The team will conduct multiple meetings if necessary, at times most convenient for the employer and employees. If there is no time for a meeting, Kansas WorkforceONE will mail packets to the employer for distribution or directly to the impacted employees.
Who qualifies: Kansas WorkforceONE provides Rapid Response services to employers facing lay-offs of any size.
Who is on the team: a Rapid Response Coordinator, a local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Employment Specialist, local KANSASWORKS Workforce Center staff, and a Kansas Unemployment Insurance representative.
What is in the packet: a local resource sheet; a Dislocated Worker WIOA program overview (resources for training and other services); a workforce center resource sheet; One-Stop brochures; a job search workbook; a pocket resume; a pension and health care coverage booklet; an unemployment insurance question-and-answer booklet; a Healthwave brochure; and additional information for local areas such as partner information and schools.
Additional services: guidance in obtaining funding assistance to avert lay-offs; training funds that may be available for employees who would otherwise be laid off without a skill upgrade; customized workshops on coping with job loss, resume writing and interview skills; and special job fairs.
Employers who need Rapid Response services can contact Kansas WorkforceONE (as published in April 2020: Tucky Allen, Business Services Director, 316-303-2906, tucky@kansasworkforceone.org). Jobs can be posted for free on Central Kansas Jobs, which the Chamber administers.
Storm Response: July 16, 2023
After the severe storm on Sunday, July 16, 2023, the Chamber reached out to every member to assess damage and connect businesses with help. A "Keeping YOU informed!" hub with Business Resources and Community Support pages, available in English and Spanish, shared accurate and timely updates for members and the community.
A Letter to Chamber Members
Storm damage? Members whose businesses were affected were asked to share the nature of the damage and the help needed, whether physical damage to premises, loss of equipment or inventory, or related challenges, through an online form.
Need Wi-Fi or A/C? The Chamber office had stable Wi-Fi and invited any member who needed internet access to come in.
Can you help another business? Members who could share spare office space, equipment, professional expertise or other resources were invited to say so, and the Chamber team compiled and organized the responses.
President Megan Barfield also thanked Wheatland Electric, City of Great Bend crews and first responders: "The response was impressive and so appreciated!"
Help Offered by Chamber Members
Eagle Mutual, Justin Lear (16 N Main St., Ellinwood; 620-566-1155; justinl@eaglemutual.net): an insurance executive and licensed agent for over 30 years offered his knowledge of the claims process and coverage forms to anyone, regardless of who their agent or company is, with the clear note that he does not offer legal advice.
Shelly Peacock / TCI Answering Service (5810 Anchor Way, Great Bend): office space with A/C and a working refrigerator for anyone who needed it.
Magna Dry, Todd Clark (1724 Main St.): water extraction, fans and dehumidifiers, and chemical fogging for storm water damage.
C & E Doors, LLC, Eddie Jurgensen (644C Harrison St.): garage door repairs and replacements.
Bartz Construction, Jeromy Bartz (Larned): commercial construction expertise for repairs and clean-up.
City of Great Bend Press Releases (July 17, 2023)
Storm cleanup plan for trees and limbs (8:50 a.m.). City staff focused first on clearing streets only; the next step was to drive every neighborhood and pick up downed trees and limbs under these rules:
If you are able to take your own tree limbs to the City Compost Site, the City would greatly appreciate the help.
If you are unable to, gather limbs at the edge of your yard by the curb.
The City will drive every neighborhood once to pick up tree parts gathered by the curb, so gather yours as soon as possible. A map and plan of dates would be released.
Cut trees and limbs to 6 feet or shorter.
Help elderly and unable citizens. If you cannot clean up your yard, contact City Hall at 620-793-4111 or email chayes@greatbendks.net and ask to be added to the "unable to clean" list so a group of workers or volunteers can be connected to your area.
Tree trimmer and door-to-door licenses (10:15 a.m.). The City explained how to hire or obtain a license as a tree trimmer and how businesses can obtain a door-to-door license. A current list of approved tree trimmers was published on the City's Business Licenses page and as a Tree Trimmer List. The process was expedited for the emergency, but the application and fee were still required before any work or door-to-door advertising in Great Bend. Tree trimmer fees ranged from $75 to $120 depending on license type; door-to-door advertising was $50. Work or advertising could be approved immediately, but official licensing took place after the August 7, 2023 City Council meeting. Applications were available from City Hall (1209 Williams) or by email from Shawna Schafer at sschafer@greatbendks.net; questions went to City Hall at 620-793-4111.
COVID-19 Response, 2020-2021
"When chaos erupted worldwide, our small staff of three and one volunteer came together fast, writing the pages of our own 2020 playbook," President Megan Barfield wrote in January 2021. The Chamber's pandemic response included:
Moving online. By mid-March 2020 the Chamber launched its first live online Chamber Coffee and new "Chamber Chats," streamed to Facebook and YouTube. Hundreds of people engaged each week, and 2020 ended with Episode 40 of Chamber Chats.
Advocacy. Conference calls and Zoom meetings with Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland, Governor Laura Kelly, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and Congressman Roger Marshall.
Office hours. In April 2020 the Chamber office was closed to the public, with phone calls and emails still answered at 620-792-2401 and gbcc@greatbend.org.
BartonStrong and SPARK micro-grants. New resources for members, including the Barton County SPARK micro-grants, which the County appointed the Chamber to facilitate for for-profit businesses, with preference to racial-minority-owned businesses. Volunteers hand-delivered translated applications to nearly 20 Hispanic-owned businesses.
Local business funding. Great Bend Economic Development, the City and the Chamber announced a Public Notice of Fund Availability: working-capital loans from recaptured Community Development Block Grant funds for existing businesses to retain jobs (1/2% interest, 3-year maximum term, up to 12 months of interest-only payments; must prove job retention and use funds for working capital). Information and applications were available from Jessica Milsap, jmilsap@gbedinc.com or (620) 796-2407, and all applications went to the governing body for approval.
2-1-1. The Chamber's Community Support Network page pointed residents to 2-1-1 (United Way of Central Kansas and its 22 community partners): call 211, text 898211, or visit the 211 Kansas website, with English and Spanish handouts. The page also linked the Great Bend Tribune, the Great Bend Post, City of Great Bend services (phone 620-793-4111; utility payments by drive-thru, online bill pay or drop boxes), Volunteers In Action, GB Cares and GBED housing incentives.
Area churches. A list of local congregations for community support: Foundry Methodist Church (Pastor Aaron Withrow, 620-617-8700), Grace Community Church (Pastor Jay Beuoy, 620-792-7814), Community Christian Church (Pastor Jon Hembree, 620-792-8215), Faith Community Church (Pastor Sandy Kennedy, 620-793-8084), Live Like Jesus Today Ministries (Pastor Buzz Birney, 620-564-2158), 1st Assembly of God (Pastor Dwight Dozier, 620-792-5211), 1st Baptist Church (Leroy Keith, 620-792-3894), and Iglesia de La Cosecha (Pastores Mario y Betty Aviles, 620-514-0388). Contact details are as published in 2020-2021.
Federal Relief Programs for Small Businesses (January 2021)
As the Phase 4 COVID relief legislation passed by Congress in late December 2020 took effect, the Chamber's "Keeping YOU informed!" page summarized the changes:
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The Small Business Administration's phased reopening offered $284 billion in forgivable PPP loans, first through Community Financial Institutions that serve women- and minority-owned businesses, then all lenders. The First Draw program opened January 11, 2021 and the Second Draw program January 13, 2021.
First Draw PPP: maximum loan $10,000,000, interest rate 1%, 5-year payback, only for businesses that have not already received a PPP loan (Form 2483).
Second Draw PPP: maximum loan $2,000,000, interest rate 1%, 5-year payback, for businesses that have received and spent a PPP loan (Form 2483-SD); the last day to apply was March 31, 2021.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The EIDL portal through the SBA reopened for low-interest loans for a variety of business-related expenses.
Latest-update links on the page included the Kansas, Barton County and Great Bend COVID-19 information sites, the U.S. Treasury's page on CARES Act assistance for small businesses, the SBA's EIDL information, the Governor's newsroom, KDHE's coronavirus updates and new quarantine and isolation mandates, the CDC and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Where to Turn
Great Bend Chamber of Commerce: 620-792-2401, gbcc@greatbend.org
KANSASWORKS – Great Bend: 1025 Main St., 620-793-5445
Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas (Great Bend): 620-792-1393, for rent, utilities, hygiene items and referrals
Central Kansas Jobs: centralkansasjobs.com
2-1-1: dial 211 or text 898211
City of Great Bend: 620-793-4111
Comments