Apricot Lane Boutique is the leading clothing boutique franchise to offer branded fashion apparel, jewelry, handbags, accessories, and gifts. Today’s customer wants the newest and best styles without paying hefty luxury brand prices. That’s where Apricot Lane comes in. We train our franchisees to be THE fashion destination in their local market, bringing in new styles earlier and more often than any competitor, all at reasonable prices, and ultimately win extremely loyal fans. As Apricot Lane customers like to say, “This is my favorite place to shop.”

When you invest in your very own Apricot Lane clothing boutique franchise, you’re taking your first step toward a fun and exciting career in fashion. Our apparel franchise opportunity represents one of the very best in the industry, with a time-tested business model, unmatched franchisor training and support, and a respected brand name that is beloved by women of all ages. We believe in making the dream of business ownership as easy and as real as possible, and our affordable franchise allows that dream to become a reality!

From buying, merchandising, display, selling, marketing, and more, when you open your clothing store franchise with us, we make sure to do everything we can to set you up for success. We know you deserve our support — and we know our good name depends on it. Let’s work together to make your dream come true!

For more information, please contact Joann Knight at 620-227-9501 or by emailing jknight@dodgedev.org.

On April 13th, 2021 the Community Housing Association of Dodge City hosted its annual Homebuyer Education Class.  Local experts shared their knowledge of the home buying process with 24 participants. Participants left the class with more knowledge than they will remember, and the contacts of who to call when they have questions. This class is sponsored by Landmark National Bank and Western State Bank.

Joe Demuth with Landmark Bank explained how important a buyer’s credit is and gave attendees tips on how to improve their credit. Justine Kruger with Western State Bank walked us through the paperwork and documents required from a bank to be approved for a home loan. Casey Rynerson with Rynerson Home Inspection informed us of the importance of a home inspection and radon testing and mitigation. Pam Kirkby with High Plains Land and Title and Carla Garcia with Security First Title explained what is title insurance and why a buyer needs it to protect themselves. Michelle Salinas and Angelica Villanueva shared their role in the process, who is responsible for their cost, and how they can fight for the best deal. Chris Boys and his team of insurance experts with American Family Insurance – Chris Boys informed us on the different types of home insurance. 

This class is part of a How-To: Homebuyers Edition series from the Community Housing Association of Dodge City. For a list of upcoming classes visit www.dcchad.org.

Stamped for approval! The Dodge City Business Park became a certified site, which verifies that the 245-acre business park meets necessary criteria for industrial development. On March 11, the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation was the first organization to complete the site certification process through the Sunflower Electric Power Corporation Certified Sites Program. 

“I am excited to have the Dodge City Business Park certified as an approved, developable site under the Sunflower program. The thoroughness of their process brings great credibility to our site and community,” said Joann Knight, executive director for the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation. 

Sunflower developed its certified sites program to spotlight the quality industrial opportunities within its members’ service territory spanning central and western Kansas. To obtain the certification, a community must gather a comprehensive list of criteria on a potential land site, such as site characteristics, utility infrastructure, site availability and price. 

“Having the due diligence completed on these sites in advance adds a competitive edge to a community’s effort to respond to potential opportunities,” said Nikki Pfannenstiel, Sunflower’s manager of member services, “and saves time for the business developer because there are no surprises with sites that are fully vetted.” 

A benefit of the Sunflower Certified Sites Program is an independent third-party review of a site’s potential for industrial opportunities. 

Chad Sayre, vice president at Allstate Consultants who performed the independent review, applauded Sunflower’s rural development program. 

“It has been a pleasure to work with the Sunflower team and their member communities to refine the Sunflower Certified Sites Program criteria and provide an engineering and technical view of the potential these great sites possess,” Sayre said. “Sunflower is 

making sure the world knows that their member communities in Kansas are open for business and ready to grow.” 

To qualify for Sunflower’s program, a community must be served by one of Sunflower’s member distribution utilities. Dodge City’s application was supported by The Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. 

“We are proud to be the local electric cooperative sponsor for Dodge City’s certification through Sunflower’s Certified Sites Program,” said Shane Laws, Victory’s CEO. “It’s exciting to reach this milestone, and we look forward to showcasing Dodge City’s Business Park through our marketing efforts. Having the first community complete the certification is just the beginning of what we see as more business development opportunities in our region.” 

Sunflower is looking forward to working with other communities within its members’ service territories to certify sites for industrial opportunities. 

For more information visit us at www.sunflowerecodevo.com or contact Nikki Pfannenstiel at 785.623.3334. 

About Sunflower Electric Power Corporation — Sunflower is a regional wholesale power supplier that operates a system of solar wind, natural gas, and coal-based generating plants and a transmission system of approximately 2,400 miles for the needs of its seven Members, who serve customers living in central and western Kansas. Visit Sunflower’s website at http://www.sunflower.net 

Sunflower’s member cooperatives include Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Dighton; Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Ulysses; Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Norton; The Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Dodge City; Western Cooperative Electric Association, WaKeeney; and Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Scott City, Kansas. Southern Pioneer Electric Company is also a Member of Sunflower. 

About Sunflower Electric Economic Development — Sunflower Electric Economic Development (SEED) is a collective initiative of Sunflower and its members, who continue to take pride in being pioneers, in seeing the potential in their communities and businesses, in trying new ways of doing things, and remaining committed to their goals. The Sunflower Certified Sites Program is a facet of SEED. Are you interested in a better environment to relocate or expand your business? Contact Nikki Pfannenstiel (785.623.3334 or pfannenstiel@sunflower.net) for access to all the resources that Sunflower Electric Economic Development can offer through Sunflower and its partners. 

For many, owning a home is part of the “American Dream”. Annalez McCall and her two sons were able to achieve this goal last month. Annalez purchased a new 3 bedroom house from the Community Housing Association of Dodge City (CHAD) in August 2020.

This new build was a product of the Abandoned Housing Program operated by CHAD. CHAD partners with the Dodge City Community College (DCCC) Building Construction Technology Program to build a new home every year. Funding for the new build was provided by a Moderate Income Housing Grant from Kansas Housing.

“I never dreamed we would be able to find a beautiful new three-bedroom home in our price range” said Annalez McCall. “The boys are both excited about getting a dog as well as having their very own rooms, especially my oldest son who was diagnosed with Autism when he was two”.

Homeownership conveys multiple benefits including the ability to accumulate wealth and access credit by building home equity, long-term savings over the cost of renting, pride of ownership, improved stability and increased community involvement. The Abandoned Housing Program was created to address the housing shortage by creating new home ownership units in the moderate-income price range. “Partnering with DC3 and Kansas Housing to create additional housing has proved to be very effective” said Mollea Wainscott, Assistant Director of Economic Development. “The students show great pride in their work and the buyers receive a high-quality new home for an affordable price.”

The Abandoned Housing Program acquires vacant homes throughout the community, rehabilitates the homes, and places them back into service as quality housing. The program also partners with the DCCC Building Construction Technology Program to build new construction as infill on vacant lots. The building of new homes aligns with the college curriculum. Every new build is located on a vacant lot in an existing blighted neighborhood. Each new build is creating affordable housing, teaching our future workforce and cleaning up blighted neighborhoods.

For more information contact Mollea Wainscott with the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, at 620-371-3869 or molleaw@dodgedev.org.

In collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation invites Ford County business to apply for the Rural Small Business Pandemic Relief Opportunity.

Applications will be accepted between Tuesday, September 29, 2020 and 11:59pm CST Monday, October 5, 2020. Businesses must apply online at www.pattersonfamilyfoundation.org/grant-opportunity. Awards are available for up to $5,000. The Patterson Family Foundation will evaluate all applications and make funding determinations.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide temporary relief to small, rural businesses that have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, in a timely manner. The Patterson Family Foundation is a private family-led foundation extending the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson through collaborations in health care, education, and rural communities.

“The Patterson Family Foundation has been a great supporter of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation” said Joann Knight, Executive Director of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation. “We are grateful they are providing this opportunity to our local businesses.”

For more information contact Joann Knight with the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, at 620-227-9501 or jknight@dodgedev.org.

The Rural Education and Workforce Alliance (REWA) is excited to announce the Grand Opening on August 5^th from 4-6pm of the University/Training Center.

The Grand Opening will include guest speakers, Dodge City Mayor Joyce Warshaw, Ford County Commissioner Chairman Chris Boys, Assistant City Manager Melissa McCoy, Executive Director of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation Joann Knight, Senator Bud Estes, Executive Director of University of Kansas’ Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) Dr. Darin Beck, Associate Professor/Assistant Chair Department of Nursing at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) Dr. Tanya Smith, Chair of Department of Social Work at (FHSU) Dr. Timothy Davis, and Executive Director of the Scott County Development Committee Katie Eisenhour.  The presentations will be followed by a ribbon cutting by the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce.

The newly remodeled University/Training Center will be used for higher education courses and workforce trainings. In August REWA will be launching out of the University/Training Center the Fort Hays State University’s (FHSU) Master of Social Work and the FHSU RN to BSN program.  “We are excited to be working with the Universities to provide a hybrid delivery of classes to meet the workforce needs” says REWA Coordinator Kyla Keller.  “We look forward to partnering with more Universities to fill the workforce gaps in Southwest Kansas”.  The programs are designed for students with their associate degrees already offered through area community colleges and the working adult that desires to further their professional education.

We are also excited to announce the expansion of KLETC into Southwest Kansas.  KLETC is permanently moving into the University/Training Center to provide law enforcement training for the Western Kansas region.   This project is made possible by sponsors/grants from the City of Dodge City, Ford County, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas, Scroggins Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation and Patterson Family Foundation.

The Community Housing Association of Dodge City (CHAD) will be hosting a series of home maintenance classes for the public. The “How To Series: Home Maintenance Edition” classes will focus on teaching the basic skills you need to maintain your home and the knowledge to know when it’s time to call a professional. The classes will be free to the public, offered in the evening at the newly remodeled University/Training Center in Hennessey Hall located at 240 San Jose Drive in Dodge City.The first class, Homebuyer Education Class, will be held on Thursday, July 23rd from 6:00pm -8:00pm in English and Spanish. Local experts will share their knowledge on the homebuying process, educating individuals who are looking to purchase a home. Local home mortgage lenders, realtors, home insurance representatives, title company staff and home inspectors will all provide information about their trade.On Tuesday, August 18th at 6:00 pm, Pat Shiew, Instructor for the Dodge City Community College Building Construction Technology Program will teach participants how to use basic tools and fasteners needed to maintain your home. He will focus on how to hang decor on your walls and how to change a lockset. Future classes will include everyday electricity, energy efficiency and drywall repair. Registration and more information can be found at www.DCCHAD.org. Local business sponsors include Western State Bank, Fidelity State Bank, RE/MAX Villa, Black Hills Energy and Victory Electric. For more information contact Mollea Wainscott with the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, at 620-371-3869 or housing@dodgedev.org.

The Dodge City Farmer’s Market will begin its season on Saturday, June 6^th at its new location, along front-street between 1^st & 2^nd Avenue. They will be open every Saturday from 7 am – 12 pm. The new location allows the farmers to expand into Eisenhower Park to accommodate new vendors. The Dodge City Farmer’s Market offers produce and products that are made, baked, and grown locally.

In order to promote public safety, all booths will be set up 10 feet apart and have hand disinfectants available.  Vendors will wear personal protective equipment and the public is encouraged to wear face masks.  Please remember to wash all produce before consumption.

Follow the Dodge City Farmer’s Market on Facebook at @DCfarmersmarket to stay current.  If you are interested in becoming a vendor for the farmer’s market, please contact Maxine Xiloj at 620-430-7122 or message them on their Facebook page.

Camp Destination Innovation partnered with Network Kansas for the first-ever Kansas Youth Virtual Entrepreneurship Challenge, an event designed to engage currently quarantined youth and spark innovation and creativity for a chance to win cash prizes and the youth of Kansas showed up.

Over 140 young people across the state of Kansas submitted video pitches and 75 went on to compete for cash prizes. Dodge City/Ford County Youth Entrepreneurship Competition winner, Laurent Seachris, competed by entering a virtual video pitch with her business Lauren’s Treat. Lauren received 2nd place in the Middle School division, winning $250.00.

The Community Housing Association of Dodge City (CHAD) is excited to continue the Paint Dodge program for 2020. Paint Dodge provides paint and supplies to qualifying homeowners who live in Ford County. Since its creation in 2017, Paint Dodge has successfully painted eighteen homes and has two more in the pipeline to be completed this spring. Paint Dodge is currently accepting applications.

Paint Dodge provides paint and supplies to qualifying homeowners to enable them to repaint the exterior of their homes. If the homeowner is elderly or disabled, CHAD will help find volunteers to provide the labor. Painting is one home improvement strategy that is cost effective, produces immediate results and keeps your home protected from inclement weather. Exterior painting can enhance the value and prolong the lifespan of homes while alleviating deteriorating housing conditions within the county.

Residents must meet the following requirements to qualify for Paint Dodge:

• Applicants must own the land and residence and have permanent residence.

• Applicants may not own more than one property.

• Applicants income must be at or below 200% of poverty relative to federal low-income guidelines. A two persons household income must be $34,480 or less.

• Applicants must be current on property taxes.

 Homeowners interested in receiving assistance ­­­can apply through the Community Housing Association of Dodge City. Applications are available online at www.dodgecityhousing.com, in person at 101 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd, 2nd floor or can be requested by emailing housing@dodgedev.org.

Paint Dodge is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas and partners with Sherwin Williams.