We’re moving downtown
The Olathe Chamber of Commerce is moving downtown. The Chamber will call 260 E. Santa Fe, Suite 101 home as of May 1.
We’ll begin the moving process this week and be up and running in our new office on the first floor of the brand-new Olathe Downtown Library on Monday May 1.
Please excuse our mess as we get settled. While our office is in transition, our commitment to our members is not. It’s business as usual and our members are still our top priority. During the interim, the best way to get ahold of us will be via e-mail.
We can’t wait to see you downtown!
Panasonic update coming at next BLS
Our second Business Lunch Series event is just around the corner. Please join us at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 12080 S. Strang Line Road, to hear a Panasonic update. Register today.
A representative from the Panasonic leadership team will be on hand to share some new and exciting updates about the multi-billion dollar Panasonic project and how it will affect DeSoto and the surrounding communities. They will also share information about their hiring process and what types of jobs Panasonic is looking to fill.
Register today.
First Adjournment Discussion this Thursday
Please join the Johnson County Public Policy Council for a first adjournment discussion from 3:30 – 5 p.m. this April 13 at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus. Six members of the state legislature will be in attendance for the group discussion.
Legislators participating in the discussion are:
- Rep. Jo Ella Hoye
- Rep. Sean Tarwater
- Rep. Adam Turk
- Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes
- Sen. Molly Baumgardner
- Sen. Ethan Corson
The event will take place in the auditorium in the Regnier Center on the KU Edwards Campus. The event is free, but please
RSVP to 913-764-1050.
Fourth Friday celebrations are
back in 2023
The first Fourth Friday celebration of the year is closer than you may think.
The annual celebrations are sponsored by the Olathe Chamber of Commerce’s Olathe Convention & Visitors Bureau and are back in downtown Olathe this summer. The first one will be from 6 – 9 p.m. on May 26.
Fourth Fridays is presented by Honda and Subaru of Olathe. And a big thanks to our other Fourth Fridays sponsors Azura Credit Union, City of Olathe, Fry Orthodontics, Humana, Olathe Communities that Care and Tommy’s Express Car Wash.
Be sure to make plans to join us this summer, whether you’re down there to have fun, or want to sponsor a booth at the event. May will feature our Sip ‘n’ Shop event. The cost is $25 for members. For more information, please contact Allison Calvin.
For other event or booth sponsorship opportunities for any of the five Fourth Friday events this summer, please contact Susie Carson for more information.
State of County celebrates another banner year
A big crowd packed the Overland Park Convention Center for the annual State-of-the-County Address last week. The 2023 luncheon and celebration was sponsored by the Johnson County Public Policy Council.
In his first address as Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, Mike Kelly presented the state of the county and shared many of the county’s successes over the past year. This year’s theme was “Moving Forward.” Kelly discussed how the county is always moving forward and in all ways, moving forward.
Take a look at some photos from the event.
Looking for input for new Economic Development Strategic Plan
There’s still time to help with our Economic Development Strategic Plan. In partnership with the City of Olathe, the Olathe Economic Development Council is developing a new Economic Development Strategic Plan to see how we can best serve our community.
A quality of life survey and a business survey will help us craft the plan. We value your experience and insights as we craft a strategy for the future.
For reference, both surveys are online and can be accessed here:
We appreciate your help with this and please know that your input will help us greatly.
Olathe Live! schedule set
Olathe Live! is back at Stagecoach Park, 1205 E. Kansas City Road, this summer. The 2023 concert series, presented by the City of Olathe, kicks off on June 9 and closes on July 21. Shows are free and open to the public. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Guests can bring blankets, lawn chairs, food, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Here’s the full 2023 concert lineup:
- June 9 – Surfin’ USA – A Tribute to the Beach Boys with the Instamatics
- June 16 – Maria the Mexican with Unfit Wives
- July 7 – Liverpool with Mikey Needleman
- July 14 – The Original Silver Bullet – A Tribute to Bob Seger with Goddesses of Rock
- July 21 – Almost KISS with Brody Buster
Olathe Live! has brought live music to Olathe from local, regional, and national artists for more than two decades. Over the last 20-plus years, the shows have not only entertained families, but have also supported local charities by collecting donations throughout each show. Since its inception, the Olathe community has given back more than $200,000 to local charities.
Street and park sales tax renewal going out to Olathe voters
Next month, City of Olathe residents will have the opportunity to renew the Street Maintenance Sales Tax (SMST) and the Parks Sales Tax. Both sales tax measures are the main vehicle for funding in their respective areas.
The 3/8 cent SMST was approved by Olathe voters in 2013. The 1/8 cent Parks Sales Tax was approved by Olathe voters in 1999 and renewed in 2004 and again in 2014.
The ballot will contain two separate questions regarding renewal of each sales tax. This opportunity provides transparency to residents by allowing renewal for sales tax liability on one ballot, rather than separate elections in following years and cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars by having one election cycle.
Ballots will be mailed this week and must be returned by noon on April 25. Visit here to view ballot language and for more information.
At their February meeting, the Olathe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously to support both the Street Maintenance Sales Tax (SMST) and the Parks Sales Tax.
WHAT'S NEW
Volunteers needed at the Garmin Olathe Marathon
The Garmin Olathe Marathon is less than two weeks away. The big day is April 22. Sign up here for any one of our three races or join us for the Munchkin Marathon or Senior Walk.
If you aren’t up for running on April 22, how about giving us a hand at the finish line? Check out all the volunteer opportunities here.
This year’s Garmin Olathe Marathon, organized by the Olathe Convention & Visitors Bureau, will start and finish at Garmin International at 151st and Ridgeview.
The April 22 event will feature the largest full-marathon and half-marathon in the state of Kansas, a 10K, the Munchkin Marathon, and the CenterWell Senior Walk. Register here and join in on the fun.
Explore KC with KC Kid Friendly Trip
The KC Kid Friendly Trip is a free way to explore Kansas City! Download the OtoCast app on your phone and start exploring. Get out and enjoy some stops throughout KC that are for the young (and young at heart). Be sure to stop by Calamity Line Park near K-7 and Santa Fe to check out Olathe’s kid friendly spot on the trip. Earn three badges along the way and be entered to win a $250 prize. Check out more information here.
OUT AND ABOUT
Angel Clothing Foundation Chamber Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to the Angel Clothing Foundation on their Olathe Chamber Ribbon Cutting. Stop by and see them at 112 S. Clairborne Road.
CHAMBER CONNECTION
Looking for a job? The Kansas City Job Fair will take place from noon – 2 p.m. on April 25 at the Olathe Community Center, 1205 E. Kansas City Road. The job fair is presented by Stepupjobfairs.com. Check here for more information.
Celebrate the grand opening of the Olathe Downtown Library from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Festivities include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, face painting, and more. The multi-story building, located at 260 E Santa Fe, will total 46,600 sq. ft. and will feature a large flexbox space, a café, numerous meeting and study rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a special Olathe history collection.
Save the date for the Johnson County Community College Continuing Education Business Breakfast Series event from 7 – 9 a.m. on April 19. More information about the event, “Reboot Retention: Hiring & Inspiring the next Generation-FTW” can be found here.
The Super Famous Warehouse Sale at Gerson Company begins next Thursday, March 30 and runs through May 26. The sale features discounts of up to 75 percent off spring and summer items. The sale takes place from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Saturday at 1450 S. Lone Elm Road.
The Kansas Office of Broadband Development wants you to share your thoughts on internet connectivity in your neighborhood. Help them build the future of internet in Kansas. The event takes place from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on April 13 at the Olathe Community Center, 1205 E. Kansas City Road. Check out more info here.
AdventHealth has been recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the Top 150 Places to Work in Healthcare. The 2023 list is meant to call attention to how the honorees “invest in their employees’ wellbeing, satisfaction and fulfillment,” according to Becker’s, proving that “when employees’ needs and desires are met, the entire organization is better for it.” Read more here.
Join the Salvation Army in Olathe, 420 E. Santa Fe, for their third annual Hope Celebration at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 20. The benefit luncheon and live auction as they honor their volunteers who bring hope through their work with the Salvation Army.
DID YOU KNOW
Want to get more involved with the Olathe Chamber of Commerce? Give us a call at 913-764-1050 or send us an email.
A LOOK AHEAD
NOTE: You can reach the Olathe community and beyond through the Chamber’s online calendar of events. Members can complete the online form and then submit their events online for approval by staff. If you have multiple day events, a form must be submitted for each day. Listings must meet the established criteria.
April 13 – Olathe Chamber Coffee at ER of Olathe, 13505 S. Alden St., 9 a.m.
April 13 – Olathe Chamber Ribbon Cutting at Army Career Center, 13519 S. Mur-Len Road, 11 a.m.
RECENT CHAMBER MEMBERS
COUPONS AND DISCOUNTS
Please send us the names and e-mails of members you know who might not be receiving this e-newsletter or other Chamber e-communications. We do not yet have e-mail addresses for every member representative. Also, please forward this e-newsletter to others you know who might like to be included in our every-Tuesday distribution!
Don’t forget to add webmaster@olathe.org to your address book so we’ll be sure to land in your inbox!
©2023 Olathe Chamber of Commerce