It’s being hailed as “The B-Fair” and high school students from across Chautauqua County will be involved in it.

The B-Fair is actually a business opportunity forum for Chautauqua County youth that will be hosted on Wednesday, March 10, by Sedan Floral and the local Kansas Hometown Prosperity group that was organized two years ago.

Carla Palmer is organizing the event along with Jonathan Cude’ who is manager of Sedan Floral.

“I have to give credit to Jonathan for coming up with the idea and approaching Hometown Prosperity and QUAD County Enterprises,” said Palmer who resides near Peru.

“Everybody immediately jumped on it and we’re excited about hosting our first B-Fair.”
Cude’ said approximately 70 students, all juniors and seniors, will be attending from Cedar Vale High School and Sedan High School.

The purpose will be to give local business leaders opportunities to visit with the students about career opportunities that are available in their home communities.

Palmer said the B-Fair will hit on all three of its pillars: Youth Retention, Leadership and Entrepreneurship.

“We want them to come back, or stay,” said Palmer. “We need them to raise their families here in order to continue a viable community.”

She also hopes the students will catch the vision of local business owners who have found success in operating businesses in Chautauqua County.

“We know that we might not recruit larger employers to locate here,” said Palmer, “but we have many small businesses that were built from vision, need and technology. Our students need to hear about those successes.”

Jack Newcomb, QUAD executive director, said he was glad to see this event planned, and expressed appreciation to Sedan Floral for wanting to host it.

QUAD has participated in job fairs held in other communities over the past several years.

Four separate stations will be set up inside the spacious Sedan Floral facility and students will move from one to the area to hear various speakers. A list of those speakers will be announced later.