Business Casual

The Kansas World Trade Center, which recently changed its name to Kansas Global Trade Services, will receive a $50,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the federal agency announced in a news release today.

The Rural Development grants will go to 112 recipients in 39 states, according to the release. Two of the grants will go to Kansas concerns.

The $50,000 grant to Kansas Global Trade Services is to be used to develop and test a pilot program that will expand international trade in rural communities.

The USDA said in its release that the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska will receive $92,445 grant to “create a long-term strategic plan for sustainable economic development on the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska reservation.”

Shelly Chenoweth Prichard will lead the Wichita Community Foundation as president and chief executive officer, the organization announced Thursday.

Prichard, who had most recently served as CEO of the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, begins work Nov. 14 in her new post, according to a news release.

A native of Newton, she has a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. Before being employed by the Girl Scouts, Prichard worked for Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas.

About 55 employers, representing local companies and some from out of state, are expected to participate in a job fair Tuesday at Century II Exhibition Hall.

The Eagle’s annual Career Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to those seeking jobs, according to a news release from the event’s organizer, Quantum Expositions.

Those attending are advised to dress professionally and to bring several copies of their resumes.

More information is available at www.QuantumExpo.com

Two Wichita businesses that are part of Latshaw Enterprises have been acquired by British-based Nova Capital Management, according to a news release issued by Nova Capital.

Wescon Products Company makes mechanical controls, cable assemblies and machined components, primarily for the lawn and garden sector.

Wescon Plastics is a manufacturer of custom plastic-injection molded parts, primarily for the battery and heavy duty truck industries.

According to its release, Nova Capital, a private equity group, also acquired three other subsidiaries of Latshaw Enterprises. They are:

MC Electronics Inc, which specializes in the assembly of custom electronic cables and full system integration and is based in Hollister, Calif.;

Coast Wire & Plastic Tech Inc, a manufacturer of custom electronic wire and cable products, based in Carson, Calif.;

And Anderson & Forrester Inc, a manufacturer of orifices, fittings and gauging tools for the natural gas and propane industries, based in Wheat Ridge, Colo.

The five acquired businesses have aggregate annual sales of about $90 million and emplo9y about 450 people.