Lawrence resident Dan Cary, a certified financial planner with American Express, has earned membership in the Circle of Success program. Cary, who works in the Topeka office, received the honor based on production, financial planning and client service.

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Lawrence-based Harris Construction Co. recently received an $8.6 million design/build contract for Amarr Garage Doors, a 142,547-square-foot manufacturing, warehouse and office addition in Lawrence’s East Hills Business Park. The project will take about a year to complete. Scott Kimzey has been named senior project manager. Rick Ryan will be project superintendent. Art Kuehler, vice president of sales and marketing, was the salesman, and Rich Rosene was the estimator.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has announced that $9 million in grant funds is available nationwide for connecting essential community facilities in rural towns and communities where broadband service does not exist. Applications are available at www.grants.gov. The deadline is Sept. 13. For more information, contact the agency at (785) 271-2702.

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Kansas businesses have until Sept. 23 to file applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster loans are available for businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers sustaining crop losses because of severe drought, excessive wind and insect infestation that occurred after Jan. 1, 2003. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible for the loans.

To obtain applications or for more information, call the SBA at (800) 366-6303.

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Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department recently named Jai Hoyer as an aquatic programmer in the aquatics division.

Hoyer is responsible for developing special events and programs for the aquatics division as well as in assisting with marketing aquatics programs to the public. Hoyer had been working for the aquatics division as a desk clerk for more than three years.

She received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Kansas University and has received awards for her graphic design work.

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Lawrence Memorial Hospital Sleep Disorders Center received program accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine on Aug. 20.

To receive a five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional quality health care as designated by the academy. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine accreditation process involves detailed inspection of a center’s facility and staff, including an evaluation of testing procedures, patient contacts and physician training. Additionally, the facility’s goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves.

Coming events

The Kansas Department of Labor is having a workers’ compensation seminar Sept. 27-28 in Overland Park. About 50 speakers will be available to present the latest in medical technology and changes in legal procedures. Continuing education credits are available for attorneys, medical personnel, emergency medical services and others.

For more information, call (785) 296-2901. Online registration is available at www.dol.ks.gov.

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Kansas small-business, minority, and women business owners looking for opportunities to do business with private companies or government agencies are encouraged to attend a Procurement Expo sponsored by the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Harrah’s Prairie Band Convention Center in Mayetta. It will give business owners an opportunity to visit with agencies and companies seeking to work with business owners. Workshops include “Cutting Through the Red Tape of Government Contracting” and “Doing Business with Municipalities.”

The cost is $15, which includes lunch. To register, contact the Kansas Department of Commerce, Office of Minority and Women Business Development, by mail at 1000 S.W. Jackson Street, Suite 100, Topeka 66612-1354 or by fax at (785) 296-3490. The deadline for registration is Sept. 8. For more information, contact Rhonda Harris at (785) 296-5298 or e-mail rharris@kansascommerce.com.

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The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce announces the upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremonies:

• Wheat State Pizza, 11 a.m., Friday, 711 W. 23rd St.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters, 4:30 p.m., Sept. 15, 1525 W. Sixth St., Suite A.
• Body Boutique/Color Studio, 11 a.m., Sept. 16, 2330 Yale Road.

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Lawrence Professionals in Aging will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Jade Mongolian Barbeque, 1511 W. 23rd St. The meeting includes networking, lunch and a program given by The Vintage Players. Everyone is welcome to attend.

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The Lawrence Apple User’s Group 2.0 will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Signs of Life bookstore, 722 Mass. The topic will be “20 or More Things You Should Know About Your Mac.” For more information, contact Dave Greenbaum at dsg@mac.com.

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The Kansas Women’s Business Center is offering an 11-week series, “FastTrac Planning for Women.” The sessions, which begin Sept. 9, will focus on renewing your vision for your venture, strategic planning and fine tuning the business plan. The cost is $600.

The center also is offering a “Women of Influence” seminar from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Overland Park Convention Center. Mae Jemison, the first black female astronaut, will be the keynote speaker. Jemison is president of an advanced technology company that she founded. She also is a college professor. The cost is $125.

For more information about these events, call (913) 492-5922 or e-mail Kelly Pruneau at kpruneau@KansasWBC.com.