Waylon Sheetz of Belleville Receives Statewide Under 30 Entrepreneur/Businessperson Award

Governor Laura Kelly has announced Waylon Sheetz of Belleville as the winner of the statewide Under 30 Entrepreneur/Businessperson Award.

In addition to serving as the Executive Director of Belleville Chamber of Commerce and Main Street, Sheetz also is a small business owner having opened Sheetz & Suds Laundromat in late 2020.  Waylon identified an opportunity to provide a much needed laundromat service to the town, a service that hasn't existed for nearly 20 years.  Taking the Main Street mission to heart, Waylon purchased a vacant building in the downtown area with assistance from a local revolving loan fund.  Waylon proves that entrepreneurship can be achievable for young people through local community support and an ambitious mindset.  His accomplishments and involvement in his community are truly impressive for a young entrepreneur.

Sheetz was recognized at the inaugural To the Stars: Celebrating Kansas Businesses banquet, a new annual celebration of Kansas businesses and their contributions to communities and the state economy.

This year's To the Stars banquet honored 178 businesses, including 133 Merit Award winners and 45 Regional Award winners.  From North Central Kansas, these include:
Merit Award - S&S Drug of Beloit
Merit Award - Concordia Technologies of Concordia
Merit Award - Mitchell County Strong of Beloit
Merit Award - Jewell County Justified of Mankato
Merit Award - All Smiles Dental Care of Minneapolis
Merit Award - Kallman Office Suites of Belleville
Merit Award - Kettle of Beloit
Merit Award - Trojan Grounds of Beloit
Regional Award - Sheetz and Suds Laundromat of Belleville

The 2021 To the Stars banquet was delayed until May 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The 2022 celebration will take place this fall, and the nomination process will launch this summer.