By MIKE CORN

mcorn@dailynews.net

A new year and a new list of Kansas wonders.

The new wonders, finalists for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce, were announced today by the Kansas Sampler Foundation, a proponent of small-town life.

This is the third of eight subcategories in the Sampler Foundation's 8 Wonders campaign, all of which came about after the top 8 Wonders had been named nearly a year ago.

In that case, two of the eight were from northwest Kansas -- St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria and the combined entry of Monument Rocks and Castle Rock, both of which are in Gove County.

Locations from northwest Kansas have been prominent in the two other campaigns that followed the initial one, architecture and art.

Northwest Kansas is well represented again this time around.

Northwest Kansas finalists are:

* Baxter's Bait and Tackle, Stockton. Baxter's was named to the list because it has a huge inventory for a small town and is known as the "Little Cabela's."

* Brant's Meat Market, Lucas. Nominated because all meat products are made on site using a variety of old-fashioned methods and shop-keeping at this third generation family business.

* Dessin Fournir, Plainville. Nominated because the luxury goods firm competes internationally from its rural headquarters versus the typically metropolitan setting of its competitors.

* Koerperich Bookbinders, Selden. Nominated because it is one of a few binderies in the nation that still meets or exceeds Library Binding Institute  specifications.  

* RANS Inc., Hays. Nominated because it is a world leader in the ever-growing recumbent bike and kit plane industries.

While not located in northwest Kansas, Millers of Claflin has strong Hays ties, owning Ashley Furniture on Vine. Millers was nominated as the oldest and largest family-owned home furnishings store in Kansas.

Nominations came from the pubic during November, and the selections were narrowed down so each finalist had a characteristic that made it unique for the category.

"The goal was not to choose the top money-making businesses in Kansas but to select businesses, big or small, that have reached a gold standard in their arena," said Sampler Foundation director Marci Penner.

The goal of the 8 Wonders campaign has been to educate the public about Kansas and encourage travel in the state.

With the release of the list, the public now will have the chance to determine the top eight.

People can vote online at 8wonders.org or by callling (620) 585-2374 for a paper ballot. Voting will end at midnight Feb. 17. The top eight will be announced before the end of March.