info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

USDA expands assistance to cover feed transportation costs for drought-impacted ranchers in Kansas

info2021-09-14T22:54:38-05:00September 14th, 2021|

In response to the severe drought conditions in the West and Great Plains, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today its plans to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing. USDA is updating the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) to immediately cover feed transportation costs for drought impacted ranchers. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will provide more details and tools to help Kansas ranchers get ready to apply at their local USDA Service Center later this month at www.fsa.usda.gov/elap. “USDA is currently determining how our disaster assistance programs can [...]

Affordable Housing Advisory Board recommends city partner with private property owners to develop affordable housing in Lawrence

info2021-09-14T07:39:28-05:00September 14th, 2021|

The city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board would like the city to more actively pursue partnerships with private property owners to develop affordable housing in the community. As part of its meeting Monday, the board voted 12-0 to recommend that the City of Lawrence issue a request for proposals for private property owners who are interested in working with the city and other partners to develop affordable housing. If the City Commission is interested considering a future RFP, the board can put together a more specific recommendation. Source: LJWorld.com.

Natural gas spikes ‘appear to violate’ law

info2021-09-14T06:58:13-05:00September 14th, 2021|

Attorney General Derek Schmidt says the natural gas price spikes during the February winter storm “appear to violate Kansas law,” and he is seeking expert help with the investigation and potential lawsuits. Schmidt announced Monday that his office has submitted a request for proposals to retain a law firm with expertise in the natural gas marketplace. The law firm would assist with the ongoing investigation and any civil litigation enforcing state anti-profiteering law. “State law prohibits ‘unjustified’ price increases for ‘necessary’ goods and services during a declared state of disaster emergency, and on their face these increases appear to violate Kansas [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for September 13, 2021

info2021-09-14T06:46:47-05:00September 14th, 2021|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

Derby population over 25k in latest Census data

info2021-09-14T06:39:42-05:00September 13th, 2021|

The latest Census data from 2020 indicates Derby’s population is officially over 25,000 people. Per the Census report, Derby is still the second-largest city in Sedgwick County, behind Wichita at 397,532 people. With an estimated population of 25,625, Derby is well over twice the size of the city closest to it in size, Haysville. Derby’s estimated population has grown by more than 3,000 since the last Census report in 2010. Data indicates the population was around 22,294 at that time. Source: Derby Informer | News

Hesston’s Excel Industries sold

info2021-09-14T06:43:07-05:00September 13th, 2021|

One of Harvey County's largest employers has been sold. Excel Industries was purchased by Stanley Black and Decker. The transaction was announced today. Excel is a leading manufacturer of lawn equipment under the brand names of Hustler and BigDog. The Hesston company has approximately 600 employees. The deal is for $375 million in cash. The deal has been approved by a majority of Excel shareholders. Source: KAKE - News

Buffalo carved out of butter featured at Kansas State Fair

info2021-09-13T21:30:38-05:00September 13th, 2021|

Kansas’s state animal — the buffalo — is being celebrated at the State Fair this year with a 700-pound butter sculpture. A sculptor from Iowa, Sarah Pratt, had to do some research on buffaloes before she designed this year’s butter statue. Pratt said that if she winds up with any extra butter she may add a buffalo calf or some sunflowers. Pratt, who teaches school by day, lives in West Des Moines with her husband and three children, all of whom help her out with sculpting - from the Kansas State Fair to fairs in Iowa or Illinois. Source: KSN-TV

One project for the Pittsburg Parks and Recreation is nearing completion, and the community is getting its first look

info2021-09-13T21:27:11-05:00September 13th, 2021|

One project for the Pittsburg Parks and Recreation is nearing completion, and the community is getting its first look. This weekend was the soft opening for the city's new splash pad in Schlanger Park. The $325,000 project was funded through community donors and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. The splash pad was designed to have universal access so everyone in the community could enjoy it with or without a disability. Kim Vogel, Director of Parks and Recreation, says, "Regardless of age or ability, we want to make sure that everybody has the opportunity for recreation in Pittsburg, and [...]

Emporia Public Schools nearing end of first wave of $78 million bond projects

info2021-09-13T21:25:53-05:00September 13th, 2021|

Emporia Public Schools will be updating all of its schools over the next three years and the first projects are close to completion. These projects are part of a $78 million bond voters approved in 2019. Jones Early Childhood Development Center is located at 327 South Walnut Street. It will feature classes for three and four-year-olds, as well as infant and toddler services. The district said there will also be mental health and literacy experts working out of the new facility. It is the only new facility the district is building under the bond. Superintendent Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder said it was [...]

Downtown Overland Park group presents concept to remake area around farmers’ market — ‘We are dreaming big’

info2021-09-13T21:22:31-05:00September 13th, 2021|

An alley that separates the Overland Park Clock Tower from the Farmer’s Market Pavilion downtown could get a new look that would make it more pedestrian-friendly on market days, once the rest of the market space is eventually updated. At a city council committee meeting earlier this month, officials with the Downtown Overland Park Partnership presented some early ideas about what could be done with Overland Park Drive. Their conceptual design includes new lighting, entrance way monuments, seating space, planters and other streetscaping intended to incorporate the service alley space into a better design for the market area. Source: Prairie Village [...]

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