info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Finney Co. OKs study of westside wastewater

info2021-08-04T23:40:27-05:00August 4th, 2021|

Finney County Economic Development Corporation was given permission to move forward in conducting a westside wastewater study at the Finney County Commission’s regular meeting Monday. Lona Duvall, President/CEO of the FCEDC, said the area is quickly running our of commercial and industrial properties as well as residential and one area that they haven’t been able to develop is the area between Garden City and Holcomb, largely to to wastewater, as roads electricity and water is already available there. Source: GC Telegram.

Municipal Bond Trends for August 4, 2021

info2021-08-04T23:35:26-05:00August 4th, 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.

Report details how to keep young people in rural Kansas communities

info2021-08-04T23:34:08-05:00August 4th, 2021|

A new report published this week from the Kansas Sampler Foundation examines the challenges and opportunities for young people who choose to live in rural Kansas. The public nonprofit, whose mission it is to preserve and sustain rural culture, says the findings from the report can help revive and refresh communities that are facing the outmigration of young talent. Created through a partnership with the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity, a nonpartisan initiative,the "Power Up & Go" report is based on 460 surveys and 175 interviews from residents ages 21 to 39 living in every county in Kansas. Source: Wichita Business [...]

City of Derby exploring new public transit opportunities with Uber

info2021-08-04T23:33:39-05:00August 4th, 2021|

As part of its routine policy of updating priorities quarterly, the Derby City Council turned its focus to some new projects recently given strides made in some areas. ... work will shift to priorities like developing options for improved public transit. Regarding that, Sexton reported a pilot program is currently being worked out for Uber to provide potential solutions in Derby. Exploring this pilot program with Uber, Sexton and assistant city manager Kiel Mangus noted the cost structure is intended to remain similar to that of the Derby Dash ($2 per each one-way ride), with the city subsidizing any additional costs [...]

Manhattan seeks to streamline special events with alcohol

info2021-08-04T23:31:34-05:00August 4th, 2021|

Manhattan city commissioners are onboard with streamlining the process for approving events where alcohol is served. Commissioners discussed a proposal for changing city policy on special events with alcohol Tuesday. Currently, any entity that wishes to have a special event with alcohol sales in Aggieville, downtown or Blue Earth Plaza must use a licensed caterer and set up beer gardens for people to drink in. The proposed policy change would eliminate the requirement for beer gardens and establish special event boundaries that would allow people to drink freely within a cordoned-off city block. Source: themercury.com

People are leaving rural Kansas, new data shows why

info2021-08-04T23:30:50-05:00August 4th, 2021|

Population growth in Kansas isn’t keeping up with the rest of the country, according to a map from the U.S. Census Bureau, and one reason is people are leaving rural areas of the state. The Kansas Sampler Foundation and the Kansas Office of Prosperity recently released the results of their own survey after getting input from hundreds of young people in rural areas about their moves. Childcare, internet access, and housing are some of the biggest motivations for people deciding not to stay in the state. Some issues like broadband may be a bigger concern in small towns, but not all [...]

The city of Fort Scott is looking for a new city manager

info2021-08-04T23:30:08-05:00August 4th, 2021|

After 6 months under a new city manager, Fort Scott is already looking for another city manager. Jeremy Frazier submitted his resignation on Monday night....A meeting will be held tomorrow night, where commissioners will discuss who will take over on an interim basis. Source: KSNF/KODE

Kansas resident’s ‘F*** Biden’ flag can’t stay in yard, town says

info2021-08-04T23:29:30-05:00August 4th, 2021|

"F*** Biden and F*** you for voting for him!" These are the words on a flag the City of Blue Rapids deemed too inappropriate to be in David Sain's front yard. After being required to take the flag down, Sain said he disagreed with the decision the city made. "You know, I don't know why they are making me take it down," Sain said. "It is my freedom of speech and my First Amendment right," Sain said. The call to make Sain take the flag down came from a resident of the tiny town of around 1,000 people in Marshall County. [...]

More jobs could come to Topeka with city & county’s $491,900 plan to incentivize companies’ growth

info2021-08-04T23:28:38-05:00August 4th, 2021|

A local economic development group plans to use hundreds of thousands of tax dollars to bring more jobs to Topeka with the city and county's blessing Wednesday evening. Shawnee County Commissioners Kevin Cook, Bill Riphahn and Aaron Mays, and Topeka Mayor De La Isla, Deputy Mayor Mike Padilla and city council members Hannah Naeger and Mike Lesser all voted on approving the four incentive projects proposed by the Joint Economic Development Organization. JEDO is a partnership between the City of Topeka and Shawnee County which has come up with four different projects intended to bring jobs to the area. Source: KSNT [...]

Kansas sees tax collections beat expectations by 11% in July

info2021-08-04T13:42:10-05:00August 4th, 2021|

Kansas is reporting that its tax collections in July were 11% greater than expected, good news even as the spread of the more contagious COVID-19 delta variant has some officials worried about the economy. The state Department of Revenue says Kansas collected nearly $603 million in general tax revenues last month. Its official forecast predicted $543 million, making the surplus $60 million. It was the 12th consecutive month in which tax collections were greater than expected. Revenues have been less than anticipated in only three months during the past four years. July’s surplus came after Kansas ended its 2021 budget year [...]

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