Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Sedgwick downtown no longer looks the same after transformation

The last two years have seen quite a transformation of downtown Sedgwick. First the City purchased the empty medical building, and while it was still new, they remodeled to make it functional as a City Hall. Then they completely remodeled the old City Hall and turned it into a new, bright library. These early weeks of 2021 are significant in the continued downtown transformation.
First, the Sodality Room and Truly You held a ribbon cutting last weekend, offering tours for residents to see the now beautiful insides of a building that not long ago had been condemned and near collapse. Mayor Bryan Chapman told those in attendance that the building had been around since the late 1800’s and Owner Rebecca Whistler had done the city a great service by remodeling and preserving the building.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-01-28T06:58:38-06:00January 28, 2021|News|

Merriam considers banning pedestrians from busy medians, but some worry it won’t address causes of panhandling

Motorists traveling near Interstate 35 and Shawnee Mission Parkway may have seen individuals standing or sitting in medians, often asking for money or food. Now, Merriam city officials are considering prohibiting pedestrians from standing, sitting or otherwise being in nine major intersections across the city, citing concerns for driver and pedestrian safety. But some worry such a prohibition may put extra burdens on people already struggling on the margins of society without addressing the deeper roots of the problem.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-01-28T06:56:14-06:00January 28, 2021|News|

Residents can help plan for public art in Johnson County parks

Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) has launched a new Public Art Program. The goal is to embed public art into park spaces, trails, and facilities to enhance and enrich the experience for visitors. JCPRD is undergoing a public art master plan to establish a road map for this program and seeks citizen involvement to make the plan reflective of the community. ”The COVID-19 pandemic brought patrons to JCPRD parks in record numbers, said Executive Director Jeff Stewart. “The community has a renewed appreciation for the role parks play in our overall health and well-being. We have always been about providing spaces for recreation, gathering, and experiencing nature. It will soon include the chance to encounter art in JCPRD facilities and natural spaces.”
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-01-28T06:55:52-06:00January 28, 2021|News|

Vaccinations slow but ramping up

Allen County currently gets about 100 doses of COVID-19 vaccine a week. The supply chain filters from manufacturers to the federal governments, to states and then to county health departments who will allocate it as needed. The county is nearing the end of Phase 1. Volunteers are sought for a vaccination clinic. It’s going to take a bit of time and a lot of patience before most Allen County residents can get a COVID-19 vaccine, but the local health department is starting to develop a plan for when that time comes.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2021-01-28T06:54:42-06:00January 28, 2021|News|

Federal Reserve leaves interest rates and asset purchases unchanged, sees growth slowing

The Federal Reserve kept its foot to the floor Wednesday in terms of the help it is providing for an economy that central bank officials say has slowed down. Consistent with market expectations, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee said it was keeping its benchmark short-term borrowing rate anchored near zero and maintaining an asset purchasing program that is seeing the Fed buy at least $120 billion a month. At the core of the move to keep policy historically accommodative was an economy in which the sectors most vulnerable to the pandemic are taking the hardest hit.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2021-01-28T06:53:15-06:00January 28, 2021|News|

Sedgwick County commissioners add citizens advisory boards to promote transparency, accountability

Sedgwick County commissioners continue to develop citizens advisory boards to keep elected officials accountable, while working to remain transparent. Commissioners Lacey Cruse and David Dennis created citizens advisory boards for their districts last year, while Commissioner Jim Howell will have the first meeting with his board next month. Commissioner Sarah Lopez is in the beginning stages of developing her own and the last commission is following suit it the near future. The citizens advisory boards are official groups formed by commissioners and the members are selected citizens who live in each district.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-01-28T06:52:24-06:00January 28, 2021|News|

Marion’s drug dog earns her keep in 1st year

In her first year as a drug dog, Blue’s nose for illegal substances already has led to multiple drug busts for Marion’s city police. A few times, an arrest would not have been possible without her, said officer Aaron Slater, who serves as Blue’s handler for the department’s K-9 unit. “She has been working really well,” he said. “I’ve bonded with her for sure.”
Source: Marion County RECORD

Ranson Financial2021-01-28T06:51:41-06:00January 28, 2021|News|

Grant Opportunity: “WaterSMART Funding”

Through the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Reclamation provides 50/50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts, tribes, states and other entities with water or power delivery authority for small water efficiency improvements that have been identified through previous planning efforts. Projects eligible for funding include installation of flow measurement or automation in a specific part of a water delivery system, lining of a section of a canal to address seepage, or other similar projects that are limited in scope.
More information is available here. The Bureau of Reclamation has published a notice of funding opportunity for the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects. The notice of funding opportunity is available on grants.gov by searching for opportunity number R21AS00257. Applications are due on March 18, 2020, at 4 p.m. MDT. View Funding Opportunity

Ranson Financial2021-01-27T16:52:01-06:00January 27, 2021|News|

City officials will soon begin discussing proposal to allow accessory dwelling units in more Lawrence neighborhoods

City planners are moving forward with drafting a code change that would allow homeowners to build garage apartments and other smaller living quarters in all neighborhoods. The city will soon begin taking public input regarding the details of the code amendment, and it is expected to go to the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission for consideration this summer. The local comprehensive plan as well as an affordable housing plan have called for expanding the areas where such living quarters, known as accessory dwelling units or ADUs, can be built, and city planner Sandy Day said the units can be used for a variety of purposes.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2021-01-27T08:17:05-06:00January 27, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for January 26, 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.

Ranson Financial2021-01-27T08:15:25-06:00January 27, 2021|News|

About Ranson Financial

Sedgwick downtown no longer looks the same after transformation

Merriam considers banning pedestrians from busy medians, but some worry it won’t address causes of panhandling

Residents can help plan for public art in Johnson County parks

Vaccinations slow but ramping up

Federal Reserve leaves interest rates and asset purchases unchanged, sees growth slowing

Sedgwick County commissioners add citizens advisory boards to promote transparency, accountability

Marion’s drug dog earns her keep in 1st year

Grant Opportunity: “WaterSMART Funding”

City officials will soon begin discussing proposal to allow accessory dwelling units in more Lawrence neighborhoods

Municipal Bond Trends for January 26, 2021

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