Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

State board approves historic designation for Century II, former downtown library

The Century II center in Wichita got another layer of protection over the weekend when a state board voted it onto the Register of Historic Kansas Places. The state will now forward the building’s nomination to the National Park Service for possible inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review in a Saturday teleconference meeting also voted to grant historical status to the former Central Library building that shares the parking lot with Century II, the city’s convention and performing arts center since 1969.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Ranson Financial2020-08-05T07:51:11-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

Aguilera takes over as city administrator in Altamont

The city of Altamont has welcomed a new city administrator, Audree Aguilera. Aguilera holds associate degrees in business and technical accounting from Barton Community College. She earned a bachelor’s in business administration from Ottawa University in 2018 and a master’s in public administration from Wichita State University this year. She has received added education from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Management Institute, the certified public manager program at the University of Kansas and the Municipal Training Institute through the League of Kansas Municipalities. Prior to joining the city of Altamont, she was the community development coordinator for Lyons for more than four years.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:32:39-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

Arkansas City could save more than $2 million with water loan refinancing

A proposal to refinance three loans related to water services in Arkansas City could save the city more than $2 million through next 15 years. Arkansas City commissioners will consider two resolutions today that would allow the city to refinance the loans at a lower rate. The outstanding balance for the three loans is $23,114,128, the bulk of which ($19,844,813) is for the water treatment plant that opened in 2018. If approved, the refinance could save the city $2,194,041 in interest and shorten the term of all three loans, City Manger Randy Frazer said. “Right now interest rates are extremely low,” he said. “Any time you can save the citizens that kind of money, it’s worth looking at.”
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:31:33-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

Broadband upgrades go in south of Pratt

Improving broadband service in Pratt County has taken a step forward with an SC Telcom project south of Pratt, but it didn’t have anything to do with millions of dollars the USDA is purportedly funneling towards such projects. SC Telcom recently completed installing fiber for internet service upgrades that will connect 30 locations as part of the South Highway 281 Pratt project. Of those, 22 are existing customers who are converting from an inferior technology …
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:23:24-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

U.S. long bond demand raises prospect of whole curve yielding below 1%

A decline in U.S. Treasury yields over recent weeks has investors eyeing the approach of an unusual phenomenon – the entire U.S. yield curve sinking below 1%. Policymakers are looking to position the country to recover once the COVID-19 pandemic eases and allows the Fed to raise interest rates again. But those steps look a long way off as the virus continues to spread and talks on a new aid bill in Washington drag out. “Everybody thinks the Fed is going to be running rates near zero indefinitely. That’s bringing down the 30-year bond yield to incredibly low rates,” said Brian Bethune, chief economist for Alpha Economic Foresights LLC.
Read more: Reuters.

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:18:18-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

Shawnee County budget public hearing draws only one speaker

A public hearing on next year’s requested Shawnee County budget drew only one speaker Thursday, after seven people spoke at last year’s budget hearing. Commission Chairman Bill Riphahn said afterward he felt a bit disappointed that more people hadn’t come to speak. Commissioner Kevin Cook said Monday’s low number of speakers wasn’t indicative of the amount of input commissioners receive from the public.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:14:49-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for August 3, 2020

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 Financial2020-08-04T08:10:46-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

Kansas Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Many States Due To COVID-19

The massive layoffs and business closures caused by the coronavirus outbreak took Kansas from having nearly $1 billion in savings to being $650 million in the red. As the virus began to spread in March, state lawmakers ended their legislative session early and dispersed from the capital before they were able to fix the state budget to fit the new reality. That left Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to propose budget cuts to make up the difference. She has suggested trimming increases in agency spending, gathering up money that agencies have left unspent, taking a loan from a state investment pool and delaying some scheduled payments. Republicans have criticized the strategy as a series of one-time fixes, but Kelly has said the plan avoids cuts to critical state services, such as transportation and K-12 schools. So far, state revenues have outpaced gloomy projections.
(Read more: KMUW)

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:11:13-05:00August 3, 2020|News|

Wichita’s mayor planning to hold meeting to give local business owners access to resources

Wichita’s Mayor Brandon Whipple says he is trying to stay ahead in case business owners are being asked to close again. Since business owners that sell alcohol were asked to close at midnight last week, Mayor Whipple says he wants to make sure he hears from them and has resources available for the owners and employees if they are asked to shut down again. This includes federal assistance, available housing and job opportunities. “If the order comes down from the county level or the state level that bars need to shut down then I want to be prepared as Mayor by bringing folks to the table and having the best resources available,” said Mayor Brandon Whipple. Chris Arnold, the Owner of River City Brewery, appreciates the opportunity to speak but says more than anything he wants consistency from the local government, not constant changes.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:11:33-05:00August 3, 2020|News|

Derby school district to purchase hotspots for students with limited internet access

The Derby Board of Education last week approved the purchase of 301 Verizon Jetpack mobile internet hotspots. The unlimited data devices are intended for students in need of assistance obtaining internet services for schoolwork and other school-related needs. The purchase will be funded by Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds and donations, and is estimated to cost more than $20,000. The exact total cost is not yet finalized. The number of devices was determined by the district based upon the number of students who had spotty internet access or no internet access at all last spring.
(Read more: Derby Informer | News)

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:12:25-05:00August 3, 2020|News|

About Ranson Financial

State board approves historic designation for Century II, former downtown library

Aguilera takes over as city administrator in Altamont

Arkansas City could save more than $2 million with water loan refinancing

Broadband upgrades go in south of Pratt

U.S. long bond demand raises prospect of whole curve yielding below 1%

Shawnee County budget public hearing draws only one speaker

Municipal Bond Trends for August 3, 2020

Kansas Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Many States Due To COVID-19

Wichita’s mayor planning to hold meeting to give local business owners access to resources

Derby school district to purchase hotspots for students with limited internet access

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