info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Newman, Garden City CC expand collaboration to battle Kansas education desert

info2024-04-17T12:04:29-05:00April 17th, 2024|

One of Wichita's universities is expanding its resources in southwest Kansas. The aim is to alleviate southwest Kansas' higher-education desert while also keeping them near home to enter the professional workforce. That's what is behind a collaboration between Garden City Community College, a 2-year school, and four-year Newman University based in Wichita. The schools are working beyond their two-decade startup effort to offer elementary education degrees to Garden City students and expanding to degree programs in business, agribusiness and nursing. The city and business community benefit by having a better chance of keeping young adults in the area, said Jessica Bird, [...]

City approves resolution revising how incentives will be funded for housing projects

info2024-04-17T12:03:09-05:00April 17th, 2024|

The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday revised a recent decision to provide incentives for low-income housing projects, seeking state tax credits. Commissioners debated three options, ultimately selecting a resolution that involves covering the project’s building permit and water/sewer connection fees without specifying the exact funding source. Commissioners had previously opted to utilize workforce housing funds for most of it and cover the remainder with economic development funds. Commissioner Peter Oppelt supported not specifying where the money comes from, noting it’s not that important. The incentives are aimed at helping the Sunflower Flats and Cypress Ridge projects have better standing for its [...]

Derby is getting a 160 million dollar beach, ziplining, BMX and more

info2024-04-17T12:01:15-05:00April 17th, 2024|

When you think of Derby, Kansas you may not necessarily think of a vacation destination, but that may soon change. “We’re very excited about what this means for Derby, we’re excited for what this might mean for the future,” said Derby City Manager Kiel Mangus. Derby Shores is the latest and greatest development project hoping to add plenty to do, not just for Derby residents, but for tourists from all over. Developers include the owners of Genesis Health Clubs. “It’s like a small ocean experience you know you’re looking way across, you have beach all the way around. It's massive,” said [...]

Neighbors bring trucks and tractors to help area tornado victims in Overbrook

info2024-04-17T11:15:06-05:00April 17th, 2024|

Ethan Steenback said he was away in the greater Kansas City area when the tornado hit the farm where he lives with Ashley Steenback and their 7-year-old daughter, Paisley. ... He expressed amazement at how many area residents came afterward to check on their family and see how they might be able to help. "There were people I didn't even know," he said. Overbrook resident Rae Colson said it brought tears to her eyes to see how much support she and her husband got from their community. Source: CJonline

Largest Belt Buckle a successful tourist attraction in its first year

info2024-04-17T09:33:07-05:00April 17th, 2024|

“It surpassed my wildest imagination,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau director. Towering beside the rodeo stadium at 19 feet 10 1/2 inches wide and 13 feet 11 1/4 inches tall (even taller since it rests on a frame) is the World’s Largest Belt Buckle. While the buckle outsizes the previous record by several feet, the buckle also was the center of one Kansas’ greatest social media campaigns in 2023. The campaign, run by the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, won Midwest Travel Network’s 2024 best social media campaign. Source: Abilene RC

‘Gunsmoke Trail’ encourages trips to western Kansas towns

info2024-04-17T08:13:40-05:00April 17th, 2024|

Images of cowboys and gunslingers still resonate with the public, long after the Old West came to an end. Tourism professionals for Wichita, Dodge City, Abilene and Hays announced an effort last week seeking to capitalize on that. They said they were launching the "Gunsmoke Trail" to encourage tourists to take a road trip through those four cities, each of which was mentioned on the long-running, Emmy Award-winning TV western series "'Gunsmoke." Source: Hutch News

Investors weighed the path ahead for interest rates

info2024-04-16T09:17:15-05:00April 16th, 2024|

Investors weighed the path ahead for interest rates as they considered the latest economic data and comments from Federal Reserve officials. Retail sales figures for March, which were published Monday, came in far higher than expected at 0.7%... Meanwhile, San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly said there was "no urgency" for the Fed to cut interest rates. Source: CNBC - Bonds

Meet the two finalists for Topeka City Manager

info2024-04-16T09:12:53-05:00April 16th, 2024|

On Thursday, the City of Topeka announced it had narrowed down the applicants for city manager. The City of Topeka has narrowed down the field of candidates to Alan Howze and Robert Perez. The search started with 42 candidates. Source: KSNT 27 News

Kelly vetoes plastic bag bill second time in three years

info2024-04-16T09:12:18-05:00April 16th, 2024|

For the second time in three years, Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a bill barring local governments from regulating plastic grocery bags and other material. "I believe in local control and that local officials should be held accountable by their constituents, stakeholders, and businesses," Kelly said in a statement. "This bill lacks sufficient protection to ensure local units of government are able to play a meaningful role in decision making on issues impacting their communities," she said. Source: Sunflower State Journal

Panasonic plant spurs 800-unit apartment and retail proposal in once-quiet De Soto

info2024-04-15T11:38:34-05:00April 15th, 2024|

A large mixed-use development in De Soto aims at alleviating housing concerns for workers and families near the new Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant. At a meeting last month, the De Soto City Council discussed an Economic Incentive Application from Lawrence-based Williams Management LLC for a $250 million, 78-acre mixed-use development that will include multifamily residential units and commercial retail space. No action was taken by the council. The development is planned for a site along the southwest side of 95th Street, a half-mile west of Lexington Avenue. Adam Williams, owner of Williams Management, said there is a need for housing in De Soto, [...]

About info