info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas Tourism Awards $421,820 in Attraction Development Grants

info2023-05-10T09:48:06-05:00May 10th, 2023|

Kansas Tourism today announced $421,820 in Attraction Development Grants has been awarded to 10 recipients. The funding will be used to develop new tourism attractions or enhance existing sites across the state. Attraction Development Grants assist in the development of travel experiences that will influence visitors’ travel decisions. The program also spurs economic growth through the creation of jobs, capital investment, revenue and number of visits. “These grants are essential investments in the growth and development of communities across the state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Supporting new and exciting attractions enhances both the visitor experience and [...]

One Johnson County city is trying out composting

info2023-05-10T11:58:39-05:00May 10th, 2023|

The city of Olathe will officially launch its compost dropoff program in the coming days, offering free disposal of food scraps to city residents at its multipurpose dropoff site at 1100 N. Hedge Lane. Olathe residents can stop by during the site’s open hours to dispose of any food waste, from meat and bones to eggshells, dairy products, produce scraps and processed foods. You simply deposit their scraps into one of the three 95-gallon trash bins housed inside a wooden corral. Source: KC Star Local News

Why Overland Park needs more diverse trees

info2023-05-10T11:59:39-05:00May 10th, 2023|

Cities in Kansas and Missouri are finding that they often have too many of the same kind of trees, making them extra vulnerable to pests and diseases. Houses sell for more money in neighborhoods with big, leafy canopies. So pests that can kill many trees quickly can pose real economic dangers. Kansas and Missouri communities are now hedging their arboreal bets. Source: KCUR News

The Local Infrastructure Hub Launches Spring Bootcamp Series to Help Cities Access Funding for Neighborhood Infrastructure and Broadband Equity

info2023-05-08T19:47:27-05:00May 8th, 2023|

The Local Infrastructure Hub announced a new set of bootcamps designed to help local leaders develop comprehensive and strategic funding applications for federal grants made available to cities as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This next series will focus on five grant opportunities that address highway-rail crossing improvements, drinking water systems, broadband planning, local infrastructure projects, and bridge infrastructure. Source: www.nlc.org

Wichita’s libraries offering far more than just books these days

info2023-05-08T19:46:05-05:00May 8th, 2023|

A book published a few years back described public libraries as “palaces for the people.” It might not feel like a palace exactly when you visit one of the Wichita Public Library’s seven locations, but it is true that libraries are one of the few places in the modern world where people aren’t expected to pay to learn. Outside of the usual book checkouts, libraries provide a variety of resources for the community to capitalize on. Providing access to new literature and information without the financial burden is what the Wichita Public Library hopes to give to the community. All of [...]

Pittsburg leader challenges building owners to revitalize downtown

info2023-05-08T19:45:34-05:00May 8th, 2023|

"Anytime I drive by an empty store front I feel like it's a missed opportunity for a business that could of been," said Graphics Manager of Sign Brothers Josh Young. "Anytime there is a ran down store front it doesn't look good on our down town. It always look better if all our store fronts are filled and beautified," said Young. City leadership is also noticing the empty buildings. In the city commission meeting on April 25th, Mayor Ron Seglie said that while Broadway is looking good, there's still work to be done. He holds the building owners responsible and wants [...]

Overland Park considers dropping food inspections, leaving it to state

info2023-05-08T19:45:00-05:00May 8th, 2023|

Overland Park’s unique food safety inspection regime may be on its way out. The city council’s Community Development Committee on Wednesday unanimously recommended ending city inspections of eating establishments because it duplicates the efforts of the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Overland Park is the only city in Kansas that has its own food inspection program alongside the state’s. Source: Prairie Village Post

Derby accepting home repair grant applications

info2023-05-08T19:44:14-05:00May 8th, 2023|

In an effort to continue facilitating more home improvements in Derby, the city is currently taking applications for the 2023 Neighborhood Maintenance Grant (NMG) program. The program, which was retooled to increase utilization in 2022, seeks to help eligible homeowners with exterior home maintenance projects. Usage increased drastically in the first year of the new program as compared to the previous five years. During each annual grant cycle, a total of $25,000 is available to help homeowners with qualifying repair projects including roofs, siding, gutters, paint, doors, windows, masonry porches, exterior lighting, and repair of existing porches, fences, outbuildings, sidewalks, etc. [...]

Grant money changing the game for one Kansas volunteer fire department

info2023-05-08T19:43:14-05:00May 8th, 2023|

Many volunteer departments across the state are pinching pennies, forcing them to prioritize critical equipment over health and safety. "With a limited budget, you kind of have to make a judgment call of, some of the gear is good enough," Fire chief for Cowley County Fire District 3 in Burden, Chris Cannon, said. "It's not within the recommended guidelines, but it looks OK. So it was a huge challenge. We really couldn't do it with a budget of dollars that we had." Cannon says grant funding is essential to being able to operate effectively and safely. "It's just very challenging because [...]

Valley Center woman has been driving school busses for 45 years and is still rolling

info2023-05-08T19:42:43-05:00May 8th, 2023|

They see the sun come up as they pick up students and take them to school every morning. Then, pick up the students again and drop them off at home in the afternoon. In Valley Center, generations of students are familiar with a bus driver known as Miss Gail. ... Every school day in Valley Center begins with 20 school buses transporting about a thousand students to USD 262 schools. "When I first started, it was a job, and I could take my children with me on the school bus. So, that was good. I raised all three of my children [...]

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