info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Keeping rural restaurants alive saves more than supper

info2022-11-22T10:50:28-06:00November 22nd, 2022|

A central Kansas bar’s struggle to survive is indicative of broader challenges facing many small-town eateries. For those that make it, a willingness to adapt and community support often prove crucial. Residents often aren’t just keeping open a place to eat, they’re keeping a vital part of the community fabric from unraveling. Here are the stories of survivors, both those waiting things out and restaurants that have returned from the brink. Source: KLC Journal

New website launched for Century II

info2022-11-22T10:51:05-06:00November 22nd, 2022|

Wichita's Century II on Monday launched an updated website at century2.com. The previous site was century2.org, but the old address will redirect to the newly updated site. According to ASM, the new website is designed to drive ticket sales and showcase the venue for the fans and the community. Visitors will see upcoming events featured on the home page. “We’re thrilled to launch a completely reimagined website which marks another step forward in modernizing the look and feel of the Century II brand and identity on not only a local, but a national level,” said Christine Pileckas, director of booking and [...]

NLC and the Local Infrastructure Hub Launch New Series of ‘Bootcamps’ to Help Small, Mid-Sized Cities and Towns Apply for Federal Infrastructure Grants

info2022-11-22T10:52:00-06:00November 22nd, 2022|

Building on the successes of bootcamps underway, the National League of Cities (NLC) and the Local Infrastructure Hub have expanded their offerings and are launching five new bootcamps starting in January. These training courses are designed to help cities, towns, and villages develop competitive funding applications for federal grants made available to cities as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This next round of support will focus on five grant opportunities that address energy efficiency and conservation, EV and charging infrastructure, roadway safety planning, roadway safety implementation, and brownfields activities. Source: nlc.org

Emporia selected to participate in USDA Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge

info2022-11-22T01:38:15-06:00November 22nd, 2022|

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced that the agency is awarding $4 million in cooperative agreements to 17 organizations under its Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge program. RPIC provides planning support, technical assistance, and training to encourage placemaking activities in rural communities. Funds can be used to help build capacity for broadband access, preserve cultural and historic structures, and support the development of transportation, housing, and recreational spaces. Source: Emporia Gazette

New tech could mean faster traffic stops in Shawnee County

info2022-11-21T12:12:26-06:00November 21st, 2022|

Topeka-area drivers could soon have a faster ticketing experience when pulled over by a Shawnee County sheriff’s deputy. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office plans to pay $159,000 for e-ticketing from vendor Tyler Technologies, Lt. Justin Vest told the Shawnee County Commission on Thursday. Commissioners asked if it’s going to make more work for officers inputting information. “Actually, it’s going to create less work,” Vest said. “And so it’s going to improve officer safety because officers will just scan the driver’s license ..." Source: CJonline

Washburn collaborating with GO Topeka on local business development

info2022-11-21T12:10:41-06:00November 21st, 2022|

It really has been a chicken-and-egg type of situation for GO Topeka and the Washburn University School of Business. For years, the economic development organization had supported the business school’s endeavors, including financial support for the annual pitch competition for budding, entrepreneurial business students. It’s all been part of a goal of growing the local economy by developing and promoting young talent, especially that at Washburn. But the challenge, representatives from the two organizations have often found, is that the very same young people who can create economic opportunities often leave Topeka because they haven’t found it here. Source: CJonline

GBED competition will bring businesses to Barton County

info2022-11-21T12:10:05-06:00November 21st, 2022|

Great Bend Economic Development launched a competition Friday that will result in one entrepreneur winning $50,000 to open/start a business in Barton County. A total of $95,000 will be given away at the end of the IGNITE Rural Business competition, including $50,000 to the grand finale winner in October of 2023. Second place will be awarded $30,000 and third place gets $10,000, according to GBED President Sara Arnberger. Those following along the journey of the competition will vote online for the People’s Choice Award and award a business with $5,000. New inventions/businesses are encouraged to apply as well as startups. Source: [...]

Students seek civic service with the Engage Dodge program

info2022-11-21T11:24:24-06:00November 21st, 2022|

Presenting the youngest class to graduate from the City of Dodge City’s Engage Dodge program! Dodge City High School and Dodge City Community College students were honored Nov. 16 for their dedication to learning all the facets of civic engagement during the six-week Engage Dodge course. They were presented with certificates and street signs bearing their names. ...Dodge City USD 443 ESOL and Diversity Engagement Coordinator Blanca Soto said... “Our hope is they will share the information they learned with their friends and families.” Source: Dodge City Daily Globe

Emporia Spanish Speakers luncheon tackles community inclusion, cohesion

info2022-11-21T11:26:59-06:00November 21st, 2022|

Can a city truly be bilingual? That was the question Emporia Spanish Speakers attempted to answer at its luncheon event with the Kansas Leadership Center Wednesday afternoon. ESS members, community leaders and Emporia residents gathered in The Next Level bar above Casa Ramos Wednesday for a luncheon discussion about the future of a bilingual Emporia. The conversation was sparked by Emporia Spanish Speakers’ recent feature in a state publication... Can one city have two languages? For ESS Founder and Director Lelan Dains, the answer is simple: Sí. Yes.. “When we think about bilingualism we tend to think about native Spanish speakers [...]

Wichita has had a record number of pedestrian deaths already this year, data shows

info2022-11-21T07:26:58-06:00November 21st, 2022|

A man who was killed Tuesday while crossing South Seneca is the latest in a record number of pedestrians killed in Wichita this year. This year’s number of pedestrian fatalities is roughly three times higher than it was for 18 years — before a spike in the past four years. Police records on pedestrian deaths, which go back to 2000, show that Wichita had five or fewer deaths each year until 2018, when eight people were killed. There were 11 in 2021; and there have been 14 so far this year. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

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