info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Sedgwick’s superintendent feels energized by his new role

info2022-07-28T08:09:39-05:00July 28th, 2022|

So far USD 439’s new superintendent Greg Lehr, who started his post on July 1, has wrestled with the district’s annual budget, strived to build relationships with his new co-workers and adjust to a new work environment, and spent time working from home because construction meant the building went without power for a time. Yet he goes home each night with a smile on his face and excited for the next day. “Hopefully that’ll continue for a long time,” Lehr said. “I have no doubt that it will. I just feel like every day has been a great day and looking [...]

County tables wind energy moratorium

info2022-07-28T08:10:03-05:00July 28th, 2022|

Before a full house, including proponents of wind energy, the Board of Harvey County Commissioners tabled its plan to adopt a temporary moratorium on wind farms Tuesday. Commissioners voiced unanimous support a week earlier for giving the Harvey County Planning Commission more time to update county regulations. The county also is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan, which is due to arrive this coming Monday. Commissioner Randy Hague was the first to break ranks after Fiona Bagwell, with NextEra Energy, said a moratorium would have a negative impact on her company’s ability to secure leases from landowners. She said [...]

Hillsboro to seek grant for child care

info2022-07-28T08:13:16-05:00July 28th, 2022|

Hillsboro City Council voted Tuesday to pay Ranson Financial $7,500 to write a $600,000 grant for a child care center that has been high on the city’s strategic plan since the plan was last updated. City administrator Matt Stiles said donations had been raised toward the project, mostly through Hillsboro Community Foundation. Others who have given money toward a child care center include the health department, the extension district and the school district. ... Rosemary Saunders of Ranson said she expected Hillsboro to have a better chance of getting a grant because the county does not have enough child care facilities. [...]

Century II’s new managers introduce new logo that incorporates the building’s iconic roof

info2022-07-28T08:13:30-05:00July 28th, 2022|

Century II in Wichita is under new management, and now the downtown performing arts center has a new logo. At a Wednesday morning news conference, officials with ASM Global — which took over control of the building last fall — revealed new “branding” for the building that will begin appearing on signs, staff uniforms, advertisements and more. It features a blue letter “C” whose outer edge looks like the iconic blue roof on the building, which opened in 1969. The logo was designed by ASM Global, which also manages Intrust Bank Arena and The Orpheum Theatre in Wichita. Source: Wichita Eagle

City of Emporia announces logo redesign project

info2022-07-28T08:13:45-05:00July 28th, 2022|

A new logo is in the works for the city of Emporia, and commissioners are moving forward with two options to source a design. Beginning Aug. 1, local professionals can submit their designs for consideration on www.designcrowd.com. According to a written release, crowdsourcing through agencies such as Design Crowd, allows professional graphic designers from around the world, as well as local professionals to submit their design for consideration. "The crowdsourcing project allows the city to give details about aspects represented through a new logo design," said city of Emporia communications manager Christine Johnson. "The city logo committee is then able to review, [...]

Lawrence seeking community input as part of effort to update brand and marketing

info2022-07-27T07:43:47-05:00July 27th, 2022|

The City of Lawrence is looking for community input as part of an upcoming update to the city’s brand and marketing strategies. The city allocated $100,000 toward the effort. That includes $81,535 toward a contract with Guide Studio, with the remainder used for implementing the consultant’s recommendations, according to city spokesperson Porter Arneill. ... Arneill said the city’s current logo and style guide dates to 2007, and the city has not refreshed or updated its brand since. He said the brand refresh will benefit the community because it helps the city better communicate and engage with Lawrence residents and those who [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for July 26, 2022

info2022-07-27T07:41:11-05:00July 27th, 2022|

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.

The Fed could surprise markets by sounding even more aggressive as economy teeters

info2022-07-27T07:32:00-05:00July 26th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise interest rates by another three-quarters of a point Wednesday, and it could surprise markets by sounding even more unrelenting about tightening policy. That means the Fed would sound "hawkish," or in a mode where it is bent on raising interest rates as much as it needs to in order to curb inflation. The central bank is expected to announce the rate hike Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell then briefs the media at 2:30 p.m. ET. A 75-basis point, or three-quarter point, hike would put the fed funds rate in [...]

City of Wichita asks employees, contractors to wear masks in facilities

info2022-07-26T22:47:18-05:00July 26th, 2022|

The City of Wichita is asking employees and contractors to wear masks inside City facilities when they cannot maintain social distancing. The City said it is due to the rising number of positive coronavirus cases in Wichita. The city manager's office said it continues to encourage the general public to wear masks while in City buildings. Last week, Sedgwick County moved into what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls its high-risk category for the coronavirus. The CDC says people in that category should wear masks indoors in public. Source: KSN-TV

Commerce Department, Patterson Family Foundation Team Up to Help Downtown Areas Throughout Kansas

info2022-07-27T07:32:56-05:00July 26th, 2022|

It is a familiar sight in smaller Kansas communities throughout the state: vibrant downtown districts whose allure is somewhat diminished by one or two vacant or dilapidated buildings. In many cases, a major barrier to making these structures useful again is the high cost of renovation. Last fall, the Kansas Department of Commerce launched a new community revitalization program, the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL), to address the issue. With HEAL, the state assists building owners with matching grants to cover eligible expenses as historic properties are revitalized. HEAL was made possible through a collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, which [...]

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