Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

City of Emporia announces logo redesign project

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, rate, and give feedback to the professionals selected for recommendation. Although, the author of the design is not revealed until a winning design is chosen. This way the winning design is chosen solely off merit of design.”
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2022-07-28T08:13:45-05:00July 28, 2022|News|

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

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 work in or visit the city.
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2022-07-27T07:43:47-05:00July 27, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for July 26, 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.

Ranson Financial2022-07-27T07:41:11-05:00July 27, 2022|News|

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

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 a range of 2.25% to 2.5%. The Fed started raising interest rates in March, when the fed funds range was zero to 0.25%. Investors will be looking for guidance from Powell on what the Fed could do at its next meeting in September. For a period this month, markets had even braced for a full-point hike, but Fed officials discouraged that view.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2022-07-27T07:32:00-05:00July 26, 2022|News|

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

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

Ranson Financial2022-07-26T22:47:18-05:00July 26, 2022|News|

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

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 has been dedicated to strengthening rural communities since 2007.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-07-27T07:32:56-05:00July 26, 2022|News|

Low-Cost Cities With Strong Economies Remain Attractive as Housing Market Slows (Topeka is #9 on index)

Low-cost cities with strong economies fared well in the second quarter as high prices and rising mortgage rates caused a swift slowdown in the housing market. As remote or hybrid work schedules have become more common, households are willing to relocate for cheaper housing or a better quality of life. That migration helped push small, affordable markets to the top of the Housing Markets Index in the second quarter. The index identifies the top metro areas for home buyers seeking an appreciating housing market, a strong local economy and appealing lifestyle amenities.
Source: WSJ.com

Ranson Financial2022-07-27T07:35:22-05:00July 26, 2022|News|

Will a pay increase fix the Sedgwick County Jail staff shortage?

Down more than 100 employees. Currently, the Sedgwick County Jail is only 50% staffed. The shortage is now at crisis levels. He said the only solution is upping pay. Employees at the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office received a 2% increase in pay this month. It bumped up the starting salary for detention deputies to more than $19 an hour. However, Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said people are still not applying. During some shifts, there is only one deputy to every 70 inmates. “I knew of a place in ‘such and such’ part of the United States that raised the pay to $27 an hour, and now they are only down 9 staff. It’s about the pay,” said Sheriff Easter.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-07-26T22:37:58-05:00July 26, 2022|News|

Wichita city council, police clash over possible decriminalization of marijuana

Wichita council members are in a tussle with the police department over decriminalizing marijuana. During a workshop on Tuesday, interim chief Lemuel Moore told council members that even if they repealed the city ordinance on marijuana, officers would have to enforce state law. “We can have discretion when it comes to infractions, but when it comes to the law, the law is the law,” Moore said.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-07-27T07:37:11-05:00July 26, 2022|News|

Skunks alarm Newton residents at high school track field, other parts of town

A pack of about eight or 10 skunks called the Newton High School track field home this past weekend. The high school track, which is open to the public, is commonly used by Newton residents. “Lots of people run here and walk here in the evenings. I’ve seen bikes and people bring their dogs. It’s a very utilized space,” said Carly Stavola, director of communications for the Newton school district. Stavola added that one skunk even chased a resident over the weekend.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-07-27T07:37:37-05:00July 26, 2022|News|

About Ranson Financial

City of Emporia announces logo redesign project

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

Municipal Bond Trends for July 26, 2022

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

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

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

Low-Cost Cities With Strong Economies Remain Attractive as Housing Market Slows (Topeka is #9 on index)

Will a pay increase fix the Sedgwick County Jail staff shortage?

Wichita city council, police clash over possible decriminalization of marijuana

Skunks alarm Newton residents at high school track field, other parts of town

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