Wichita economist Bekah Selby-Leach discusses how AI, population shifts and aerospace growth will shape the region's 2027 economy. Read more: Wichita Business Journal

The most-used incentive program for commercial development in the Wichita region is industrial revenue bonds, which are meant to encourage business expansion, retention and job creation. The Wichita area is one of the top regions in Kansas for approved property tax breaks through revenue bonds — a statewide program that has resulted in a significant increase in forgone tax revenue in the past decade as property valuations rise and higher-priced projects seek incentives, a state audit reported in July. Sedgwick County has foregone $209 million in property taxes through industrial revenue bonds since 2010, with the city of Wichita giving up [...]

Wichita is preparing to rethink its incentive strategies as a new city manager takes the helm and past missteps has led to frustration. Read more: Wichita Business Journal

Wichita is reviewing its economic development incentives programs. This is an explainer of the current policies, including industrial revenue bonds and tax increment financing. Read more: Wichita Business Journal

Treasury yields fell on Thursday, giving back some of the recent gains that propelled longer-dated rates to levels not seen in decades. The 10-year Treasury yield breached a level last seen in April 2002, before easing 5 basis points to 5.243%. The 10-year influences rates on mortgage and auto loans and credit card debt. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond also hit its highest in 24 years before dropping more than 2 basis points to 5.613%. Read more: CNBC Bonds

As demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud computing drives rapid data center development across the country, local governments are confronting complex decisions about water and energy use, infrastructure, economic development and community impact. Read more: National League of Cities

Cowley County commissioners — to the applause of property owners — on Tuesday approved the hiring of a law firm to represent the county in the ongoing fight over the Buffalo Flats transmission line project in south-central Kansas. The contract authorizes the county administrator and county counselor to seek legal representation from Foulston Law Office of Wichita regarding the Buffalo Flats project, at a cost not to exceed $15,000. Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com

Sedgwick County has continued to put data center development on hold through the year, enacting an interim control period on data center applications back in January. On Sept. 2, the Sedgwick County Commission extended that control period once again, now in effect through Dec. 24. As the development of data centers has become a national talking point over the past year, the lack of regulations for such development was identified as something to address in Sedgwick County – hence the control period. While the control period is in place, county staff is working on a set of regulations to help define [...]

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The Rose Hill City Council is currently considering a petition to ban data centers in the community, which was addressed at a council meeting on Sept. 21. Read more: www.derbyinformer.com