News

The Kansas Department of Commerce celebrated the success of the 2025 Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) last week by bringing together representatives from 50 Kansas communities, statewide grant administrators, legislators and members of the Kansas congressional delegation. The event highlighted the impact of more than $22 million in CDBG funding awarded in 2025 to projects across Kansas, leveraging $28,846,991 in local and partner match funding to invest in rural development and local infrastructure. Combined, the projects represent a total investment of $50,920,498 in communities throughout the state. See the awardees: Commerce

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 Community Development Block Grant program provides funding for projects in rural, lower-income areas. Projects include infrastructure improvements, park renovations, and commercial building rehabilitation. In 2025, the state awarded $22 million to 50 communities, combined with $29 million in local matches. Read more: CJonline For assistance with grant applications and administration contact Ranson Financial.

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that $1 million in Attraction Development Grant funding was awarded to support the development and enhancement of tourism projects across Kansas. The Kansas Tourism grant program supports projects that strengthen visitors’ experiences while driving local economic growth through job creation, private investment and increased visitation. “Investments in tourism and our state attractions have been a powerful driver in economic growth for our communities of all sizes and for all of Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By pairing state support with local commitment, we’re expanding tourism opportunities [...]

As both energy prices and inflation fears pop, expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts are sliding. Traders in recent days have abandoned hopes of an early summer easing from the central bank, a change in thinking that coincided with the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran and a burst in oil prices to around $100 a barrel. Prior to the conflict, the market anticipation had been for a quarter percentage point rate reduction in June, likely another one in September, and on outside chance of even three depending on how the economics played out, according to the CME Group's FedWatch calculations. Much [...]

America is in the midst of a property tax revolt. In 2024 and 2025, more than a dozen states passed laws meant to slash property taxes for homeowners. And in several states, including Florida, Georgia and Texas, policymakers want to go even further and eliminate homeowner property taxes altogether. These solutions may be politically appealing, but draconian measures are not the answer. They hobble local governments’ ability to raise necessary revenues to provide essential services for their residents and undermine progressivity in our tax system. In many cases, they amount to a solution in search of a problem. There are more [...]

After 41 years in the fire service, including nine years as Fire Chief for the Hutchinson Fire Department, Chief Steve Beer will be retiring at the end of this month. During his leadership, the department achieved several major milestones, including earning ISO Class 1 status and becoming an Internationally Accredited Fire Department—both rare recognitions that reflect the department’s high standards and commitment to service. Chief Beer also led efforts to modernize the department’s apparatus fleet, spearheaded the development of the new Fire Station 1, and expanded the department’s training facility into a site that now attracts agencies from across the region. [...]

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that $1 million in Attraction Development Grant funding was awarded to support the development and enhancement of tourism projects across Kansas. The Kansas Tourism grant program supports projects that strengthen visitors’ experiences while driving local economic growth through job creation, private investment and increased visitation. “Investments in tourism and our state attractions have been a powerful driver in economic growth for our communities of all sizes and for all of Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By pairing state support with local commitment, we’re expanding tourism opportunities [...]

The North Newton City Council decided to explore the idea of possible bicycle and e-bike regulations during its regular Monday night meeting. This matter arose at the February meeting, when Councilman Dennis Campbell brought up an e-bike accident that occurred in town. The person rode on the sidewalk on 24th Street, Campbell said. At that meeting, Campbell distributed a journal containing information about e-bike safety and cities with e-bike ordinances. This is a council-driven matter, City Administrator Brad Harris said. Mayor Ron Ratzlaff talked about information he brought, one of which was a summary of Newton’s related ordinances. Harris said staff [...]

Property owners who live outside of any city in Johnson County looking to use their property for short-term rentals will have new regulations designed to allow access to potential economic benefit while protecting quality of life for surrounding properties. The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved the new regulations on Thursday. The regulations apply to property owners who are hosting short-term stays of fewer than 30 nights. Before Thursday’s vote, Johnson County zoning regulations did not address short-term rentals. These new regulations can help ensure that potential hosts have a flexible and clear set of requirements to follow, while neighbors [...]