News – Page 1213 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

How Humboldt, Kansas, became a must-see destination for 2022

info2022-01-27T12:26:24-06:00January 27th, 2022|

The work done by a dedicated group in the small town in southeast Kansas caught the attention of The New York Times. Over the past five years, the economic development group A Bolder Humboldt has been at work building up the town with new businesses and renovations along with venues for recreation, all to revitalize their community. Their efforts paid off as Humboldt was just included on The New York Times' list of "52 Places for a Changed World." In writing of the town with a population of fewer than 2,000 people, the Times noted that Humboldt was "becoming an unexpected [...]

Kansas Supreme Court to hear ‘dark store’ case

info2022-01-27T12:14:52-06:00January 27th, 2022|

The so-called “dark store” debate over how big box stores are valued is now in the hands of the Kansas Supreme Court. The state’s highest court has agreed to hear Johnson County’s appeal of a court decision that found the county overvalued 11 big-box retail stores. Last fall, the Kansas Court of Appeals upheld a decision by the state’s tax appeals board, which found the county overvalued a group of Walmarts and Sam’s Clubs by about $60 million in 2017 and $63 million in 2016. The appeals court’s fueled the so-called “dark store theory,” a criticism leveled at retailers that believe [...]

Lawrence’s Sister Cities program connects community with Japan, Germany, Greece

info2022-01-27T12:25:27-06:00January 27th, 2022|

In 1986, the City of Lawrence launched a Sister Cities program to bring people together. And it has. The program has planted the seed for four marriages between Lawrencians and residents in Eutin, Germany; it’s brought our quilting community closer to the one in Hiratsuka, Japan; and it even helped KU Theatre collaborate on a Greek tragedy performed in the ancient open-air theatre of Iniades, Greece. For 36 years, the award-winning nonprofit has been promoting peace and understanding between Lawrence and its three sister cities. Source: The Lawrence Times

Hutchinson task force recommends bulk of local ARPA allocation be used to address childcare issues

info2022-01-27T08:02:19-06:00January 27th, 2022|

Members of a task force created to recommend where $17 million in federal COVID-19 relief coming to Hutchinson and Reno County should be spent in order to have a lasting impact on the community suggested Tuesday the bulk of money go to addressing child care issues. The group held more than 40 interactive community meetings over a couple of months to receive public input on priorities for using the American Rescue Plan Act dollars. While seven key areas were identified from among the more than 1,100 ideas generated during the sessions, addressing daycare was mentioned at every meeting and was among [...]

USDA Invests Nearly $23 Million to Improve Community Infrastructure for Rural Towns Across Kansas

info2022-01-27T07:57:26-06:00January 27th, 2022|

Funding Will Increase Access to Health Care and Public Safety for 15 Rural Communities in the State. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director Kansas Dan Fischer today announced that USDA is investing $22,965,600 to build and improve critical community facilities in 15 communities. This infrastructure funding will increase access to health care and public safety while spurring community development and building sound infrastructure for people living in rural communities. The programs assisting these communities include Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Disaster Grants, and Economic Impact Initiative Grants. The projects [...]

Population growth, COVID among concerns as Topeka mayor, city manager lay out vision for 2022

info2022-01-27T07:55:27-06:00January 27th, 2022|

A month into the new year and both of their respective jobs, Topeka Mayor Mike Padilla and interim City Manager Bill Cochran see a bright future for Topeka in 2022. At their first joint news conference, Padilla and Cochran said one of the city's biggest challenges, aside from managing COVID-19, will be retaining and growing population. ... Padilla said lower population numbers could lead to some budget issues, and the city will have to anticipate some potential budget challenges. Source: CJonline

Saline County using COVID relief funds for workforce development, business recovery, mental health

info2022-01-27T08:01:07-06:00January 27th, 2022|

Saline County, with the use of federal COVID relief funds, will be working with local higher educators and national technology organizations to help with workforce development, business recovery and mental health in the county. The Saline County Board of Commissioners approved four programs during its meeting Tuesday morning as part of the Phase II funding of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes said Saline County was allocated over $10.5 million, half of which has been received while the remaining half is expected to come later this year. The ARPA funding can be used to help meet community [...]

Emporia considers new water tower designs

info2022-01-27T07:26:59-06:00January 27th, 2022|

How should Emporia present itself to the heavy traffic that passes through on I-35 every day? That was the question put in front of city commissioners Wednesday morning. The water tower at the corner of 12th Avenue and Lakeview Street near Dillon’s is set to undergo a rehabilitation project, and as part of that, the commission has the opportunity to put something new on it. What that something new is, though, is still undecided. Prior to Wednesday’s study session, the commission received a few mockups of potential designs for the water tower, including one heralding Emporia’s reputation as the founding city [...]

Overland Park working out system for residents to more easily track city councilmembers’ votes

info2022-01-27T07:26:25-06:00January 27th, 2022|

People who want to know sooner rather than later how individual councilmembers voted in Overland Park may get some help this year. A city council committee recently sent instructions for staff to work out the nuts and bolts of including voting records on the city’s website within a day or two of a meeting, rather than later in the approved minutes. Source: Prairie Village Post

Municipal Bond Trends for January 26, 2022

info2022-01-27T07:25:56-06:00January 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.