News – Page 1221 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Advantages of Lawrence’s parking payment apps outweighed by dissatisfaction for some downtown users

info2022-01-21T08:47:30-06:00January 21st, 2022|

Mobile payment options added to metered parking in downtown Lawrence have provided a new level of convenience for many shoppers and diners, but the change has left others fighting tickets and feeling frustrated. The City of Lawrence launched the new payment options last spring as part of a larger parking management system that added mobile apps and kiosks to metered parking areas. The system was intended to improve downtown parking through added convenience, but also by enabling the city to collect data and adapt to accommodate needs. Some app users, however, say the new system is generating unwarranted parking tickets that [...]

De Soto primes for massive (but not explosive) growth

info2022-01-21T08:41:03-06:00January 21st, 2022|

Sunflower Ordnance Works sprang up after the attack on Pearl Harbor pushed the United States into World War II. Almost overnight, it grew to become the world’s largest powder and propellant plant, bringing as many as 12,000 employees at a time to the small town of De Soto. Workers bused in from virtually every town within an hour’s drive, and Sunflower Village was built to house others. Sunflower Village, now known as Clearview City, became part of De Soto. And although there have been plans through the years to turn the shuttered ammunition plant into everything from a research park to [...]

Riley County discuss details of proposed rural economic advisory board

info2022-01-21T08:40:22-06:00January 21st, 2022|

Riley County commissioners on Thursday discussed term details for a proposed rural economic development board. The proposed rural economic development board would consist of six members of the public, plus the county extension director (Gary Fike), a county extension staff member (John Jobe), and a staff member of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce (Daryn Soldan). So far, the county has received applications from Gordon Hibbard, Kent Glasscock, Brenda Jordan, Ron Wilson and Jada Sharp. The commission hasn't voted to accept these applications. The county government wants to create the board to develop more ways for rural residents to continue economic [...]

New broadband program available to help with internet costs

info2022-01-21T08:39:48-06:00January 21st, 2022|

The Emergency Broadband Benefit, a federal program that helped almost 9 million low income Americans afford internet service in 2021, ended on December 31. The Kansas Corporation Commission wants Kansans to know that a new $14.2 billion federal program, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), is available to fill the gap. With higher income maximums, the ACP could help even more families afford internet access for work, school, and health care. Current Emergency Broadband Benefit participants have until March 1 to contact their internet provider and switch over to the new plan with no interruption of service. Source: Local News | hiawathaworldonline.com

Municipal Bond Trends for January 20, 2022

info2022-01-21T08:17:31-06:00January 21st, 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.

Pandemic has taken a serious toll on mental health

info2022-01-20T07:55:42-06:00January 20th, 2022|

Community Mental Health Centers across Kansas are looking to ease pandemic anxiety. The Crawford County Mental Health Center is offering more options than ever to help. In fact, it's now offering zoom therapy and telephone visits. "Services are easier than ever to get into. We are still offering in-person services so if that's important to you it's still an option," said Amy Goines, Clinical Director of Crawford County Mental Health Center. During the pandemic the CCMHC is seeing more teachers and school district employees coming in for therapy. Source: KSNF/KODE

Legislators push back on proposed incentives for ‘megaprojects’

info2022-01-20T07:09:29-06:00January 20th, 2022|

A parade of state and local economic development leaders, however, painted the legislation as a key way of modernizing how the state attracts and retains large companies. Officials argued that mega-projects, or deals totaling more than $1 billion in investment, are now the norm and Kansas must keep up with the Jones — or, in this case, states like Texas and Arizona. ... In this case, the legislation is largely targeted at the mystery company, who has agreed to create 4,000 permanent direct jobs, with an average income of $50,000. Paul Hughes, deputy secretary of commerce, told the Senate Commerce Committee [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 19, 2022

info2022-01-20T06:59:28-06:00January 20th, 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.

Wichita developer considering $50 million ice center

info2022-01-20T07:04:55-06:00January 19th, 2022|

As the Wichita City Council is poised to vote on a new contract for management of the Wichita Ice Center downtown, a well-known developer is poised to kick off plans for a potential new $50 million ice center in the K-96 and Greenwich area. “I am going to propose building a new ice center in Wichita,” said Rick Worner, who is involved in major developments in Wichita, Goddard and Derby. “I have run this concept by a half dozen local Wichita people and a dozen non-Wichita people — banks, financial institutions.” Sales tax and revenue bonds, or STAR bonds, are part [...]

Sedgwick County will require COVID-19 vaccines for health care workers

info2022-01-19T22:46:38-06:00January 19th, 2022|

Sedgwick County commissioners voted Wednesday to go along with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers, as required by the federal government, but some commissioners voiced reservations over the decision. The mandate requires health care and COMCARE workers for the county to be vaccinated by February 28th. The mandate does not apply to fire and EMS workers, and it would not apply to people working remotely. Commissioner Jim Howell said he is vaccinated and is not against the vaccine, but he doesn’t like the mandate and he doesn’t want to see a county employee terminated for not getting the vaccine. [...]