News – Page 1413 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Holcomb receives $224,000 in state Cost Share funding

info2021-06-10T08:06:49-05:00June 10th, 2021|

Kansas Cost Share funds in the amount of $224,000 have been awarded to the city of Holcomb Tuesday from the state. The funds will be used to improve Henderson/Jones intersection, accommodating three lanes of traffic and allowing for a right turn lane. A center, left-turn lane will also be added on Jones Avenue, west of North Henderson Street, for the addition of a center, leftturn lane. Holcomb Mayor Janelle Gaede, is thrilled to receive the funding as the project seeks to enhance pedestrian and vehicle safety around schools and businesses in the heart of the community. Source: GC Telegram.

Municipal Bond Trends for June 9, 2021

info2021-06-10T08:01:34-05:00June 10th, 2021|

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.

Heartland Flyer operating rail costs could fall to states

info2021-06-10T07:48:37-05:00June 10th, 2021|

Plans to extend Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer rail service from Oklahoma to Kansas will likely require the state to share in the operating costs if it eventually becomes reality. Amtrak officials said Tuesday that it would cost roughly $500 million for track upgrades plus an unknown amount in operating costs that still need to be worked out. “Amtrak is committed to working together with the states to find a way to advance this service,” Amtrak President Stephen Gardner told a roundtable of media and local officials Tuesday. “We’re in it for the long haul,” Gardner said. “This is the type of service [...]

Kansas picks 614 small communities for portion of federal relief package

info2021-06-10T07:55:37-05:00June 10th, 2021|

Waldron Mayor Shirley Nelson was happy to learn her tiny south-central Kansas community is slated to receive $1,517.07 in federal pandemic relief. State officials on Wednesday revealed the list of 614 small communities that will receive American Rescue Plan funds administered by the state. Waldron, with a population that fluctuates from 10 to 12, has the distinction of being the smallest city in Kansas to receive a chunk of the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package. “I’ll be glad to have it,” Nelson said. “We’re very, very small, so any extra income is very, very welcome. We have streets to take care [...]

Counties with the lowest home prices in Kansas

info2021-06-10T07:57:17-05:00June 10th, 2021|

The real estate market is booming right now thanks to low-interest rates, a flood of millennial buyers, and shrinking inventory. The median cost of a home has increased 20% year over year, hitting $347,500, according to a report released in April 2020 by real estate listing website Redfin. These high asking costs—while good for sellers—are pricing many buyers out of the market entirely. But all things are not equal when it comes to real estate in the United States. Credible used 2021 data calculated by the National Association of REALTORS to compile a list of counties with the lowest median home values and monthly mortgage payments [...]

Sedgwick loses administrator and superintendent, gains a flag

info2021-06-10T07:59:47-05:00June 10th, 2021|

City Administrator Joe Turner told the council last week that City Superintendent Kermit McGinn has announced his resignation to pursue an exciting opportunity with USD 439. “We are terribly disappointed to see him go as he is an invaluable member of our team,” Turner wrote in his report to the council. “However, we are genuinely excited for him and this opportunity and wish him well.” ... The Sedgwick City Council approved a resolution last week to adopt and declare the official city flag for the City of Sedgwick Source: Harvey County Now

Kansas school leaders having to decide how to spend more than $1 billion in federal relief money

info2021-06-10T08:00:17-05:00June 10th, 2021|

More than a billion dollars is heading to Kansas schools. The money comes from multiple federal coronavirus relief programs. On Wednesday, the Kansas State Board of Education approved $25 million for 34 districts. The money, known as ESSER II, is the second of three federal coronavirus relief bills. ESSER II includes more than $330 million specifically for Kansas schools to apply for. Some of that money has already gone out before Wednesday. What districts are spending money in round two is different than ESSER I. "With ESSER I a lot of it was technology and improving that so that you could [...]

Keystone Pipeline expansion project at Kansas’ border shut down

info2021-06-10T08:00:52-05:00June 10th, 2021|

The owners of a pipeline that runs through Kansas have shut down its expansion project for a new branch at the Nebraska border. TC Energy announced Thursday that it canceled its $9 billion Keystone XL Pipeline project, which would start at Steele City and run through South Dakota and Montana into Canada. The termination came after months before, President Joe Biden revoked a permit allowing the new pipeline addition to cross the Canadian border. TC Energy's existing Keystone Pipeline has operated since 2010 and runs in two branches through Kansas: one goes east through Seneca and into Missouri before ending at [...]

McPherson USD 418 voters reject school bond issue, sales tax question defeated

info2021-06-10T07:47:40-05:00June 10th, 2021|

The timing wasn’t right. The price tag was too large. The location was too congested. No swimming pool. Whatever the reason, the $112 million bond question put forth by USD-418 was met with a solid no by voters Tuesday night. The lack of clarity was also felt by district administrators. USD-418 Superintendent Shiloh Vincent said it wasn’t just one clear-cut reason he had heard for people voting against the bond during the community meetings the district hosted. “Responses have been varied, so that makes it tougher to know what needs addressed,” Vincent said while awaiting the final vote count at the [...]

Lawrence residents will soon be able to contribute to help neighbors in need pay their bills

info2021-06-09T08:10:18-05:00June 9th, 2021|

The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday gave a nod of approval to a program that will allow residents to donate to a utility assistance program to help others who can’t pay their bills. The program will be administered by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, which was the only group to respond to a city request for proposals, for $250 per application that gets approved by the city. The city already has a special rate for residents ages 60 and up who earn 110% of the federal poverty level or less, but this program will expand assistance to other customers with low [...]