News – Page 1426 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas tourism industry ‘getting back on the horse’

info2021-05-24T07:00:55-05:00May 23rd, 2021|

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is highlighting the state's tourism and hospitality industry, the ninth-largest industry in the state. The industry brought in more than $86 million per year for the state in pre-pandemic days. Dan Murray, Kansas state director of National Federation of Independent Business, told The Center Square there is no doubt the pandemic dramatically impacted the tourism industry and tourism-related retailers. "From gift shops in Lindsborg to bars and restaurants in Manhattan on a football Saturday, small businesses saw a steep drop in foot traffic," Murray said. "Many retailers and venues tried to overcome the limitations imposed by the [...]

City, county review Manhattan Development Code

info2021-05-24T07:01:46-05:00May 23rd, 2021|

Officials anticipate moving into the final stages of finishing the Manhattan Development Code in mid-July. Chad Bunger, assistant director of community development for the city government, updated Riley County commissioners Thursday on the progress of the Manhattan Development Code during a joint meeting with Manhattan city commissioners. The main goal is to put all the zoning and design information into one document and make it easier for the public to understand. Officials have been working with Manhattan city commissioners on this document for the past few months. Manhattan Mayor Wynn Butler encouraged the county commissioners to review the code more in-depth [...]

Developer proposing new $43.6M Museum of Art and Light next to Discovery Center in Manhattan

info2021-05-24T07:02:24-05:00May 23rd, 2021|

A nonprofit corporation wants to build a new 50,000-square-foot Museum of Art and Light next to the Flint Hills Discovery Center, seeking state sales tax revenue to build another downtown attraction. According to documents The Mercury obtained on Friday, the Museum of Art and Light Inc. has submitted an 86-page plan to the city government, positioning the project as Phase II to the Discovery Center’s Phase I. The corporation’s resident agent is Tracey DeBruyn of Manhattan. The plan describes the facility as a “state-of-the-art museum featuring immersive exhibits and interactive displays, creating a one-of-a-kind, hands-on, art and cultural attraction unmatched in [...]

It may taste and smell bad because of recent rains, but the city of Topeka says its water is still safe to drink

info2021-05-21T10:29:07-05:00May 21st, 2021|

Some of the water coming out of Topeka faucets currently tastes and smells bad, Topeka's city government acknowledged Tuesday. Still, the tap water the city provides remains safe to drink and meets all drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said Molly Hadfield, the city's media relations coordinator. A flood of citizen complaints — about 40 over two days, according to Hadfield — prompted the city to put out a news release late Tuesday morning saying the city's drinking water was experiencing "an issue with taste and odor." Source: CJonline.

Chlorine shortage hits southeast Kansas

info2021-05-21T10:29:54-05:00May 21st, 2021|

With summer right around the corner, many are undoubtedly looking forward to going swimming, perhaps for the first time in over a year, since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down public pools. A chlorine shortage is threatening to throw cold water on such plans nationwide, however, and southeast Kansas is not immune. Brian Cussimanio, public works director for the City of Frontenac, said at Monday’s city council meeting that he ordered enough chlorine tablets to last through the summer three or four weeks ago, when he first heard they were becoming scarce. Source: Pittsburg Morning Sun.

Municipal finance tools are getting extensive consideration by Congress

info2021-05-21T08:31:01-05:00May 21st, 2021|

The extensive consideration that municipal finance tools are getting as Congress considers infrastructure legislation is producing growing optimism among public finance and local government groups. Lawmakers have voiced bipartisan and bicameral support for a revival of direct-pay Build America Bonds, reinstating tax-exempt advance refundings and raising the limit on tax-exempt bank-qualified debt to $30 million for nonprofit borrowers. The Biden administration is scheduled to weigh in on May 28 with its detailed tax proposals as part of its 2022 budget. Source: The Bond Buyer

Hiring woes hit Cowley County

info2021-05-21T08:29:54-05:00May 21st, 2021|

Help wanted signs have become more common as the COVID-19 pandemic winds down and businesses reopen further, but many employers are now experiencing a shortage of workers as positions remain unfilled. ... Some have blamed the lack of job-seekers on expanded unemployment benefits approved by the federal government in response to the pandemic, which allowed people an extra $300 per week. In response, some states have moved to end the additional aid before it expires in September. Kerri Falletti, executive director of Cowley First, said around 160 jobs are listed right now on the Cowley Works job posting website that is [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for May 20, 2021

info2021-05-21T07:08:18-05:00May 21st, 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.

KAKE News Special Report: Repopulating Nicodemus through tiny houses

info2021-05-21T07:05:01-05:00May 21st, 2021|

The historic town of Nicodemus has struggled to increase its population for decades, and descendants of original settlers are concerned that without new residents, the town could perish. Just a few dozen people are now living in Nicodemus, but town leaders think they have found a tiny solution to a big problem. “The tiny homes project,” says Dr. JohnElla Holmes, who helped pioneer the program. “Why don’t we do tiny homes which would be more affordable, would definitely help them scale back, and would also help our community grow?” Holmes wrote a grant with the Dane Hanson Foundation to fuel the [...]

USD 383, MATC exploring creation of college and career academy

info2021-05-21T07:04:46-05:00May 20th, 2021|

The Manhattan-Ogden school board has approved a partnership with Manhattan Area Technical College and area businesses to explore the possibility of creating a college and career academy. Superintendent Marvin Wade says the goal is to help students become informed consumers and use real world applications. “We want to continue the discussions and that’s going to include and what are the programs of study what are the areas that are out there that we can expand. Right now we’re limited in space and what we’re able to do so we need to look at space, we need to look at the programs, [...]