News – Page 1615 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas is a state full of sun, but ranks 43rd in solar generation

info2020-10-07T07:02:30-05:00October 6th, 2020|

Kansas is one of the 10 sunniest states and has comparable solar power potential to Florida, averaging more than 200 sunny days a year. Yet, Kansas ranks 43rd in solar generation this year, with only 0.23% of the state’s electricity coming from solar, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, a nonprofit trade organization. The state also has little investment in solar generation on the utility-scale, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In a study done for the state Legislature on electric rates, an engineering firm found that solar has many positives for the state, consumers and utility companies, including reducing carbon emissions, lowering [...]

KDOT boosts rural towns, farmers with grants for small railroads

info2020-10-07T07:02:44-05:00October 6th, 2020|

The Kansas Department of Transportation awarded $5 million in grants to 13 small rail road related projects. On Oct. 6, Gov. Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz announced the recipients of KDOT’s Short Line Rail Fund program. Four projects were awarded to short line railroads and nine projects were awarded to grain elevators. The program is a partnership between the public and private sector, as applicants are required to provide 30% in matching funds. This year’s selected projects will improve and/or construct nearly 15 miles of track totaling a $7 million investment. “This will help a lot of small towns [...]

Economic forecast out Wednesday as Wichita looks to grow small business

info2020-10-07T07:03:14-05:00October 6th, 2020|

The Economic outlook for greater Wichita 2020 comes out this week and it is expected to show the 4th quarter will start moving in the right direction. City leaders approved a first look at an incentives package for businesses Tuesday. But it's not the big job creation entities they are targeting with the incentives. "Think small," said council member James Clendenin. "In a big way." Clendenin says small businesses are a big push for the city right now to grow the economy and add jobs. Incentives will differ based on how many jobs will be created by each small business and [...]

$105,000 city of Emporia grant will expand coronavirus testing

info2020-10-07T07:03:20-05:00October 6th, 2020|

A grant of $105,000 from the city of Emporia will make a collaboration between Newman Regional Health and the Lyon County Public Health possible. The partnership will enable expanded coronavirus testing capabilities for asymptomatic close contacts of coronavirus positive individuals. “Testing is an essential tool in the fight against COVID-19,” said Jennifer Millbern, Environmental Health Director for Lyon County Public Health. “This partnership allows us to quickly identify cases from close contact exposures and break the chain of transmission of the virus.” In accordance with CDC recommendations, Lyon County Public Health’s disease investigation and contact tracing will identify situations that have [...]

Merriam streamlines solar installation permit process for residents

info2020-10-07T07:03:41-05:00October 6th, 2020|

Merriam residents wanting to add solar installations to their homes will no longer have to go before the planning commission. Three months after the initial discussion, the Merriam City Council last week approved amendments to its solar installation ordinance. The amendments streamline the solar panel collection systems permitting process, meaning residents have more opportunities to take advantage of solar energy. Councilmember Whitney Yadrich, a key player in getting the solar installation ordinance reviewed and ultimately approved, told the Shawnee Mission Post the city is “actively creating equity opportunities” for residents — and she’s ready to see where the city goes next. Source: [...]

Getting ‘uncomfortable,’ OP City Council weighs systemic racism and city policy

info2020-10-07T07:04:03-05:00October 6th, 2020|

Overland Park city councilmembers spent some time reflecting at a workshop Monday on how they can address systemic racism in city policies. As the one-and-a-half hour session ended, they offered a variety of ideas from writing a comprehensive plan to getting more diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. “I think it’s very good that we’re having this discussion,” said Councilmember Chris Newlin. The workshop, which took place before the regular city council meeting Monday evening, was led by Shannon Portillo, associate professor of the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration. Source: Prairie Village Post

Lawrence City Commission supports extending downtown program that allows expanded outdoor dining, sales

info2020-10-07T07:06:54-05:00October 6th, 2020|

City leaders expressed strong support Tuesday for extending a program that has allowed downtown businesses to repurpose sidewalks and parking near their storefronts for outdoor dining and other uses. As part of its regular meeting, the Lawrence City Commission directed city staff to draft changes to city code that would extend the temporary downtown right-of-way program well beyond its original expiration date of Oct. 31. All four commissioners present — Mayor Jennifer Ananda was absent — agreed that they would like to see the program extended through the end of 2021, and some said they would be interested in making it [...]

USDA Invests $50,000 in Community Infrastructure in Rice County, Kansas

info2020-10-06T16:20:38-05:00October 6th, 2020|

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $50,000 toward new and improved fire engines for Rice County Rural Fire District No.1. ... Rice County will use a $50,000 grant to assist with the purchase of six engine/pumpers and build two additional engine/pumpers out of the vehicles being replaced. These vehicles will be used in Rice County and portions of Ellsworth and Reno Counties. Through mutual aid agreements with surrounding communities these fire engines could serve as far as 150 miles from Rice County. The new fire engines will provide [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for October 5, 2020

info2020-10-06T07:22:55-05:00October 6th, 2020|

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.

Kansas coronavirus hospitalizations set new pandemic record

info2020-10-06T07:14:20-05:00October 5th, 2020|

Kansas health officials report a new pandemic record for average daily hospitalizations. The state had an average of 26.29 new coronavirus hospitalizations per day for the seven days ending Monday. The previous high was 23.86 for the seven days ending Friday. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment also reported that the state saw 1,597 new confirmed and probable cases since Friday, an increase of 2.5%, bringing the total cases to 62,708. The state health department also reported eight new COVID-19-related deaths since Friday, bringing the total to 706. Source: 1350 KMAN