News – Page 24 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Tensions flare as commissioners consider unified approach to economic development

info2024-10-21T09:51:32-05:00October 21st, 2024|

In a marathon session Wednesday, the Emporia City Commission grappled with the complex task of reimagining the city’s economic development strategy. The meeting centered on implementing recommendations from a recent VisionFirst Advisors report, particularly the creation of an umbrella organization to oversee various economic development entities. The plan, presented by VisionFirst President and CEO Gray Swoope in September, recommends consolidating several key organizations under a single umbrella structure. This would include the Regional Development Association, Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Emporia Main Street, and Visit Emporia. Source: Emporia Gazette

City commission approves agreements with Freeman for ER, hospital

info2024-10-21T09:49:28-05:00October 21st, 2024|

Freeman Health Systems plans to bring health care services to Fort Scott and Bourbon County moved a step forward after action Tuesday night by the Fort Scott City Commission. Source: Fort Scott Tribune

Ortiz delivers State of City address

info2024-10-21T09:48:10-05:00October 21st, 2024|

Manny Ortiz, Garden City Mayor, and Matt Allen, City Manager of Garden City, answered that question during the annual State of the City address at the Oct. 16 Chamber Breakfast hosted by the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce at the Clarion Inn. Ortiz said the focus on key priorities have shaped Garden City’s growth in 2024. The priorities include developing strong relationships with community and beyond, updating and maintaining public infrastructure and facilities, encouraging private development and creating new public spaces to improve the quality of life. “These goals have driven every position, every project and every initiative we’ve taken [...]

Grant funding parking, music, and beautification for Sedgwick

info2024-10-21T09:46:33-05:00October 21st, 2024|

Sedgwick’s downtown will be getting an upgrade, thanks to a major state grant it recently received. The Kansas Department of Transportation announced this week that it awarded Sedgwick a $215,384.80 Transportation Alternative Grant. The award was part of $31.5 million in grants given out statewide, aimed at helping to make Kansas communities safer, more walkable, and bike-friendly. The program requires a 20 percent local match for the project cost. Sedgwick’s grant, for starters, would improve the block on Commercial Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets. Source: Harvey County Now

Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick counties declared a drought emergency

info2024-10-21T09:45:13-05:00October 21st, 2024|

Harvey County was declared as a drought emergency with Sedgwick and Reno counties under a recent proclamation made by Governor Laura Kelly. “Drought conditions have persisted across the state through the summer season, and Kansans are continuing to see the effects,” Kelly said. “With conditions expected to remain dry throughout the fall, Kansans should consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.” Parts of Harvey County, have been susceptible to wildfires in the past, especially the Sand Hills area near Burrton. In November of 2020, 5,000 acres burned near Burrton. In March 2022, 820 acres burned as part [...]

Stump design chosen as North Newton flag winner

info2024-10-21T09:43:29-05:00October 21st, 2024|

Blayne Stump of North Newton is the winner of the North Newton city flag contest with his sunflower design. The five finalists and winner were announced during the regular Monday night meeting of the North Newton City Council. Representatives from Conrade Insurance were there to hand Stump a $500 check. “Pretty crazy,” Stump said about winning. “I didn’t expect to win. I was excited to make a submission. I spent a lot of time making different designs.” The other four finalists were Byron Ediger, Elise McGinnis, Glen Ediger and Oscar Gonzalez. “I had a lot of fun designing this,” Stump said. [...]

Opposition to sales tax hike noted at public hearing

info2024-10-21T09:41:45-05:00October 21st, 2024|

Local business owners expressed their opposition to increasing the county’s current sales tax rate during a special Jackson County Commission meeting last week. At the revenue neutral rate hearing for the county budget in August, some taxpayers asked about the possibility of increasing the sales tax in the county to offset a mill rate increase. About 50 people attended a special evening meeting on Sept. 30 to share their input on increasing the current sales tax in the county. The meeting lasted an hour and 45 minutes. Jackson County currently has a 1.4 percent sales tax rate, which includes a special [...]

Olathe OKs $350M in incentives for latest phase of Coca-Cola bottling plant

info2024-10-21T09:39:58-05:00October 21st, 2024|

Olathe has signed off on $350 million in incentives for the next phase of the Heartland Coca-Cola bottling plant campus on the city’s southern edge. Earlier this week, the Olathe City Council unanimously voted to issue the industrial revenue bonds, which are also tied to a 10-year, 55% property tax abatement, to the development near 167th Street and Hedge Lane. Source: Johnson County Post

Olathe paves way for bigger animal shelter to replace ‘woefully outdated’ one

info2024-10-21T09:38:52-05:00October 21st, 2024|

Olathe has picked a home for its replacement animal shelter and animal control facility. On Tuesday, the Olathe City Council took two votes to start the process of acquiring property near Santa Fe Street and Ridgeview Road. Both actions passed 8-1, with Councilmember Kevin Gilmore in dissent. He did not publicly explain his “no” votes. Source: Johnson County Post

Hays, Russell sue Edwards County over efforts to block water transfer project

info2024-10-21T09:37:13-05:00October 21st, 2024|

Two western Kansas towns are accusing a neighboring county of interfering with their efforts to pipe in water for their residents to battle frequent drought and contamination. The cities of Hays and Russell last week filed a lawsuit against Edwards County over zoning regulations they argue target their plan to draw groundwater from the R9 Ranch in Edwards County to supplement their municipal water supplies. Hays and Russell’s lawsuit says their current supplies are “highly susceptible to drought and contamination” and calls their plan to pipe water from the ranch one of “existential importance.” According to the lawsuit, Edwards County has [...]