News – Page 2420 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas Commerce launches KansasCentral.com, an Online Business and Economic Development Magazine

info2018-07-12T10:05:53-05:00July 12th, 2018|

The Kansas Department of Commerce announces the launch of a new online magazine loaded with news and feature articles on business and economic development topics in Kansas. KansasCentral.com is aimed to keep Kansans and anyone interested in starting, relocating or expanding a business in Kansas informed of topics and opportunities in the state. “It has been exciting to see so many businesses decide to expand to Kansas or start new operations here in America’s heartland, creating thousands of new jobs,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “KansasCentral.com will not only keep everyone informed of breaking news of companies locating in Kansas but [...]

Prairie Village residents focus on teardowns, new construction at first of 3 meetings

info2018-07-11T11:28:28-05:00July 11th, 2018|

When Doug Klein heard that the Prairie Village City Council was considering a new round of guidelines designed to restrict some aspects of residential construction, he worried how they might affect the plans he and his wife had to expand their home. Klein, who lives on a corner lot on 71st Street, said he wants to add a master bedroom, bathroom and two-car garage to his mid-century home. He said reading about the proposed changes online, particularly those controlling the location of garages and minimum amounts of green space, raised concerns. On Monday, he was one of more than 50 people [...]

Wichita City Council approves bonds for Cargill expansion

info2018-07-11T11:25:19-05:00July 11th, 2018|

More than $38 million in industrial revenue bonds has been approved to help pay for Cargill's new biodiesel plant in Wichita. The Wichita Eagle reports that the city council approved the bonds on Tuesday. The plant is part of an $87 million project being built at Cargill's facility. Mayor Jeff Longwell says the city is "thrilled" in the investment in the city. Cargill currently has a soybean processing plant, a grain elevator and truck and rail bulk loadout operation at the site. Cargill facility leader John White says the site has produced vegetable oil, but it will transition to making biodiesel. [...]

Holton City Commission meets library halfway on mill levy request

info2018-07-11T11:24:25-05:00July 11th, 2018|

Members of the Beck-Bookman Library Board of Directors asked the Holton City Commission for extra funds to cover operations costs at the Holton library — funds that would come from a special city property tax levy — for fiscal year 2019. The commission responded by agreeing to meet the library board halfway. During the commission’s Monday, July 2 meeting, commissioners agreed to up the mill levy for the library from five mills to six after library board members asked for an increase of two mills, which would generate about $40,000 to cover operations and maintenance costs at the library. “We hate [...]

Chanute plans energy audit for buildings

info2018-07-11T11:20:30-05:00July 11th, 2018|

Chanute commissioners voted Monday evening to seek an energy audit for municipal buildings. Energy Solutions Professionals from Overland Park was the only one that responded of three companies city officials asked to provide a request for proposals for an investment-grade energy audit. ESP presented a preliminary audit at the April 23 meeting. Utilities Director Larry Gates said it may be difficult for the Memorial Building to have enough energy savings to pay for the needed improvements in efficiency. But he also said the building’s boiler, installed in 1984, is near the end of its useful life. (Read more: The Chanute Tribune [...]

Dumpster fees about to change in Winfield

info2018-07-11T11:19:23-05:00July 11th, 2018|

A new ordinance from the City of Winfield will simplify the fee schedule for rental of trailer dumpsters. The new schedule will have two rates, for residential customers and for commercial customers and contractors. The new fees, which take effect Aug. 1, are $50 for 24 hours or per dump for residential customers, and $100 for 24 hours or per dump for commercial customers and contractors. Community improvements director Patrick Steward didn’t have exact numbers, but said the the four-cubic-yard dumpsters are well-utilized by citizens. There are currently three rates: one for residential demolition materials, one for commercial demolition materials and [...]

July free-chlorine burn to disinfect water system in Augusta

info2018-07-11T11:18:30-05:00July 11th, 2018|

The City of Augusta Water Department will be conducting a free-chlorine burn to disinfect the water distribution system July 9, 2018, through the end of the month. Water utilities with chloramine disinfection use free-chlorine burns and system flushes to provide routine maintenance. Free-chlorine burns also reduce the potential for coliform or other types of bacteria in the system. During the free-chlorine burn, the water disinfection process will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine, which is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Fire hydrants will be open periodically to flush the distribution system, helping to remove sediment from pipes and distribute chlorine. [...]

11.1 percent sales tax at Edison District in downtown OP would be among highest in Kansas

info2018-07-11T11:16:57-05:00July 11th, 2018|

A new four-level parking garage won’t solve the parking crunch in downtown Overland Park during the day, city officials said. In fact, daytime weekday parking for the public will stay about even with what it is now, said City Manager Bill Ebel. But council members still agreed to a $14.4 million public financing package for the Edison office and retail development, saying the influx of office workers and entertainment will be good for business and bring more people to shop downtown. The package includes $10.6 million in tax increment financing to build the parking garage and a two percent additional sales [...]

City of Pratt hosts Kansas State Firefighters Association training session

info2018-07-11T11:06:58-05:00July 11th, 2018|

The city of Pratt played host to more than 50 firefighters who were in town July 7 and 8 as part of Kansas State Firefighters Association training sessions. Firefighters from Pratt, Larned State Hospital, Sawyer, Cullison, Barber County, Anthony, Harper, Pratt County Rescue, Township 12, Kingman County, Ellis County, Reno County, Argonia and Ford County participated. Lessons covered included vehicle extraction, pump operations (running the fire truck), search and rescue, building construction and structural collapse, fire cause and determination, ventilation, burn trailer and wildfires. Instructors and experienced firefighters from the Kansas State Firefighters Association offered constant support for people going through [...]

Council OKs Edison OP, despite complaints about changing character of Overland Park

info2018-07-11T09:44:29-05:00July 11th, 2018|

Construction of a controversial downtown Overland Park office/entertainment complex is expected to begin this fall, after the City Council approved tax incentives and an unprecedented 2 percent sales tax to support the development. "I'm really excited," developer Tim Barton said after the Council's votes Monday night to support financial incentives for the $53.8 million Edison OP project. The proposal has generated considerable debate about the changing character in downtown Overland Park, especially over increased density, traffic, parking shortages and noise. But Barton said he has listened and responded to public suggestions and concerns that he thought led to a better project. [...]