‘Remote workers have killed us’: Downtown Topeka businesses share challenges
...some small and locally owned businesses in downtown Topeka are still paying the price in the new hybrid work-experience. Angie Anderson, owner of Cashmere Popcorn, said she has seen a significant decline in walk-in traffic because of the work-from-home policies that many offices based in downtown buildings now have. "We are learning to adjust," Anderson said. "This, of course, has been going on since 2020." Source: CJonline
Fed minutes point to ‘likely’ rate cut coming in September
Federal Reserve officials at their July meeting moved closer to a long-awaited interest rate reduction, stopping short while indicating that a September cut had Federal Reserve officials at their July meeting moved closer to a long-awaited interest rate reduction, but stopped short while indicating that a September cut had grown increasingly probable, minutes released Wednesday showed. “The vast majority” of participants at the July 30-31 meeting “observed that, if the data continued to come in about as expected, it would likely be appropriate to ease policy at the next meeting,” the summary said. Markets are fully pricing in a September cut, [...]
Developer clears hurdle for Olathe project with housing, industrial
Plans to build a massive mixed-use development along U.S. Highway 169 in Olathe could bring hundreds of new jobs to a fast-growing corridor. On Tuesday, the Olathe City Council unanimously approved a series of zoning changes for Ward Development to create Park 169 on 247 acres northeast of 167th Street and Highway 169. Park 169 includes plans for townhomes, apartments, single-family homes and more than a dozen industrial buildings. The site is surrounded by homes to the east, undeveloped land to the south and industrial business parks to the west and north. A right-of-way for Burlington Northern Railroad sits between Highway [...]
Despite more housing, Wichita seeing a 10% increase in rent
Last year, 800 new housing units were built in Wichita, a five-year high. Still, even with the supply going up, rent went up by 10%. A real estate expert at Wichita State University said the new apartments aren’t helping the market as much as you’d think because we’ve been in a deficit of new builds since the 2008 financial crisis. The need for housing goes beyond numbers in a report. According to local nonprofits, it’s directly impacting their operations. When you operate an emergency domestic violence shelter, you have to be able to admit people fast. “We don’t have a waiting [...]
Familiar barriers hinder city’s growth
A recent article in the Topeka Capital-Journal listed Pittsburg in the top 14 Kansas cities to lose at least 100 residents between 2022 and 2023. Three other southeast Kansas cities — Independence, Coffeyville, and Chanute — also made the list at the 11th, 12th, and 14th spots, respectively. Pittsburg ranked seventh with a loss of 154 citizens, leaving the city with 20,504 residents. Pittsburg City Manager Daron Hall said he reviewed the Capital-Journal’s data, going back as far as 2015. In that year, the Journal reported Pittsburg’s population as 20,394 and is now reporting 20,504 for 2024. That is an increase [...]
Municipal Bond Trends for August 21, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Johnson County opens a facility for kids in mental health crises
A new Johnson County facility is opening with promises of a more sympathetic approach to helping kids in crisis. It has video games, basketball courts and weekly yoga. It offers couches and a TV — an improvement from the steel bars or hospital gowns at other locations. Source: Johnson County Post
Disaster declaration approved for May storms in Kansas
The Federal Emergency Management Agency says disaster assistance will be available to help with recovery efforts from severe storms that hit 14 Kansas counties in May. ... Public assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the storms in Barton, Ellsworth, Harvey, Hodgeman, Lincoln, Morris, Ottawa, Pawnee, Reno, Rush, Russell, Stafford, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte counties. Source: 101.3 KFDI
Municipal Bond Trends for August 20, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.