News – Page 437 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Governor Kelly Announces $6.65M for Rural Road Safety Improvements

info2024-05-24T09:13:41-05:00May 24th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that $6.65 million in federal funds will go to 10 rural projects to increase the safety and efficiency of local roadways. The effort is part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program. “Our rural roads are important to the local and state economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Programs like this enable commerce to flow smoothly and improve safety for Kansas families as they travel our state.” The HRRR program is federally funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program and is designed to improve rural road safety. An additional $2.37 million in local funds [...]

Appraiser estimates $2.6 million in damage from Westmoreland tornado

info2024-05-24T09:12:22-05:00May 24th, 2024|

It’s been three weeks since a tornado devastated Westmoreland and damage estimates are coming more into focus. According to the Pottawatomie County Times, Pottawatomie County Appraiser Robin Knoblauch noted at Monday’s weekly commission meeting that through her own investigation, the estimated loss in value to the city is around $2.6 million. This included 17 properties that were total losses and 10 properties that were extremely damaged and are non-livable. In addition, about 43 other properties sustained minor to major damage. Four parcels just beyond the Westmoreland city limits also sustained an estimated $400,000 in loss, including one property that was a brand [...]

As a 750-acre solar farm awaits answers, lessons learned from a Maize solar initiative on a much smaller scale

info2024-05-24T09:11:17-05:00May 24th, 2024|

The project from Chicago solar energy construction company Invenergy, called the Chisholm Trail Solar Energy Center, is on hold as the county works on zoning and planning regulations for solar projects of a large scale. Maize, in fact, is not a stranger to solar projects. In 2019, propelled by the work of Maize High chemistry and physics teacher Stan Bergkamp and the Maize Solar Initiative, the city had a 720-panel solar project that went live outside of the Maize Career Academy. Bergkamp, who is also a landowner and farmer with solar panels in his shop in Kechi, was influential in generating $300,000 for [...]

Federal Reserve minutes indicate worries over lack of progress on inflation

info2024-05-24T09:09:01-05:00May 24th, 2024|

Federal Reserve officials grew more concerned at their most recent meeting about inflation, with members indicating that they lacked the confidence to move forward on interest rate reductions. Minutes from the April 30-May 1 policy meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee released Wednesday indicated apprehension from policymakers about when it would be time to ease. The meeting followed a slew of readings that showed inflation was more stubborn than officials had expected to start 2024. The Fed targets a 2% inflation rate, and all of the indicators showed price increases running well ahead of that mark. "Participants observed that while [...]

Immigrants stopping population loss in parts of rural Kansas, but few are reaping benefits

info2024-05-24T08:28:53-05:00May 24th, 2024|

...immigration has redefined southwest Kansas over the past 40 years. The communities that have embraced their diversity have seen their population stabilize, bucking the trend of rural areas losing population. And this new diversity might end up being what saves these rural communities from deterioration. Source: CJonline

Municipal Bond Trends for May 22, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-05-23T02:28:26-05:00May 23rd, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. 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.

Get paid to move to Kansas?: County shares effort to draw new residents

info2024-05-22T07:30:27-05:00May 22nd, 2024|

Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation will pay someone to move there. It’s a part of a growing trend in rural America. The county, of 2,899 people in 2022, is looking to grow, and it will pay someone $4,500 to do so. “Rural Kanas, rural America has been losing population for many, many years,” said Kelly Gourley, director of Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation. “If we want to grow, we have to have more people.” Source: KWCH

Municipal Bond Trends for May 21, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-05-22T01:02:32-05:00May 22nd, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. 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.

Municipal Bond Trends for May 20, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-05-21T10:03:19-05:00May 21st, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. 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.

Lt. Governor Toland Announces $500,000 in Tourism Attraction Development Grants

info2024-05-21T09:48:16-05:00May 21st, 2024|

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $500,000 has been awarded in the latest round of Attraction Development Grant funding. ... The Attraction Development Grant funding will be divided among 14 new or enhancing existing tourism attraction projects. Grant recipients will invest almost $1.4 million in matching investments toward the approved projects. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce