Kansas Municipal News
Douglas County leaders approve solar farm standards, pending minor changes
After hearing more than an hour and a half of public comments on Wednesday evening, Douglas County commissioners gave preliminary approval to a set of rules for future solar farms in the county. The rules outline a number of limits for solar farms in the county, from how large they can be — up to 1,000 acres — to how far they must be set back from roads, homes and other structures. Commissioners voted Wednesday night to approve those standards, pending a minor technical change about grading at solar farm sites. The commission will still need to officially adopt the regulations via a resolution at a future meeting.
Source: LJWorld.com
Lawrence working on plans to address spread of hundreds of invasive Bradford pear trees
The Bradford pear trees across Lawrence are replete with their springtime blooms, but the white flowers are not a welcome sight for those in the city’s forestry division. The Bradford pear is a type of ornamental pear tree native to Asia that has been popular with landscapers, but the fast-growing trees have spread to parks and other forested areas to the detriment of native tree and plant species and wildlife. It was initially thought the trees would not be able to reproduce, but that proved not to be the case as the trees began spreading, creating a widespread problem in the U.S., according to national media reports.
Source: LJWorld.com
$15 million Atchison museum will celebrate the trailblazing aviator’s legacy
The trailblazing female pilot vanished as she tried to fly around the world on July 2, 1937, along with navigator Fred Noonan and their Lockheed Electra 10-E airplane. Their fate has become one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries. Only one Lockheed Electra 10-E still exists. It is named “Muriel,” after Earhart’s sister, Grace Muriel Earhart Morrissey, who died in 1998 at age 98. That plane will become the centerpiece of the soon-to-be-created Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum at Atchison, Earhart’s birthplace. Museum founder and president Karen Seaberg announced April 13 that supporters had already donated $10 million of the estimated $15 million needed to create the museum. Those donors include corporate powerhouses FedEx, Garmin and Lockheed Martin. The museum is expected to open next year, according to its website.
Source: Hutch News
Municipal Bond Trends for April 20, 2022
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.
Fire, ambulance response times are harmful for emergency outcomes in Lawrence, Fire Medical leaders say
Over the last 15 years, Lawrence’s firefighter-paramedics have seen a 62% increase in call volume but no increase to the number of fire stations. Tom Fagan, interim chief of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, told Lawrence city commissioners Tuesday that LDCFM’s first responders are successful when they are able to reach emergencies within their goal of four minutes or less of travel time. But the substantial increase in calls for service over the past several years — from 8,964 calls in 2006 to 14,560 in 2021, according to LDCFM’s presentation — and the simultaneous calls that occur can stretch limited resources and hinder the outcomes of fire and medical emergencies.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Sedgwick County ends COVID disaster declaration, will close testing, vaccination sites
Sedgwick County is no longer under a disaster declaration for COVID-19. The County Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to rescind the declaration that was approved in March 2020. The move comes after the county commission announced a shift from an emergency response to a recovery response to COVID earlier this month. The county also plans to close testing and vaccination sites in Wichita at the end of April, county director of communications Akeam Ashford said in a meeting on Wednesday.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Rediscover Arma
This Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m., the Miners Hall Museum in Franklin, Kansas, will be hosting a special panel consisting of Joan Barbieri, Emma Louise Ales, Pat McKee, and Mike Doue. Spend the afternoon learning about the Coal Camp of Arma and its changes throughout the years. Hear interesting stories about businesses that have kept Arma a thriving small hometown community. This special program is being presented in conjunction with the quarterly exhibit “Coal Camp – Arma” hosted by Christie (Nicoletti) Parrish.
Source: Morning Sun
Manhattan approves resolution supporting $650 million Scorpion Biological project
The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday officially supported a biotech company’s plans to build a new facility in the Manhattan area. Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution of intent to commit to the project from Scorpion Biological Services, which is slated to bring 500 new jobs to the region. On Monday, Gov. Laura Kelly, along with other local, state and company officials, announced that the San Antonio-based firm will build a $650 million, 500,000 square-foot building in Pottawatomie County. The new facility will be at the northeast corner of Excel Road and U.S. Highway 24 near Manhattan.
Source: themercury.com
Garden City’s new housing development kicks off
Garden City officially broke ground on a new housing development Wednesday morning, the first of what may be several such developments over the next decade designed to meet workforce housing needs. Hunters Glen is a multi-phase development located on 40 acres north of Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Dirt work has already begun on Phase I of the project, which will include 86 two- and three-bedroom apartment units and possibly a small grocery store to serve residents. Project developers hope to finish the first phase by the end of 2022. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran said housing is near the top of the list of needs to keep rural Kansas thriving. “The reason it’s good to be in Garden City is this is a place that has figured out how to make good things happen. You’re a role model for growth, prosperity. The things that are happing here are things we hope happen across our state,” he said.
Source: Greater Garden City
Sedgwick County calls on state to investigate railroad crossing near Maize, increase safety
The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution Wednesday calling on the Kansas Department of Transportation to investigate a railroad crossing near Maize. Three tracks run across 135th between 53rd and 61st street in Northwest Sedgwick County. The resolution calls on KDOT to look into what “necessary warning devices” would make the area safer. “We want the state to become involved in this and put some kind of protection for our citizens,” David Dennis, chairman of the commissioners, said. This comes after a fatal accident at the crossing last fall. A train hit and killed a woman in her van while she was trying to cross the train tracks.
Source: KAKE – News
Bombardier names Wichita its U.S. headquarters and brings hundreds of jobs to town
“I’m just very proud of all of the things that are happening here in the state of Kansas,” said Bradley Mims, the Deputy Administrator for Federal Aviation Administration. A big announcement from Bombardier Tuesday that’s bringing more than just attention to the Air Capital. “This is a huge day for Wichita and especially for Bombardier defense. It really does mean a whole lot to us to launch the new business here in the air capital of the world,” said Steve Patrick, the Vice President of Bombardier Defense. Partick said nationwide the company is creating 500 new jobs, 200 of them right here in Wichita. And best of all, its Wichita facility is now the designated U.S. headquarters for the company, called Bombardier Defense. “It’s the people. It’s the people with a history, the experience, the talent, the flexibility, the sort of work we’ve been doing at Bombardier in Wichita for the last 30 years is perfect for the defense market. It really allows us that agility, that responsiveness that our customers look for,” said Patrick.
Source: KAKE – News
Governor Kelly: ‘I am confident that we are ahead’, competition over mystery company heats up
The competition continues to heat up over which state will land the big ‘mystery company’. Monday, Oklahoma’s Governor, Kevin Stitt asked lawmakers for incentives to help lure a ‘mystery company’ to The Sooner State, but Kansas is still in the running. With Kansas being the other finalist, KAKE News caught up with Governor Laura Kelly Tuesday to ask if there were any updates on the big project. Governor Kelly says she wishes she had an update to share with us at this time, but said that this would no doubt be transformational, if Kansas were able to land this project. Monday, Oklahoma’s Governor Stitt, asked the legislature to do some special ‘mega-legislation’. “We have an opportunity to land one of the largest factories in the entire country. Just a humongous, humongous factory with billions and billions of dollars worth of investment… thousands and thousands of jobs,” Oklahoma’s Governor Stitt said. A company that still hasn’t been named, has Oklahoma and Kansas top of mind.
Source: KAKE – News
Flame of Hope travels in Pittsburg for Special Olympics
Law enforcement officers, athletes and community members come together to carry the Flame of Hope in Pittsburg. It’s a tradition of the Special Olympics Kansas ahead of the State Summer Games in Wichita each May. In late April, the highlight of the Torch Run season begins when the Flame of Hope travels from all corners of the state. Today, the Pittsburg Police Department ran with athletes to carry the flame. The route started at the police department and ended at Pittsburg State University with a lap on the track to start the Special Olympics Southeast Spring Games. Statewide, the “Final Leg” of the Torch Run is the culmination of the run, from Wichita City Hall to the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Games at Wichita State University.
Source: KOAMKOAM
Garden City police receive $500k for new mobile dispatch
A federal investment of $500,000 will be given to the Garden City Police Department (GCPD), Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) announced on Wednesday. The investment will give GCPD a Mobile Command Emergency 911 Dispatch Center. It will provide a secondary option of communication for first responders if the main 911 dispatch is inoperable. Additionally, because it is mobile, it will allow transportation to other nearby agencies if assistance is needed.
Source: KSN-TV
Garden City working to solve housing crunch
Garden City is closer to having more housing available for residents. On Wednesday, crews broke ground on Phase I of Hunters Glen. The development is near the intersection of North Third Street and Leawood Avenue, just north of Valley View Cemetery. The project’s first phase will create 86 housing units at a total development cost of more than $19 million. Phase II is in final application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It would add another 106 units and a total development cost of $22 million. Phase III will be submitted for preliminary application to USDA in the fall. Greater Garden City said Phase I is funded through a USDA loan and grant with Bonneville and Horizon Bank financing. Phase I will provide affordable housing options for farmworkers as broadly defined by USDA.
Source: KSN-TV
Evacuation lifted in Kansas town threatened by plant fire
Evacuations orders have been lifted in a western Kansas town threatened by a fertilizer plant fire, officials said. Barricades to the town of Leoti had been removed by Tuesday night and those evacuated were allowed to return to their homes, Wichita County Clerk Lynda Goodrich told television station KWCH. Parts of the town had been evacuated because hazardous materials were involved in the Tuesday afternoon fire at a Nutrien Ag Solutions plant in Leoti, a town of about 1,500 that lies 226 miles (364 kilometers) northwest of Wichita.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Kansas fiscal forecasters bump revenues by $760 million; fires up food sales tax debate
State economic forecasters on Wednesday boosted their tax revenue estimates by $760 million over two years, leaving Kansas with an ending balance of $3.1 billion and firing up the debate over how fast the food sales tax should be eliminated. The state is anticipated to roll up about $9.3 billion in taxes for the current fiscal year ending in June, up from last fall’s estimate of about $8.9 billion.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
Kansas tears down ‘Bank of KDOT’
Gov. Laura Kelly signed new budget Tuesday that brings an end to the “irresponsible practice” of using hundreds of millions of dollars in state highway funds to bankroll other parts of state government. The new $15.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2023 does not call for moving any money out of the highway fund, a practice Kelly started to end after she became governor. Over the years, dating as far back as 2001, the state has used billions from transportation to help backfill other parts of the state budget.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
New revenue projections give Kansas a $3.1B surplus as governor pushes for food sales tax cut
A revised economic forecast for Kansas projects the state will collect $407.8 million more than previously expected in the upcoming fiscal year, adding to a budget surplus that could be used to eliminate the 6.5% state sales tax on food. Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat seeking reelection this year, has made the total elimination of the sales tax on food a cornerstone of her campaign. Republicans have favored an approach that would phase out the tax over several years, as long as revenue numbers remain strong, while eying other potential tax cuts and criticizing the governor for vetoing a tax bundle three years ago. The new revenue estimate, which is tempered for inflation and includes all of the legislation already signed by the governor, shows the state would have a $2.7 billion surplus entering July and a $3.1 billion surplus in another 12 months. The elimination of the sales tax on food would reduce revenues by an estimated $402.5 million.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Coverage lapses in 911 radio system could require more towers in Miami County
Coverage gaps in the county’s new 800 MHz emergency radio system could require two new additional towers to be built. At the County Commission’s April 13 study session, Chair Rob Roberts said the coverage lapses seem to be most prevalent in the northeast and south-central portions of the county, based on recent discussions he and Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Whelan have had with radio system provider Motorola and project consultant TUSA Consulting Services. The $8.3 million radio system from Motorola became fully operational in early July and is to be used by first responders with all the agencies in the county. “They (Motorola) concluded, along with TUSA, that in the northeast part of the county there is definitely some missed opportunities to have that area covered, as well as the south central,” Roberts said. “Both TUSA and Motorola agree that to best satisfy 95 percent in those two areas you need two towers and equipment to go with it.”
Source: The Miami County Republic
Fire crews respond to chemical fire in Leoti
Officials are saying that a fire at Nutrient ag Solutions caused local evacuations Tuesday afternoon in Leoti Kansas. Wichita County officials say the Ford County Regional Hazardous Materials Team deployed to Leoti for the fire Tuesday afternoon and was fighting the blaze and removing hazardous material. The fire began around 3:30 p.m. at a Nutrien Ag Solutions plant.
Source: Western Kansas News
Biden Administration Launches Nationwide Network of Partners to Tap Resources for Rural America
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice today announced a new whole-of-government effort led by USDA to transform the way federal agencies partner with rural places to create economic opportunity in rural America. The USDA-led Rural Partners Network (RPN) is an all-of-government program that will help rural communities access government resources and funding to create jobs, build infrastructure and support long-term economic stability. Today’s announcement is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Building a Better America Rural Infrastructure Tour, during which Biden Administration officials are traveling to dozens of rural communities to talk about the impact of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments, as well as President Biden’s broader commitment to ensure federal resources reach all communities in rural America. Secretary Vilsack and Ambassador Rice are in Mississippi with Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-2) to meet with community leaders and stakeholders who will benefit from RPN in Clarksdale and Greenwood, Mississippi.
Source: USDA
Two Fed Officials Doubt Need for Super Aggressive Front Loading for Rate Increases
Two Federal Reserve officials made the case on Tuesday for ongoing interest rate increases to combat inflation, but said uncertainty over the economic outlook makes it hard to say how aggressive the central bank will need to be. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans said in an appearance in New York that he sees the federal-funds target rate reaching around 2.25% to 2.50% by the end of the year, which could include a couple of half percentage point increases. Speaking on CNBC, Atlanta Fed leader Raphael Bostic said it is important for the Fed to get to a neutral funds rate “in an expeditious way.” … Mr. Evans said he doubts the Fed would need to increase rates by more than 50 basis points in a single shot. On Monday, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard, an FOMC voter and one of the earliest supporters of raising rates aggressively to get inflation under control, said he can’t rule out an increase of 75 basis points, though he doesn’t expect one of that magnitude. Mr. Bostic also cast doubt on the need for a 75 basis point rate increase, saying that “any action is actually possible, although it’s not something that’s really on my radar right now.” Mr. Bostic said he sees the fed-funds rate at around 1.75% at year-end, which is lower than what many other Fed officials view as likely.
Source: Wall Street Journal
New childcare facility proposed in Frontenac
Kristina Cullison, a kindergarten teacher at USD 249, and Kari Cronister, a professor at Pittsburg State University, approached the Frontenac City Council Monday evening about starting a new child care facility in the city. Citing the 127 available childcare spots in Frontenac, spread out across three separate facilities, Cullison and Cronister said there is a need for more. According to a presentation by Cronister and Cullison at Monday’s council meeting, 6.4 percent of the city’s population is age five and under, so out of a population of 3,413, approximately 218 children are under the age of five. Given the amount of available childcare space in Frontenac, that leaves 81 children who are not being served. This does not include children from surrounding communities.
Source: Morning Sun
Masks no longer required on public transport in Salina
As of Tuesday afternoon, masks are no longer required on public transit in Salina. Following the direct orders of KDOT, OCCK dropped the company’s mandatory mask rule. A federal judge in Florida on Monday ruled that a 14-month-old directive from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention was unlawful. … On Tuesday afternoon, the Kansas Department of Transportation informed OCCK that masks were no longer required on public transportation.
Source: Salina Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for April 19, 2022
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.
Fed’s Bostic expresses caution about the pace of interest rate hikes
Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic on Tuesday expressed concern about the impact that rate hikes could have on the U.S. economic recovery, saying the central bank shouldn’t move so fast that it chokes off growth. Bostic did not commit in a CNBC interview to what pace the Fed should take in increasing benchmark rates. Instead, he said policymakers should be measured in their approach and watch how what they do impacts conditions. “I think I’m in the same areas as my colleagues philosophically,” he told CNBC’s Sara Eisen in a “Closing Bell” interview. “I think it’s really important that we get to neutral and do that in an expeditious way.”
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Munis sell off, 30-year AAA tops 3%
Municipals sold off Tuesday, with triple-A benchmarks seeing cuts up to 11 basis points and the 30-year topping 3% on some scales. U.S. Treasuries were weaker, experiencing double-digit cuts on the short end, and equities rallied. Triple-A muni yields rose nine to 11 basis points, depending on the scale, while UST yields rose 10 to 15 basis points on bonds 7 years and in, with the largest losses on the one- and two-year. Muni-UST ratios were at 82% in five years, 91% in 10 years and 100% in 30, according to Refinitiv MMD’s 3 p.m. read. ICE Data Services had the five at 81%, the 10 at 90% and the 30 at 101% at a 4 p.m. read.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Ground to be broken on 192-unit housing development in Garden City
On Wednesday, April 20, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held for Hunters Glen, a multi-phased housing project in Garden City that will bring hundreds of housing units to the community. Phase I consists of 86 units at a total development cost of over $19,000,000 and has been obligated, while Phase II is in final application to USDA for 106 units and a total development cost of $22,000,000. A Phase III will be submitted for preliminary application to USDA in the Fall of 2022. Funded through USDA 514 loan and USDA grant dollars with financing by Bonneville and Horizon Bank, Phase I will provide affordable housing options for farmworkers as broadly defined by USDA. “We’re very excited to be breaking ground at Hunters Glen,” Lona DuVall, President and CEO of Finney County Economic Development Corporation, said. “This project will help to fill some of our workforce housing needs. We appreciate Michael Snodgrass and his team’s dedication to partnering with Garden City and Finney County to create high quality rental housing.” Snodgrass is owner of Oikos Development Corporation, the project developer.
Source: Greater Garden City
Suburban school officials predict ‘chaos’ if Kansas lets out-of-district students transfer freely
Kansas stands on the verge of letting students attend any public school — regardless of where they live. Conservatives love the plan. They say it would give poor families stuck in failing school districts a chance at a life-changing escape. But school administrators running well-heeled suburban districts already are taking measures to demonstrate their classrooms are full — the one exception the proposed change would allow from barring students who want to transfer into a district they don’t live in. They say they have little choice if they’re going to protect their taxpayers from the cost of teaching a flood of students they’re not prepared for and who come with needs they can’t afford to accommodate.
Source: KCUR News
Wichita City Council OKs millions more in public money for Riverfront Stadium district
The Wichita City Council on Tuesday approved pumping nearly $10 million in additional public incentives into its minor league baseball stadium district, including a tax-funded parking garage and tax breaks on two office buildings for developers. The move is meant to jump-start development of two office buildings and a hotel along McLean Boulevard. Taxes generated at those businesses would help pay off the debt on $75 million Riverfront Stadium. The city approved diverting $8.7 million in property taxes collected in the Delano Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district to pay for a 283-stall parking garage directly east of the stadium. With the vote, the council approved issuing up to $40 million in industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) for the team’s office buildings, which provides a $906,500 tax exemption on building materials for the Wind Surge owners and EPC Real Estate. The sales tax exemption does not apply to the hotel building.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Masks now optional on Lawrence buses
Masks will no longer be required for Lawrence Transit riders or employees following a federal judge’s ruling that suspends enforcement of a mask mandate on public transportation, the city announced Tuesday. “Our mask mandate enforcement is based on federal guidance,” Adam Weigel, Transit and Parking Manager, said in the city’s news release. “We encourage everyone to monitor public health information and make decisions aligned with their needs.” The CDC still recommends masks in indoor public transportation settings, and the city would refer people to Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health for the most up-to-date local health information.
Source: The Lawrence Times
‘Honest Abe’ tells stories at library in Atchison
Persons representing all walks of life and ages gather to hear a famous Abe tell tales of his from history books on Tuesday at Atchison Library. The Library and Atchison County Kansas Genealogical Society presented President Abe Lincoln portrayed by Kevin Wood. “Abe Lincoln Storyteller” recreated the humorous attitudes of Lincoln throughout his legal and political careers. Some iconic vintage props associated with Lincoln the Storyteller like his stovepipe hat and circled-shaped, black, over the shoulder, flask canteen enhanced the performance.
Source: Atchison Globe Now
Food sales tax elimination could be felt at city, county level
Trumpeted by Gov. Laura Kelly, Attorney General Derek Schmidt and other prominent Kansas politicians, the call to “axe” the state food sales tax has been a dominant refrain during the current legislative session. While the elimination of the state food sales tax remains a focus, action has yet to be taken by the Legislature. That uncertainty has city and county governments preparing for a number of potential impacts – not least of which is what the elimination of that taxing power would do at the local level.
Source: Atchison Globe Now
Topeka busses will no longer require masks
The Topeka Metro will no longer require masks for bus riders. On Monday a federal judge in Florida struck down a national mask mandate on airplanes, mass transit, and airlines, including airports, which swiftly began repealing their requirements that passengers wear face coverings. KSNT 27 News contacted about this ruling, and they gave this statement: “People can wear them if they want, but there is no requirement.”
Source: KSNT 27 News
Overland Park mayor proclaims April 19 to be Christian Braun Day
An order of business in the Overland Park City Council Meeting on Monday had the proclamation of April 19, 2022, becoming Christian Braun Day. Mayor Curt Skoog upheld the proclamation, making it official. “His energy on the court adds to the excitement of watching the Jayhawks play,” Skoog said. Braun attended Blue Valley Northwest High School. This past season for the Jayhawks, he averaged 14.1 points per game, including 11.2 points per game in March Madness.
Source: KSNT 27 News
City of Wichita drops mask mandate for airport, other public transportation
The City of Wichita is no longer requiring face masks at public transportation vehicles and facilities including Eisenhower National Airport. The move comes a day after a federal judge struck down the Biden administration’s mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport methods. “In accordance with this decision, face masks will no longer be required at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport, at Wichita Transit facilities or on Wichita Transit vehicles,” the city announced Tuesday. “It kind of just makes everything feel like it’s going back to the way it was before,” said traveler Mason Lee, “because, I mean, don’t have to worry about it, don’t have to worry about where your mask is at all times. Just easier on everybody.”
Source: KAKE – News
A look at how the city treats water for nearly 170,000 customers
How does water get from the Kansas River to the faucet of the 170,000 customers Topeka Water Department serves? The answer is a multistep process that begins at Topeka’s water treatment facility just off of Interstate 70. The water is first pumped out of the river. It is sent to three large basins, where a polymer is introduced twice to encourage bonding between negatively charged particles. Pure chlorine is added next as the initial disinfectant. Ammonia is added to make chloramine, and then a flocculant is introduced to encourage clumping.
Source: CJonline
Treasury yield touches 2.91%, a level not seen since late 2018
The 10-year yield hit its highest level since late 2018 on Monday, trading at 2.884% at one point. Concerns around rising inflation and its effect on economic growth has seen investors sell out of bonds over the past couple of months, pushing up yields. Data released last week showed consumer and producer prices continued to rise, fueling investor beliefs that the Federal Reserve could increase the size of its interest rate hikes, in a bid to control this inflation. St. Louis Fed president James Bullard told CNBC’s Steve Liesman on Monday that “quite a bit has been priced in” in terms of Fed actions.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Municipal Bond Trends for April 18, 2022
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.
Buy America policy may boost already-inflated construction costs, transportation advocates warn
The White House Monday detailed its new policy requiring that U.S.-made materials be used in all new infrastructure projects, a cornerstone of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law that some transportation advocates warn may increase costs and delays. The Build America, Buy America Act in the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act aims to boost U.S. manufacturing by requiring that all infrastructure projects that use federal funds – from highways to passenger rail, airports and water systems – must use construction products and materials produced in the U.S. The provision builds on existing Made in America laws, which have applied to iron, steel and various manufacturing products, by expanding it to construction materials and revamping the waiver process. The Buy America initial guidelines released Monday are a key consideration for states and cities that are starting to craft budgets and timelines for projects funded by the IIJA. The new provision applies to all infrastructure projects that use federal funding, not just IIJA projects. The 17-page guidance outlines new requirements for waivers, including that the U.S. Department of Transportation may approve a waiver if it believes compliance would be “inconsistent with the public interest” or increase the project’s cost by at least 25%. Surface transportation advocates, while saying they support Buy America’s policy goals of strengthening U.S. manufacturing, warned it could drive up costs and bring delays to the rollout of the IIJA. “If Buy America is truly applied to all ‘…iron, steel, manufactured products, or construction materials,’ it will take years before everything is domestically available,” American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials President Shawn Wilson said in an April 1 letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Fed’s Waller sees likelihood of multiple half-point interest rate hikes ahead
Getting inflation under control will require raising interest rates at a faster pace than normal even though the pace of price increases probably has peaked, Federal Reserve board member Christopher Waller said Wednesday. That means the central bank likely will hike short-term rates by half a percentage point, or 50 basis points, at its meeting in May, and possibly follow it up with similar moves in the next several months, Waller told CNBC. The Fed normally increases in 25-basis-point increments. A basis point equals 0.01%. “I think the data has come in exactly to support that step of policy action if the committee chooses to do so, and gives us the basis for doing it,” he said during a live “Closing Bell” interview with CNBC’s Sara Eisen. “I prefer a front-loading approach, so a 50-basis-point hike in May would be consistent with that, and possibly more in June and July.”
Source: CNBC
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Largest Economic Development Investment in Kelly Administration History (Manhattan)
On Monday, Governor Laura Kelly announced her administration’s most significant economic development project to date. Scorpion Biological Services, a subsidiary of Heat Biologics, Inc., is commencing on a planned development of a new 500,000 square foot biomanufacturing facility in Kansas. The $650 million business investment project will create 500 new, high-paying jobs in Manhattan within the next seven years. “Kansas is the center of the country, with quick access to either coast, a strong workforce and a growing economy—so there’s no better state for Scorpion to locate to address potential threats to public health,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Scorpion’s selection of locating this facility in the state reinforces what many have come to learn—Kansas is open for business.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
According to new survey, nearly all residents feel good about living in Johnson County
In Johnson County’s annual community survey, residents again gave high marks for the county’s quality of life, services and programs, and voiced their opinions on the services most important to them. Results from the 2022 community survey were shared Thursday, April 14, with the Board of County Commissioners during a Committee of the Whole meeting. The six-page survey consisted of 25 questions and was conducted in January and February by ETC Institute of Olathe. “When it comes to being a place to live, raise children, work and retire, Johnson County is head and shoulders above the national and other large community averages,” Chris Tatham, president and chief executive officer of ETC, said.
Source: Johnson County Kansas
More than $1.6 million in federal grant funding to help support Johnson County’s older adults
Federal grant funding of more than $1.6 million and a new staff position for the Johnson County Aging and Human Services Department were approved Thursday, April 7, by the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners by unanimous vote. The funds are provided to the department through the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services. The ARPA provided federal funding to states, including grants through the Older Americans Act, to help communities provide services for aging adults. A BOCC priority is to strengthen and finance the appropriate level of service to meet the needs of the county’s vulnerable populations and create conditions that promote community health.
Source: Johnson County Kansas