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Municipal News & Jobs

Municipal News & Jobs2026-08-07T10:07:18-05:00

Kansas Municipal News

Roe 2020 project on schedule, residential section to be completed by Thanksgiving

The largest infrastructure project in the history of the city of Roeland Park is well underway, and the residential part of the corridor is on track for completion by Thanksgiving 2020. Roe 2020, a $10 million renovation project on the city’s main thoroughfare, is in its fourth month of construction. Mayor Mike Kelly said the city appreciates residents’ patience with inconveniences brought on by the project. Although no project is perfect, Kelly said he’s proud of the outreach campaign the city has conducted since the beginning. “It’s been very encouraging,” Kelly said. “Obviously with any kind of construction there’s growing pains and there’s an information hurdle that you try your best to jump over. You try multifaceted approaches to getting this information out to people.”
Source: Prairie Village Post

Haviland businesswoman featured in WSJ about starting a small business during Coronavirus

The pandemic forced hundreds of thousands of small businesses to close. For Madison Schneider, it was a good time to start a new one. The 22-year-old in Haviland, Kan., opened Lela’s Bakery and Coffeehouse on Sept. 12, naming it after her grandmother. It has been busy every day since, she said. “It just felt like the right thing to do,” Ms. Schneider said. Americans are starting new businesses at the fastest rate in more than a decade, according to government data, seizing on pent-up demand and new opportunities after the pandemic shut down and reshaped the economy.
Read more: Wall Street Journal.

City of Wichita v. Trotter: City’s ordinance is a permissible restriction on the time, place, and manner in which people may offer entertainment to the public

The City of Wichita has adopted an ordinance requiring anyone who wishes to operate an “entertainment establishment” to first obtain a license from the City. These licensing requirements are triggered by someone’s decision to provide entertainment to the public, though they do not govern the content of the entertainment a person may provide. Anyone with a license must comply with restrictions based on noise level, hours of operation, building capacity, safety, and security.
A Wichita jury found Arlando Trotter had violated these provisions by operating an unlicensed club. On appeal, he challenges the constitutionality of Wichita’s licensing framework, claiming it impermissibly restricts his expressive conduct and requires governmental approval before he may engage in that expression. We find the ordinance to be a permissible restriction on the time, place, and manner in which people may offer entertainment to the public. After carefully reviewing the parties’ constitutional arguments and Trotter’s additional claims, we affirm.
Source: Kansas Court of Appeals.

Bond Sales: Competitive vs. Not

Our recent item about Arkansas City saving over $2.7 million as a result of a competitive bond sale sparked some conversation among our readers. The question may arise: how much better is a “competitive bond sale” as compared to the old-fashioned “just have one underwriter tell us the interest rate” model?

By way of background, a best practice in today’s world of local government finance is to utilize an independent Municipal Advisor (sometimes still called a “Financial Advisor”) — such as Ranson Financial Group — for municipal financing activities, including conducting a competitive bond sale to take bids from all possible banks and underwriters. Nevertheless, some municipalities still engage an underwriter upfront. As result, with no competition, the underwriter dictates to the governing body what the interest rate and underwriter profit will be.

In the case of Arkansas City’s competitive bond sale, it’s informative to compare the difference in interest cost between the winning bid and the last place bid. The difference was over $780,000! And, because a pre-selected underwriter has no competition, the cost could have been far greater than that. So, if Ark City had pre-selected the wrong underwriter, savings would have been significantly less than $2.7 million.

Email Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren to explore funding options for new projects in your community or for a refunding analysis of your municipal debt. For a better understanding of the parties and process involved in the bond issue process, click here or contact Larry or Beth.

Sandhill crane decoy company eyes move to Great Bend to meet growing demand

A Hoisington-based hunting decoy company has plans to expand its offerings, and hopefully create new jobs in central Kansas, in the coming years thanks to partnerships with an area manufacturer and a state university. Deception Decoy Co. is co-owned and operated by brothers Garrett and Grant Doyle, with Garrett operating as the sales and production manager and Grant as the R&D manager and sculptor.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Prairie Village City Council approves contract to track city’s greenhouse gas emissions

The Prairie Village City Council passed two measures Monday night aimed at reducing the effects of climate change. The council voted 11 to 1 to approve a one-year, $12,000 contract with Kansas City-based Dynamhex to create software to track and evaluate the city’s greenhouse gas emissions and create an action plan for city officials and residents. The council also approved a resolution on a 10 to 2 vote to support the Climate Mayors Network and adopt commitments to the Paris Agreement. Both are nonbinding measures.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Nonprofit requests in Reno County exceed local CARES Act dollars

The county has received more than $1 million in requests from nonprofit agencies for the remaining $800,000-plus in CARES Act funds, and the application period is still open, the county administrator reported Tuesday. “We’ll have our first meeting Wednesday to look at the applications,” Randy Partington said of a task force created to allocate dollars the county received to distribute. “The deadline hasn’t passed, but we’ll meet to look at how the applications look, what might be missing or if we have more questions.” “It will take some paring back,” he told the county commission. “A lot of it’s revenue lost by the nonprofits (due to the novel coronavirus).”
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Olathe’s Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm partner with the Smithsonian to dig into rural roots

Olathe may be a bustling suburb now, but like all of Johnson County, it has deep rural roots. A partnership between the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm and the Smithsonian has produced a new exhibit delving into the city’s past. “From Rodeos to Roundabouts: Exploring Olathe’s Roots” is part of a larger project from the Smithsonian called “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” In the past, it has worked with Humanities Kansas to share other exhibits as part of its Museum on Main Street program. “We hope these local stories will really spark conversations about how their communities have experienced these changes over time and how they’ve adapted and how that will impact their future,” said Abigail Kaup, program officer for Humanities Kansas and statewide coordinator for Museum on Main Street.
Source: Joco 913 News

Hutchinson provides info graphics to answer the question: where do my taxes go?

We get a lot of questions about taxes. It is understandable, we all work hard for our money and want to know where it is going and how it is being used. Of the taxes you pay, only a small portion actually goes to the City of Hutchinson. The money the City does get is used for public safety like Hutchinson Police and Hutchinson Fire; Public Works which give us things like clean water to drink, clear streets to drive on and the levee system that protects us from flooding; infrastructure investments; economic development funding; the parks and trails system; and so much more is provided through that funding. We hope these graphics help break it down a little more clearly.
Source: Hutchinson, KS – News Flash

Sedgwick County extends COVID-19 small business grants, removes size limit

Ruthanne Timm owns Pinot’s Palette and Beyond Napa Wine and Spirits downtown. She was one of the first to apply for Sedgwick County’s Safe Operating Grant. “It wasn’t bad at all. A couple of IRS forms, driver’s license, and a Certificate of Good Standing with the state,” said Timm. The grant is funded by the CARES Act. The county said 477 local business owners applied, totaling about $2.4 million in grants. In the first round of applications, companies had to have fewer than 50 employees to qualify, but after the Sedgwick County Commission meeting Wednesday, that changed. “We just opened it up to a broader business community,” said Brent Shelton, Sedgwick County Deputy CFO.
Source: KAKE – News

Take a look inside the new $193M Johnson County Courthouse

The $193 million Johnson County Courthouse now is virtually complete, with a planned public opening set for Jan. 4. Construction on the 356,821-square-foot, seven-story building in Olathe was considered substantially complete as of Aug. 21. The new courthouse is located at 150 W. Santa Fe St., across the street from the existing courthouse — originally opened in 1952 — and west of Olathe City Hall.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals

Pandemic puts nearly $100 million squeeze on Kansas casino, lottery revenue

Revenue at the four state-owned casinos and through Kansas Lottery ticket sales plunged nearly $100 million last fiscal year as COVID-19 undermined operations at legal games of skill and chance, officials said Wednesday. Stephen Durrell, executive director of the Kansas Lottery, said the casinos in Dodge City, Mulvane, Pittsburg and Kansas City, Kan., closed March 23 and didn’t reopen for two months. By the end of the fiscal year June 30, the casinos reported revenue declines of 15% to 20% for a total decline of $77 million compared to the previous fiscal year. Overall revenue slumped from $411 million to $334 million.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Pittsburg officials honor retiring Fire Chief Simons

After nearly 20 years with the Pittsburg Fire Department, Chief Mike Simons is retiring. City officials recognized Simons this week for his decades of service. At Tuesday’s city commission meeting, Pittsburg Mayor Dawn McNay read a proclamation declaring Sept. 22, 2020 as Fire Chief Mike Simons Day. City Manager Daron Hall also thanked Simons and presented him with a Key to the City of Pittsburg. “It’s been my pleasure to work with you sir,” Hall said. “You’ve done an excellent job. Congratulations, and you’re a good friend, I’m going to miss you.” Simons, who was accompanied at the ceremony by members of the Fire Department, also thanked city officials, the community, and his colleagues.
Source: Pittsburg Morning Sun

Lenexa’s City Center opens mixed-use residential/office space; Shawnee kicks off process to revitalize comprehensive plan

Less than a year after breaking ground in Lenexa City Center, The Lofts at City Center, a mixed-use residential/office space, opened earlier this month. Representatives of Real Property Group and city leaders celebrated the opening with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Sept. 15. The Lofts features 67 boutique apartments, 10,000 square feet of office space and an underground parking garage. The site also features amenities such as a fitness center and outdoor entertainment facilities such as fire pits, BBQ grills, outdoor TV, pool and hot tub. Artwork by Lenexa resident Catherine Kirkland of Kirkland Creative Art + Design is installed throughout the building.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Changes being discussed to Kansas Emergency Management Act

Various state and community leaders spoke with legislators Wednesday in a committee hearing, seeking changes or wanting to keep parts to the Kansas Emergency Management Act. The Special Committee on the Kansas Emergency Management Act is reviewing the state’s virus response and is considering the next best steps regarding the state’s emergency management laws, including House Bill 2016, which details which powers Gov. Laura Kelly can and can’t use to respond to the pandemic.
Source: State Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal

Art gallery opens in downtown Chanute

A New York couple starting anew have opened an art gallery in downtown Chanute. Named “The Old Normal,” the business at 214 W. Main opened Sept. 16 and includes limited-edition lithographs, jewelry, crystals and other items. Owners Mikey Feldman and Kayleigh Wilson came to Chanute in August. “We were collectors of art,” Feldman said. They had a successful dog-walking business in New York City and sold jewelry online before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Source: The Chanute Tribune

Topeka, Shawnee County Public Library documenting local pandemic stories for exhibit

Workers at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library are collecting stories of how people spent their time during the pandemic. The library plans to display the stories and pieces collected from people in a new exhibit. They will show stand-out moments during these past months like the toilet paper shortage. The exhibit will have pieces from the Black Lives Matter movement which is also going on right now. Workers at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library are collecting stories of how people spent their time during the pandemic.
Source: KSNT News

KS’ rural hospitals skeptically view federal COVID funds

The money lent from the federal government is meant to help hospitals and other health care providers weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet some hospital administrators have called it a payday loan program that is now brutally due for repayment at a time when the institutions still need help. David Usher, chief financial officer for a 12-bed rural hospital in western Kansas, is sitting on $1.7 million he’s scared to spend. The money lent from the federal government is meant to help hospitals and other health care providers weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet some hospital administrators have called it a payday loan program that is now brutally due for repayment at a time when the institutions still need help. Coronavirus cases have “picked up recently and it’s quite worrying,” says Usher, who is the chief financial officer for Edwards County Medical Center in Kinsley, Kansas. He would like to use the federal loan money to build a negative-pressure room. Such rooms are a common and effective tool for keeping contagious patients apart from those in the rest of the hospital.
Source: The Iola Register

Florence moves to clean up rundown houses

Florence’s standards board is mailing notices to 30 properties not in compliance with Florence city codes, according to standards board member Darla Spencer, but there are two properties that especially concern her. The homes, one on 6th St. and the other on 7th St., are in poor condition and do not have running water or sewage, Spencer said during Monday’s city council meeting.
“We felt like there had to be an ordinance that it’s in violation of,” she said. “I don’t know how someone can live in town at a property that doesn’t have city sewer or water.”
Source: Marion County RECORD

Barber County man attacked by bees says sheriff deputy saved his life

“I was scared to death… I was scared because I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be,” said Withrow. When harvesting, beekeepers use smoke to calm the bees down during the process. But this time, it didn’t work. The angry swarm of bees attacked him, getting inside his suit. “There were several hundred bees on my face by the time I got away. And I knew in the end that I had to get the veil off and out of the yard completely in under a hydrant to kind of wash them off,” said Withrow. His wife called 911. That’s when Barber County Sherriff Sergeant Chad Hacker showed up.
Source: KAKE – News

Allen County considers transportation option

Jessica Thompson, Thrive director of development, also spoke with commissioners about the possibility of moving forward on a new county-wide transportation system. Thompson noted that the cost of the program for the county — which would involve new vehicles that take residents of any age to almost anywhere — would run about $52,000 in its initial year, and then drop to between $20,000 and $30,000 in following years.
Source: The Iola Register

Hutchinson Fire Department Members Heading to Wyoming

On Tuesday September 22, 2020, just before 0900, the Hutchinson Fire Department received a request for mutual aid through the Kansas Forestry Service for assistance at a growing fire in Wyoming. Orders were received to arrive in Laramie, Wyoming by 1800 on September 23, 2020. The Hutchinson Fire Department deployed a team of three wildland certified firefighters and one brush truck at 0600 on September 23rd. The growing fire is named the Mullin Fire. The Mullin Fire is only 2% contained and growing rapidly with high winds expected on Thursday and Friday. The Mullen Fire is burning in the Medicine Bow National Forest, southwest of Centennial, Wyoming and is expected to have burned 40,000 acres by this weekend.
In the past 21 hours, Hutchinson crews have prepared for a 14-day deployment and two drive days. Their preparation included packing tents, sleeping bags, personal gear, wildland gear, and miscellaneous equipment. Hutchinson Fire crews will be working 16-18 hours a day for 14 days. Funding for the deployment is reimbursed for the crew and brush truck. You can follow updates on this fire at inciweb.nwcy.gov or follow us on our Hutchinson Fire Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates. https://www.facebook.com/Hutchinson-Fire-HFD or Hutchinson_Fire on Twitter.
Source: Hutchinson, KS

Leavenworth Police Department working toward cybercrime detective position

If the Leavenworth Police Department continues to have success in the area of staffing, the department could finally fill a cybercrime detective position. "We’re still working towards that," Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens said. Leavenworth city commissioners included consideration of staffing changes to focus on drug cases and cybercrime in their goals for 2017-2018.Funding for the Leavenworth Police Department was increased in 2018.
Source: Leavenworth Times

Overland Park City Council may limit recording of public comments

The debut of the public comment period at the Sept. 14 council meeting went pretty well, members of an Overland Park City Council committee agreed. Just the same, that committee is now looking at a rule change that would turn off cameras during future comments, making them inaccessible to live stream viewers and leaving them out of the official minutes. The council’s Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee discussed rule changes last week that could also include an advance sign-up for speakers and perhaps moving the comments to the end of the meeting rather than the beginning, where they are now.
Source: Prairie Village Post

As SMSD plans for in-person learning, health officials say JoCo remains in ‘red zone’

Johnson County health officials told public school leaders Tuesday that current COVID-19 trends continue to suggest in-person learning remains unsafe, even as districts plan to bring more students back to school starting next month. As of Tuesday, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment said the county remains in the “red zone” of its school reopening criteria. In the “red zone,” JCDHE recommends that schools can have elementary students in school for in-person learning following “safe opening principles,” while it’s recommended middle and high school students learn remotely.
Source: Prairie Village Post

University of Kansas helps three Kansas counties — Johnson, Miami and Wilson – determine how to spend more than $44 million in federal COVID-19 funds

Every community has been touched by the COVID-19 pandemic, and while all have experienced some sort of negative outcomes, no two communities have been affected in the same way. That lack of a roadmap or template can make recovery difficult, especially in using federal funds dedicated to a pandemic response.

A diverse group of University of Kansas scholars, researchers, staff and students has been helping three Kansas counties — Johnson, Miami and Wilson – determine how to spend more than $44 million in federal COVID-19 funds by the end of 2020 to have a lasting influence.

“We felt county governments could use some assistance in programming these dollars. So we developed a program to partner with three Kansas counties to develop strike teams to identify what projects needed to be done and to use these dollars in a long-term, beneficial way,” said Hannes Zacharias, one of the project leaders. Zacharias is the Robert A. Kipp Professor of Practice in Local Government Management and Urban Policy in KU’s School of Public Affairs & Administration.
Source: KU.

USDA Invests Over $471,000 in Renewable Energy in Rural Kansas

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $471,792 in renewable energy projects for farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses and institutions in rural Kansas.

“Kansas is a leader in renewable energy production and that industry creates jobs and opportunities in all areas of the state,” said Hinrichsen. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner to rural Kansas in building stronger and healthier communities through renewable energy, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

Background:

Lyons-Kansas Ethanol, LLC:  A $250,000 grant will be used to purchase and install equipment for combined heat and power and ethanol dehydration. The project is estimated to generate 67,113 kWh per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.

Pittsburg-Denver Lawson, a turkey producer:  A $36,500 grant will be used to purchase and install solar equipment. The project is estimated to produce 134,066 kWh (61%) per year, which is enough energy to power 12 homes.

Newton-Horn’s Auto Repair, 4×4, and Welding LLC:  A $5,559 grant will be used to purchase and install a 9kW roof-mounted solar array. This project will replace 13,654 kWh (105 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power one home.

Harper-Millaturn Machine LLC:  A $19,875 will be used to purchase and install a 15 kW wind turbine. The turbine is estimated to replace 62,923 kWh (104%) per year, which is enough electricity to power five homes.

Additional projects will also be funded in:

Andale – Greg Neville

Bel Aire – Nodic Stone

Derby – Twin Fiddle Investment

Linwood – Robin Leach

Newton – G5 Mainstreet Investments, and Kansas Electric

Osborne – Girard’s IGA

Rose Hill – American Control & Engineering Services

Uniontown – Mary F. Moore

Wichita – JTS Investments

USDA is investing in 14 rural small businesses and ag producers through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants and Guaranteed Loans. Investments can used for renewable energy systems such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydropower. REAP funding can also be used for energy audits and to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems, insulation, lighting and refrigeration.

Interested parties should contact their local Kansas area office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/onerdguarantee to learn more about how the REAP Guaranteed Loan Program will be streamlined under the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative beginning October 1, 2020.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.

Arkansas City, KS saves over $2.7 million as a result of yesterday’s competitive bond sale

Working with the city administration and city commission, Ranson Financial Group helped save the City of Arkansas City, Kansas over $2.7 million. The competitive bond sale had 5 bidders. The winning bid provided an average interest rate of 1.55% over the 15 years. The restructured debt also shortened the final payoff date by 2 years.

Email Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren for a refunding analysis of your community’s debt or to explore funding options for new projects. For a better understanding of the parties and process involved in the bond issue process, click here or contact Larry or Beth.

This Johnson County district plans to have all students back in classrooms next month

Blue Valley is poised to become the first of Johnson County’s largest school districts to bring older students back into classrooms. District officials announced plans to allow middle and high school students in school buildings starting Oct. 5 in a hybrid model, learning in classrooms part of the time and learning online the rest of the week. That same day, the district plans to bring elementary students back to in-person learning, five days a week. “Throughout this pandemic, we have said multiple times we want to bring students back to school in-person in some form as soon as we can safely do so. I am pleased to share that based on current transmission rates in our community, that time is now,” Superintendent Tonya Merrigan said in the announcement.
Source: Joco 913 News

Wichita workshops incentives to bring jobs, boost small business

The city council of Wichita is working on a small business idea, to get a big boost to the economy. “This is a move that just makes sense,” said city council member James Clendenin. “With the right planning, dollars and cents.” The council workshop on Tuesday focused on getting incentives in place for small businesses. It includes tax breaks, fast-tracking business plans for new business and other incentives. “Still a work in progress, to be sure,” said Clendenin. But the idea could get a vote in just a couple of weeks. Some small businesses in Wichita say any news is good news when it comes to boosting development.
Source: KSN-TV

City of Topeka launches program to help residents face COVID-19 financial challenges

The City of Topeka announced Tuesday its intention to launch a free Financial Navigators program to help residents navigate critical financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial Navigators is available to provide guidance over the phone to help residents access available programs and services to manage loss of income and other financial concerns. Financial Navigators help residents one-on-one to make priorities, identify steps to manage expenses and maximize income.
Source: KSNT News

Hutchinson officials call new testing availability ’game changer’

Local health officials called the recent availability of rapid COVID-19 testing at Hutchinson Clinic and the hospital “a game-changer,” but also noted the battle to contain the virus in the community remains an uphill one because that testing came so late. Hutchinson Clinic physician Dr. Scott Pauly told the Reno County Commission that asymptomatic testing of the general population also remains a critical piece in local health efforts to keep spread under control. The free testing at the Hutchinson Clinic will end on Saturday, but the county is expected to announce a plan next week on how to take it over in some manner using a grant.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Reno County agrees to look at creating wind development agreement template

The Reno County Commission agreed Tuesday to have staff research and develop a draft commercial wind development agreement that could be paired with zoning regulations still under consideration by the Reno County Planning Commission. Commissioner Ron Hirst suggested the move. “It seems to me like a company spending millions and millions of dollars would like to know early on what the basis of the development contract would be,” he said. “That way … it gets it started on so it covers areas and we’d not have to push so hard and quick to come up with a development contract.”
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Topeka partners with nonprofit to offer free financial guidance to city residents

The city of Topeka has partnered with a national nonprofit to offer free remote guidance to local residents dealing with COVID-19-related financial challenges. Topeka has teamed up with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund to offer a “Financial Navigators” program. Through the program, financial navigators provide over-the-phone assistance, helping Topekans access available services and manage income disruptions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. “We are in unprecedented times that are greatly affecting families and their finances,” said Mayor Michelle De La Isla. “This support can help our citizens navigate challenges and stay self-sufficient during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

After public outcry, Wichita rethinking site for new police station

Facing opposition from neighbors near Cypress Park, Wichita City Hall is looking to find a different location for a new east-side police station, city officials said. The city had planned last year to build the new station on about 4 acres of parkland next to the site of the undersized and outdated Patrol East station at the corner of Edgemoor and Lexington, just north of Kellogg. But the $7 million plan stalled out at the Planning Commission amid opposition from surrounding residents who complained that it would take up too much parkland and devalue their homes.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Planning continues toward creating Etzanoa attraction near Ark City

The Etzanoa Conservancy has remained busy in recent months, despite the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year. Conservancy director Sandy Randel updated the Arkansas City Rotary Club on the organization’s activities during a recent meeting in the Cowley College Brown Center. Plans are under way to develop 80 acres of land north of Arkansas City’s Great Life Golf & Fitness Center, Randel said. The property is in the heart of the footprint of the pre-Columbian settlement of Etzanoa.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Reaching Wichita’s hard-to-count communities as census nears end

The 2020 census count is set to end Sept. 30, a month earlier than originally planned. That’s left census workers and advocates hurrying to get as many households to respond as possible – especially in communities that have historically been undercounted. Kansas is near the top of all states in terms of this year’s census – more than 97 percent of households have been counted. More than two-thirds of all households chose to self-respond, either by mail, phone or online.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Labette Community College gets $200K donation for athletic complex

The Labette Community College Foundation is the recipient of an anonymous $200,000 donation to support the Pathways to the Future Athletic Complex capital campaign. This gift will help the LCC Foundation more closely attain a challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Midland, Texas, toward the construction of a new LCC athletic and wellness complex. “The extraordinary generosity of our donors will make it possible to meet the needs our students and bring our facilities up to the standard of other state community colleges,” said Lindi Forbes, LCC Foundation executive director. “This generous gift brings us within striking distance of meeting the Mabee Challenge. We invite everyone to donate and help us bring that $500,000 grant to our campus to complete the fundraising goal. Every gift truly makes a difference.”
Source: Parsons Sun

Parsons approves project to use coronavirus relief act funds

The city of Parsons will spend about $40,000 from a round of coronavirus relief funding to build a barrier for second-floor offices in the Municipal Building. During a regular meeting Monday, city commissioners approved a proposal to build the permanent barrier that will separate the workspace area from the lobby of city offices that include those of several department heads. The barrier will protect employees from diseases such as COVID-19. Five contractors were contacted to supply a design/build proposal. Only one, Koehn Construction Services, submitted a plan that will cost $40,663.85 to build a barrier wall along with two doors with remote openers. The company plans to start work in as little as two weeks, with completion by the end of the year.
Source: Parsons Sun

$825,000 available for UG grant to support small businesses

As part of the Unified Government’s (UG) CARES Act request, the UG Commission recently approved $825,000 to support the Economic Development Department’s WYCO Loves Local Small Business grants. The WYCO Loves Local initiative was created to encourage continued growth and provide support for small businesses in Wyandotte County. The $825,000 approved by the Board of County Commissioners will provide much-needed support to local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Wyandotte Daily

To help create affordable housing downtown, some Lawrence leaders support redeveloping city parking lots

Some Lawrence city commissioners say that in order to create affordable housing options downtown, the city might have to repurpose some of its parking lots and other properties. The idea of redeveloping the city’s downtown properties — which include a few buildings and 17 parking lots — was one of several options discussed during a meeting of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board last week that included city commissioners. At the meeting, AHAB Chair Ron Gaches said that the city can’t just wait for the market to provide affordable housing downtown and instead needs to be more directly involved. Several commissioners indicated they agreed.
Source: LJWorld.com.

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