Kansas Municipal News
Governor Kelly Announces EMP Shield Plans to Build $1.9 Billion, 1,200-Job Computer Chip Manufacturing Facility in Coffey County
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that EMP Shield, an industry leader in protecting electronic devices from destructive magnetic pulses, plans to invest $1.9 billion in a computer chip manufacturing facility in Burlington. The facility will create more than 1,200 jobs averaging $66,000 annually. EMP Shield will build its facility on 300 acres in a secure campus located at Silicon Prairie Industrial Park. The company will be joined by six out-of-state suppliers, resulting in an additional 1,000 jobs created in Coffey County. … EMP Shield plans to have four production lines operating in approximately 235,000 square feet of facilities in the new industrial park that will produce thousands of chips per week. Its suppliers will manufacture necessary components and prepare the final products for delivery.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas governor: $1.9 billion, 1,200-job computer chip plant to be built in Coffey County
A company known for protecting electronic devices from destructive magnetic pulses Monday unveiled plans to invest $1.9 billion in a computer chip manufacturing facility in Burlington capable of employing an estimated 1,200 people when fully operational. Gov. Laura Kelly said EMP Shield would locate the secure chip-manufacturing facility on 300 acres in the Silicon Prairie Industrial Park. That plant would collaborate with six out-of-state suppliers capable of adding 1,000 jobs within Coffey County southeast of Topeka. “Right now, computer chips — the technology that powers everything from cars to smartphones to broadband — are mostly made in China. That’s a problem,” Kelly said.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Garden City launches Citizens Academy program for 2023
Garden City has announced the return of its popular Citizens Academy program, which will take place from March 23 to May 11. The free, eight-week course is open to all Garden City residents who want to learn more about services provided by the city and its daily operations. The program gives people a behind-the-scenes look at what happens within the City on a daily basis and helps them better understand how their community is run. The Citizens Academy program will be led by City staff and includes tours of facilities, as well as group activities. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with City leaders and staff, ask questions, and learn about the various services and programs provided by the City.
Source: KSN-TV
‘Fund the Field’: McPherson schools announce matching fundraiser opportunity
On Friday, the McPherson Public Schools Capital Campaign committee announced that there will be a $100,000 matching funds opportunity for their “Fund the Field” capital campaign project. This campaign was put together to help fund a new outdoor facility at McPherson High School. This includes a regulation artificial turf soccer/football field and an eight-lane track.
Source: KSN-TV
The Parsons Police Department is rolling out a new program
A new community outreach program is in the works for a local police department. The “Parsons Police Department” is rolling out a new program called “R-U-O-K”. The computerized system is geared toward helping people with medical conditions, mental health, and well-being concerns, as well as those who are at high risk for falls. They can add information like address, medical history, and emergency contacts. The system then makes daily automated calls to check in on anyone enrolled in the program.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Shawnee County 911 calls could change
Shawnee County commissioners plan to vote on a program that could change how 911 calls are fielded. 911 calls have a wide range of resources needed, and in the past valuable resources have been sent to a caller’s location, when they were needed more somewhere else. The Nurse Navigation Program changes that. The program was created by the American Medical Response to give everyone calling 911 the proper care. If the call is determined a lower equity call, meaning a lower-tiered emergency, such as illness or non-life-threatening injuries, then they will be put in touch with a nurse navigator to walk them through the best steps for their care.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Lenexa’s Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park to get major facelift this summer
Lenexa will go ahead with upgrades to Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park on 87th Street Parkway. The work will reimagine the Indian Trails Aquatic Center, add new parking and sidewalks throughout the 51-acre park and update the aging skate park. Last week, the Lenexa City Council voted unanimously to greenlight three separate projects related to the park on the city’s capital improvement project list valued at a total of $17.3 million.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Coffey County tapped for computer chip plant
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Monday that EMP Shield, a Burlington-based company that specializes in protecting electronic devices from destructive magnetic pulses, plans to invest $1.9 billion in a computer chip manufacturing facility in rural Coffey County. The facility will create more than 1,200 jobs averaging $66,000 annually, Kelly said at a news conference. EMP Shield will build its facility on 300 acres in near Beto Junction in northern Coffey County.
Source: The Iola Register
Gov. Kelly Announces Airport Improvements
Governor Laura Kelly announced that 66 airport projects across the state have been selected for Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding for planning, constructing, or rehabilitating public-use general aviation airports. “Whether it be airplane manufacturing, a link in the supply chain logistics, or travel, the Kansas aerospace industry is an essential part of our state’s economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These grants ensure the safety and longevity of Kansas airports, all while contributing to economic growth and job creation.” The aviation industry represents over 120.6 billion in economic impact across a broad spectrum of supply chain and manufacturing industries in Kansas.
Source: Andover American
Could county level income taxes solve the property tax problems in Kansas?
One Kansas lawmaker thinks county-level income taxes are the answer to sparing Kansans the burden of ever-increasing property taxes. Sen. David Haley, D Kansas City, calls the proposal, SB 79, an earnings tax and says it’s based on the system in Kansas City, Missouri. Under the proposal, county residents would have to approve the up to 1% tax by vote. “We contend that a majority of anyone in a taxpaying entity, or that county, should be allowed to vote,” Haley told the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee Monday morning. “This would be triggered by the vote of each county, as to whether or not this would be imposed. And it would be put before the electorate every so often – in 10 years.” Half of the money raised would go to lower property taxes in that county.
Source: KAKE – News
Dwarf Goats: One Man’s Idea for Saving a Town in Rural America (Wilson, KS)
The former mayor of Wilson, Kan., believes he can lure travelers off Interstate 70 to see a collection of frolicking goats; he is butting heads with skeptics. Like many visionaries, David Criswell can’t say exactly how he dreamed up his big idea. Yet after chewing it over, Mr. Criswell, the former mayor of Wilson, became convinced he could milk a roadside attraction starring Nigerian dwarf goats clambering up and down a cluster of grain silos. “I’m going to bring people to town with these goats,” Mr. Criswell said. He anticipates herds of travelers pulling off Interstate 70 to visit his towering dwarf-goat playground. “Visually entertaining,” Mr. Criswell said, and a boost for local business. He envisions visitors buying souvenirs, meals and gas.
Source: Wall Street Journal
USD 252 superintendent interviews to start next week
The USD 252 Board of Education will start interviewing superintendent candidates next week, following a special meeting on Tuesday to review applications. According to board president Emily Darbyshire, interviews are set to begin Tuesday, Feb. 21. Information about the candidates will be released Tuesday morning. Outgoing Superintendent Michael Argabright announced his retirement effective June 30, 2023 last year. He’s led the district for more than 16 years.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Johnson County releases 2023 market study analysis, sees residential and commercial growth
Johnson County has released its Market Study Analysis for the Assessment Year 2023, examining the real estate market in the county – including both the residential and commercial markets. … The study found that nearly 90% of residential properties increased in value for 2023. The median single-family residential sale price rose 13.8% from 2021 to 2022, leading to an average increase in residential values of 12%. Commercial real estate also remained steady, specifically within the office and retail sectors. Overall, commercial values also increased at a rate of 12%.
Source: Johnson County Kansas |
After 43 years on the streets, Wichita police department’s ‘Dirty Harry’ retires
Chuck Loftis and another Wichita officer snuck on top of a pool hall at Ninth and Grove. It was the ‘90s and violent crime was skyrocketing as gangs fought over who could sell drugs where. A spotlight on the building kept the dealers below from being able to see them. They peered down, saw an exchange for crack and called in the description of the dealer to officer Robert “Bob” Bachman, who was down the road in a marked police car. Bachman pulled up. The dealer threw his crack and ran, but he didn’t get far, Loftis said. A man came out the door of the pool hall and yelled back inside: “Dirty Harry got Bobby,” Loftis recalls the man saying.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Should the Lawrence City Commission expand to 6 members plus a mayor? Voters will decide next year
Lawrence city commissioners approved one change to city government Tuesday night and set the stage for another potential big change, though that one will be up to voters to decide. Beginning with the 2023 general election, all Lawrence city commissioners will serve four-year terms. But how many commissioners the city will have, and whether we’ll have a directly elected mayor, will be up to voters to decide in November 2024. Commissioners also decided to ask city voters to weigh in on the city’s form of government in the 2024 general election. They passed a resolution that will put several decisions on the ballot, all wrapped up into one question.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for February 17, 2023
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, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Municipal Bond Trends for February 16, 2023
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, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Future uncertain for Walnut Valley Festival
The executive director of the Walnut Valley Festival confirmed comments he made recently on an area TV program that the beloved annual music event is struggling financially and its future is somewhat in doubt. Bart Redford, interviewed for an episode of “Positively Kansas” that aired Feb. 6, said the 51st festival will definitely be held in September, but there are no guarantees beyond that. “Where we go after that is an open question,” Redford told the KPTS. “We’re at a point where we’ve got to make it to continue on. No festival out there, no venture that you can think of, continues operating at a loss indefinitely.”
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Colorful murals to brighten downtown Dodge City
Dodge City was selected to receive a Community Challenge Grant from AARP Livable Communities and AARP Kansas to create murals in our historic downtown. The Dodge City Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) is proud to announce that the project is nearing completion. The PAAC has been working with talented artist, Efe Tekdemir from the design firm Gardner Design in Wichita, Kansas. Input gathered from community table days informed the direction of these three dynamic works of art that will infuse the area with color and excitement while honoring our city’s rich heritage and cultural diversity. The murals have been sent to Luminous Neon for test prints and final production should be underway soon. The murals will be installed at the same time, a process expected to take approximately two days.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe
Manhattan discusses Parks and Rec cost recovery model
Manhattan’s Parks and Recreation Department updated the city commission with their proposed cost recovery model at their meeting Tuesday. The current model sorts all programs into one of five tiers. Tier 1 would consist of the programs with the most community benefit, and as the tier number increases, the programs become more individualized. The tiers are situated on a cost recovery pyramid indicating that programs with the most community benefit will require the smallest cost recovery percentage.
Source: 1350 KMAN