Commerce Department Launches Rural by Choice Champions Program

Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland today announced a unique opportunity for rural communities throughout the state – the Rural by Choice Champions Program (Rural Champions). This one-year pilot program will create a network of grassroots individuals who will tackle critical community projects and identified needs integral for rural prosperity. Rural Champions, which was made possible through a collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, will help drive success when there is a lack of capital or other resources to complete the project. “We are continually looking at ways to keep and attract individuals that want to live and work in our rural communities throughout the state,” said Lt. Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland. “Through this program and other initiatives, such as our Grassroots Economic Development Program and Rural Opportunity Zones, we are focusing on removing barriers to success in rural Kansas.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-08-10T22:05:58-05:00August 10, 2022|News|

State senator to seek RNR bill changes

The road to property tax transparency is paved with good intentions. That was Kansas Sen. Alicia Straub’s assessment of Senate Bill 13, the so-called Truth in Taxation or Revenue Neutral bill enacted by the Kansas Legislature in 2021. Straub, from Ellinwood, serves the 33rd District and joined the Barton County Commission Wednesday morning to discuss the measure which created much consternation amongst local officials. During the 2021 session, the tax lid was removed and the Legislature enacted Senate Bill 13, county Operations Director Matt Patzner said. This bill established notice and public hearing requirements if a taxing entity’s proposed budget will exceed the property tax levy’s Revenue Neutral Rate (generally, the RNR is the tax rate in mills that would generate the same property tax revenue in dollars as levied the previous tax year using the current tax year’s total assessed valuation).
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2022-08-10T22:06:41-05:00August 10, 2022|News|

County hears pitch for broadband expansion in rural areas

Two IdeaTek representatives made a pitch Tuesday to the Board of Harvey County Commissioners, seeking support for extending broadband service to underserved areas. Nate Oswald, director of customer service and sales, said he and Thomas Garrett, director of business development, had been working with County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber to find needs for the county. He said a new grant opportunity had been made available through the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. The application is due Aug. 19, and he asked for a letter of support, which commissioners agreed to provide. Oswald proposed a map of the work area that he said would extend to areas without broadband. He also suggested expanding broadband around East Park, because he said he would like to meet the needs with the same proposal.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-08-10T20:34:18-05:00August 10, 2022|News|

Hiawatha places new signs honoring John McLendon

A Hiawatha native, basketball icon and Civil Rights pioneer continues to be honored in his hometown, as the City of Hiawatha has posted fresh signage recognizing the town as the birthplace of Coach John B. McLendon. A groundbreaking basketball coach who spent time as Dr. James Naismith’s protégé, McLendon went on to become the first African American to coach at a white university, and also the first African American to coach a professional team in any sport.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

Ranson Financial2022-08-10T22:07:40-05:00August 10, 2022|News|

New Grocery Store Opens in Bronson

Kelly and Thaddeus Perry opened their store, Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store on July 31 in Bronson, Kansas-population 309. The store is located right on Highway 54 that runs through the town. Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store, Bronson. The mom and pop operation has people sign a guest book when they come in. “This is for Kansas Tourism,” Kelly said. “There have been a ton of people coming in.” “We sold over 200 pounds of (her homemade) fudge in the first three days we were open,” she said.
Source: Fort Scott Biz

Ranson Financial2022-08-10T20:27:58-05:00August 10, 2022|News|

To keep students safe, Johnson County schools get new emergency buttons and door locks

The Shawnee Mission School District is adding an extra layer of security to its buildings this school year after recent mass shootings that heightened anxieties over school safety. At its meeting Monday, the Shawnee Mission Board of Education unanimously approved spending up to $250,000 to install hard wired, button-controlled door locks at the main entrances of the district’s elementary and middle schools. According to district documents, the change is part of an effort to “better and more uniformly secure district attendance facilities.” It also said the buttons will replace wireless ones which risk being misplaced, need batteries changed frequently, respond slowly or suffer from signal interference.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2022-08-10T20:22:01-05:00August 10, 2022|News|

Hutchinson residents can be part of the city’s 150th birthday photo in downtown this month

As part of the Aug. 18 festivities marking Hutchinson’s Sesquicentennial, the city has arranged for an aerial photograph of residents forming the number 150 in the center of downtown. Organizers estimate it will take about 300 people to fill the spaces, which will create the three numbers, 1-5-0, in the road at Sherman Avenue and Main Street. Participants for the photo will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket featuring more than $500 worth of items.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-08-09T23:53:15-05:00August 9, 2022|News|

County questions mosquito population forecast

Is Topeka abuzz with mosquitoes? The answer is — depends on who you ask. One the side of “yes” is a new forecasting tool created through a partnership between from Google and Off!, the insect repellant. That tool says city’s predicted population of that blood-sucking insect Monday was at its highest possible level of “severe” and should remain so through Thursday. … On the “no” side is testing by the Shawnee County Health Department, which says the mosquito population is lower than average this year. “We did see a small increase last week in mosquitoes, but overall for the year, our mosquito population has been lower than the average,” said Craig Barnes, division manager of community health outreach and planning for that department.
Source: CJonline

Ranson Financial2022-08-09T23:52:32-05:00August 9, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for August 9, 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.

Ranson Financial2022-08-09T23:46:59-05:00August 9, 2022|News|

Will Wichita firefighters get a 30% pay hike?

Wichita firefighter negotiators are asking for a big pay increase. “Yes,” said Ted Bush with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) local 135. “We’re looking at a 30% raise across the board. That would get us to industry standards.” … “I think we have to do something big,” said Wichita City Council Member Jeff Blubaugh. “I think we need to be close to that.” Blubaugh says he and at least two others on council want to make a move on pay.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-08-09T23:40:00-05:00August 9, 2022|News|