JoCo, De Soto and Kansas add millions more in incentives toward Panasonic battery plant

Johnson County will add another $15 million to a growing pot of incentives dedicated to Panasonic’s new $4 billion factory planned for De Soto. The Board of County Commissioners on Thursday voted to spend $7.5 million on local road improvements and commit another $7.5 million toward building a new fire station with hazmat capabilities for the factory. Kansas officials have already committed $829 million in incentives to lure the Japanese electronics maker to De Soto. That includes $500 million in refundable tax credits, which allows the firm to not only reduce its tax burden, but receive cash directly from the state.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2022-07-29T00:38:15-05:00July 29, 2022|News|

Wichita firefighters helping in South Dakota

Some members of the Wichita Fire Department have moved north during their two-week assignment with the Kansas Forest Service Fire Suppression Module. They spent two-and-a-half days working on the Trout Fire in northwest Nebraska. From there, they headed north to the Casino Fire in southwest South Dakota. The fire is on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. It has burned 12,636 acres and is at least 80% contained. According to the Wichita Fire Department, four hand crews, 10 wildland engines, one dozer, and three water tenders are assigned to the fire. The Wichita firefighters have put in handline, caught spot fires, and have completed mop-up.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-07-29T00:36:30-05:00July 29, 2022|News|

Shawnee Mission boosts substitute pay after schools struggled to cover teacher absences last year

The Shawnee Mission school board this week unanimously approved an increase in substitute teacher pay for the upcoming school year, a move aimed at counteracting the district’s increasing struggles at finding enough classroom subs. The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded teacher shortage issues in SMSD and districts nationwide and led to a shrinking substitute pool, especially last year.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-07-29T07:20:07-05:00July 29, 2022|News|

Overland Park OKs solar panels for energy-efficient redesign of 75th Street fire station

Plans for reconstruction of Overland Park Fire Station 41 are moving along as the city approved the addition of solar panels to the building. The fire station, which is undergoing an energy-efficient redesign, sits near the intersection of 75th Street and Conser, just west of Metcalf Avenue. Last week, the Overland Park City Council voted to have SFS Architecture, a local firm, design a solar infrastructure for the station and increase the reconstruction project cost by $225,000 to add solar panels to the building.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-07-29T07:20:49-05:00July 29, 2022|News|

Inside Look at the Massive Walmart Fulfillment Center

The largest Walmart Fulfillment Center in Kansas celebrated its one year anniversary with a ribbon cutting today. The new facility employs nearly 400 people, which surpasses the original goal of 300. Associates take orders from Walmart’s website, where the items are then picked, packed and shipped directly to customers. Debbie Parkhill, the General Manager of the center, says the employees have been working hard to make sure everything is ready to go.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2022-07-29T07:21:06-05:00July 29, 2022|News|

Topeka Zoo critical to saving Sumatran Tiger

A new pair of breeding tigers are coming to Topeka. With less than 500 Sumatran Tigers in the wild, saving the species is critical. Of the 72 Sumatran tigers in AZA-accredited zoos in North America, seven have been born here at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center. The Topeka Zoo announced Thursday it has received recommendations to transfer its tigers to other zoos per a Species Survival Plan (SSP), and has been designated a new breeding pair of tigers. The zoo said it will release more information following the quarantine periods which are expected to be complete this fall.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2022-07-29T00:27:31-05:00July 29, 2022|News|

Public forums begin for Wyandotte County community health assessment

The Unified Government Public Health Department of Wyandotte County is holding community forums in July and August 2022 as part of a Community Health Assessment for the county. Forums are open to anyone who lives in Wyandotte County. The forums will gather input from people who live in Wyandotte County about the biggest health challenges facing the county and ways to make Wyandotte County a healthier place to live for everyone.
Source: Wyandotte Daily

Ranson Financial2022-07-29T07:21:38-05:00July 29, 2022|News|

Homebuilders around the nation are boosting incentives as they suddenly struggle to sell homes

After two years of not being able to build homes fast enough to keep up with demand, the nation’s homebuilders are now experiencing a slowdown in sales and an increase in supply. Sales of newly built homes fell more than 8% in June from the prior month and were 17% lower than June of 2021, according to a report Tuesday from the U.S. Census. Inventory also rose to a 9.3-month supply, up from 5.6 months at the end of last year. Chief executives of major builders are saying they have to respond more quickly to the sudden turnaround in the market, in part by boosting incentives. Pulte Group, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, reported Tuesday that net new orders for its homes in the second quarter were lower by 23% from last year. The company’s cancelation rate was 15%, compared with 7% in the prior year period.
Source: CNBC

Ranson Financial2022-07-28T08:42:44-05:00July 28, 2022|News|

Topeka’s underpaying of engineers results in ‘astronomical’ consulting costs, city leader says

Topeka’s city government’s practice of paying its engineers considerably less than what the market offers is forcing it to pay “astronomical” amounts in consulting fees, interim city manager Bill Cochran said Tuesday evening. The mayor and council will learn Aug. 9 about strategies proposed to help resolve that, they were told during a work session in which they discussed the city’s proposed 2023 budget. The topic came up as the mayor and council heard from Councilman Tony Emerson, who owns a contracting firm that carries out projects that include replacing streets, sewers and water lines.
Source: CJonline

Ranson Financial2022-07-28T08:36:23-05:00July 28, 2022|News|

Halstead Police Officer Recognized For Saving Infant’s Life

Some quick thinking—and quick driving—by Halstead Police Officer Logan Miller saved the life of a three-day-old infant, recently. “Officer Miller’s immediate, decisive actions on March 27 resulted in the saving of this infant’s life, and because of him, the family is thriving and the family is whole today,” Police Chief Josh Orem said. Miller was recognized for his actions during the Halstead City Council meeting Monday night, during which Orem presented him with a Life Saving Award plaque and a commendation bar to go on his uniform. The Rutherford family whom he helped was also present to express their gratitude.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-07-28T08:35:12-05:00July 28, 2022|News|