New and old, it’s all about Amelia at her birthplace

Two years after the COVID interruption, the welcome mat is rolled out for visitors as a regular schedule resumes at the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum. Museum Director Heather Roesch and Assistant Manager Brenda Lambert both agreed a few changes have been made within the recent years. One of these is the main entrance into the museum has been relocated to the side porch locate along the street that runs east and west bound from North Second Street. The Museum is located at 223 North Terrace Street, Atchison. In addition to the Amelia-related artifacts displayed for years throughout the home of Amelia’s maternal grandparents where she was born, are a few new historic acquisitions to see.
Source: atchisonglobenow.com

Ranson Financial2022-07-05T08:14:43-05:00July 5, 2022|News|

Inflation pushes up expected costs of 3 major county projects by nearly $4 million

High inflation could add nearly $4 million in construction and project costs to three planned Johnson County capital improvement projects. County staff say capital improvement projects in Shawnee, Overland Park and Lenexa are each expected to cost roughly $1 million to $1.5 million more than planned, due to inflation-related burdens on construction costs.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-07-05T08:13:26-05:00July 5, 2022|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Statewide Effort to Coordinate Billions in Federal Infrastructure Funds Coming to Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the creation of the Kansas Infrastructure Hub, which will coordinate Kansas state agencies and local entities as they administer and apply for funding available through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The Hub will identify statewide and regional infrastructure priorities, strategize as to how to maximize investment opportunities, and promote best practices in securing and distributing funding. Kansas is set to receive close to $3.8 billion in direct funds for transportation, water, energy, and broadband projects. Kansas could potentially receive more by applying for competitive grants. … Governmental, infrastructure, and business leaders are invited to the Hub’s Kansas Infrastructure Summit in Wichita on July 13th and 14th to learn more about the grant opportunities available under the BIL, discuss strategies for preparing winning grant applications, and share input on infrastructure priorities in Kansas. In-person and virtual attendance available. Click here to register and learn more.

Ranson Financial2022-07-05T08:12:23-05:00July 5, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for July 1, 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 Financial2022-07-05T08:10:11-05:00July 5, 2022|News|

Here’s the timeline for Wichita’s $357 million sewer upgrade project

Engineering design work on Wichita’s wastewater treatment plant 1 has been awarded to PEC and plant 2’s upgrades are being designed by CDM Smith. Construction on the $357 million project is expected to start in 2023 and finish in 2027. The city has been approved to apply for a federal loan through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), which could cover up to 49% of project costs. Officials hope to supplement that with a revolving loan through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Here’s a look at the city’s timeline for the biological nutrient removal project.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-07-05T08:09:34-05:00July 5, 2022|News|

Rosalia to Be Among the First in the Nation to Get up to 2 Gbps Fiber Internet

This summer, local broadband provider SKT is breaking ground on a rural fiber project in Rosalia, located about 12 miles east of El Dorado. With fiber, Rosalia will be among the first in the nation to get 2 Gbps symmetrical internet service – up to 2,000 Mbps for both download and upload. That’s 26 times faster download and 200 times faster upload speed compared to what’s offered with the existing copper infrastructure. The project is expected to be complete by the end of the year. This project is part of a greater initiative by both SKT and Twin Valley – together the largest family-owned broadband provider in the state – to improve connectivity for rural Kansans. The companies will offer fiber broadband service to more than 1,500 new homes and businesses by the end of 2022, in addition to their existing fiber footprint.
Source: Andover American

Ranson Financial2022-07-05T08:08:54-05:00July 5, 2022|News|

Wichita Offering Incentives to Purchase Electric Lawnmowers

The City of Wichita will pay you $50 to replace combustion lawn equipment with electric or battery-powered lawn equipment. The pilot program aims to incentivize individuals and help the city control its ozone emissions. Non-road mobile sources make up between 25% to 36% of local emissions. Lawnmowers and other lawn equipment are estimated to account for 50%-90% of those sources. The lawn care equipment rebate pilot program is an effort to mitigate the ozone emissions within the city’s control.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-07-05T08:08:04-05:00July 5, 2022|News|

Chicopee dedicates memorial today to commemorate the first rural water district in Kansas

The Chicopee Rural Water District today recognized the prior Chicopee School, District 62, and the Chicopee Rural Water District with a new memorial dedication. The CRWD previously erected its brick and stone cut memorial and flagpole this year that displays the names of the first board of directors. Today, they hosted its dedication ceremony. Officials say the Chicopee school was among the first 100 school districts established in Crawford County, KS, in 1869. It served the community for 100 years; closing in 1969.
Source: KOAMKOAM

Ranson Financial2022-07-05T08:06:45-05:00July 5, 2022|News|

With 85 vacant positions, City of Lawrence continues to see impact of ‘great resignation’ and tight labor market

Coming out of a pandemic that disrupted the personal and work lives of many, City of Lawrence officials say they are continuing to see the effects of the so-called “great resignation,” with 85 city positions currently sitting vacant. Director of Human Resources Megan Dodge, who herself has been in her position less than a year, said that the city’s workforce has not escaped national trends that began during the pandemic, when employers saw high resignation numbers as many people changed jobs. Dodge said that at one point this year the city had more than 100 open positions, and that the job market is still making it difficult to hire new workers. “Everyone has gone through a really difficult two years,” Dodge said. “We’re experiencing the great resignation. Every employer is having a hard time hiring and recruiting people.”
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2022-07-03T09:56:40-05:00July 3, 2022|News|

Former Mayor Carol Marinovich helped unify WyCo, launch new era of growth

At the end of the 1980s, Kansas City, Kansas, was languishing. Blight had been creeping in for decades. Adult entertainment establishments proliferated, and the population saw steady declines. A City Council member at the time, Carol Marinovich began a grassroots movement to revive the area. Backed by others on the council, she recognized the need for a single government to bring the community back to life, socially and economically. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, was born, consolidating the city and county governments and sparking a renaissance of development.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Ranson Financial2022-07-01T08:37:54-05:00July 1, 2022|News|