Kelly administration working to ‘expedite relief’ from infant formula shortage

Kansas’ state agencies are working with the federal government to “expedite relief” from the ongoing infant formula shortage, Gov. Laura Kelly’s office said Thursday. Kelly said in a statement that she has directed state agencies to “do everything in their power” to help Kansas families impacted by the shortage. “From increasing flexibility to helping eliminate barriers at check-out, my Administration is doing what is within our power to ease the impact of the national infant formula shortage on Kansas Families,” the governor said. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) will be the point of contact for the White House and federal agencies “to help coordinate efforts and eliminate red tape,” Kelly’s office said. The state agency has also approved “a series of waivers” to allow for more infant formula production in the state.
Source: Atchison Globe Now

Ranson Financial2022-05-20T02:47:16-05:00May 20, 2022|News|

Johnson County considers $1M loan to support affordable housing project in Shawnee

Johnson County could soon be investing in a new affordable housing complex in Shawnee. Next week the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will consider issuing a $1 million loan to support the construction of the Hedge Lane Apartments. The apartment complex is a joint venture between Sunflower Development Group and Consolidated Housing Solutions. The developers intend to create a 144-unit apartment complex near 75th Street and K-7 Highway in Shawnee. Because of rising inflation and additional costs for labor and materials, developers are seeking out a loan to cover a gap in project funding. If approved, the loan from the county would cover roughly 3% of the $30.5 million project.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2022-05-20T02:45:28-05:00May 20, 2022|News|

Kansas prepares to distribute $69 million in federal small business economic aid

Kansas is in line to receive as much as $69 million in additional federal support for small business development and entrepreneurship through a U.S. Treasury Department program used to support companies through the pandemic. The American Rescue Plan expanded the State Small Business Credit Initiative, or SSBCI, established in 2010 to assist businesses following the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009. The goal is to improve access to capital in rural and other traditionally underserved communities. States participating in SSBCI operate under the expectation each would generate business lending at least 10 times the amount of federal aid.
Source: The Miami County Republic

Ranson Financial2022-05-20T02:33:31-05:00May 20, 2022|News|

Lawrence city leaders say they are ready for city to expand into area west of Kansas Highway 10

Lawrence city leaders say they are ready for the city to expand beyond its longtime border along Kansas Highway 10, and some are even interested in expediting that process by requiring areas to join the city instead of waiting for property owners to opt in. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received a presentation on a study of the infrastructure and service needs — anticipated to cost more than $100 million — to add an area generally west of K-10 to the city’s boundaries. A few commissioners explicitly said they were interested in moving forward with those plans and prioritizing westward growth, rather than in another area, and Commissioner Brad Finkeldei said the city should consider requiring certain areas to join the city, a process called annexation.
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2022-05-19T08:44:17-05:00May 19, 2022|News|

Douglas County leaders OK local matching funds for SLT expansion; Lawrence and county are slated to contribute nearly $14M

Douglas County leaders on Wednesday granted their approval to commit millions of dollars in local funding, in partnership with the City of Lawrence, toward the future expansion of the South Lawrence Trafficway. The Douglas County Commission voted unanimously to send a letter to the Kansas Department of Transportation indicating the county’s willingness to match a portion of the $124,000,000 cost for what KDOT refers to as the “-03 project.” The project would widen the highway from two lanes to four lanes between Iowa Street and the Kansas Turnpike interchange. The Lawrence City Commission made its portion of the pledge on Tuesday. With the commitment from both the city and the county, KDOT will be able to move the project into its construction pipeline for a potential 2024 start.
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2022-05-19T08:43:43-05:00May 19, 2022|News|

Evergy to rethink plans to install towering power poles in two Wichita neighborhoods

Evergy is taking a step back from plans to erect new towering power poles that would run through Wichita’s Midtown and Riverside neighborhoods after community backlash to the proposal. The existing transmission line, built in the 1950s, runs south from 17th Street and Emporia to 11th Street and Jefferson. A second phase of the rebuild would continue south down Nims to Central, near the Keeper of the Plains. Vocal residents have banded together to express their displeasure for the proposed power poles, which they characterize as eyesores that could inflict permanent aesthetic harm on their neighborhoods.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-05-19T08:13:03-05:00May 19, 2022|News|

Wichita is home to four of the country’s top-ranked pro pickleball players

Wichita is home to four professional pickleball players — all of whom are ranked in the top 10 nationally and are a big deal in the sport. That’s unusual for a town of Wichita’s size, and their residency adds to the city’s pickleball cache. Meet Wichita’s four resident pros, all of whom played tennis in college…
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-05-19T08:12:38-05:00May 19, 2022|News|

Could Wichita be the country’s best city for pickleball?

In the late 1990s, a small group of senior citizens in Wichita picked up a paddle sport with a funny name: Pickleball. … Now, 25 years later, pickleball is a serious business across the nation and especially in Wichita — and not just for seniors. The relish and gherkin puns have stopped as thousands of locals, both young and old, have taken up the sport, an incredibly social and relatively easy-to-master combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton. The game, which can be played with singles or doubles, uses ping pong-like paddles and holey plastic balls. The plunk of paddles hitting balls is pickleball’s signature sound.
Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article261253602.html#storylink=cpySource: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-05-19T08:10:41-05:00May 19, 2022|News|

Kansas prepares to distribute $69 million in federal small business economic aid

Kansas is in line to receive as much as $69 million in additional federal support for small business development and entrepreneurship through a U.S. Treasury Department program used to support companies through the pandemic. The American Rescue Plan expanded the State Small Business Credit Initiative, or SSBCI, established in 2010 to assist businesses following the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009. The goal is to improve access to capital in rural and other traditionally underserved communities.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2022-05-19T08:09:57-05:00May 19, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 18, 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 Financial2022-05-19T08:01:30-05:00May 19, 2022|News|