Humboldt gets to work on projects

City leaders took official steps Monday night to get the ball rolling on two big projects. First, they approved a Community Development Block Grant for $700,000 for street improvements. The State of Kansas, through the Department of Commerce, will shoulder $492,086 of the expenses; Humboldt, $210,894. About 44 blocks of downtown Humboldt are slated for work. Bruce Boettcher of BG Consultants is overseeing the work. The planning of the project is complete, Boettcher said, with the design phase to be next. Council members also approved a public hearing for April 11 to discuss the funding of a $13 million upgrade to the city’s water system. The city is applying for the loan through the United States Department of Agriculture.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2022-03-16T22:47:37-05:00March 16, 2022|News|

City hears ideas for improvement, transparancy

Ideas to improve the appearance of the city of Marysville were brought to City Council Monday night by local residents Diane Schroller and Darlene Boss. The women, who are both former city council members, asked the council to improve education about basic provisions of the city code, help citizens understand how and by whom the code is enforced, give out more information about the city’s sidewalk replacement and removal of blighted property programs and to begin a program to monitor the condition of the city’s trees. Schroller and Boss said they would be willing to be part of a committee to work on these topics. They also asked the council what type of financial commitment the city would be willing to make toward programs of this nature.
Source: The Marysville Advocate

Ranson Financial2022-03-17T22:08:51-05:00March 16, 2022|News|

Salina to purchase ‘Butterfly Tree’ sculpture, placed it near library

A sculpture that was part of the 2021 Sculpture Tour in downtown Salina will have a new home by the Salina Public Library after it was selected as the People’s Choice. “Butterfly Tree,” by Reven Marie Swanson of Colorado, was the people’s selection and is set to be purchased by the City of Salina after approval by the City Commission Monday. Brad Anderson, director of the Salina Arts and Humanities Department, said the city has purchased the People’s Choice every year since 2011, making this the 12th piece bought by the city and added to its public collection for display.
Source: Salina Journal

Ranson Financial2022-03-16T07:41:35-05:00March 16, 2022|News|

Hutchinson’s shortage of hotel rooms causes economic loss

… for a second consecutive year, more than a third of the teams in the [National Junior College men’s basketball] tournament are having to stay in hotels outside of Hutchinson because of not enough rooms locally. No studies have been done locally to determine the economic impact of the tournament on Hutchinson, but some from other sites hosting NJCAA tournaments for other sports estimate their impact at anywhere from $1.5 million to $4 million. Even at the low end, that means the impact of those teams not staying in Hutchinson is potentially a $500,000 to $750,000 loss for local businesses during tournament week.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-03-16T07:40:25-05:00March 16, 2022|News|

Kansas schools are bringing people from outside the classroom to teach during staffing crunch

Teaching wasn’t always the plan for Lindsey Kepka, the business teacher at Avenue A School in Hutchinson, but after 10 years into a business career, she decided to switch paths. She specialized in philanthropy and finance during her career, but after re-evaluating her impact on the community, she enrolled in the Transition to Teaching program at Fort Hays State University two years ago…. As Kansas schools address teacher shortages, more districts are looking to restricted license programs — university programs meant to train industry veterans like Kepka from outside the education industry to be teachers — to help staff high school classrooms.
Source: CJonline

Ranson Financial2022-03-16T07:38:32-05:00March 16, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 15, 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 Financial2022-03-16T07:37:03-05:00March 16, 2022|News|

Forecasters see growing chance of a recession as Fed hikes rates this year to fight inflation

Forecasters have raised their outlooks for a recession and boosted their inflation outlook as the Federal Reserve faces the quandary of fast-rising prices and greater uncertainty from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the latest CNBC Fed Survey. The probability of recession in the US was raised to 33% in the next 12 months, up 10 percentage points from the Feb. 1 survey. The chance of a recession in Europe stands at 50%. Respondents debated whether the recent surge in commodity prices would prompt the Fed to raise rates faster because it adds to inflation or raise rates less because they reduce growth. “The tax impact of higher commodities prices is likely to slow the pace of hiking more than the inflationary impact is to accelerate it,” wrote Guy LeBas, chief fixed income strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott.
Source: Economy

Ranson Financial2022-03-15T22:37:31-05:00March 15, 2022|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Announces $20 Million in Business Investment and 150 New Jobs in Wichita

Governor Laura Kelly today announced Fagron Sterile Services’ (FSS) new expansion in Wichita which will result in more than 150 new jobs and $20 million in capital investment over the next three years. “International investment is an important economic driver for Kansas, and we are proud to work with Fagron in support of their continued growth in Wichita,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Through Fagron’s expansion, Wichita and surrounding communities will see the benefits of continued economic growth. My administration will keep investing in the tools that make Kansas the best place in the nation to do business.” Fagron Sterile Services U.S. recently released multiple new health care product lines and developed RFID enabled syringes, resulting in rapid business growth and sales. To support this accelerated demand, the company, based in Belgium, will expand its current facility in Wichita to produce and store these new products.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-03-16T07:31:55-05:00March 15, 2022|News|

Pottawatomie County approves amnesty month in May for collection of old tires, appliances

Pottawatomie County residents will have the opportunity in the month of May to dispose of unwanted passenger tires and refrigeration appliances at no cost. County Commissioners approved an amnesty month specific to those materials. County Sanitarian Scott Schwinn says it’s been a successful program in the past. “Here we’re asking to do a cleanup which rather than one day, gives people a full month to try to come in and get rid of some of the stuff would sit around with water in it,” he said. “There’s still some old refrigeration stuff out there that is still dangerous to children and others who might get to playing in them.” The program will be open to Pottawatomie County residents from May 1 to May 31. All non-passenger vehicle tires will be collected at half the normal rate of charge. Free disposal of refrigeration appliances also are included. Schwinn explains what that constitutes.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2022-03-15T22:32:40-05:00March 15, 2022|News|

Hiawatha City Administrator tenders resignation, takes position in North Kansas City

Hiawatha City Administrator Mike Nichols will be leaving the City on April 6, after offering his resignation at Monday night’s meeting. Nichols has secured the same position with North Kansas City, Mo., and will begin on April 11 after serving the City of Hiawatha since December of 2013. Nichols briefly addressed his departure at Monday night’s meeting of the Hiawatha City Commission. His last commission meeting will be on March 28.
Source: City Government | hiawathaworldonline.com

Ranson Financial2022-03-16T07:32:23-05:00March 15, 2022|News|

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