Kansas senate approves billion-dollar, mega-project plan

An economic development bill that could bring a $4 billion business and over 4,000 jobs to Kansas was approved by the Senate on Thursday. SB 347 would enact the attracting powerful economic expansion, or APEX, act which could add a significant boost to the Kansas economy if it is passed by the house and signed off by Governor Laura Kelly. The senators approved of the bill 32 to seven on Jan. 27 after it was amended. If APEX is passed into law, it could mean that a $4 billion company, which remains secret for legal reasons, could come to Kansas. Many in the Kansas Legislature believe that it is important to move quickly before the mysterious company moves to a different state.
Source: KSNT News

2022-01-28T01:12:02-06:00January 28, 2022|News|

Johnson County Charter Commission shoots down proposal for non-partisan sheriff’s election

The Johnson County Charter Commission decided in a meeting Wednesday to wrap up its work next month leaving the county’s governing document pretty much as is. With their last votes on substantive issues, commissioners confirmed that no changes will be put on the ballot for voter approval, and there will not be any recommendations for the county commission to consider. The charter commission meets once a decade to decide whether the county’s foundational operating rules need fixing. The 25 members, chosen by a variety of civic and political groups, have been meeting since March 1, 2021, but much of that time was spent hearing from county officials how their departments are run. It wasn’t until fall that the group began to discuss ideas for improvement.
Source: Prairie Village Post

2022-01-28T01:09:58-06:00January 28, 2022|News|

Senate passes incentive for $4 billion development

The Kansas Senate on Thursday approved new development incentive to help win the recruiting battle for a $4 billion economic development prospect that’s been characterized as one of the biggest projects in state history. The chamber voted 32-7 to approve the package of incentives for the mysterious development prospect that is considering Kansas along with another site for what Lt. Gov. David Toland described as the largest private-sector investment in state history. The bill creates a special tax incentive for economic development projects with at least a $1 billion investment, although a new provision was added to reduce corporate income taxes in order to provide a benefit to existing businesses. The incentive also would be eligible to suppliers that sell more than $10 million worth of products to the primary project.
Source: Sunflower State Journal

2022-01-28T01:08:22-06:00January 28, 2022|News|

How Humboldt, Kansas, became a must-see destination for 2022

The work done by a dedicated group in the small town in southeast Kansas caught the attention of The New York Times. Over the past five years, the economic development group A Bolder Humboldt has been at work building up the town with new businesses and renovations along with venues for recreation, all to revitalize their community. Their efforts paid off as Humboldt was just included on The New York Times’ list of “52 Places for a Changed World.” In writing of the town with a population of fewer than 2,000 people, the Times noted that Humboldt was “becoming an unexpected and affordable oasis of cool surrounded by fields of wheat and soybeans.”
Source: KCUR

2022-01-27T12:26:24-06:00January 27, 2022|News|

Kansas Supreme Court to hear ‘dark store’ case

The so-called “dark store” debate over how big box stores are valued is now in the hands of the Kansas Supreme Court. The state’s highest court has agreed to hear Johnson County’s appeal of a court decision that found the county overvalued 11 big-box retail stores. Last fall, the Kansas Court of Appeals upheld a decision by the state’s tax appeals board, which found the county overvalued a group of Walmarts and Sam’s Clubs by about $60 million in 2017 and $63 million in 2016. The appeals court’s fueled the so-called “dark store theory,” a criticism leveled at retailers that believe their property should be appraised as if their property is vacant, separate from the business activity it generates such as leases. The case has major financial implications for local governments and Kansas businesses with millions of dollars in property taxes hanging in the balance.
Source: Sunflower State Journal

2022-01-27T12:14:52-06:00January 27, 2022|News|

Lawrence’s Sister Cities program connects community with Japan, Germany, Greece

In 1986, the City of Lawrence launched a Sister Cities program to bring people together. And it has. The program has planted the seed for four marriages between Lawrencians and residents in Eutin, Germany; it’s brought our quilting community closer to the one in Hiratsuka, Japan; and it even helped KU Theatre collaborate on a Greek tragedy performed in the ancient open-air theatre of Iniades, Greece. For 36 years, the award-winning nonprofit has been promoting peace and understanding between Lawrence and its three sister cities.
Source: The Lawrence Times

2022-01-27T12:25:27-06:00January 27, 2022|News|

Hutchinson task force recommends bulk of local ARPA allocation be used to address childcare issues

Members of a task force created to recommend where $17 million in federal COVID-19 relief coming to Hutchinson and Reno County should be spent in order to have a lasting impact on the community suggested Tuesday the bulk of money go to addressing child care issues. The group held more than 40 interactive community meetings over a couple of months to receive public input on priorities for using the American Rescue Plan Act dollars. While seven key areas were identified from among the more than 1,100 ideas generated during the sessions, addressing daycare was mentioned at every meeting and was among the top three issues for more than half the participants, according to the study’s findings.
Source: Hutch News

2022-01-27T08:02:19-06:00January 27, 2022|News|

USDA Invests Nearly $23 Million to Improve Community Infrastructure for Rural Towns Across Kansas

Funding Will Increase Access to Health Care and Public Safety for 15 Rural Communities in the State. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director Kansas Dan Fischer today announced that USDA is investing $22,965,600 to build and improve critical community facilities in 15 communities. This infrastructure funding will increase access to health care and public safety while spurring community development and building sound infrastructure for people living in rural communities.

The programs assisting these communities include Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees,  Community Facilities Disaster Grants, and Economic Impact Initiative Grants. The projects will finance emergency response vehicles and equipment; build or improve hospitals and clinics and help fund other essential community facilities.

These are the Kansas projects receiving financial assistance:

 
  • A $475,000 loan, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in completing street improvements, curb, guttering and storm water grading within the city of Cottonwood Falls. Streets have warped cross sections, reduced storm water capacity and irregular profiles resulting in potholes and ponding. This project will address the most immediate street needs through patching, replacement and storm sewer installation. The project includes approximately 13,850 square yards of asphalt milling, 2,710 tons of hot mix asphalt surface replacement, 3,510 square yards of concrete pavement, 31,200 square yards of chip and seal, 3,350 feet of sidewalk, and storm water grading and improvements.
  • A $14,600 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in purchasing and installing a boiler system for the Hodgeman County Courthouse. The courthouse was built in 1929 and is on both the Kansas Historic Register and the National Historic Register. The new system will come with a one-year warranty and the county has entered a contract for continued maintenance, eliminating emergency costs of parts and labor.
  • A $98,300 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in purchasing and installing heating and air conditioning systems and new lighting in the junior and senior high school facilities in Burlingame. Installation will include flat panel LED lights, to improve lighting quality and efficiency, and replacement of the entire heating and air conditioning system with a variant refrigerant flow zoning system.
  • A $175,000 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will rebuild and repair two existing boiler units and address a safety issue of a third at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center. Two boilers must be repaired to prevent failure and possible hospital closure. Additional work to be completed includes new diesel pumps, new boiler skins and re-insulating two boilers. A third boiler will be repaired. This project will add an additional 20-year lifespan to the medical center’s power infrastructure.
  • A $93,400 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in replacing a fire engine. Currently Southeast Rush County, including the town of Timken, is serviced by an old fire engine requiring a great deal of maintenance. Reliability of the truck in an emergency is questionable. The purchase of a new Quick Attack Fire Body truck will provide updated equipment to the volunteer firefighters.
  • A $90,600 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in renovating a facility for the City of Moundridge public library. The existing library is housed in a building that was constructed in 1929. The city’s Public Building Commission purchased a 4,500 square foot facility, built in 1979, and would need interior renovations before becoming the city’s new public library. The new facility will be Americans with Disabilities Act compliant and include accessible shelving, tables, chairs and other furnishings. The new facility will have interactive child and technology areas. The facility will have study spaces, community room and an outdoor classroom.
  • A $5,200 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in purchasing a replacement sanitation truck for the waste department in the City of Sharon. The city’s current truck, a 1999 GMC model, has reached the end of its useful life and is requiring weekly repairs and maintenance. The new truck is a 2006 International model.
  • A $26,400 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in purchasing a previously owned 2012 Ford F-450 4X4 Type 1 Wheeled Coach Ambulance for the Sedan area Emergency Medical Service. The new ambulance will replace a 1997 model. The old ambulance is not dependable and requires upgrades, that are cost prohibitive to keep it in service.
  • A $12,000 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in purchasing a previously owned fire engine for the City of Sedgwick. This vehicle will replace a 1991 model with a water leak in its holding tank. The current truck does not meet testing standards leaving only one fully functional truck. The city is purchasing a 2009 LaFrance with only 600 hours of use.
  • A $15,900 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist  the City of Cawker City in replacing the roof on their fire station. The existing roof leaks, causing damage to the structure of the building.
  • A $34,500 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in purchasing a new fully equipped vehicle for the City of Norton‘s Law Enforcement Department. This vehicle will replace an older vehicle with maintenance issues and outdated equipment. The new vehicle will come fully equipped with items that will meet the current needs of the department.
  • A $2,200 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in purchasing and installing a new heating and air conditioning unit for the senior center in Burdett. This facility’s current heating and air conditioning system is failing and has become financially more difficult to maintain. The facility provides the area’s aging population with meals, services and activities for a better quality of life in the community.
  • A $50,000 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in purchasing a new Jetter Vac truck for the City of Belleville. This will replace an existing, 18-year-old truck. This truck is used by multiple city departments and is critical for cleaning sewers and vacuuming wastewater. The new truck will hold 1,300 gallons of waste or water, has a ten-foot aluminum telescoping boom, debris tank and other features.
  • A $35,500 grant, along with a contribution from the applicant, will assist in purchasing equipment for the Neodesha Law Enforcement Department. Offices are currently housed in a temporary storage area at the city hall with evidence stored in a shipping container. The container is not climate-controlled, and evidence is deteriorating due to the conditions. Funds will be used to purchase security cameras, evidence equipment and office equipment.
  • A $19,869,000 direct loan and a $1,968,000 guaranteed loan through Western Alliance Business Trust, along with a contribution from the applicant, will construct a critical access hospital facility in Caldwell. The project will construct a new 41,000 square foot facility, with 16-beds and include clinic services.
2022-01-27T07:57:26-06:00January 27, 2022|News|

Population growth, COVID among concerns as Topeka mayor, city manager lay out vision for 2022

A month into the new year and both of their respective jobs, Topeka Mayor Mike Padilla and interim City Manager Bill Cochran see a bright future for Topeka in 2022. At their first joint news conference, Padilla and Cochran said one of the city’s biggest challenges, aside from managing COVID-19, will be retaining and growing population. … Padilla said lower population numbers could lead to some budget issues, and the city will have to anticipate some potential budget challenges.
Source: CJonline

2022-01-27T07:55:27-06:00January 27, 2022|News|

Saline County using COVID relief funds for workforce development, business recovery, mental health

Saline County, with the use of federal COVID relief funds, will be working with local higher educators and national technology organizations to help with workforce development, business recovery and mental health in the county. The Saline County Board of Commissioners approved four programs during its meeting Tuesday morning as part of the Phase II funding of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes said Saline County was allocated over $10.5 million, half of which has been received while the remaining half is expected to come later this year. The ARPA funding can be used to help meet community needs and the county got feedback from a survey and town hall about what community members identified as those needs.
Source: Salina Journal

2022-01-27T08:01:07-06:00January 27, 2022|News|
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