Overland Park commission OKs rezoning for proposal to turn former Sears building into 164K square foot office

The Overland Park Planning Commission on Monday unanimously advanced a rezoning request for the former Sears site on Metcalf that marks a significant departure from the mixed-use concept initially pitched back in 2018. Klover Architects first unveiled the updated plan, which eliminates the multi-story apartment building that had drawn some protest from area homeowners, in a neighborhood meeting earlier this month. The re-envisioned development now centers on accommodating the interests of a company that plans to transform the former Sears building into a new center for its operations. Klover Architects President Henry Klover, who brought the rezoning request before the city Monday, told the planning commission the company would have approximately 700 employees on site each day.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-06-18T00:54:55-05:00June 18, 2021|News|

Pendergast adapting quickly to role as Scott City administrator

Brad Pendergast doesn’t have the luxury of easing into his position as the new administrator for the City of Scott City. Just seven days into his new job, Pendergast and the council held a 2022 budget workshop to decide spending priorities for the upcoming year. … “It’s good to be kept busy,” says Pendergast. “It’s good to be in a community that’s addressing its needs in a proactive way.” His first order of business when stepping into City Hall on June 8 was to meet with each of the department heads and get a better understanding of their job responsibilities. Pendergast, 33, said it was also important to share that he understands this is an adjustment for everyone since the city hasn’t had someone in the administrator position since 1996.
Source: Scott County Record.

Ranson Financial2021-06-17T14:57:03-05:00June 17, 2021|News|

The Fed moves up its timeline for rate hikes as inflation rises

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday considerably raised its expectations for inflation this year and brought forward the time frame on when it will next raise interest rates. … As expected, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee unanimously left its benchmark short-term borrowing rate anchored near zero. But officials indicated that rate hikes could come as soon as 2023, after saying in March that it saw no increases until at least 2024. The so-called dot plot of individual member expectations pointed to two hikes in 2023.
Source: CNBC.

Ranson Financial2021-06-17T08:15:23-05:00June 17, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for June 16, 2021

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 Financial2021-06-17T08:03:47-05:00June 17, 2021|News|

Excitement renews for possible train stop in Ark City

Top Amtrak officials have endorsed a plan that would bring back passenger rail service to Cowley County. The plan is to extend the existing Heartland Flyer route linking Fort Worth and Oklahoma City to the north, to Wichita and Newton, with a stop in Arkansas City. The expanded line would include stops in Edmond, Guthrie, Perry and Ponca City in Oklahoma; and Arkansas City and Wichita in Kansas. “There is a lot of excitement surrounding passenger rail and its impact on our community,” Ark City Mayor Scott Rogers said in an email on Monday. “Our community and citizens would have direct connections to bigger metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Oklahoma City, and up north to KC.” Randy Frazer, city manager of Ark City, said that expansion of the Heartland Flyer would “provide a convenient optional mode of travel to the north, south, east and west of the country.” Amtrak service to Wichita and Cowley County was discontinued in 1979.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Ranson Financial2021-06-17T00:47:38-05:00June 17, 2021|News|

Humboldt gives lessons in diplomacy

It appeared they were at an impasse. Josh Works had asked Humboldt city council members to close off three of the streets surrounding the downtown square for the better part of the Aug. 14 Water Wars. Dan Onnen protested, saying the 2019 event “cost me an entire day of business,” at his liquor store, Freedom Liquor, on the south side of the square. “I lost hundreds of dollars in sales that day,” Onnen said. “I’m all for A Bolder Humboldt, but I also have a business to run.”
Read the diplomatic ending here: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2021-06-17T08:07:20-05:00June 17, 2021|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Dairy Ingredients Expansion to Create 40 Jobs, $45 Million Investment in Hugoton

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that Kansas Dairy Ingredients (KDI) Cheese Company will expand its operations in Southwest Kansas, creating 40 new jobs and investing $45 million new business dollars in the Hugoton community. “Due to our talented workforce, central location, and agricultural excellence, Kansas’ reputation as a global leader in the agribusiness and food manufacturing sectors is undeniable,” Governor Kelly said. “Congratulations to KDI on its expansion into Hugoton – I look forward to watching the company turn our state’s natural advantages into world-class products enjoyed across the globe.” The facility will produce American-style, Italian-style, Hispanic-style Cheese and European-style cheese and butter. This expansion will be environmentally conscious, with the company committed to increased investment in water reclamation and eco-friendly construction practices.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2021-06-17T07:57:41-05:00June 17, 2021|News|

Pipeline windfall plus tax lid replacement could cut 9.363 mills

Unless it invokes special procedures, Marion County will have to reduce its property tax rate by 12.7% next year to comply with a new state law discouraging increased spending attributable to valuation windfalls. Primarily because of the end of a 10-year exemption for the Keystone pipeline crossing the county, the county will be able to raise as much money for 2022 as it raised for 2021 by imposing a tax rate of just 66.412 mills instead of its current 76.048 mills, county clerk Tina Spencer said Monday. Don’t expect the county to cut its rate by 9.363 mills, however.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Ranson Financial2021-06-17T08:02:15-05:00June 17, 2021|News|

Moundridge officials receive updates on pool and substation progress

The Moundridge City Council recently received an update on progress at the city pool, as well as progress to bring the electrical substation online. Murray McGee was able to share positive progress on both projects with the council. McGee advised the pool basin has been painted and striped, the walls and roof of the bathhouse are finished and fencing is now being changed over from temporary fencing to permanent fencing. Work continues in the bathhouse, as well as the concession area. McGee says the pool will likely open in mid-June with finishing touches to be completed after opening. New service for the electrical substation was switched over shortly after 4 a.m. on May 26. The interruption in service was brief for both business and residential customers. The substation is now online and working correctly.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed

Ranson Financial2021-06-17T08:03:09-05:00June 17, 2021|News|

For nearly a decade, public servant has kept Marion County clock tower ticking

For nearly a decade, Mike Hurst has climbed three flights of narrow, wooden stairs at the county courthouse every week to keep its centuries-old clock chiming. He visits a stuffy room that houses the clock’s mechanics and cranks a handle to wind it — ensuring that it will keep on ticking. “I love it,” he said during a Monday visit to the clock tower. “I love taking care of the clock here and I am just glad I have been able to continue through the years.” Hurst stepped up as keeper of the county’s clock when no one else wanted the job. A co-worker pleaded an absolute fear of heights as a reason not to make the climb.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Ranson Financial2021-06-17T08:10:18-05:00June 16, 2021|News|

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