City of Pittsburg to turn 145-years-old

On May 20, 2021 the City of Pittsburg turns 145-years-old. In anticipation of this year’s event, the Downtown Advisory Board is planning a week-long celebration. With the City turning 145-years-old, the Downtown Advisory Board has a goal of collecting 145 gifts for children in our community. Starting on May 17, community members can drop off gifts at Audacious Boutique or Sonder & Co. to be given to children in need in the Pittsburg Community. Gifts will be given to local non-profits Fostering Connections and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Source: City of Pittsburg

Ranson Financial2021-05-11T07:26:34-05:00May 11, 2021|News|

NLC Statement on Launch of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program

Cities, towns and villages are now one step closer to accessing the funds they need to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Importantly, the Treasury guidance puts local governments in the driver’s seat, giving them direct access to funds along with the flexibility to use them as they see fit, from helping small businesses recover and supporting vaccine programs to restarting capital infrastructure projects and putting laid-off and furloughed employees back to work. Critically, these funds will also help communities address the longstanding, underlying issues that resulted in disproportionate health and economic declines for low-wage workers and minority communities throughout the pandemic. … Visit NLC’s resource hub for the latest tools, resources and events to support the local response and relief efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: NLC

Ranson Financial2021-05-11T07:25:43-05:00May 11, 2021|News|

FCC to begin Broadband Subsidies

On Wednesday, May 12, low-income families can begin applying for the Emergency Broadband Benefit through the FCC, to help cover the cost of their broadband service and the purchase of a new laptop, desktop or tablet. To be eligible, a family must meet at least one of the following:
The household suffered a substantial loss of income since the start of the pandemic emergency, set at Feb. 29, 2020. Persons filing under this provision must have 2020 income of less than $99,000 for single tax filers and $198,000 for joint filers.
The household’s income is less than 135% of the federal poverty level, currently $35,775 for a family of four.
…
This is a federal program and residents should apply through the FCC.
Learn more here: https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
Source: City of Spring Hill news

Ranson Financial2021-05-11T07:23:29-05:00May 11, 2021|News|

More than $350B in federal recovery cash starts rolling out to states, cities, counties

States, cities and counties can begin to tap their share of the $350 billion in federal funds intended to spur a national recovery from the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, White House officials announced Monday. The Biden administration said the much-anticipated money, which was included in the massive relief law enacted earlier this year, can aid governments of all sizes in paying for a wide range of costs related to the pandemic response. … The uses for it could include running vaccination clinics and buying personal protective equipment; paying the salaries of government employees involved in battling COVID-19; or helping speed the recovery of industries, like hospitality, that have been devastated during the past year. Guidance issued Monday by the U.S. Treasury details a list of specific ways that states and local governments can use the money — and some ways they cannot, like using it to offset new tax cuts. States and localities will have even more flexibility for using any dollars deemed to be replacing revenue lost last year. … The White House fact sheet listed seven categories of uses for the state and local stimulus dollars:

Services and programs to contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19;
Addressing negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including aid to families; recovery support for businesses and industries; and rehiring public sector staff;
Addressing disproportionate public health and economic impacts of the crisis on the hardest-hit communities, including educational disparities;
Increasing pay for essential workers, such as workers at nursing homes, child care centers and grocery stores;
Rebuilding water and sewer infrastructure;
Expanding broadband infrastructure;
Replacing lost public sector revenue, to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic.

Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2021-05-11T07:22:08-05:00May 11, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 10, 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 Financial2021-05-11T07:09:39-05:00May 11, 2021|News|

Argonia Days to move downtown

There are high expectations for this year’s Argonia Days celebration, which will be held Saturday, May 15, on Main Street in downtown Argonia, rather than at Salter Park a few blocks to the east. After a year of pandemic restrictions, people are starting to get together for community events. Good weather over the last couple of weeks is helping to fuel that optimism, as well. Argonia city clerk Tara Pierce, who heads up the organizational efforts, said there is plenty to do for everyone. “It’s going to be a busy day. We’re trying to keep everything all together (downtown). We thought that might help out the businesses,” she said.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers

Ranson Financial2021-05-11T07:05:12-05:00May 10, 2021|News|

Kansas State changing mask policy, cites CDC guidance

Kansas State University is altering its mask policy for outdoor settings, citing updated guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WIBW-TV reports that starting May 17, those who are fully vaccinated can participate in campus outdoor activities and recreation without a mask, except in crowded settings and venues. Those exceptions may include live performances, parades and sporting events. The university says masks will still be required in all indoor spaces on university property. The CDC announced the new guidance in late April, saying fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to cover their faces anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-05-11T07:06:05-05:00May 10, 2021|News|

The city of Parsons saw the return of some of its history recently

The city of Parsons saw the return of some of its history recently. The Parsons Historical Society Museum, hosted their seasonal opening this weekend. The museum debuted their recently completed West End Hall with new display cases and exhibits including one from the Boy Scouts of America. The museum was unable to open on time last year due to the pandemic, preventing a lot of major fundraising from taking place. Since it operates off of donations from the community, opening on time held extra importance for the museum this year.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-05-11T07:06:24-05:00May 10, 2021|News|

Trails in Columbus entering the final stages of construction

The city of Columbus is about to get a little more active. The first trails in Columbus are entering the final phases of construction. One trail will loop around the soccer fields in Eddington Park before it will connect to even more trails throughout the city. Once the trail system is completed it’s estimated to be about three miles long. Officials hope the trails will help with economic development and improve community health. Dan Walters, Columbus Trails Committee, says, “We got a couple of places where people can walk off road but we’re working on building up the sidewalks and the walking areas, so it’s important that people can get their exercise in here, like i say it’s going to be a good place to get of the road and walk a little bit.”
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-05-11T07:06:32-05:00May 10, 2021|News|

Splash Pad coming soon to Pittsburg

A new city project is making a big “splash” in Pittsburg. A new splash pad will soon be coming to Schlanger Park. This will be replacing the old fill and drain pool which previously had existed in the park since the 1930’s. The city plans to open it in mid-July alongside the new pavilion and butterfly garden in the park. The project was funded halfway by The Land and Water Conservation Fund grant back in 2020 but then gained community support to move the rest of the project along. Kim Vogel, Pittsburg Parks And Recreation Director, says, “Several organizations step up to volunteer financially to help move the project forward, which has been great, some donations that have come in, otherwise we couldn’t do it, so everyone seems pretty excited to have this in our community.”
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-05-11T07:06:40-05:00May 10, 2021|News|

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