Fed holds interest rates near zero, sees faster growth and higher inflation

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept its easy money policy in place despite an economy that it acknowledged is accelerating. As expected, the U.S. central bank decided to keep short-term interest rates anchored near zero as it buys at least $120 billion of bonds each month. The latter part of policy is a two-pronged effort to support an economy that grew strongly to start 2021 as well as to support market functioning at a time when 30-year mortgages still go for around 3%. Despite noting the economic strength as well as inflation that is on the rise, if just temporarily, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee unanimously decided to make no changes in its approach and gave no indications that things will change anytime soon.
Source: CNBC

Ranson Financial2021-04-29T07:11:44-05:00April 29, 2021|News|

Kansas solar energy lags, but sprawling Johnson County solar farm could help change that

A massive solar farm stretching from west of Gardner possibly into Douglas County will, if it comes to fruition, become the biggest in Kansas, a state that has lagged behind in solar energy development. Billy Wilkins, project director for the West Gardner Solar Project, said Tuesday that his company, NextEra Energy, has already gotten signatures from landowners for 2,000 acres of the proposed 3,500-acre, $320 million project. The ground-mounted solar array would not necessarily run contiguously, however. Wilkins said the project would provide setbacks and would likely exclude land that is used for recreation or environmental purposes.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Ranson Financial2021-04-29T07:10:22-05:00April 29, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 28, 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 Financial2021-04-29T07:02:48-05:00April 29, 2021|News|

Passed over by KDOT, Lenexa seeks $600 million in federal aid for highway projects

The City of Lenexa is seeking more than $600 million in federal aid for a pair of road construction projects in Johnson County that failed to get the green light at the state level. Lenexa wants more than $400 million to complete the third phase of the expansive Johnson County Gateway project at the heavily traveled interchange of I-435, I-35 and K-10. The proposal would pay for the construction of a flyover ramp at I-35 northbound and I-435 westbound and improvements to the I-435 interchange at 95th Street among other upgrades to reduce congestion.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2021-04-29T06:54:39-05:00April 28, 2021|News|

New revolutionary Kansas law will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars for rural communities, starting with Hesston

Hundreds of millions of dollars, potentially even a billion, is about to start flowing into 77 of the most rural counties in Kansas. It’s all thanks to a revolutionary new Kansas law that will bring in money from all around the world. “Just like every community in Kansas, we need the economic help,” said Hesston Mayor David Kauffman. Kauffman said things have been tough for the small community. That’s why he was happy for the town to be the first-ever to benefit from the new bill. Kansas will be known as the FidFin industry, the fiduciary finance capital of the country and of the world,” said State Representative Stephen Owens. … Here’s how it works. It gives people the ability to take out a loan against assets like trust funds or other investments where, until now, you couldn’t legally borrow from in any state. A fee is paid on the transaction, and that money goes directly into rural communities.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-04-29T06:58:43-05:00April 28, 2021|News|

USD 373 unearths $1.1 million hail damage claim

The USD-373 Board of Education learned Monday evening that a previous administration failed to turn in a $1.1 million insurance claim related to roof damage from a 2016 hailstorm. Finance Director David Decker said Facilities Director Chris Schaeffer mentioned to him during the fall that he might want to look into an old claim that went dormant. He said, based on that lead, he and Schaeffer were able to get the claim reopened. Just last week, the district was notified it would be receiving a $1.1 million check from the uninvestigated claim. “That money, of course, is all going to be earmarked, because there’s real damage that needs to be repaired,” he said.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-04-29T06:59:27-05:00April 28, 2021|News|

GCCC to Implement Kansas Promise Scholarship Act in Fall

Garden City Community College is excited that Governor Kelly signed the Kansas Promise Scholarship Act, a last-dollar scholarship program for Kansas high school graduates who complete a CTE certificate or two-year program in specific career and technical education (CTE) programs. House Bill 2064 established the Kansas Promise Scholarship Act which provides scholarships for students to attend an eligible postsecondary institution for any two-year associate degree program, career and technical education certificate, or stand-alone program otherwise identified by the Kansas Board of Regents. “This is fantastic news that will increase pathways for students to access higher education. We are excited that this program will make technical education more attainable for Kansans,” Dr. Ruda, GCCC President, said. While specific details are still forthcoming, GCCC is actively working to create plans for this program, which will be implemented in the Fall 2021 semester.
Source: Greater Garden City

Ranson Financial2021-04-29T07:00:40-05:00April 28, 2021|News|

Straight from the horse’s mouth

Until Wednesday, Lydia Burge, a second grader at Inman Elementary School, never saw a live chicken, nor had she petted one. Goats or sheep hadn’t been on her horizon either. Because of a group of Inman High School students and their agriculture teacher, youngsters like Lydia were able to learn about farm animals and meet horses, cows and donkeys face to face. All the youngsters were able to pet the animals – if they wanted to.
Source: Hutch News.

Ranson Financial2021-04-29T07:09:03-05:00April 28, 2021|News|

10-year Treasury yield tops 1.65% as investors gear up for Fed decision

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield briefly topped 1.65% on Wednesday morning, as investors geared up for the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision later in the day. … The Federal Open Market Committee is set to conclude its two-day meeting and share its policy decision at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The central bank is not expected to take any action on monetary policy. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET, which investors will be watching closely for any clues on the direction of policy. Aaron Anderson, senior vice president of research at Fisher Investments, said on Wednesday that while the FOMC had consistently communicated its plans to stick to its current policies for a long time, expectations of higher interest rates and tapering of quantitative easing were on the rise.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2021-04-28T07:11:12-05:00April 28, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 27, 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 Financial2021-04-28T07:02:30-05:00April 28, 2021|News|