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.
When Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly reinstated the Kansas Main Street program in late 2019, 25 communities that had been part of the program — including Holton — were “grandfathered back into” the program, according to Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce executive director Ashlee York. Last year, however, plans to give the state program and its participating communities a boost were hampered by COVID-19. But now that the pandemic appears to be leveling off, Chamber officials have announced their intent to utilize the state program’s “resources and tools needed to breath new life into our community and district.” That’s according to a statement issued Monday morning by the Chamber board that Kansas Main Street is offering three new grant programs to benefit upper-floor housing, arts programs and new business development in downtown districts.
Source: Holton Recorder
Banks and mutual funds increased their holdings of municipal bonds in 2020, followed by a strong increase of holdings by exchange-traded funds. Bank holdings increased to $513 billion from $472 billion from 2019, an increase of 9%. That was among several growth trends that stood out from the Federal Reserve’s flow of funds report covering the final quarter of 2020, released Thursday. “That’s consistent with a long-term trend of banks increasing their appetite for municipals and keeping more municipals on their balance sheet,” said Michael Decker, vice president of policy and research at Bond Dealers of America. “That’s the biggest part of the answer of who is buying these bonds.”
Source: The Bond Buyer
As more students return to classrooms, Johnson County health officials report that all educators who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine have gotten their first dose. Since the county began vaccinating school staff at the beginning of February, 15,000 educators and child care workers have received the first of two shots. In public schools, more than 74% of staff members have been vaccinated, along with 72% of private school staff and 65% of child care workers, the department said Thursday. Health officials expect those numbers to grow as more teachers and staff members indicate interest in receiving the vaccine, which is voluntary.
Source: Joco 913 News
The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office is starting traffic control and advising motorists to stay clear of 61st and Shawnee Heights Road after a controlled burn grew untamable. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Dispatch center confirmed there was smoke over the road. Although the red flag warning has been lifted, the Topeka Fire Department is asking for no burning in Topeka because of the danger of fire spreading.
Source: KSNT News
Johnson County transportation liaison Josh Powers can make public safety, economic development and convenience arguments for reliance on tolls to pay for construction of express lanes on what might be the busiest four-lane highway in Kansas. He’s talking about U.S. 69 that slices a north-to-south route through Overland Park. It routinely suffers congestion during rush hour. Overland Park officials approached the Kansas Department of Transportation about widening the highway to six lanes. New northbound and southbound lanes would be referred to as “managed” lanes, which would be a first for Kansas.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that through the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program, 14 broadband improvement projects totaling $5 million will improve access to high-speed internet for homes and businesses in 18 communities statewide. “Broadband access has been an overlooked problem in Kansas and across the country for years – but my administration knows it’s a game-changer, particularly for rural and underserved areas of our state,” Governor Kelly said. “These grants use an aggressive timeline to support urgent broadband needs that came to light during the pandemic. We’re committed to ensuring every Kansan has access to the connection they need for telehealth, virtual school, and to ensure business can compete in an increasingly digital-focused economy.” The Broadband Acceleration Grant program was created in 2020 to bring critically needed broadband access to Kansas communities. Funded through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE), the Office of Broadband Development administers the program to make more ‘last-mile’ connections possible across the state.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach, who has been in office since 2005, gave what is likely to be his last State of the City address earlier this month. Gerlach, who last month said he would not seek re-election this year, used the annual event March 3 to highlight ways the city has tried to overcome hardships created by the pandemic and stay unified in the midst of unprecedented challenges. The speech is normally given at a live, in-person event but was pre-produced this year and put online due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Gerlach’s address had a valedictory tone as the Johnson County native tried to wrap up a decades-long career in Overland Park city government.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Sedgwick County has opened up all of Phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccination plan, now allowing people such as postal, grocery and restaurant workers to get the shot. Phase 2 was previously broken up into three part, 2A, 2B and 2C. As of Thursday, they are all combined. Click here to see if you’re eligible and here to schedule an appointment online. County Manager Tom Stolz said the county has administered about 75,000 doses in the community.
Source: KAKE – News
Critically needed broadband will soon be available to more than a dozen Kansas communities after the first-round recipients of a state grant program were announced Thursday. The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program, created in fall 2020, aims to increase broadband access across the state through a 10-year, $85 million investment. The program is operated through the office of broadband development in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy transportation program. The initial round provided $5 million in total grant awards to 14 companies in 18 communities; each company matched the state grant it received.
Source: Kansas Reflector
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