Nonprofit requests in Reno County exceed local CARES Act dollars

The county has received more than $1 million in requests from nonprofit agencies for the remaining $800,000-plus in CARES Act funds, and the application period is still open, the county administrator reported Tuesday. “We’ll have our first meeting Wednesday to look at the applications,” Randy Partington said of a task force created to allocate dollars the county received to distribute. “The deadline hasn’t passed, but we’ll meet to look at how the applications look, what might be missing or if we have more questions.” “It will take some paring back,” he told the county commission. “A lot of it’s revenue lost by the nonprofits (due to the novel coronavirus).”
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Ranson Financial2020-09-25T07:38:57-05:00September 24, 2020|News|

Olathe’s Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm partner with the Smithsonian to dig into rural roots

Olathe may be a bustling suburb now, but like all of Johnson County, it has deep rural roots. A partnership between the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm and the Smithsonian has produced a new exhibit delving into the city’s past. “From Rodeos to Roundabouts: Exploring Olathe’s Roots” is part of a larger project from the Smithsonian called “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” In the past, it has worked with Humanities Kansas to share other exhibits as part of its Museum on Main Street program. “We hope these local stories will really spark conversations about how their communities have experienced these changes over time and how they’ve adapted and how that will impact their future,” said Abigail Kaup, program officer for Humanities Kansas and statewide coordinator for Museum on Main Street.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2020-09-25T07:39:28-05:00September 24, 2020|News|

Hutchinson provides info graphics to answer the question: where do my taxes go?

We get a lot of questions about taxes. It is understandable, we all work hard for our money and want to know where it is going and how it is being used. Of the taxes you pay, only a small portion actually goes to the City of Hutchinson. The money the City does get is used for public safety like Hutchinson Police and Hutchinson Fire; Public Works which give us things like clean water to drink, clear streets to drive on and the levee system that protects us from flooding; infrastructure investments; economic development funding; the parks and trails system; and so much more is provided through that funding. We hope these graphics help break it down a little more clearly.
Source: Hutchinson, KS – News Flash

Ranson Financial2020-09-25T07:40:23-05:00September 24, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County extends COVID-19 small business grants, removes size limit

Ruthanne Timm owns Pinot’s Palette and Beyond Napa Wine and Spirits downtown. She was one of the first to apply for Sedgwick County’s Safe Operating Grant. “It wasn’t bad at all. A couple of IRS forms, driver’s license, and a Certificate of Good Standing with the state,” said Timm. The grant is funded by the CARES Act. The county said 477 local business owners applied, totaling about $2.4 million in grants. In the first round of applications, companies had to have fewer than 50 employees to qualify, but after the Sedgwick County Commission meeting Wednesday, that changed. “We just opened it up to a broader business community,” said Brent Shelton, Sedgwick County Deputy CFO.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-09-25T07:40:30-05:00September 24, 2020|News|

Take a look inside the new $193M Johnson County Courthouse

The $193 million Johnson County Courthouse now is virtually complete, with a planned public opening set for Jan. 4. Construction on the 356,821-square-foot, seven-story building in Olathe was considered substantially complete as of Aug. 21. The new courthouse is located at 150 W. Santa Fe St., across the street from the existing courthouse — originally opened in 1952 — and west of Olathe City Hall.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals

Ranson Financial2020-09-25T07:41:17-05:00September 24, 2020|News|

Pandemic puts nearly $100 million squeeze on Kansas casino, lottery revenue

Revenue at the four state-owned casinos and through Kansas Lottery ticket sales plunged nearly $100 million last fiscal year as COVID-19 undermined operations at legal games of skill and chance, officials said Wednesday. Stephen Durrell, executive director of the Kansas Lottery, said the casinos in Dodge City, Mulvane, Pittsburg and Kansas City, Kan., closed March 23 and didn’t reopen for two months. By the end of the fiscal year June 30, the casinos reported revenue declines of 15% to 20% for a total decline of $77 million compared to the previous fiscal year. Overall revenue slumped from $411 million to $334 million.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2020-09-25T07:42:19-05:00September 24, 2020|News|

Pittsburg officials honor retiring Fire Chief Simons

After nearly 20 years with the Pittsburg Fire Department, Chief Mike Simons is retiring. City officials recognized Simons this week for his decades of service. At Tuesday’s city commission meeting, Pittsburg Mayor Dawn McNay read a proclamation declaring Sept. 22, 2020 as Fire Chief Mike Simons Day. City Manager Daron Hall also thanked Simons and presented him with a Key to the City of Pittsburg. “It’s been my pleasure to work with you sir,” Hall said. “You’ve done an excellent job. Congratulations, and you’re a good friend, I’m going to miss you.” Simons, who was accompanied at the ceremony by members of the Fire Department, also thanked city officials, the community, and his colleagues.
Source: Pittsburg Morning Sun

Ranson Financial2020-09-25T07:42:29-05:00September 24, 2020|News|

Lenexa’s City Center opens mixed-use residential/office space; Shawnee kicks off process to revitalize comprehensive plan

Less than a year after breaking ground in Lenexa City Center, The Lofts at City Center, a mixed-use residential/office space, opened earlier this month. Representatives of Real Property Group and city leaders celebrated the opening with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Sept. 15. The Lofts features 67 boutique apartments, 10,000 square feet of office space and an underground parking garage. The site also features amenities such as a fitness center and outdoor entertainment facilities such as fire pits, BBQ grills, outdoor TV, pool and hot tub. Artwork by Lenexa resident Catherine Kirkland of Kirkland Creative Art + Design is installed throughout the building.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2020-09-25T07:44:40-05:00September 24, 2020|News|

Changes being discussed to Kansas Emergency Management Act

Various state and community leaders spoke with legislators Wednesday in a committee hearing, seeking changes or wanting to keep parts to the Kansas Emergency Management Act. The Special Committee on the Kansas Emergency Management Act is reviewing the state’s virus response and is considering the next best steps regarding the state’s emergency management laws, including House Bill 2016, which details which powers Gov. Laura Kelly can and can’t use to respond to the pandemic.
Source: State Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal

Ranson Financial2020-09-25T07:45:39-05:00September 24, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for September 23, 2020

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 Financial2020-09-24T10:04:08-05:00September 24, 2020|News|