Greensburg airport project denied funding

The airport was a hot topic this past week in the city of Greensburg. Not only did the council decide not to lease out the 107 acres of harvestable land that surrounds the operational portions of the property. Immediately following that decision the council was informed by City Administrator Stacy Barnes that the Greensburg Airport was not picked as one of the twenty-three project of the Kansas Airport Improvement Program grants.

The Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding is for the purpose of planning, constructing or rehabilitating public use general aviation airports, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

The council gave up the possibility of more than $3500, which is what the city received last year for one cutting of hay when they decided to maintain the airport themselves, inevitably costing money instead of making money on the airport. The $3500 earned last year went back into the airport fund for future improvements.

(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-02-17T16:14:09-06:00February 17, 2020|News|

Neosho County discusses economic development

The director of the Chanute Regional Development Authority met with Neosho County Commissioners Thursday to discuss a comprehensive economic development plan for the county.

“We have a lot of strengths in Neosho County that we need to highlight and I’d like to do that,” Godinez said. “We’ve got to call ourselves out on what we could be better at.”

Ranson Financial2020-02-17T20:47:25-06:00February 17, 2020|News|

Conway Springs rewarded Community Development Block Grant for wastewater improvements

Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today the award of $600,000 in Community Development Block Grants to Conway Springs.

The city intends to use these funds to make wastewater improvements for the city. The city will provide $2,977,275 in matching funds it secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

“Quality of life is key to economic development,” Secretary Toland said. “This investment in critical infrastructure helps keep communities like Conway Springs competitive as they work to retain and recruit residents and businesses. Governor Kelly and I are proud to support projects in rural communities across our state.”

The CDBG program allows the Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their communities. CDBG funds are one of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. Each community awarded has a population less than 50,000.

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Ranson Financial2020-02-17T16:10:37-06:00February 17, 2020|News|

Scott County’s health insurance spikes 14%

A 14 percent hike in health insurance premiums is being felt by Scott County taxpayers and county employees.

The county’s share of the premium increase for Blue Cross/Blue Shield health coverage will amount to about $70,464 based on current employees on the payroll. Costs can fluctuate slightly as employees leave or are hired by the county.

The county pays the cost of a single plan for each of its employees. Those who opt for additional coverage (employee/spouse, family, etc.) pay 25 percent of added cost.

(Read more: Scott County Record RSS)

Ranson Financial2020-02-17T20:47:01-06:00February 17, 2020|News|

McPherson hits $1 million in housing grants

For the third time in about four years, the city of McPherson has picked up a grant to help homeowners replace windows, roofs, siding and other home improvements for those who qualify.

Since 2016, the city has been able to make an investment of about $1 million in housing using similar grant funds.

“We’ve done rehab on 30 or 32 houses,” said Nick Gregory, city administrator for McPherson. ”… The outside of house, once we have done it, is a fairly noticeable difference.”

(Read more: McPherson Sentinel)

Ranson Financial2020-02-17T16:01:29-06:00February 17, 2020|News|

Kansas could allow fireworks to be sold year-round under proposed bill

Kansas lawmakers are considering allowing fireworks to be sold year round and repealing a ban on bottle rockets.

Under the proposed bill, retailers would be allowed to sell fireworks every day of the year.

Seasonal retailers, who temporarily sell fireworks around Independence Day, would get an extension. Kansas law allows those retailers to start selling fireworks on June 27, but the proposed bill would push it back a week. The sales period would run from June 20 to July 5.
Read more: Wichita Eagle.

Ranson Financial2020-02-14T08:25:25-06:00February 14, 2020|News|

Treasury Sells 30-Year Bonds at Record Low Yield

The U.S. Treasury Department sold 30-year bonds at a record low yield on Thursday, highlighting investors’ demand for longer-term debt and its benefits to the government.

The Treasury sold $19 billion of 30-year bonds on Thursday afternoon at a 2.061% yield. That beat the previous record of 2.170% set last October, according to data from BMO Capital Markets.

The auction came as Treasury yields generally moved lower after Chinese officials changed the way they counted coronavirus infections, leading to a big jump in the number of confirmed cases in the country’s Hubei province. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note settled at 1.616%, compared with 1.629% Wednesday.
Read more: Wall Street Journal.

Ranson Financial2020-02-14T08:15:00-06:00February 14, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for February 13, 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 Advisors.

Ranson Financial2026-10-22T10:29:42-05:00February 14, 2020|Finance|

County looks for feedback on Johnson County Square in downtown Olathe

Johnson County this month unveiled its preferred vision for the new Johnson County Square in downtown Olathe, which will be created after a new courthouse is finished next year and the existing one is razed.

The concept includes an iconic art element at the northeast entrance on Santa Fe and Cherry streets, a community green, an art garden with a non-traditional play area, a history/education plaza and a structure that can be used for performances and weddings. An existing fountain will remain with the idea of upgrading it later.

Through Feb. 29, the county is seeking feedback on the concept at surveymonkey.com/r/JoCoSquare3.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-02-14T08:12:44-06:00February 14, 2020|News|

The most congested highway in Johnson County could get $300M expansion — with tolls

Officials with the Kansas Department of Transportation and Overland Park on Thursday said funding a $300 million expansion of U.S. 69 — the most congested four-lane highway in the state — could likely mean adding toll lanes.

During his annual State of the City address, Mayor Carl Gerlach said improving the infamously backed-up highway is one of the city’s top priorities — saying that leaders have been “knocking on doors, texting and calling state and federal representatives,” pleading for support.

The city and Kansas Turnpike Authority are conducting a study to determine the financial feasibility of widening U.S. 69 to six lanes from 103rd to 151st streets. Gerlach said the preliminary cost estimate is $300 million.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-02-14T08:12:05-06:00February 14, 2020|News|