ECF announces 2020 grant recipients

Seven non-profit organizations in the greater Emporia area will start 2020 on a much brighter note as they receive a total of $21,899.38 from the Emporia Community Foundation’s Grants Committee.

The ECF Grants Committee selected grants for innovative projects and programs based on meeting changing community needs in the areas of health, social service, education, recreation and cultural affairs.

“This year the ECF Grants Committee received 18 grant applications totaling over $147,000 for projects in the greater Emporia area.” ECF Executive Director Becky Nurnberg said. “The Committee carefully considered each application and the potential impact for the community. It took several meetings, but they arrived at seven awards that will help provide the selected non-profit organizations support for various projects they might otherwise be unable to offer to the people they serve. The grants will go for ventures that are as diverse as the communities the non-profits represent.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Ranson Financial2020-01-13T22:14:55-06:00January 13, 2020|News|

Analysts Tell Lawmakers That Kansas Electric Rate-Making System Favors Utilities

An independent review of Kansas’ rising electricity prices shows the current system for setting rates could use some improvements.

In a lengthy report requested by state legislators and submitted by London Economics, analysts concluded three main things: The current ratemaking process has been slightly balanced in favor of utilities, regulators are limited in their ability to protect consumers from paying for underused investments (such as aging coal plants), and additional bill surcharges and have been a key driver of rising rates.

The report looked at rates from all Kansas electric utilities — from co-ops to municipals to Evergy, the largest utility in the state with about 1.5 million customers.

(Read more: here )

Ranson Financial2020-01-13T22:12:29-06:00January 13, 2020|News|

Wichita’s new mayor takes the oath of office

Brandon Whipple is now the mayor of Wichita. He was given the oath of office Monday evening during a special city council meeting at city hall.

In a brief statement after the swearing-in ceremony, Whipple said the event is about the future of Wichita, and he said he will be working with a diverse city council with experience, ready to take on the problems facing the city. He said as the city goes through changes in the future, he and the council will work together as “Team Wichita.”

City council members Becky Tuttle, Jeff Blubaugh and Bryan Frye took the oath of office to begin their second terms. The council plans to choose a vice mayor for 2020 at their next regular meeting Tuesday.

(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Ranson Financial2020-01-13T22:09:08-06:00January 13, 2020|News|

Boeing travails begins to ripple, 2,800 jobs lost in Kansas

Problems for Boeing and its troubled 737 Max aircraft, which appear to be growing deeper, have begun to ripple outward with a major supplier announcing Friday that it will lay off more than 20% of its workforce in Kansas, where it is based.

The announcement of 2,800 layoffs at a major employer in Wichita, the state’s biggest city, come one day after documents became public showing that Boeing employees raised doubts about the safety of the 737 Max, apparently tried to hide problems from federal regulators, and ridiculed those responsible for designing and overseeing the jetliner.

(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Ranson Financial2020-01-12T18:59:10-06:00January 12, 2020|News|

Draft of Downtown Lawrence Master Plan envisions shift to ‘experience-based’ businesses

Within the next 20 years in downtown Lawrence, residents might not shop at a row of retail stores — instead, they might go “play with gadgets, meet with personal stylists” and visit a variety of “experience-based businesses” that offer unique services that you can’t buy online.

That’s the vision outlined in a newly released draft of the first sections of Lawrence’s new Downtown Master Plan, and some city leaders say it’s a reality that Lawrence needs to face in order to adapt to changing retail trends.

Municipal Bond Trends for January 10, 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 Financial2026-10-22T10:29:43-05:00January 12, 2020|Finance|

Kansas’ recession hangover drives quest for economic development remedies

Brookings Institution policy director Marek Gootman moderated a panel discussion on economic development with a congressman, commerce secretary and chamber of commerce president.

Gootman, who works to bridge gaps between think-tank perspective and real-world action, ended up stealing his guests’ thunder with a buffet of statistics and theories about how technology, population, education and innovation factored into a region’s ability to match talent to opportunities for growth. And, he said, the metrics in Kansas add up to profound problems of economic competitiveness.

“Kansas and its economies have not recovered from the recession,” said Gootman, who considered conditions best in the Wichita and Kansas City markets. “The rest of the state? Brutal. More than twice as many people who are in that high-skill category than there are jobs to occupy them.”

Ranson Financial2020-01-12T18:25:35-06:00January 12, 2020|News|

Louisburg receives grant for Lewis-Young Park upgrades

A number of improvements are planned for Louisburg’s largest park.

The city of Louisburg learned Monday, Jan. 6, that it had received a $260,250 National Park Service grant to enhance Lewis-Young Park.

Improvements include new fencing on A and B fields, lighting and new pole installation on A field, construction of a nine-hole disc golf course, paving the current graveled parking lots next to B & C field and the area around the concession stand, and a pavilion located near the east parking lot at the soccer fields, according to a city news release.

The improvement project also is to include a 1.5 mile asphalt trail from the east parking lot running along the street to the concession stand. The trail will then turn north and run along W. 263rd Street to make a loop, according to the release.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Ranson Financial2020-01-12T18:51:36-06:00January 12, 2020|News|

New transportation plan, end of highway robbery shape budget outlook

As Kansas lawmakers prepare to adopt a new plan for funding highways and other infrastructure across the state, the Kansas Department of Transportation is shifting gears with its strategy for working with local communities.

KDOT secretary Julie Lorenz said the catalyst for transportation projects used to be job creation. Now, with the state economy stressed by a shortage of workers, the emphasis is on quality of life.

“We are focused on how do we make Kansas communities livelier and more attractive, places where people want to live and raise their kids, and their kids stay and create forever homes,” Lorenz said. “Transportation investments can be a part of that.”

Ranson Financial2020-01-12T18:21:10-06:00January 12, 2020|News|

Overland Park seeks final community input on Strang Park improvement plans

Park patrons have another chance to offer insight and direction on improvements for one northern Overland Park park.

The city embarked on the Strang Park renovation journey in July 2019 when it hired Kansas City landscape architecture firm Viero to complete design work for the park. As previously reported by the Shawnee Mission Post, the city included a $2.2 million Strang Park project in its five-year plan.

Construction is set to begin in summer 2020, but not before a third community planning meeting to discuss improvement plans for Strang Park, which is located at 89th Street and Farley Street. The city-hosted meeting will be held on Jan. 22 at the Johnson County Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th Street, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Ranson Financial2020-01-12T18:19:27-06:00January 12, 2020|News|