Matfield Green raising funds for new public park, “The Green”

Matfield Green Works is starting the new year with a new dream: The Green. “We are holding onto our dream of a new gallery and welcome center in the former Bank Art Space but shifting focus to an immediately achievable goal: The Green is a welcoming park on the property we own across the street from the Bank,” the board of directors announced Thursday. “We are excited about this simple project that will benefit the entire community.” According to the board, the Green will provide a much-needed public toilet, accessible parking, picnic shelter, drinking fountain/ pet watering and bottle filling station, wayfinding displays and a bike repair stand. A low serpentine wall of limestone blocks and native plantings will unify the site. The high-visibility northwest corner, at the intersection of Flint Hills National Scenic Byway and Bocook Street, is reserved for a future land art project. “The Green will offer comfort, shade, and opportunity for unplanned encounters for byway travelers, cyclists, Flint Hills visitors and locals. It will invite passers-by to get out of the car or off the bike in the heart of Matfield Green,” the board said. “Please join us in bringing this auspicious corner to life with a financial contribution to Matfield Green Works.” The total project cost is $50,000, with Matfield Green needing to raise $35,000 to make it happen.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2023-12-27T10:51:05-06:00December 27, 2023|News|

Cowley hires firm to tout economic impact

An economic impact study done for Cowley College analyzing its 2021-2022 fiscal year showed alumni generated $179.4 million in added income for the regional economy, the equivalent of supporting 2,582 jobs. That is one of several findings in he study done by Lightcast for the junior college, according to a press release. Other findings include (1) Graduates with an associates degree from earned $14,000 more per year compared to Kansas with just a high school diploma. (2) Cowley injected $203.5 million into the Cowley College regional service area economy that supported 3,071 regional jobs, using the jobs-to-sales ratios specific to each industry in the region. (3) The annual payroll and other spending generates $20.3 million in added income. (4) Daily spending of Cowley students attracted to or retained in the region generates $3.8 million. (5) For every $1 invested, taxpayers gain $2.20 in added tax revenue and public sector savings, while society benefits $8 in added income and social savings. During the study period, Cowley had 3,619 credit students, 1,710 non-credit students, and 373 full and part-time employees. This analysis used data from Cowley academic and financial reports, the Kansas Board of Regents, industry and employment statistics from sources such as U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Ranson Financial2023-12-27T10:50:11-06:00December 27, 2023|News|

Schools implement open enrollment as legislators eye bolder policies

Every Kansas school district must implement by the end of the year some form of an open enrollment policy, which allows students to attend public schools outside of their geographical boundaries. Open enrollment was part of House Bill 2567 from the 2022 legislative session. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed the law, which also fully funded K-12 schools, despite objections from some Democrats on open enrollment. Many school districts across the state are just now finalizing their open enrollment policies after learning what they’re legally allowed to do. “There have been organization that have been able to push some information out to help our school boards identify what they need, and what they have to put in place in terms of policy and what those variations can look like,” said G.A. Buie, executive director of United School Administrators of Kansas.
Source: CJonline

Ranson Financial2023-12-25T08:21:11-06:00December 24, 2023|News|

Bel Aire’s city manager retires after 17 years as suburb awaits Integra expansion

After 17 years in the role, Bel Aire city manager Ty Lasher has announced he will retire on March 29 — a move that comes while the Wichita-based manufacturer Integra Technologies is poised to build a new $1.8-billion semiconductor facility in Bel Aire. Lasher, who said he began discussion about his retirement in 2021, will be replaced by Ted Henry, Bel Aire’s assistant city manager for the last 3 years. “Bel Aire is in a great place with a bright future,” Lasher, a native of McLouth, said in an emailed statement. “I felt it was time to step aside and allow someone with new energy and ideas to lead the community into the future.” Since starting his career in 1988, Lasher has worked in government in Jefferson County, Hutchinson and Cheney before taking on the city administrator role in Bel Aire in 2007. Over the years, Lasher has served as a mentor to many master’s of public administration students from Wichita State University. “With the labor market tightening, finding professionals who want to work in local government is becoming more challenging,” he wrote. “Competition for private sector jobs with higher wages, more flexibility and less complaints makes hiring and retaining staff difficult. Those who are dedicated to public service are special people and individuals who I deeply respect.” During his tenure, Bel Aire has seen the development of Sunflower Commerce Park, an 800-acre business and industrial park, and 10 housing subdivisions in various phases of development.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Ranson Financial2023-12-22T10:40:08-06:00December 22, 2023|News|

Commerce Awards 2023 SEED Grants to 13 Kansas Communities

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the newest award recipients for the Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program. In total, 13 recipients will receive nearly $275,000 to invest in small communities across the state. “Our state’s smallest communities are finding new and effective ways to become more economically viable and productive,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The quality-of-life investments being made through this program will generate economic development success and prosperity for Kansans now and in the future.” Awardees are located in communities with a population of 5,000 or less, as required by state statute (KS Stat 9-2324 (2021)). They are also required to provide a minimum 10-percent match as well as complete the projects within 12 months. Projects must be focused on economic development and revitalization efforts through one of the following quality-of-life categories: (1) Childcare and senior programming – projects that support or enhance these services, such as building improvements, educational materials, supplies and equipment. (2) Community vibrancy – projects that refresh, re-energize and unlock the attractiveness of rural communities, such as art installations, murals and signage. (3) Food retail – projects that support access to food retail establishments, including development, renovation and/or expansion. (4) Libraries – projects that support providing free and open access to a broad range of materials and services, including reading materials, technology, furniture and building improvements. Funding for the SEED program, which is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, is provided through the Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions (TEFFI) Development and Expansion Fund. The TEFFI Act was enacted in 2021 through bipartisan legislation to promote economic development throughout the state.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2023-12-22T10:37:42-06:00December 22, 2023|News|

Mulvane’s Hixson ends career spanning four decades

When Kent Hixson accepted the job of Mulvane’s city administrator in 1994, little did he know that his service would stretch almost three decades. “Back then, I would have laughed at the idea of staying 29 years,” he said. “I wanted to stay long enough so our two sons could get through high school.” Hixson officially retired from his work with the city in October of 2023. His last city council meeting – after attending hundreds through his years of service – was Oct. 2. “It’s bittersweet,” Hixson said, “but it’s my time to move on and I’m looking forward to the next chapter.” At the time, Hixson retired as the current longest-tenured city administrator in Kansas. He said part of that stability was due to working with great city councils and council members. Overseeing the daily operations of Mulvane and the city’s department heads on a routine basis, one of the accomplishments Hixson said he was fondest of was building the new library. “I’m a big fan of libraries and we have a beautiful one,” he said of the building, which opened in 2016. Additionally, Hixson took pride in the pathway established that connects Mulvane and Derby – and the work put in between both cities and Sedgwick County to make that happen. Hixson saw the Kansas Star Casino become an “excellent” neighbor during his tenure and noted Mulvane was lucky enough to grow over his 29 years with the city while still maintaining a tight-knit feel – with a historic downtown playing a part in that. “We wouldn’t see this growth if we were out in western Kansas,” Hixson said. “We’re the typical bedroom community and glad to be that.”
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Ranson Financial2023-12-22T11:40:56-06:00December 22, 2023|News|

New shared Fire/EMS facility breaks ground

Ground has officially broken on the Garden City Fire Department and Finney County EMS Station 3. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday for the facility to be located on the northwest corner of the Schulman Avenue and Jennie Barker Road intersection. Deb Oyler, Garden City Mayor, said the facility is the final project using the 2017 sales tax proceeds that voters of Finney County supported. “Today is not just a celebration of this new joint facility, but it’s a testament to the power of community support and collaboration,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to celebrate the partnerships between Garden City and the county, and we want to thank you all for taking this time to join us in celebrating this milestone.” Allen Shelton, former Garden City Fire Chief, said while this project was a part of the 2017 sales tax initiative, he’s been working on this for 27 years. It started as a project in 1996 between him and Bob Holloran, the former City Manager of Garden City, to build a third fire station on the east side of the city. “At that time, we were having a lot of fires in the mobile home parks on this side of the community, and we knew that we needed to have a fire station that was closer to improve our response time,” he said.
Source: Garden City Telegram

Ranson Financial2023-12-22T10:32:47-06:00December 22, 2023|News|

County Commission establishes committee focusing on LEC remodel

A Law Enforcement Center Remodel Committee was established by the Finney County Commission at their regular meeting Monday. Gerry Schultz, County commissioner, said the purpose for the committee’s creation is to assist in the planning and construction phase of the LEC’s remodel and to assist in communication with the effected parties including the city of Garden City, Garden City Police Department, Finney County and the Sheriff’s Office, and to ensure participation by the County commission in important decisions relating to the planning and construction. Commissioner Duane Drees will serve as the chair of the committee which will be composed of Finney County Administrator Robert Reece, Assistant County Administrator and Finance Director Jenny Hamil, Finney County Sheriff Mike Warren, a county citizen designee of the Sheriff, Garden City Manager Matt Allen and Garden City Police Department Captain E.J. Ochs. Schultz said the committee wasn’t created due to a lack of confidence or ability to complete the project but “rather to improve communication and collaboration.” Drees said to him the project is “a very multi-million-dollar project” and it behooves the county to have representation and communication with all parties.
Source: Garden City Telegram

Ranson Financial2023-12-22T10:18:52-06:00December 22, 2023|News|

Hesston Fire/EMS transitioning to 24-hour service

Hesston Fire/EMS will undergo a major overhaul, and residents will see an improvement in service, thanks to a county grant as well as investment from the City of Hesston. That’s according to Hesston Fire/EMS Chief Russ Buller. He said the city council, following a Tuesday work session, gave the go-ahead for a plan that would allow two full-time staff members from the county. The additions would allow Hesston to staff its service for 24 hours per day, five days a week with full-time staff. Part-time staff, previously paid for call response, would be paid minimum wage for on-call hours. Previously, full-time staff worked from 8 a.m. to midnight on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and worked regular business hours Tuesday and Thursday. Gaps were filled by volunteers, technically part-time employees who would be on call and paid per response. “I really want to send the message that this is such an amazing step forward for us, not only from the standpoint that we’re able to put more full-time people into the system to serve the community but it’s going to speed our response time and make our department that much stronger and sustainable,” Buller said. The county grant allocation to Hesston for $140,000 was primarily directed to increase the amount of emergency medical technicians able to respond at various local departments. These employees will also be cross-trained to serve as firefighters, Buller said, also helping the department’s response to emergencies. Hesston Fire/EMS would increase its number to six full-time employees.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2023-12-22T10:01:11-06:00December 22, 2023|News|

Wyandotte County residents disagree about whether to dissolve the Unified Government

In October, the mayors of the three largest cities in Wyandotte County floated the idea of dissolving the Unified Government as an option to address debt and service issues. But not everyone thinks those structural changes are the right approach. The possibility of dissolving the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, is now on the table but it’s not clear whether that would be an effective strategy. In October, the mayors of Bonner Springs, Edwardsville and Kansas City, Kansas floated the idea of splitting up the Unified Government, and announced they wanted to hear from residents about how to best address debt and service issues in the county, among other issues. Edwardsville Mayor Carolyn Caiharr ran listening sessions on the issue last month. She said some residents support the idea of dissolving the Unified Government entirely. “If it (deconsolidation) was an easy solution, I think a lot of people would be all for it, just because of how disenfranchised folks are right now in Wyandotte County,” Caiharr told KCUR’s Up To Date. “But there is the reality also of what it would take.” Other solutions, such as amending the Unified Government’s charter, are also being considered. But some residents don’t believe that any of those options would work.
Source: KCUR

Ranson Financial2023-12-22T09:48:45-06:00December 22, 2023|News|