Johnson County approves $5.5M to expand capacity at Leawood wastewater facility

7 Monday, November 7

Johnson County approves $5.5M to expand capacity at Leawood wastewater facility

info2022-11-07T12:34:59-06:00November 7th, 2022|

Johnson County is expanding its wastewater treatment capabilities in Leawood, following a major overhaul of the Tomahawk Wastewater Treatment Facility in that city. At Thursday’s meeting, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved more than $5.5 million for the addition of three pump stations and one force main in Leawood. Pump stations and force mains serve as collection chambers that store and distribute wastewater. Source: Prairie Village Post

7 Monday, November 7

Manhattan to start planning future of cemeteries

info2022-11-07T12:36:03-06:00November 7th, 2022|

Administrators will approach the Manhattan City Commission to talk about a master planning effort for both Sunset and Sunrise cemeteries. ...each cemetery’s facilities, operation, and availability have shifted in the past few decades. The proposed plan would give an outlook for the next 20 to 30 years of services. City manager Ron Fehr said the master plan’s development would not begin until the first or second quarter of next year, and the city is looking to develop the plan in-house. Fehr said the cemeteries’ buildings are old, outdated and small, so some new equipment does not fit. Source: themercury.com

7 Monday, November 7

Kansas independent colleges and universities drive $1.1 billion of economy

info2022-11-07T07:19:45-06:00November 7th, 2022|

According to a recent economy contribution analysis, the 20 colleges and universities that comprise the Kansas Independent College Association contributed over $1.1 billion to the state's economy in FY 2021. Analysis also concluded the economic activity of the system supported or sustained 8,271 jobs throughout the state. The study was conducted by Parker Philips, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in economic impact analysis. “The private, nonprofit colleges and universities of Kansas play an essential role in growing Kansas’ economy – through talent development and opening the doors of educational opportunity for the citizens of Kansas,” said Matt Lindsey, president of [...]

7 Monday, November 7

McPherson College chases $500 million ‘double-match’ pledge from mystery donor

info2022-11-07T07:18:19-06:00November 7th, 2022|

McPherson College confirmed Friday the commitment of up to $500 million from an anonymous benefactor for an extraordinary 2-for-1 matching initiative delivering resources to transform the central Kansas private liberal arts institution. If the 800-student college known for offering an undergraduate degree in automotive restoration were to make the most of the arrangement, it would need to raise $250 million by June. That would secure the full $500 million offered by the private donor. The pledge was described as the largest single commitment to a small liberal arts college in the United States. Source: Atchison Globe Now

7 Monday, November 7

Pittsburg holds its annual Badges and Burgers event

info2022-11-07T12:37:15-06:00November 7th, 2022|

The Pittsburg fire department and police department team up with their grilling skills and raise money for a good cause. This event raises money for the Children’s Advocacy Center. The advocacy center is a safe place for children to come and talk about sexual abuse that has occurred to them. All proceeds of the Badges and Burgers event goes the Children’s Advocacy Center. Source: KOAMKOAM

7 Monday, November 7

Parsons voters will decide sales tax question

info2022-11-07T12:37:50-06:00November 7th, 2022|

Parsons voters will decide if the current one-half percent public safety sales tax should go up by 0.5% to 1%. If voters approve it, the tax would generate $900,000 to $1,000,000 for the city per year, said Debbie Lamb, city manager. The sales tax rate is at 9.25% now in Parsons. If approved, this new tax will set the rate at 9.75%. The tax will be used like the original one that has been set for the previous nine years, said Lamb and Jim Zaleski, city economic development director. This tax has generated approximately $7.5 million since it began in January [...]

6 Sunday, November 6

Salina making sure its parks are fully accessible

info2022-11-06T09:38:41-06:00November 6th, 2022|

As the City of Salina looks to update and improve its parks, leaders are taking a look at requirements to make sure they are aware of how accessible the parks and recreation system is. Though not a part of the original act passed in 1990, the current Americans with Disabilities Act now mandates equal access to parks and recreation. For Salina, much of this increased access is being addressed as the city moves forward making improvements to parks and recreation. At this time, the city’s community relations division, which includes ADA compliance, hasn’t received many, if any complaints about accessibility within [...]

6 Sunday, November 6

Municipal Bond Trends for November 4, 2022

Henry Schmidt2022-11-06T08:31:17-06:00November 6th, 2022|

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.

5 Saturday, November 5

We can grow greatness

info2022-11-05T10:28:15-05:00November 5th, 2022|

Students at Salina Public Schools met local industry leaders and employers this week in a night dedicated to showcasing the district’s career and technical education programs. The Building Bridges event kicked off Thursday evening with Salina area leaders, school professionals, students and their families enjoying hors d’oeuvres prepared by Salina South High School’s culinary arts students. Afterward, there was networking time before the keynote speaker Tom Christy shared about his journey to Salina and co-founding Geoprobe systems, a tooling and drilling rig manufacturing company. The theme of the evening was entrepreneurship and locally owned businesses, and how Salina has historically been [...]

5 Saturday, November 5

HorseThief Reservoir receives state tourism grant

info2022-11-07T12:39:24-06:00November 5th, 2022|

Kansas Tourism, in partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation, is providing nearly $2 million to eight tourism projects across the state to enhance the state’s growing tourism industry. Tourism Attraction Sub-grants for Kansas (TASK) were presented by Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland and Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe at an event on Thursday at Strataca: Kansas Underground Salt Museum in Hutchinson. HorseThief Reservoir Benefit District in Hodgeman County, is one of eight recipients to receive TASK awards. The tourism industry is the 9th largest employer in the state, generating $11.8 billion in economic output annually and saving the [...]