City of Emporia receives more than $600,000 from federal government to assist with at-grade rail crossing improvements

The City of Emporia was recently informed that it has received needed funding to support work at the community’s various at-grade railroad crossings. City Manager Trey Cocking says he was informed the Federal Train Administration had approved a recently submitted application to support planning and development for grade separation projects at the city’s 12 at-grade crossings. At-grade crossings are where the railroad crosses with roadways and Cocking says the impending improvements will better help with flow for both vehicles and trains and will also make crossings much safer for residents. Over the past 18 months, the city has had three fatal accidents occur at local rail crossings. With that in mind, Cocking says the funding comes at a very important time for the community.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

Ranson Financial2023-06-07T11:26:15-05:00June 7, 2023|News|

USD 232 shifts 2 middle schools’ boundaries to head off future overcrowding

USD 232 in De Soto will send some students in future west Lenexa neighborhoods to Lexington Trails Middle School as a way to combat projected overcrowding at Mill Creek Middle School. The move pushes the current border between the Mill Creek and Lexington Trails attendance zones to the east, sending more students from the central area of the district west to De Soto for middle school. On Monday, the school board voted 6-0 to adopt the new middle school attendance boundaries for the 2023-2024 school year.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-06-07T12:20:17-05:00June 7, 2023|News|

De Soto mapping out housing demand around Panasonic Plant

De Soto City leaders say they’re getting a better idea of where workers and the homes they’ll live in will be when the Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant opens around 2025. The plant is expected to eventually employ about 4,000 people with advanced manufacturing skills inside the plant, with another 4,000 people taking similar or related jobs outside the facility. De Soto City Administrator Mike Brungardt says the region has about 107,000 of those workers already, with more than 60,000 within a commutable drive of De Soto.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-06-07T12:25:45-05:00June 7, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for June 6, 2023

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Henry Schmidt2023-06-07T07:34:59-05:00June 7, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for June 5, 2023

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Henry Schmidt2023-06-06T08:59:41-05:00June 6, 2023|News|

Spring 2023 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) Grant Recipients Announced

Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland today announced the recipients of the spring 2023 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants. A total of 17 projects from across the state are receiving nearly $918,000 in matching grant funds. The Patterson Family Foundation and Department of Commerce paired up to provide grant funding to assist rural communities in revitalizing underutilized and dilapidated downtown buildings and turn them into economic drivers in the community. A total of 30 applications were received during the spring HEAL grant round. The spring 2023 HEAL grant awardees include:

Belleville Chamber/Main Street, Republic County – $75,000
City of Halstead, Harvey County – $64,300
City of Hillsboro, Marion County – $74,999
City of Osawatomie, Miami County – $75,000
City of Spearville, Ford County – $70,000
City of Sterling, Rice County – $75,000
City of Wathena, Doniphan County – $54,520
Edwards County Economic Development (Kinsley), Edwards County – $45,599
Edwards County Economic Development (Lewis), Edwards County – $33,008
Grow Hays, Inc., Ellis County – $75,000
Grow Clay County (GCC), Clay County – $25,000
Logan County Community Foundation, Logan County – $25,000
Miltonvale Economic Revitalization Improvement Team (MERIT), Inc., Cloud County – $9,600
Ness County Chamber of Commerce, Ness County – $48,250
Point Forward, Inc., Crawford County – $75,000
Rush County Economic Development, Rush County – $17,462
South Central KS Economic Development District, Reno County – $75,000

Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2023-06-06T11:04:24-05:00June 6, 2023|News|

Way to remove governing body members passes

As a means to protect the City of Great Bend and assure all residents are equally represented, the City Council Monday night approved an ordinance outlining how it can fill vacancies on the governing body (made up of the council and the mayor), specifically those created by a “non-functioning” member. “The city currently has no clear definition of what creates a vacancy or any procedure to address the situation where a person is elected to a position on the governing body but fails or refuses to accept the office, take the oath and/or attend meetings,” City Attorney Allen Glendenning said. This either leaves a portion of the citizenry not fully represented or leaves the city with only the cumbersome, lengthy and expensive processes of ouster or a recall election.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2023-06-06T01:01:00-05:00June 6, 2023|News|

Superintendent narrowly escapes burning van

A USD 415 Hiawatha School minivan went up in flames Friday afternoon and the Superintendent of Schools narrowly escaped the burning vehicle. Hiawatha Fire Chief Patrick Sheldon reported that the call came in at 2:49 p.m. of a report of a vehicle fire located at the intersection of First and Oregon in Hiawatha. Upon arrival, crews found a Dodge minivan located on the east side of First Street with its engine compartment fully engulfed with flames. Chief Sheldon said crews brought the fire under control within a few minutes and left the scene by 3:20 p.m.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

Ranson Financial2023-06-06T00:59:53-05:00June 6, 2023|News|

The high plains drought is so bad that Kansas is importing wheat from Europe

Kansas is “the wheat state,” the officially adopted moniker that embraces its place as the country’s breadbasket. Tall white grain elevators, some decorated with wheat murals, loom over tiny farm towns. For decades, Kansas led the nation in wheat production, and the U.S. led the world in wheat exports. But this year’s meager wheat harvest turns that proud tradition on its head. Kansas flour mills will likely buy wheat grown in Eastern Europe. It’s like Texas importing oil, West Virginia hauling in coal, or the Saudis shipping in sand.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2023-06-06T00:56:48-05:00June 6, 2023|News|

Olathe receives $18 million in federal aid to eliminate dangerous railroad crossing

As part of President Joe Biden’s 2021 infrastructure law, the Federal Railroad Administration is awarding Olathe nearly $18 million in federal funding to build an overpass over the crossing at Woodland Street and Northgate Road. The project is part of a broader effort to eliminate dangerous railroad crossings and, in Johnson County, expand 119th Street between Kansas 7 Highway and Interstate 35. The four lane bridge will span over the BSNF rail line in the area and Mill Creek and include a direct connection to the existing trail system for bikes and pedestrians.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2023-06-06T00:52:38-05:00June 6, 2023|News|