South Hutchinson water rates may be going up, relatively little and then a lot

South Hutchinson city leaders agreed Monday to move the city from having some of the lowest water rates in the state to average rates. While it won’t happen overnight, the council did approve a change Monday that will mean an immediate doubling in rates for some. And there was a consensus of the board to explore trying to reach the state average within just three years.That means rates could more than quintuple from current levels.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T07:56:05-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

Fed raises rates by another three-quarters of a percentage point, pledges more hikes to fight inflation

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised benchmark interest rates by another three-quarters of a percentage point and indicated it will keep hiking well above the current level. In its quest to bring down inflation running near its highest levels since the early 1980s, the central bank took its federal funds rate up to a range of 3%-3.25%, the highest it has been since early 2008 following the third consecutive 0.75 percentage point move. … Along with the massive rate increases, Fed officials signaled the intention of continuing to hike until the funds level hits a “terminal rate,” or end point of 4.6% in 2023. The “dot plot” of individual members’ expectations doesn’t point to rate cuts until 2024; Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and his colleagues have emphasized in recent weeks the unlikelihood that rate cuts will happen next year, as the market had been pricing.
Source: CNBC

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T07:12:06-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Celebrates Goodyear Tire Investing $125 Million in Topeka, Adding 40 New Jobs

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.’s decision to invest $125 million and hire 40 new employees at its Topeka plant as part of modernizing its Kansas facility, which has been in operation since 1945. This announcement comes during Governor Kelly’s ‘Prosperity On The Plains’ tour promoting economic development. “Goodyear’s expansion shows that our laser-like focus on creating jobs and supporting manufacturers benefits Kansans across the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, 40 more Kansans will have quality jobs and $125 million will be brought into our communities, reinforcing our state’s ability to compete – and win – in the global marketplace.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T07:27:34-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

Fed rate hike pushes 2-year UST above 4%; munis slow to respond

Municipals were mixed after the Federal Open Market Committee implemented a third straight 75 basis point rate hike as it continues to combat inflation, pushing the two-year U.S. Treasury above 4% while the 10-, 20- and 30-year made gains. Equities ended in the red. The FOMC raised the fed funds rate target 75 basis points to a range of 3% to 3.25%, as expected, and members are leaning toward a rate of 4.4% by yearend and 4.6% next year. The post-meeting statement acknowledges upcoming hikes, saying the FOMC “anticipates that ongoing increases in the target range will be appropriate.”
Source: The Bond Buyer

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T01:47:13-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

Greater Andover Days festival coming up

Routinely put in the fourth weekend after Labor Day, this year’s Greater Andover Days will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The three-day festival will include fun, food and entertainment for the entire family – with over 5,000 attending annually. Among the attractions planned this year are a food court, KidFest activities, photography contest, golf tournament, pickleball tournament, hot dog eating contest, parade, fishing clinic, car show, carnival, live entertainment and more.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T01:45:24-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

Audit reveals two-thirds of broadband aid allocated to southern Kansas

Nearly two-thirds of $48.5 million in COVID-19 funding earmarked for expansion of broadband services to Kansas homes and businesses was invested in upgrading internet connectivity in the southern half of the state, according to an audit report released Sept. 14. The Kansas Legislature’s auditing arm told a joint House and Senate committee the three southern regions of the state absorbed 35 of 66 grants, or $30.4 million approved by Gov. Laura Kelly and legislators on the State Finance Council. The four northern regions took on the balance of the projects, budgeted at $18.1 million.
Source: Derby Informer

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T07:32:32-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

Locals and visitors continue to use Harvey County parks in record numbers

Usage at Harvey County’s three parks remains as high as ever as people continue to opt for outdoor entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Probably the last three years since COVID started have kind of been record years for us,” Parks Director Kass Miller said. Miller said the parks remained full on the weekends, with East Park being the busiest, but the volume of people at West Park has increased, too. He said a majority of patrons were from out of the county. East Park attracts most of its visitors from Sedgwick County, and West Park pulls in a lot of folks from Reno County.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T07:13:04-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

Wind Energy rep says proposed regulations would kill project

After more than 40 people got their say, the Harvey County Planning Commission approved 18 pages of regulations governing wind turbines and other alternative forms of renewable energy during a Sept. 14 meeting at the Meridian Center. More than 200 people attended the meeting, and a majority of those who spoke asked for more stringent requirements than those that were approved. A handful of others expressed support for NextEra Energy’s proposal to develop a wind farm in the county, but that project appears dead on arrival based on the 1,500-foot setbacks that were approved. NextEra Energy representative Fiona Bagwell after planning commission meeting said that the regulations as proposed would kill the project. The County Commission has final say on whether the proposed regulations are adopted.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T01:39:35-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

Thousands throng to Hillsboro

The streets of downtown Hillsboro had the biggest traffic jam of the year Saturday with 180 arts and crafts vendor booths lining four blocks of Main St. and two blocks of Grand Ave. So many people crowded onto the streets that it was difficult to find a place to walk. Parking spots weren’t easy to find. Lots charged $3 to $10 for use.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T07:49:18-05:00September 22, 2022|News|

Construction gets rolling on Lenexa Justice Center that will house police, court facilities

Construction on the $73 million Lenexa Justice Center has started on schedule at the southwest corner of Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street. The facility is set to open in the spring of 2024. The Justice Center will house the city’s police department, municipal court, information technology server room and communications unit. It also will have space for training and vehicle storage, as well as a firing range. The 117,785-square-foot facility will be located on 36 acres just south of Lenexa City Center. Lenexa chose the site because of its central, accessible location. The area also offers undeveloped land that could be ripe for expansion later. The site borders West Star Development’s Vista Village, which is part of the sprawling 225-acre The Vista master plan.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Ranson Financial2022-09-22T07:49:34-05:00September 22, 2022|News|