Author: Biz News Staff

TOPEKA, Kan.- Conditions in the Kansas rural economy improved this month over March but remain below growth-neutral according to the latest economic report from Creighton University.The Kansas Rural Mainstreet Index for April rose to 36.0 from March’s 30.2. A score of 50 is considered growth neutral, while anything below 50 is considered contraction. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading above 50.0 representing growth. “Higher interest rates, weaker agriculture commodity prices and higher grain storage costs pushed the overall reading below growth neutral for the eighth straight month,” said Creighton economics professor Ernie Goss of April’s report.Kansas…

A new online tool can help Kansas Businesses identify tax credits and deductions related to clean energy through the Inflation Reduction Act. The tool, called TaxCred PRO, was developed by FORVIS public accounting firm. To get started, companies answer a few questions, and a quick, customized education report will outline relevant credits and deductions using information provided.   The tool helps businesses explore potential energy projects, such as office renovations, wind energy installations, or electric vehicle fleet upgrades, by providing tailored reports outlining applicable tax provisions and steps for qualifications. TaxCred PRO offers access to expert guidance from FORVIS advisors, ensuring…

OLATHE, Kan.- Garmin announced the promotion of Josh Maxfield to Vice President, General Counsel, and Assistant Secretary, effective July 1, 2024.   He succeeds Andew Etkind, who will be stepping down from the position of General Counsel but will continue to serve as Vice President and Secretary. Etkind joined Garmin in 1998 as the company’s first General Counsel. He was a key contributor in Garmin’s initial public offering and developed a global in-house legal team with expertise in a broad range of legal and business matters including intellectual property, litigation, compliance, contract negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance.  “Andrew Etkind has…

TOPEKA, Kan. – In an event Thursday akin to the pomp and circumstance of the NCAA’s National Signing Day, Washburn Tech and six other Kansas technical institutions celebrated the commitment of thousands of new students to technical education. The National Technical Letter of Intent Signing Day, which began at Washburn Tech 11 years ago, has become a nationwide initiative, with more than 75 school participating. “Just like we value athletes who commit to playing a college sport, we recognize you as a prize recruit,” said Washburn President JuliAnn Mazachek in remarks to students at Washburn Institute of Technology. Kansas schools…

TOPEKA, Kan.– The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has introduced a new platform that connects students to career opportunities in the state. Named Today’s Occupations, Tomorrow’s Opportunities (T.O.T.O.), the resource is designed to help young Kansans find their way through career choices with information backed by the volumes of data KDOL collects from employers every month. “The goal is to be known in the education world as a source of career information, so students know what Kansas occupations there are,” said Angela White, Director of Labor Market Information Services. The site is still in its first stage, with more resources…

Kansas businesses can hire community and technical college students for project based “Micro-Internship” projects for free through the Kansas Board of Regents. Interns will work on professional projects designed by employers, receive pay, and “resume-able” experience, at no additional cost to employers, thanks to grant funding. “This is a unique program for Kansas students to connect with far more Kansas employers today, tomorrow, and in the future, in a way that will hopefully provide immediate on-demand help for Kansas employers, seeking students to complete specific projects. said Tim Peterson, Kansas Board of Regents Senior Project Director. “This will hopefully also connect students…

TOPEKA, Kan. —Factory activity in the region including Kansas saw a further decline in March, according to the latest manufacturing survey from the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank.However, expectations for future activity are fixed said Chad Wilkerson, senior vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “Regional factory activity fell further in March, and expectations for future activity were again steady,” Wilkerson said. “Employment levels expanded modestly even as production and new orders contracted, and over half of firms have given mid-year wage increases recently but fewer plan to this year.” The month-over-month composite index was -7 in…

TOPEKA, Kan.- Kansas business conditions dropped to 45.6 in March, down from 50.7 in February according to the monthly Business Conditions Index compiled by Creighton University. The index is the average of individual scores measuring new orders, production or sales, delivery lead time, employment, and inventories. Employment in Kansas measured at 31.9. According to the latest month’s U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were two job openings for every unemployed worker in the state. This is the same ratio recorded 12 months earlier. Hiring in the nine-state MidAmerica Region survey came in at 40.9, said Ernie Goss, professor of…

Retail trade is the largest major industry in Kansas, supporting 24% of all jobs in the state, according to a new report from the National Retail Federation. Direct economic impact totals $18.3 billion per year, with 41 billion in total impact on state Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The retail industry is defined as selling directly to the consumer, including food services and drinking places. “From your favorite local coffee shop, to the place you pick up a new soccer ball for your kid, or grab supplies for your weekend gardening project, retail businesses support our way of life and it’s no surprise…

Kansas had 2,474 active apprentices in 2023, ranking 38th nationwide, according to a new report from the Kansas Department of Commerce. This marks an increase of 571 active apprentices compared to the previous year. In 2022, Governor Laura Kelly established the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship under the Kansas Department of Commerce to “give workers the experience and skills to compete in the modern economy and knockdown employment barriers.” “This is not your grandfather’s apprenticeship program. I say this with full respect for skilled trades and past training methods. Our program is not a ‘less than’ training opportunity. It is…