Note From Angela
Hello, Kansas DBEs!
First, hope to see you next Wednesday for our monthly DBE Supportive Services as we welcome KDOT Attorney, Heather Hall. Please reach out if you need meeting details or if you have any questions/topics you would like Heather to address.
Below, we have a collection of info/news from the IRS and the state of Kansas. The text scam trying to collect toll/payment info continues. KDOT does not collect payment via text message. There is more info/guidance below if you receive these texts.
I hope you all are having a wonderful start to the summer!
Ubuntu!
Angela
Angela Motsinger
KDOT DBE Supportive Services
Dates & Deadlines
Wednesday, June 4
DBE Monthly Discussion
12-1:30pm, Teams
Please email if you don’t have this on your calendar already.
Special Guest: KDOT Attorney Heather Hall
Wednesday, June 18
KDOT Bid Letting
See proposals here.
Wednesday, July 2
DBE Monthly Discussion
*CANCELLED*
News
Highway shutdown to create nearly 70-mile detour in central Kansas
Drivers in part of central Kansas will have to deal with a lengthy detour route this summer for a highway project that is set to last for months.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) released its plans to shut down part of K-177 Highway on KanDrive earlier this month. The closure runs from Council Grove south to Strong City in Morris and Chase Counties.
KDOT workers will close K-177 between these two cities starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 16, according to KanDrive. The closure is projected to end on Friday, Nov. 14.
Private delays, abandonments drive project stress higher
Project stress rose again in April with the private sector nearing a multi-year high in abandonments, according to the latest data from Cincinnati-based ConstructConnect.
The Project Stress Index, a measure of construction projects that have been paused, abandoned or have a delayed bid date, climbed 1.5% in April. The jump marks a 16% increase over 2021 baseline levels, said Devin Bell, associate economist at ConstructConnect.
“Stress on private projects has largely diverged from the public sector,” said Bell. “The private sector has been very quick to feel the shock of recent changes to the country’s economic outlook, with on-hold and abandonment activity up sharply in recent months. Conditions within the public sector remain far more muted.”
KDOT renews warning about toll scam texts
The Kansas Department of Transportation is warning the public about a new scam involving fraudulent text messages – known as smishing – that falsely claim to be from KDOT and demand payment for unpaid tolls.
KDOT does not collect tolls for any roadway and does not request or collect payment via text message.
These messages are not legitimate. Do not click or open links. Clicking links may expose your personal and financial information to scammers.
From The IRS
Business owners: Make sure emergency preparedness plans include financial records
When business owners put together an emergency preparedness plan, it should include copies of vital records and financial information. Here are some things everyone can do to help protect their financial records. Read more here.
More from the IRS:
