By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Ag and Transportation Complex is set to open in the fall at Barton Community College and will house programs like agriculture business management, crop protection, commercial driver’s license (CDL) and the new ag mechanics program.
Barton Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Johnson said an official dedication and ribbon cutting for the ag complex will take place July 17 at 4 p.m.
"It's a great program," said Johnson. "A lot of individuals will be there. I'm looking forward to that. I've heard a lot of positive comments from the community, so I think we're going to have a good turnout from the community as well. It's exciting."
A capital campaign was launched by the Barton Foundation two years ago to raise $1.85 million as part of a 1-to-1 matching grant from the State of Kansas. As of this past spring, the college needed to raise $366,000 more to reach the matching goal.
The 14,000-square-foot facility will house a Top Tech Program to provide training to become Case New Holland technicians.