By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Dozens of community members gathered inside the new 14,000-square-facility on the campus of Barton Community College Wednesday afternoon. The official grand opening and dedication took place for the Agriculture and Transportation Complex with remarks from multiple officials and a handful of ribbon cuttings.
Barton Dean of Workforce Training Dr. Kathy Kottas said the college is grateful for everyone that had a part in the project.
"It had long been a dream of the agriculture team at Barton to have a teaching farm," said Kottas. "This dream included support to many areas in the agriculture arena. With a funding opportunity through the Kansas Department of Commerce, we were able to make this dream come true."
The facility will house a Top Tech Program to provide training to become Case New Holland technicians. Along with the program, the complex will provide space for agriculture business management, crop protection and commercial driver’s license (CDL) programs.
Case New Holland Training Development and Delivery Manager James Meyers was thankful for the expansion of a partnership with the college that started in the 1990s.
"This is a beautiful facility that Barton Community College has put together to help train technicians for the local dealers," said Meyers. "One thing I've noticed while being here just over an hour is the excitement of everybody that was involved. It's a great thing to see. From the agriculture standpoint, it's going to help the local community tremendously."
In 2022, Barton received a $1.85 million matching grant from the State of Kansas. The Barton Foundation was able to raise the matching funds for the facility that will be available for classes this fall.
Listen below to the entire dedication at Barton on July 17, 2024.