By ELLE HUTCHINSON
Barton County Media Consultant
Travel 389 is officially back on the road.
On Tuesday, Barton County Commissioners, County Administrator Matt Patzner, and staff resumed the Travel 389 initiative with visits to three local businesses, continuing the program’s mission of learning more about the people, businesses, and organizations that help make Barton County a great place to live and work.
The first stop of the day was Lumpy's. The group enjoyed lunch while visiting with staff and experiencing the hospitality that has made the locally owned restaurant a longtime community favorite. Beyond serving great food, local restaurants like Lumpy's help bring people together and contribute to the unique character of Barton County.
The second stop was the Great Bend Tribune. During the tour, participants learned about the newspaper's rich history and its continued role in keeping residents informed. Established in 1876, the Tribune is believed to be the oldest continuously operating business in Barton County. Staff provided a behind-the-scenes look at how the newspaper is produced and shared information about the printing operations that serve not only Great Bend, but communities throughout the region.
The final stop was Identifications, a locally owned business located in downtown Great Bend. The tour highlighted the wide variety of services offered, including custom apparel, embroidery, engraving, promotional products, awards, signage, and graphic design. Commissioners had the opportunity to learn about the day-to-day operations of the business and the important role it plays in helping organizations, schools, businesses, and community groups showcase their brands and accomplishments.
Travel 389 was created to strengthen connections between local government and the community by giving Commissioners the opportunity to learn firsthand about the challenges, successes, and opportunities facing Barton County businesses and organizations.
If you would like Barton County Commissioners to visit your business, learn more about what you do, and hear your ideas and feedback, contact Barton County at 620-793-1800 or emaildwatson@bartoncounty.org.