By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Barton Community College is still looking for an instructor and funding
for a Case New Holland (CNH) Top Tech Industrial Service Training program, but
the college’s Board of Trustees approved the CNH expansion at Tuesday’s
meeting.
Barton has offered a program that trains technicians who are currently employed
with a CNH dealership and need continuing education since 1995.
Barton Vice
President of Instruction Elaine Simmons said the new program would provide CNH
with technicians that have CNH Level 1 training and basic farm machinery repair
skills.
"We wouldn't just be a location for added knowledge and training, we'll be a place where folks can come to start their careers," said Simmons. "I remember years ago, we tried to get the John Deere program. We didn't get that partnership but we went a different direction."
Barton received a $1.8 million grant from the Kansas Board of Regents to help
construct the $3.6 million facility on the east side of campus. The grant
requires a local match, and Barton Foundation Executive Director Lindsey Bogner
said fundraising is coming along.
"We're still sharing information on the tax credits," said Bogner. "We're 11% matched with the $1.8 million grant. I'm still waiting on final confirmation from tax preparers."
The new facility will also be used for agriculture business management, crop
protection, beef cattle production and the college’s Commercial Driver’s
License (CDL) programs.
Barton hopes to open the program to 16 students in the fall of 2023.