U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran made a brief visit to Barton Community College Thursday morning to announce $425,000 in federal funding to support equipment purchases for the college’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) and agricultural mechanics programs.
The announcement took place at the college’s Ag and Transportation Complex, opened in 2024.
“I’m in Great Bend today on the Barton Community College campus to announce that Congress passed legislation, approved by the House and Senate and signed by the president, that includes designated spending for workforce training at Barton Community College,” Moran said. “The funding will support the Kansas CDL program and the ag tech program for the purpose of purchasing equipment. The total amount is $425,000 to help this community college, this community and our part of Kansas make sure we have a bright future.”
College leaders said the funding will help strengthen technical training for students while supporting workforce needs across Barton County.
I like to say, all boats rise in high tides... It’s good for Barton County and all the communities we serve.BCC President Garstecki
Mike Johnson, chairman of the Barton Community College Board of Trustees, said the state’s community colleges play a major role in preparing Kansas workers.
“An unknown fact for many people is that Kansas’ community college system currently provides more than 70% of all technical training in the state,” Johnson said. “This federal funding was instrumental in allowing Barton to purchase the critical equipment needed for this facility we’re standing in today. It helps us continue our mission to provide quality education to our students and supply skilled employees for local employers.”
The Ag and Transportation Complex was completed in 2024 with assistance from a matching grant that included federal stimulus funds awarded through the Kansas Department of Commerce.
BCC President Marcus Garstecki said the facility has expanded the college’s ability to train students for high-demand careers.
“It allows our students to be job-ready when they leave here and able to obtain one of those high-paying jobs and start a career and a dream right here in our county and our local communities,” Garstecki said. “This building and this facility have increased capacity and provided additional opportunities to train individuals for our local workforce. Agriculture is critical to what we do in this state, and that’s what we’re committed to.”
Garstecki added that the investment benefits more than just the college.
“It’s great news for Barton Community College,” he said. “But as I like to say, all boats rise in high tides. If it’s good for Barton Community College, it’s good for Barton County and all the communities we serve.”
