As an incentive to help reel professionals back into Barton County, the County Commission Wednesday morning approved a resolution authorizing participation in the Rural Opportunity Zone Student Loan Repayment Program for calendar year 2023. The program provides up to a $15,000 benefit per applicant as a workforce recruitment tool for eligible persons establishing a home in Barton County, said Operations Director Matt Patzner. The Kansas Department of Commerce requires counties to pass a resolution obligating them to participate in this ROZ program for at least five years. “So essentially, this resolution would be allowing for this program to take place within Barton County,” he said, adding the county has no financial commitment. The business hiring the applicant covers half the benefit with the state covering the other. “This is a good program to get some professionals back into the county,” he said. “The state can kick in some money for it.”
Source: Great Bend Tribune
