May 21, 2002, Topeka, Kansas-- Barton County, a Champion Community, is working to eliminate a void in employment opportunities, the major objective in reversing the trend of graduating students who leave and are forced to locate in metropolitan areas with greater employment potential. Outmigration is a serious problem in many of the Kansas rural communities. Champion Communities receive priority status for USDA Rural Development programs and are supported with technical assistance when applicable.

Randy Gibson and Sharon Colbert, with the USDA Office of Community Development (OCD), Washington DC, accompanied by Chuck Banks, State Director, USDA Rural Development, toured projects and met with Mysty Rusk, Barton County Economic Development Director, and other local leaders in Barton County, to visit with new business owners, observe the utilization of technology provided to school students, and understand the available assets and resources these communities are developing to further local economic stability. The group met through teleconference with the leaders from the Champion communities of Junction City and Galena.