QUINTER – A complete Lincoln Electric plasma cutting system has been added at the Gove County campus of the Northwest Kansas Technical College.

The Torchmate 4800 was integrated into the curriculum for the spring semester. It gives students the opportunity to master the use of a cutting table to fabricate metal for construction projects. To utilize the equipment, students learn computer coding, safety and plasma table techniques.

Currently, 13 students are enrolled in the Gove County campus program, including high school students, traditional college students, and adult learners.

PENOKEE – New siding and a new roof improved the look of the Commercial Building on the Graham County Fairgrounds.

The building is available for community events, and children in 4-H are looking forward to displaying their projects inside the building.

Grant funds covered the cost of the project.

LENORA – Grant funds supported 26 out of 86 interns who participated in the Nex-Generation Student Internship Program, which places high school and college students in jobs at area businesses.

Funds also covered the cost of teacher trainings, student workbooks, shop supplies, and maintenance of shops at Nex-Gen’s Young AmeriTowne in Lenora.

In 2018, the program’s first year, students from 10 area schools had the opportunity to participate. Those students learned in the classroom about supply and demand, accounting and other aspects of running businesses and town governments. The highlight of the program was a trip to Lenora, where they got the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice by running their own town for a day. In 2019, participation doubled to 20 schools.

Community interns worked on projects across the area during the summer, although COVID-19 brought about some changes in plans.

Upper level college students filled the internships, which were funded by the foundation to fulfill selected community projects. From Oberlin to Ellsworth, students provided needed support or expertise to further community goals.

BELOIT – Business owners in Beloit participated in a training to learn new marketing techniques as part of an effort to reinvent the community into a destination that will attract more people.

Six business owners participated in online training to learn strategies during Destination Bootcamp.