Barnard, Kansas: Hope Endures

Barnard has potential...lots of potential.  Over the years I have been involved in the Barnard community, I have seen the potential grow.  Outside of the politics, Barnard is a tranquil and friendly community that has a rich and enduring history.  That history has the potential to propel Barnard into its future.

Many rural communities are facing population decline and possible death.  The  "Dead Towns" column in the Hutchinson paper chronicles those towns that are almost nothing but a memory.  Amy Bickel brings those towns to life...for an instant...in her articles and blog.  Barnard could turn into one of those stories if its potential is not tapped.  Many rural communities are also finding varying levels of rebirth by hard work, discovering a niche that can be filled, and utilizing resources offered by county, state, and federal programs.

Something that can be said about the people who settled Barnard and the people who continue to call it home is that they were and still are resilient.  People worked hard to build a town that they dreamed to build.  They utilized resources available such as hauling buildings into this town from both of the Milo town sites.  Determination built Barnard, Kansas.  The three Barnard newspapers chronicled the building  of Barnard as well as advocating ideals to keep it growing.

In 1910, Barnard had a population of over 400 people.  Since then, the population has been in decline.  The 2000 census marked the Barnard population as 70.  A recent informal count has indicated that nearly 10% has been lost since that figure with a potential additional loss of two more households.  The need for growth touted by the Barnard Bee in 1902 is still a relevant issue 110 years later...though there doesn't seem to be any documentation from that time calling the issue controversial.

There are still buildings in downtown Barnard that can play a role in some sort of economic revival in Barnard.  The Salt Creek Cafe may at last be a long-term anchor for some redevelopment in Barnard's former business district.

There is currently a housing shortage is north central Kansas which Barnard could benefit from with proper marketing strategies.  Many of the fixer-uppers are now gone with more to follow, but the empty lots left behind that are now owned by the city still hold promise for new residents IF those lots are marketed and various programs tapped into.

Spurring growth in Barnard can be done, although it will not be easy.  If you don't believe it can be done, then it can't.  However, I believe it can be done with the same determination and community spirit that the original Barnard settlers demonstrated.  If we work together as a team and a community, we can do it.  Using Barnard's heritage as a resource to preserve the old memories as well as using that heritage and those memories to help us build a new future can ensure Barnard's survival.

Some sort of growth is made blatantly necessary by current situations.  The City of Barnard is in the process of selling $108,000 worth of general obligation bonds and may have to sell more.  This is a hefty burden for a city with less than 70 people.  A former county commissioner and former Barnard mayor informed me that the debt value of the bonds may double at the 30 year mark.  that means the total repayment could potentially be in the neighborhood of $216,000. Growth and population stabilization is necessary to ensure Barnard's survival as an incorporated city.  Research indicates that a leading cause of municipal unincorporation is the failure to repay debt.  I believe Barnard can grow and must grow.  We can do it if we work together.

Earlier in this writing, I used a word that has amused, disappointed, and to a certain extent...disillusioned me.  That word is "controversial."  A Barnard business recently told me that they wouldn't display any Banter marketing materials because it was too "controversial."  The "controversial" notice that the city recently took out in the Lincoln Sentinel seems to support that.  However, let's think about it.  Is it really controversial to want to preserve local heritage, open a library and a community gym, investigate opening a gas station, and market our town to potential residents?  Personally, I think controversy exists when a government entity engages in dishonest and unethical practices, fails to listen to its constituents, and harasses those who disagree with its actions.  Government, in theory, is supposed to act in the best interest of and at the will of those who are governed.  When it fails to do so, that is what is controversial.

I believe Barnard can survive if we work together as a community.  Our efforts will succeed with good, honest, and hard work.  Barnard isn't territory that belongs to one person or a group of people.  It belongs to all of us who call it home.  God bless Barnard and may it never be just a memory.

A Grocery Store in Barnard? Interesting Thought.

No, there isn't an immediate announcement but a conference in Manhattan addresses the issue of the importance of a grocery store has in the survival of small rural Kansas communities.  Barnard lost its last grocery store over a decade ago and the closest place to purchase food and sundries is a minimum of 16 miles away.

According to Kansas State University and the Rural Grocery Initiative, grocery stores, schools, post offices, and restaurants are the essential elements a community must have in order to attract and retain residents.

Kansas State University and the Rural Grocery Initiative are sponsoring the Rural Grocery Store Summit in Manhattan on June 5-6, 2012.  Topics of discussion range from economic development to community sustainability and a grocery store's role.  It may just be a conference that may be worth attending.

Could North Central Kansas Housing Shortage Crisis be Barnard's Opportunity for Growth?

Beloit and other surrounding communities have jobs, but lack housing to place those people in.  Solomon Valley Economic Development reported that jobs are being created and companies are recruiting from out of state but the lack of housing in the surrounding areas is providing a problem in getting those people in the community.

Could this be the opportunity for growth that Barnard needs?  Barnard lost 43% of its population from the 2000 census to the 2010 census.  Four households were lost in the last two months.  A project calling for a new water tower requires the city to take on a debt of $108,000...does this signal a need for growth?

Barnard has several things going for it.  It is centrally located within driving distance of Beloit, Lincoln, Concordia, Minneapolis, Ellsworth, and Salina.  Housing and property values within the city limits of Barnard are much less expensive than properties in surrounding towns and cities.  The city owns many vacant lots that it is willing to sell and as part of the new water tower development project, has affirmed to HUD that it is an equal opportunity housing community.  There are several commercial properties and vacant houses owned by the city, city council members, and private individuals that could be rehabilitated and restored.  There are also some move in ready homes that are heading towards the market.  With the right promotion and marketing, Barnard could see a potential growth spurt.

Barnard must grow to continue to exist.  Could this be its golden opportunity?

Tampa, Kansas...Tampa PRIDE...Barnard, Kansas...Barnard, Incorporated?

Rural towns that once accepted their decline and eminent death are now fighting to stay alive.  Tampa, Kansas, a rural city of 112 in Marion County, is coming out of that experience with promise.  It is about 30 minutes from a town of 1,000 and an hour from a city more than 10,000.  Does that sound familiar?  Doesn’t it sound like Barnard?

In Tampa, there is a group of citizens that refuse to let their town shrivel up and die.  The town had something to work with; they had an oil company, bank, day care, grain cooperative, and a café.  In 2003, a group of citizens started the Tampa Community Association which later became Tampa PRIDE. 

The organization decided that tearing down old buildings and planting grass wasn’t an option to be considered.  The organization began plans to purchase the old and dilapidated buildings and repair them.  One of the old buildings to be salvaged is the old post office which had a roof ready to collapse.  The plans for that building include a convenience store, barber/beauty shop, conference hall, and retail space.  Other buildings on the list include the old bank building and the former American Legion hall.  These plans are the fruits of the labors of Carole Spohn and David Mueller.

Mr. Mueller says that there is great potential for the downtown.  For the last 30 years there has not been any downtown space available because of the run-down condition of the buildings, but with the renovation/restoration efforts, there will be space.  Tampa PRIDE has no interest in running businesses but providing the space for businesses to use.

Funding for these projects comes from grants.  Monsanto has given a grant of $2,500 and a Small Communities Improvement Program grant has been received. 

Activities that have happened and are scheduled include Christmas home tours, softball tournaments, pancake feeds, community movies.  The city is also planning its 125^th Anniversary Celebration in August.

Isn’t this town’s history and past situation eerily familiar?

This is where Barnard, Incorporated comes into play.  Barnard, Incorporated, though still in its formative stages, will be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Barnard’s historic structures and economy.  Though Barnard, Incorporated has been in the works for quite some time, the birth of this organization has been sped up by the threatened demolition of the historic WPA build Art Deco water tower.

Though Barnard is off the beaten path, tourism can still play a part in Barnard’s economic future.  People already come from all over the United States to see that water tower.  A month ago, two travelers came into Trapper’s in Simpson looking for directions to get to the Barnard water tower.

Another factor that could translate into tourist dollars for Barnard is what I call “Green Acres Syndrome.”  Many people from large cities across the globe flock into the rural Midwest to get a taste of the country life.  Susan Barnes, the owner-operator of the Grand Central Hotel in Cottonwood Falls, has had enormous success catering to this crowd.  The area around Barnard has attracted a seasonal crowd during hunting season but a year-round hospitality industry could be sustained with the proper facilities in place.

Barnard, Incorporated has already done some preliminary works on some projects.  The Executive Director of the United Way in Salina has been met with about funding.  The United Way is currently waiting for Barnard, Incorporated to achieve its non-profit status before making any decisions on any assistance.

Some projects under consideration are a library with meeting rooms and homework assistance, a gym, artists’ lofts, a jamboree, a museum, and if necessary, a village post office.  Barnard, Incorporated is also currently working on a summer movie that will be free to the public.  Barnard, Incorporated has also been working to attract a bed and breakfast operator.  That endeavor has shown some promise.

Barnard has a rich history.  The area around Barnard has at least one farm that is still in the family that originally homesteaded it.  The Wallace family has roots in the area before Barnard’s existence as well as do the Loys.  Tapping into that history and Barnard’s potential can help this community grow and sustain itself for the future.  Having services and business outlets that will encourage people to come and to stay in this community will strengthen its presence in Lincoln County and keep it from becoming another Milo, Saltville, Denmark, Vesper, or Abram.

Information about Tampa, Kansas was obtained from Amy Bickel’s article “Tampa PRIDE Rebuilds” in the Hutchinson News.