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New Brown Co Resident Pushes for Loan Program

By Greg Bebermeyer

09/24/2013

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission continues to consider participation in a rural economic development program that helps new residents repay their student loans.

Rachel Boice, who just moved to Hiawatha from Denver, met with the commission Monday to request that the commission take part in the program that allows counties designated as a Rural Opportunity Zone to partner with the state to help new residents repay up to $15,000 in college loans over 5 years, or $3,000 a year.

Boice, who attended graduate school and received a degree in social justice, said she moved to Brown County before learning the county isn’t participating in the program.

She said there are many new graduates out there who would gladly consider trading the life of the big city in for a life in the country, and the incentive to help pay off their student loans would help make that consideration a reality.

Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development Director Jessica Kisling told commissioners that many local businesses favor the program, and she believes it would be beneficial. The program also allows qualifying individuals to have their state income taxes waived for up to five years.

Commissioners made no decision. Kisling will check with the Kansas Department of Commerce to get answers on several questions that were raised by commissioners about the program and report back at their October 7th meeting.

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