Business View Magazine | April 2019

159 tor. We believe, if we can get 15-20 students accepted into this program, this year, that will be a success. From that point forward, we’re going to work with our guidance counselors, our school superintendent, to make sure that we’re funding that appropriately, so that every child is given a chance, if they want it. “And we did launch a ‘Grants for Grads’ pro- gram. For young graduates who move back to Frankfort within a year of graduating, we’re offering to offset up to $5,000 of closing costs or down payment on a home. We also offer rent assistance through that program, as well. We’re facing a workforce crisis and if we don’t think differently and implement some of these innovative ideas, we’re going to be in a world of hurt.” McBarnes believes that Frankfort’s quality of place agenda is helping the city to “embrace the future properly.” And he maintains that it’s working. When Pepsico, the parent company of Frito-Lay, was considering investing upwards of $160 million into its operations and saw what was happening in Frankfort, it decided to pour it all into the local plant. “They said, ‘We’re not going to parcel up this $160 million investment and put a little in North Carolina and a little in Kansas; we’re going to bring it all to Frankfort.’ That wouldn’t have hap- pened unless Pepsico could see how we were embracing the future,” McBarnes declares. “So, it’s working and we have proof of the strategy we’re employing.” PREFERRED VENDORS n Clinton County Chamber of Commerce www.ccinchamber.org n George K. Baum & Company gkbaum.com