Nex-Tech & Barton Community College Announce Installation of Solar Charging Tables

Nex-Tech & Barton Community College Announce Installation of Solar Charging Tables

Great Bend, KS – November 4, 2025 – Nex-Tech, in partnership with Barton Community College and the City of Great Bend, is excited to announce the upcoming installation of four new solar charging tables throughout Great Bend. Over the past several years, Nex-Tech has been working on a major fiber-to-the-home project in town. The idea of creating and installing these tables was developed by Nex-Tech in thanks to the community for their patience during the ongoing construction associated with the project. Nex-Tech is thankful for the support of the city, the county, and the residents of Great Bend and is excited to provide these charging tables as a gesture of appreciation.

Lindsey Krom-Craven, Nex-Tech Customer Sales Supervisor, shared, “We wanted to express our gratitude to the community for their understanding over the past few years. When a previous project didn’t materialize, we shifted our focus to this new opportunity, and we’re thrilled to see these tables become a reality. The support from the college and the city has been instrumental in bringing this project to life.”

Nex-Tech is providing funding for all material costs, while students from Barton Community College’s welding program are generously donating their time and expertise to design and construct the tables. Each of the four heavy-duty, square, picnic-style tables will feature canopies, LED lighting, and solar-powered charging stations compatible with users’ own USB cords. Built from robust steel to withstand the elements, these tables will be installed on concrete pads provided by the City of Great Bend at the Great Bend Sports Complex, Brit Spaugh Park, Veterans Park, and the SRCA Dragstrip.

Great Bend City Administrator, Logan Burns, commented, “The City of Great Bend is proud to partner with Nex-Tech and Barton Community College on the new solar charging table project. We’re excited to launch this initiative with the installation of the first table at Brit Spaugh Zoo, marking the beginning of a sustainable and innovative effort to enhance our community spaces. We’re grateful for these partnerships that allow us to give back to the community.”

Mary Foley, Executive Director of Agriculture and Industry Education added, “The partnership between Barton Community College’s and Nex-Tech is giving our advanced welding students a great opportunity to put their skills to use on a project that will benefit the entire Great Bend community.”

Four students have been hard at work on the project this semester with the assistance of instructors Jake Streit and Mark Bogner. Joe Vinduska of BCC captured photos of the students in action. As the tables are finished, they will be painted Nex-Tech’s signature red and placed in their designated locations for the public to enjoy.

About Nex-Tech

Nex-Tech connects thousands of people and businesses through a robust broadband network and cutting-edge technology. Nex-Tech’s powerful fiber-to-the-premise technology delivers the highest quality Internet, with speeds up to 1 Gig, streaming TV, home security, and local and long-distance phone service. Nex-Tech also provides an array of enterprise solutions including cloud services, Hosted PBX, network security, managed IT, physical security and surveillance, advertising solutions, and network operations monitoring to business clients nationwide.   

Nex-Tech focuses on providing the best technology and support with the best people. With stores in more than 20 locations, a full-service Help Desk, and a 24-hour Network Operations Center, Nex-Tech customers are ensured unsurpassed technology and support. Headquartered in Lenora, Kansas, Nex-Tech has been delivering exceptional service for more than 65 years.   

Visit us at www.nex-tech.com.