Kingman ? Kingman County leaders have agreed to become the first county in the state to participate in a program designed to attract new college graduates.

The south-central Kansas county will be the first partner in the Rural Opportunity Zone program.

County commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday agreeing to participate in the program, which offers state matching grants to repay student loans up to $15,000 for college graduates who move to the county.

Commission Chairman John Steffen says the program is one way to reverse the county’s population decline.

The incentive program also provides a five-year income tax exemption for some out-of-state taxpayers who relocate to partner counties.