Kansas State University officials have opened registration for an online course that organizers expect will help to keep grocery stores open in rural communities.

Rial Carver, the program leader for K-State Rural Grocery Initiative, said the course ­ the Rural Grocery Transition Specialist Program — provides training for economic developers, extension professionals and other resource providers to support rural grocers through business transitions.

Registration is available online. There will be three offerings in 2024. The first class begins Jan. 15, and participants should expect to spend 15...