Latest Updates from ruralprosperityne.unl.edu

Lincoln, Neb., May 19, 2021 – Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, an Extension educator of agricultural economics, has received the Distinguished Career Award from the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals for her nearly 40 years of service to community development. The award ceremony, which honors one recipient annually, concluded NACDEP’s 2021 conference, which was held virtually this year.

Lincoln, Neb. —Working in pairs or trios, 35 University of Nebraska–Lincoln students will take part in the Rural Fellowship program while living and working in 17 communities across the state this summer.

During their 10-week residence, the fellows will collaborate with local leaders on improving the communities. Project goals include strengthening the communities’ web presence, attracting entrepreneurs, and developing city parks and trails.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law by President Biden. ARPA provides direct relief to all 19,000 cities, towns and villages across the United States affected by COVID-19. The purpose of ARPA is to support pandemic recovery efforts, replace public sector lost revenue, spur job growth, jump start economic growth through household and business stabilization and address systemic public health and economic challenges.

On April 22nd, the U.S. Small Business Administration released guidelines for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RFF), a fund that is part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  The Act appropriated $28.6 billion dollars for restaurant industry focused funds.  Recipients do not need to repay the awarded funds as long as the monies are used for eligible expenses by March 11, 2023.

Declining rural populations have been making the news for decades. There is little doubt that the trend line of the most rural counties across the country has been down (2020, Cromartie).  Nearly 35 percent of the rural counties within the United States have experienced prolonged and significant population loss (Johnson & Lichter, 2019). 

Last year, the Nebraska Rural Poll celebrated its 25th anniversary. This year will be another special milestone for the survey. Within the next month, the Rural Poll will once again arrive in mailboxes of 7,000 Nebraskans living in rural parts of the state, just as it has each year since 1996. However, this year 7,000 households in the metropolitan parts of Nebraska will also receive the same survey.

What do great business builders have in common? Are there talents that can be strengthened to help individuals become better builders? Can these talents be used to help local organizations become more successful in building community? The answer is a definite yes!

Gallup Inc.®, a leading research company located in Omaha, conducted a comprehensive research study with more than 4,000 entrepreneurs from across the globe. Their goal was to gain a better understanding of the actions and behaviors that lead to successful business creation and growth.

By Marilyn Schlake and Austin Duerfeldt

Extension Educator, Sandra Barrera is helping to promote businesses along the 4th Street corridor in Grand Island.  The Grand Island Independent follows Sandra to learn more about this Nebrask Extension program and the businesses on 4th Street.

by Cara Pesek | IANR Media

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources will offer grants for communities that participate in the 2021 Rural Fellows program.