USDA Rural Development Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul invites residents, business owners, youth and community leaders to the Monday, March 29th Rural Jobs, Rural Opportunities Conference in Kearney. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 110 Second Ave. in Kearney, Neb. from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CT. Focus will be placed on linking financial and technical resources with entrepreneurs, business owners and community leaders interested in the creation and preservation of jobs. The registration fee for this conference is $25 with a registration deadline of March 22, 2010.
“We are very pleased to have Rural Business-Cooperative Services’ Administrator Judith Canales from our Washington, DC National Office attending the conference to share her expertise on job creation and economic growth,” said Moul. “There was an active dialogue at our Rural Jobs Forum held earlier this year; and I am excited to have the chance for further discussions on how to build a stronger rural Nebraska and to address the issues of rural areas.”
Additional speakers include Dr. Randy Cantrell, Center for Applied Rural Innovation senior fellow and development specialist with the Nebraska Rural Initiative at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Cantrell grew up in a small community and today his academic and teaching interests continue to reflect his commitment to small rural communities. Allo Communication Inc.’s President, Brad Moline realized the opportunity for improved telecommunications in Western Nebraska and joined forces with other investors to make Allo Communications, Inc. a success. Allo is a facilities-based competitive local exchange carrier offering local, long distance, and broadband data services in Scottsbluff, Gering and Alliance. Bruce and Sue Ann Switzer own and manage the Switzer Ranch that has been in the family for more than 100 years. They will share how their children were able to remain in their rural area and how the ranch has expanded into a nature reserve and eco-tourism to support the Switzer family.
Break out discussions will be held by expert panelists regarding the following topics:
- Guaranteed Loans/Access to Credit
- Broadband
- Local Foods
- Eco-Tourism
- Business Opportunities/Business Transition
- Revolving Loan Fund
- Renewable Energy
- Local Funding for Community Economic Development
To register contact Work Force Development Fund c/o Kearney Area Community Foundation PO Box 1694 Kearney, NE 68848; cmtyfndn@kearney.net or phone 308-237-3114. Accepted methods of payment are cash or check. Pre-registration is preferred. Walk-ins are welcome, however lunch and parking will be provided to pre-registered guests only.
For more information on the conference please contact Paul Bartlett at (308) (237) 3118 ext. 4, paul.bartlett@ne.usda.gov; or contact Vicki Schurman at (402) (437) 5563, vicki.schurman@ne.usda.gov. Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne/ for a downloadable conference brochure.
Co-Conveners for the conference are: Nebraska Rural Development Commission, Nebraska Cattlemen, U.S. Forest Service, Nebraska Community Foundation, Heartland Center for Leadership Development, Nebraska Rural Initiative at the University of Nebraska, and the Nebraska Resource Conservation and Districts.
