2007 Action Recommendations

2007 Action Recommendations

Entrepreneurship

Ø Offer additional assistance to those businesses that have been identified as growth entrepreneurs.
Ø Identify and conduct interviews with businesses that are potential transfers within the next ten years and begin identify potential entrepreneurs that would transition into these existing businesses and possibly expand.
Ø Offer an EDGE class beginning in the fall of 2006.
Ø Enhance networking of resource providers in region to support local development goals.
Ø Provide technical assistance to new start-ups and expanding businesses.
Ø Work with youth task force to support young entrepreneurs interested in starting new businesses or buying existing businesses.



Charitable Assets

Ø Have PCCF raise their first $75,000 and reach their first goal of the Hunt Challenge by March 2007.
Ø Have both ICF and PCCF raise the remaining $75,000 in the next two years to then have over $200,000 in their unrestricted endowment fund.
Ø Have both ICF and PCCF continue to grow their foundations by promoting charitable giving within both counties.
Ø Encourage the fund advisory committee for both ICF and PCCF to attend NCF trainings.

Leadership

Ø Hold the second regional leadership development class beginning in the fall of 2006.
Ø Send a second team of volunteers to the HTC Academy in Lincoln in January 2007.
Ø Encourage more youth leadership involvement in city councils, county commissioners meetings, school board meetings, etc.
Ø Support young adults moving into leadership roles in community.
Ø Establish the LB 840 program in Imperial. (passed at election)
Ø Better utilize the large group of highly educated women in the area.


Youth

Ø Continue to offer e-ship classes in both high schools.
Ø Offer e-ship classes in both middle schools.
Ø Provide one day per semester highlighting e-ship for grade school students.
Ø Recruit youth and young adults into leadership class.
Ø Recognize young adults who have moved into both communities in the past year and work toward getting them engaged in the HTC program.
Ø Introduce the 4-H E-ship program if a champion can be identified.

Imperial Communinty Foundation accepts Hunt Challenge Grant

Imperial Community Foundation members accepted a $25,000 check after meeting the Hunt famliy challenge to raise $75,000 for Foundation's endownment, an addtional $5000 check was awarded since the funds to date are at $90,000.

Perkins County Foundation's funds are currently at $31,000 and will host thier annual benifit golf tournament on August 27th.

Perkins Community Foundation's Hunt Challenge Benefit BBQ is Successful

The Perkins County Community Foundation continues to be successful in its fundraising efforts to meet the Hunt Challenge. Our most recent success was the benefit BBQ held on June 2, 2006 at Valley Bank in Grant.
First, I would like to give a big thank you to Don Softley and Valley Bank for donating all of the food and supplies for the BBQ. This allowed all proceeds to go directly to the Hunt Challenge. We raised $1775.50 during the day, with one donor giving $1,000, and the remainder coming from individual donations. Besides a gusty wind at times, the day went very smoothly with a good crowd showing to enjoy brats, burgers, chicken and polish sausages along with chips and a cold drink.
We have also recently had other donations made for the Hunt Challenge. Two weeks ago, the City of Grant was very generous in giving us $5,000 in Keno funds and we also received another $1,000 donation last week from Delores Swan in memory of her husband, Robert.
After tallying each of these donations, our proceeds breakdown as of June 2, 2006 is as follows:
· TOTAL CASH IN HAND: $17,608.83
· TOTAL AMOUNT PLEDGED: $9,666.66
· GRAND TOTAL: $27,275.49
Our total cash contributions needed by December 31, 2006 is $57,391.17
While our total amount needed to be raised is $122,724.51
The Community Foundation has several other fundraisers in 2006 that will directly benefit the Hunt Challenge. These include the 4th of July celebration, which we are co-hosting with the Perkins County Chamber of Commerce, our annual benefit golf tournament on August 27th, and our Tots of Perkins County 2007 Calendar. Although these events will help us to meet this very important challenge, we still need individual donors to step forward with contributions. Any and all donations are encouraged and welcomed. Those with questions are asked to call Chairman Becky Uehling, or any foundation board member.
Posted By:
Becky Uehling,
PCCF Chairman

HTC Contact list

Chase Perkins HTC Site Coach
*Jana Jensen jandjjensen@starband.net

Our link on the HTC website http://www.htcnebraska.org/gisuccess

HTC Leadership
Task Force Leader
*Ann Burge swncbc@gpcom.net

Members: 2005 Leadership Plenty Class

Brian Long brianlong@pchsgrant.com
Cathy Weiss cathy@fsbimperial.com
Cory Schuller cschuller@GPCOM.COM
Cyndi Weiss cweiss@fvcoop.com
Dave Vapenik dvapenik@valleybankne.com
Francisca Morales fmccch@gpcom.net
Jayson Bishop jbishop@midwestecc.com
*Joseph N. Morris grantsuper@gpcom.net
Rev. Kay Alnor revkaya@hotmail.com
Shaun Meyer hiline@gpcom.net
Spencer Neely sneely@GPCOM.COM
Tammy Delatour tdelatour@valleybankne.com
Tim Moore tmoore@pchsgrant.com
Tony Cribelli tcjcaclm@bwtelcom.net

HTC Imperial Foundation
Task Force Leader
*Leslie Carlholm (E-mail) lcarlholm@chase3000.com

Members:

HTC Perkins County Foundation
Task Force Leader
*Becky Uehling buehling@gpcom.net

Members:

Ashley Colglazier ash_colglaz@hotmail.com
Cori Sis tsis@chase3000.com
Debbi Osler sosler@sktelsie.net
Don Softley dsoftley@valleybank.com
Jan Schilling jan_schilling@gps.esu16.org
Janet_Lagler janet_lagler@gps.esu16.org
Jeff Wallin rowton&wallin@gpcom.net
Michelle. Ross michelle.ross@pinnbank.com
Nicole Long nlongart@hotmail.com
Alice Tines Does Not Have Email

HTC Entrepreneurship - Business Development

Task Force Leader
*Leslie Carlholm (E-mail) lcarlholm@chase3000.com
Donald W. Softley (E-mail) Dsoftley@valleybankne.com

Members:

Bill Daiss billdaiss@gpcom.net
Chris Loeffer (E-mail) perkinszoning@hotmail.com
Deaver Computer (E-mail) bdeaver@gpcom.net
Dennis Demmel (E-mail) dennisdemmel@hotmail.com
Jeff Skeels (E-mail) jdskeels@gpcom.net
*Joseph N. Morris (E-mail) grantsuper@gpcom.net
Kathy Schilke (E-mail) k_schilke@fsbimperial.com
Miles Colson (E-mail) mgcolson@abtbank.com
Rod Cornelius (E-mail) rcornelius@pinnbank.com

HTC Youth
Task Force Leader
Melanie Carman (E-mail) MKCarman@abtbank.com
Tim Moore (E-mail) tmoore@pchsgrant.com

Members:
*Amy Thelander communitydev@gpcom.net
Dave Vapenik dvapenik@valleybankne.com
*Marci Vlasin marci_vlasin@gps.esu16.org
Martina Spurlock masmmsicpa@gpcom.net
*Ryan Richmond ryanrichmond@fsbimperial.com
*Val Foster limabean@chase3000.com
*Alex McNair mcnaira@chase3000.com


HTC Steering Committee

Members:

*Jana Jensen jandjjensen@starband.net

*Joseph N. Morris grantsuper@gpcom.net
*Leslie Carlholm lcarlholm@chase3000.com
*Ann Burge swncbc@gpcom.net
*Kevin Poppe kpoppe@gpcom.net

*HTC Academy Graduates

HTC Meeting held at Turtle Island Sales

Tuesday May 30th the HTC Steering Committee and Task Force Leaders met at the Turtle Island Sales Conference Room followed by a tour of the Turtle Island's eBay Drop off store.

Our successful application for the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Grant was discussed.

We were funded for a group tour to Valley County to view their HTC successes for $1000 with match of $1000 for a $2000 budget. Leslie will work on details as to when would be the best time to go. Possibly in the fall.

Also each county was funded for a Needs Assessment Survey for $4000 with a $4000 match. Ann Burge will work on the details and may have the Youth Committee involved.

We were also funded for a total of $6000 dollars members to attend the HTC Academy in Chadron this fall.

Matching Funds will be provided by the City of Imperial- $2500, the Grant Economic Development Committee- $2500 and Great Plains Communications- $5000. Also the Kellogg Foundation will provide $10,000 of assistance for technical service if we need to bring in speakers, programs, etc.

Chase County High School Youth Survey Results

Chase County High School Youth Survey Results.

Youth Survey: Spring Semester 2006
1. What grade are you in?
Response
Count
Frequency
9th
40
26.49%
10th
36
23.84%
11th
41
27.15%
12th
32
21.19%
Other
2
1.32%
Valid Responses
151
100.00%

2. What is your gender?
Response
Count
Frequency
Female
80
53.33%
Male
70
46.67%
Valid Responses
150
100.00%

3. If I were absolutely free to go into any kind of work that I wanted, my choice would be:
Response
Count
Frequency
Lawyer
2
1.32%
Music
2
1.32%
Business
4
2.65%
Teaching
4
2.65%
Medicine
4
2.65%
Graphic design
3
1.99%
Ranching
3
1.99%
Nursing
3
1.99%
Undecided
2
1.32%
Sports medicine
2
1.32%
Sewage Maintenance
2
1.32%
Don't Know
3
1.99%
Other Responses
117
77.48%
Valid Responses
151
100.00%

4. Does your family own a business in the surrounding area?

Response
Count
Frequency
Yes
58
38.67%
No
92
61.33%
Valid Responses
150
100.00%

5. If you were absolutely free to do so, would you like to own your own business, farm or ranch?
Response
Count
Frequency
Yes
75
50.00%
No
36
24.00%
Don't Know
39
26.00%
Valid Responses
150
100.00%
6. If I were absolutely free to do whatever I wanted after high school, I would:

Response
Count
Frequency
go immediately to work in my family business, farm or ranch
3
2.29%
go immediately to work for a local business
1
0.76%
move to another community and go immediately to work
1
0.76%
join the military
6
4.58%
enroll in the local community college
6
4.58%
enroll in a college in another community
72
54.96%
enroll in a college in another state
42
32.06%
Valid Responses
131
100.00%
7. If I were absolutely free to do as I wanted, the highest degree I would seek to earn would be:
Response
Count
Frequency
None
7
4.90%
Associates Degree - 2 year
20
13.99%
Bachelor's Degree - 4 year
43
30.07%
Master's Degree
55
38.46%
Doctorate Degree
11
7.69%
Vocational/Technical Certificate
4
2.80%
Other
3
2.10%
Valid Responses
143
100.00%
8. As to continuing my education beyond high school, my family:
Response
Count
Frequency
has strongly encouraged me to continue
116
78.38%
has given me some encouragement to continue
14
9.46%
has never said much about it
14
9.46%
feels that I would be better off going to work after school
3
2.03%
feels that I should quit school and go to work
1
0.68%
Valid Responses
148
100.00%
9. If I were absolutely free to live anywhere I wanted, it would be:
Response
Count
Frequency
very near where I live now
23
16.55%
in an area much like this one, but in another part of Nebraska
13
9.35%
in a larger community (but not one of the big cities) in Nebraska
27
19.42%
in one of the big cities in Nebraska
7
5.04%
in a rural area or small town in another state
13
9.35%
in a big city in another state
36
25.90%
in another country
7
5.04%
other
13
9.35%
Valid Responses
139
100.00%
9A. If you chose Other on Question # 9, please specify your answer
Anywhere but here
Arizona or California
as far away from Nebraska like Jamaica
city-college smaller town-raise family
don't know
In a larger city and later move back to Imperial
in a small town similar to this one (anywhere) depending on job openings
In a suburb of a large city
Laramie Wyoming
small community maybe this one maybe somewhere else
Where ever life takes me
Where I live now
10. If you are currently working and would like to stay in the area and continue working but also want to pursue a college education, would you be willing to stay here and complete your college education through online classes?
Response
Count
Frequency
Yes
55
37.67%
No
91
62.33%
Valid Responses
146
100.00%
11. Are you interested in being involved in community organizations?
Response
Count
Frequency
Yes
87
60.42%
No
57
39.58%
Valid Responses
144
100.00%
12. Would you be interested in attending an entrepreneurial workshop, that would help you decide if owning a small business is right for you?
Response
Count
Frequency
Yes
64
42.95%
No
85
57.05%
Valid Responses
149
100.00%

13. What are your interests and what would you like Imperial to have that we don't have already (Football, Softball, Reading, Art, and Fast Food restaurants, Rec Center, etc.)
Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Swim Team, Track, FFA, FCA, Church, English, Reading--Fast Food restaurants, Rec Center and a Mall
School pass. Swimming or bus us out of town
WalMart, a city pond or small lake
A place where teens can hang out. Fast Food Restaurants, Rec Center
Art, Cross Country, Track
Rec Center, McDonalds or Arby's
Football, Track, Art
I am not interested
My interests are Volleyball, Basketball, Track, FFA, FCCLA, Reading, Art, and 4-H. The City of Imperial should have a Rec Center, a better Swimming Pool and a Fast Food restaurant.
Fast Food restaurants
Rec Center, Fast Food and Pool Hall
FFA, Animals, Like to see more people in Imperial minding their own business!!
Art, Rec Center, Roller Rink
Rec Center, Youth Center, similar to YMCA but smaller
Waterfront activity, sports, music, rec center, intramural sports, more fast food restaurants; more activities for teens-YMCA
Interests-Golf, Hunting, fishing, wakeboarding
A place for teens to go. Also a place for single/young parents
Family rec center/were families can go and spend time with each other or a teen center.
Volleyball, reading, swimming and a nice swimming pool & a teen center.
Fast food restaurant Arby's
Chipotle restaurant
a mall
I want to be a diesel tech or work in auto body a few more fast food places
Town potluck or something to get us to work together, Softball, Art
Rec center, Chinese Restaurant, and an ice skating pond
dancing, dance studio
Recreational center
Rec center would be good. I'm interested in case work and criminal justice. Having a rec center would help keep kids out of trouble.
Softball, Reading, talking on the computer-something to do fun on weekends other than movies or bowling
REC CENTER!!!
Music, Running, Politics and Sonic Burger, Wendy's and a Rec Center.
Clothing Store
My interests: Music, reading, writing What I would like: program that would allow home schoolers the option to take public school courses.
Rec Center
I like Art, baseball, and writing, and would like to have baseball be a school sport.
Fast Food restaurants (1 or 2) Rec Center
Rec Center, School swim team
Indoor Pool
Golf, Theatre, Music, Reading, Rec Center or similar
Fast Food, Wal-Mart, Rec Center, and younger athletic leagues such as football for grades 3-6
Boxing League or Fighting Club, where people can take out their frustrations.
Rap Station, Boxing, Skate Park, Rock from 70-90 station NO MORE KADL
Rec Center (YMCA), Volleyball league & Tennis
Skate Park, McDonalds
Recreation Center, Fast Food restaurant
Places to go hang out.
More Softball Fields, Rec Center
Fast Food restaurants
Volleyball, A boys volleyball team or a WalMart
Fast Food restaurants
A place such as the old school or any inside basketball court that kids could go play without worrying about locked doors.
I would like them to have a Rec Center so kids would have something to do, and stay our of trouble.
Football, basketball, Rec center
Rec Center
Sports, Running, Fitness, and Rec Center or Some Kind of indoor pool.
Fast Food, Cabelas, Wal-Mart
Fast Food Restaurants, Rec Center, better stores
Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Rec Center, just some place we can to and do fun things instead of going out to eat and going to the movie all the time.
Rec Center
Rec Center and more fast food restaurants.
Rec center, more fast food, and better place to hang out
school baseball, football, YMCA, fast food restaurants, coffee shop
High school baseball, Rec Center, football
Art fast food
Soccer, Dairy Queen, Chinese food, mall, skate board
Fast food restaurants and a walmart
football, basketball
A walmart, more restaurants, and skate park
Rec Center
Arbys, Rec Center, Wal-Mart
Art
A skatebording rink
Reading, Art
Hockey
Skate park
Rec Center
WalMart
Wal-Mart, Arcade, (Rec Center)
Reading, Science, Technology
Act, History; More History
I would live to have a Rec Center with an indoor pool.
I like musical theater, I think we should have more musicals
Interest-Volleyball, basketball, lifting Better volleyball net for the Wellington gym more gyms
Fast Food, Hockey, Rec Center
Wal Mart would be nice, Rodeo animals Sams
Soccer, Mall
Rodeo, hunting
Fast Food, rodeo team
Fast Food Rec Center
fast food Rec Center Rodeo team Rodeo
More places for kids to go hang out at, and more things to do on the weekend.
Teen Center
Rec Center
Tennis in school
Rec Center
A better Arena at the fairgrounds
Rec Center
A Wal-Mart or a type of Mall
Rec Center or a place for teen-agers to hang out, arcade
A New Swimming Pool for the area and also so the Summer Swim Team could use it to hold more events, such as meets.
Rec Center, Soccer Field
Nothing
Kids, babysitting, waitressing,
I would want Fast food restaurants and a Real Rec Center.
Fast Food restaurants, clothing stores, Rec Center.
I would like the city to be more of a leader than the city being like king of the town. Also I would like to see more support for the derby it brings in the most money throughout the summer.
Football Wrestling Rec Center
Fast Food
Fast food restaurants
more football related stuff and restaurants
Rec Center, Music
restaurants, teen center
Teen center or Rec center
Fast Food restaurants, clothing store
rec center, indoor swimming pool
Rec Center, somewhere to hang out
I'm interested in Art, music, & sports. I would like a Walmart, a Rec center, & more restaurants
Walmart McDonald Wendy Arby Jockin Jack Popey Chickens Shopko Radio shack Best Buy the Buckle Toyota parly shop Pro football Univerty Hockey Ring More space on this paper manufacturing plant interstate Pro Rodeo Mascar track YMCA Hotel and Motel Casinos Mexican Moffy Russians Six Flag and Disney Mechiles Mexican Resterunt Shile Sport center
Wendy's, interstate, soccer field, Mexican restaurants, sports place
An indoor basketball court that would be available to kids use. (Rec Center)
fast food
sports, FFA need - more food places/restaurants & a place for older teens to hang out
Hockey, Fast Food restaurants, Clothing Stores
Super WalMart, Outback Steak House
Music is my main interest. I would like to see more youth activities.
Rec Center, Fast Food
Rec Center, Softball, Volleyball
Football, Rec Center

Chase and Pekins County HTC Program awarded Building Entrepreneurial Communities Grant

Gov. Heineman Awards First Building Entrepreneurial Communities Funding

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman awarded $140,000 in funding to nine projects as part of the first wave of applications through the new Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA) created as part of the Nebraska Advantage incentive package. “I’m very pleased we were able to make this funding available for areas of our state that need it most,” Gov. Heineman said. “The goal of the BECA program is to help jump start the revitalization of our rural communities. In addition to this funding, BECA grants will be matched dollar for dollar by those directly involved in strengthening local economies.” The Building Entrepreneurial Communities program provides grant funding to help create programs that generate and sustain wealth in economically depressed communities and regions of the state. BECA is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Rural Development Commission (RDC). RDC reviewed 13 applications and forwarded recommendations to the Governor.

The nine projects receiving funding include:

• Building for the Future of Our Area will receive $13,000 in funding for a cooperative project involving Furnas and Harlan counties. The project is aimed at stimulating small business growth and development, as well as long-term sustainability of local communities.
• Furnas/Harlan Partnership, Inc. prepared the application, and a group of cooperatives and local community leaders will provide matching funds. Knox Business Transfer project will receive $2,470 that will be used to help equip 15 to 25 Knox county business owners with effective strategies for business transfer.
• The Knox County Development Agency submitted the application and will provide matching funds. The Creating Virtual Entrepreneurs project will receive an $11,020 grant to help Cheyenne county entrepreneurs implement eBusiness and eCommerce web technologies.
• The Cheyenne County Technology Committee and Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce prepared the application and will contribute matching funds for the effort. Building Blocks for Community Revitalization & Prosperity will receive $25,000 to help promote entrepreneurship and leadership in the Valentine and Cherry county area. The project will help build community capacity and encourage revitalization. The Valentine/Cherry County Economic Development Board prepared the application, and an additional $25,000 in matching funds will come from Valentine and Cherry county.
• Valley County Youth Initiative will receive $17,000 to help attract and retain area youth. Valley County Economic Development prepared the application on behalf of Valley county and the city of Ord. The city and Loup Valley’s Rural Public Power District will provide matching funds.
• Chase-Perkins Hometown Competitiveness Program will receive $9,000 do continue a program that identifies issues that affect the ability to attract and grow the local youth population, and helps develop and sustain leadership development programs, charitable giving efforts and entrepreneurship services. Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment prepared the application on behalf of the southwest Nebraska region. Great Plains Communications and the cities of Grant and Imperial will contribute matching funds.
• Tri-Edge, the Cambridge/McCook Entrepreneur Development Program, will receive $4,000 to help enhance economic development efforts by offering a new entrepreneurship development program. Cambridge Economic Development prepared the application on behalf of the cities. Several partners including the Cambridge & McCook Economic Development Councils, local business owners and chambers of commerce, Rotary Clubs and individuals will provide matching funds.
• Building the Future of Medicine Valley will receive $30,600 to increase the tax base of the area and help attract and maintain businesses, students and families within the designated school districts. The Medicine Valley Economic Development Corporation (MVEDC) and city of Curtis prepared the application on behalf of partnering groups including: Frontier County, the villages of Maywood, Stockville and Moorefield, Medicine Creek Chamber of Commerce, Medicine Valley Schools, Maywood Public Schools, and Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. MVEDC, Free Land Partners, and Curtis’ LB 840 funding will provide the match for the project.
• Western Nebraska Entrepreneurial Initiative will receive $28,000 to create a program that will provide education and technical assistance for young small business owners and entrepreneurs. Twin Cities Development prepared the application on behalf of towns and organizations pledging to contribute matching funding, including: Scotts Bluff county, the cities of Scottsbluff, Gering, Bridgeport, and Mitchell, Twin Cities Development, Western Nebraska Community College, and the village of Morrill.

Leadership Plenty Graduation

The Leadership Plenty Class met for the last time on 2-28-06, for their graduation from the class. Members graduating from the Perkins / Chase County area class were: Tim Moore, Brian Long, Shaun Meyer, Jayson Bishop, Spencer Neely, Cory Schuller, Dave Vapenik, Joe Morris, Tammy Delatour, Rod Ready, Allison Sandman, Tony Cribelli, Cyndi Weiss, Lisa Haskins, Amos Davis, Rev. Kay Alnor, Francisca Morales, & Cathy Weiss.

Our final session consisted of two topics, Evaluation and Strategic Communication. Presenters were Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, University of Nebraska Extension, and Connie Francis, University of Nebraska Rural Initiative.

Both Evaluation and Strategic Communication play an important role in developing and following through with a plan.

Most people think of evaluation as being done at the end of a project. What needs to occur, however, is evaluation throughout the project. The reasons for evaluating are to see results, see progress toward results, to identify opportunities, make adjustments and to learn and grow. Cheryl reminded us of the saying ‘If you don’t know where you are going…how will you know when you get there?’ Cheryl began our session with having us try to draw both sides of a penny from memory. Even though we all see and use pennies on a daily basis, none of us could replicate all of the details on a penny. Upon further study of an actual penny, with a magnifying glass, there were details that we didn’t even know existed. On the side of the penny with the Lincoln Memorial Building, there is a very small etching of Lincoln in the middle of the pillars, and there is a very tiny ‘FG’ off to the right of the steps. Another realization that we take it for granted. ‘We see it, but we don’t really look at it’. The point being, in order to make improvements, we sometimes have to look at things in a different way.

Our next task was to evaluate 3 different kinds of cookies. In this process, we learned that everyone looks at things differently. Some of the class studied the packages, some went only by taste, price, appearance, number of cookies in a package, number of chocolate chips, the crowd that the cookies would be intended for, easiness of preparation, texture, etc…All of this about COOKIES! This particular activity pointed out how different we are in our perspectives about details.

We then divided into several small groups addressing the three top things we see as problems in our communities that must be addressed if our small communities are going to survive; Jobs, rural to urban migration and an attractive community. We then all evaluated the topics with things we would EXPECT to see, LIKE to see and would LOVE to see. These had to be measurable, though, and detailed. These were in direct relation to the different levels of change in a community; Change behavior, change knowledge/skills, and change values/conditions/status. As you can see by the progression of these particular changes, they become more complex, but if the first change occurs the others will fall into place. ‘If we create jobs and a community that attracts people, the rural to urban migration problem will resolve itself.’

Strategic Communication is something that we all need to learn to do. If you use strategic communication you will raise visibility, build credibility, attract needed resources and engage others to help. An idea always begins with a small group of people with an idea, but there is no way to accomplish it without the assistance from others. If you are trying to create an effective message it must be clear, concise, truthful, and visually interesting. It should also identify an audience, in other words, be specific to the group it is trying to reach. Connie suggested the use of ‘people stories’, which often touch the heart. And, of course include contact information. In our small groups we listed all of the ways we could think of to advertise ideas, and we came up with 115 in 5 minutes!

We would like to thank everyone who made it possible for us to attend this class. Our sponsors were: Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation, City of Grant, Great Plains Communications, Ted Tietjen, Perkins County Chamber of Commerce, City of Imperial, Adams Bank of Imperial, Imperial Public Power District, Lied Imperial Public Library and the Chase County Development Corporation. Our presenters were: Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, University of Nebraska Extension Community Development Specialist; Randy Cantrell, University of Nebraska Extension Community Development Specialist; Leslie Crandall, University of Nebraska Extension Educator; Connie Francis, University of Nebraska Rural Initiative Educator; Dennis Kahl, University of Nebraska Extension Educator; Barbara Schmidt, University of Nebraska Extension Educator and Phyllis Schoenholz, University of Nebraska Extension Educator. We would also like to say a special thanks to Ann Burge for arranging this class for us.

Leadership Plenty was developed by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change and is sponsored locally by the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation, City of Grant and City of Imperial.

Article submitted by Shaun R. Meyer RN.

Leadership Plenty Trip to the Capital

Leadership Plenty Trip to the Capital
2-2-06

Approximately 47 members of Leadership Plenty Groups across the state met at the Capital in Lincoln on Thursday, February 2, 2006. There were Leadership Plenty groups from Butler, Seward-Polk, Thayer-Nuckolls, Perkins and Chase Counties. Those in attendance from the Perkins/Chase County group were Joe Morris, Shaun Meyer, Brian Long, Lisa Haskins, and Dave Vapenik. Instructors Dennis Kahl, Connie Francis & Phyllis Schoenholz were also in attendance, along with Ann Burge from SWNCBC.

Our tour started in the Warner Chamber, where we organized our groups for photos with Governor Dave Heineman. We were honored with a few minutes of Governor Heineman’s time as he spoke of the value of our small communities, and with pride the ‘best state to live in.’ He encouraged the Leadership Plenty classes in what we are trying to accomplish, as many small voices are powerful. We were given time to ask Governor Heineman questions. Topics of discussion that arose were regarding Homeland Security, terroristic threat, animal ID, methamphetamines, the Business Advantage Tier, and Governor Heineman’s perspective on Home Health Care.

We then were allowed to view the Unicameral in action.

We then gathered for a session with Laverne Barrett, who spoke on ‘What’s Beyond Leadership Plenty’, and left us with two very good points: 1) ‘If what you are proposing is quality, it shouldn’t be a problem’, and 2) ‘You don’t have a right to criticize if you won’t get involved’.

We ate lunch with our Area Senators: Baker, Combs, Stuhr, Kremer, and Langemeier. There is great concern about the 36 Senators that will term out in the next 2 years.

We met Dorothy Anderson, who is the Constituent Services Director and has been with Senator Hagel since 1997, and Josh Moening, who is a Field Representative for Congressman Jeff Fortenberry.

We then had the chance to tour the Capital.

Our next Leadership Plenty Session will be held in Imperial on February 28, 2006, where our group will graduate from the Leadership Plenty Class.

Perkins County High School Survey Complete

The Perkins County Schools used a web service called Zoomerang to conduct the Youth Committee's survey. 135 responses came back which has to be close to 100%. The results have been downloaded to an Excel Spreadsheet and printed copies are available.

Here are the results of the question " What would you like to see change to make Perkins County a more desirable place to live/return to?"

A big population growth and more stored and paved roads put in
A growing community with people coming into the area instead of leaving.
A large business coming into Perkins County that could bring lots of jobs, and make Perkins County more noticeable.
An addition of businesses that would bolster the local economy and give alum a reason to return and other people a reason to move in.
An increase in business and stores so people wouldn’t have to go long distances to get their supplies.
Better convince for shopping and getting supplies.
Better jobs
Better maintained country roads
Get a fast food chain, like a McDonald’s; I think the double cheeseburger on the dollar menu was the best move they ever made.
Change the Electric Taxes.
Getting more businesses around, and getting more interest in grant for more population.
Have more places to hang out for kids
Have more technology and businesses that people will enjoy
I don't any ideas to make PC a more desirable place.
I don’t know I’ve only lived here for not too long.
I guess just the population needs to grow. I don't like the landscape but you can't change that.
I personally would like to see Perkins County to be bigger. More people to come to this area.
I think having more kid friendly and be able to do lots of stuff then driving around town.
I think it needs to be less crime, drugs, and alcohol. It might also need some cleaning up.
I think that having more businesses with more job opportunities would make it better.
I think that if we brought more of a variety of business to town, we could gain more population.
I think that it would have to gain businesses and population.
I think that Perkins County needs to have a few more places or entertainment, and a lot of the professions that myself and my friends are going into don’t have jobs around Perkins county.
I think that there needs to be more things to do. There's not a whole lot going on in this area.
I think that there should be some bigger businesses. They would bring more people to Perkins County
I think they should have more interesting things to do here in Grant, like better stores and a better, cleaner park. Maybe expand on their services.
I think to make Perkins county a more popular place to live, it would be nice to get more businesses in Grant that a lot of people will like to go to.
I think we should find something else for teens to do. The closest place to go for entertainment is 20 miles away, which could become unsafe.
I would add more lively events for younger people, and give more young family opportunities.
I would find Perkins County more desirable place to live, if it was a bigger communities, and had more opportunities.
I would have more places that people would be attracted to coming to. I would have more businesses or fun activities that people could go to.
I would like it to have more job offerings, and a lot more people to come to Perkins county and live here.
I would like the county to acquire more businesses and more job opportunities.
I would like the houses to be cleaned up and looking nice so people were more interested in living here.
I would like to get bigger and get some fast food places and other stores.
I would like to have Better Opportunities, More People, and Bigger Stores, More fun things for kids.
I would like to see a bigger future for Perkins County
I would like to see a recreational center for the youth. Also if there was more businesses to bring in more people to this town.
I would like to see a way to get more people into the area. To get jobs that most people are interested in.
I would like to see a wider range of job opportunities, and then I would probably return to Perkins County.
I would like to see bigger businesses come and have more things to do. So more people would move here
I would like to see it gain more businesses and when new businesses do come, I want them to be able to maintain the business. I would like to see more job opportunities.
I would like to see more attractions for younger citizens to move to Perkins County.
I would like to see more business and job opportunities
I would like to see more businesses and a few more people living here.
I would like to see more businesses brought in that would help the economy. These businesses should, although, bring in good types of persons.
I would like to see more businesses come in to the area.
I would like to see more businesses coming to Perkins County. I would also like to get more of a nicer lifestyle in Perkins County.
I would like to see more businesses; mainly restaurants because I think that will make people want to come back.
I would like to see more job opportunities for people.
I would like to see more opportunities for teenagers to be active in ways other than sports.
I would like to see more people coming to Perkins County. I would also like to see a growth in businesses in the area.
I would like to see more people involved in the churches and organizations.
I would like to see more small organizations and businesses. I would also like to see more entertainment.
I would like to see Perkins County become a bigger economic opportunity. My plans for the future don't correspond with the small town.
I would like to see Perkins County get bigger and attract more people
I would like to see Perkins County grow in the business part to bring more people in to live.
I would like to see Perkins County have an increase in its youth population, also maybe a clothing store or something. I would like to see this county be not so isolated.
I would like too see it become more technology based
I would love to see more people move in and that means more business needs to be brought o the area.
I would probably like to see more places for kids to hang out. More places to go and have fun.
I would want more stores. More things to do.
I'd like the population to go up, and gain more businesses, and opportunities.
I'd like to see a few more people and businesses come into Perkins County.
If I could change one this it would be something to do like build somewhere to go
If I wanted to see Perkins county change by putting in more businesses that could help other out in getting jobs. That don’t require a high school diploma.
If it had more opportunities for people. Also if their was more businesses like stores around.
It already is desirable it just doesn’t have very many opportunities that aren’t ag related. I love the environment but the economy is low. The people are awesome, the society isn’t I guess.
It is a great place to come back to when you want to raise a family, but until you have a family, it is boring and small. We need more things for kids to do.
It is a small, nice community. Everyone is kind and enjoyable to be around. You can escape from the real world, and the big city crowds, and make your own path out here. It is also a good community to raise children in.
It would be nice if there were more stores and opportunities to get jobs and have fun.
Make it so that there is more money involved in farming.
Maybe a Fast Food chain like McDonalds
Maybe the possibility of more businesses being opened. Also more recreational places that people can go to do fun stuff.
More Business opportunity, Younger population.
More businesses in the community and living area would probably make the community more desirable.
More businesses need to open including some kind of recreation we don't even have a theater. No one moves in, no new businesses, no real point to return except to stay in the same place.
More businesses to make availability of goods and opportunities more likely. Also, have some career options and prepare those who are not going to be involved in Agriculture.
More choices of schooling bigger businesses less meat products more veggies and greens
More economic/social opportunities for young people.
More fast food restaurants, more housing and more businesses.
More food places maybe and somewhere where teens can go and shop or just hang out.
More job Opportunities. More stores and things
More jobs and different activities to do
More of a younger community with younger families.
More opportunities for people to get jobs after school and be able to support a family after they return.
More opportunities such as more small businesses
More or better housing and more services
More people coming to the town and more business growing as well.
More people would have to move to Perkins County for the town to survive. The school has already had to combine with another town. This prob. will happen again later on in life. People need to help their community grow as one.
More places open later for the younger crowd because everything closes around 10 now
More recreational places for entertainment.
More social opportunities
More Stores
More stores that are closer than Ogallala or North Platte
No because the economy of Perkins County is fine the way it is.
Nothing I feel its fine, I just would like to see the world
One younger people. Two more stores so we don’t have to travel to get things
Open more businesses though we may lose these in the future it may bring more people in and one day we may be gaining ground.
Opportunities
People need to move back to Perkins County and open new business that hopefully might help tourism. Fuel prices need to go down so that farmers can afford to farm.
Perkins County needs to add a few more stores like a Wall Mart or something more fun for people to do.
Perkins County needs to establish more places for its youth to go and hang out.
Recreation, water,
Some how make Perkins county a more reliable place to get good and necessities rather than traveling to larger towns.
Start adding more businesses and bring in more job offers and more homes
Take down some of the old houses that nobody lives in. Clean up some of the areas in this town so it doesn't look so trashy.
The addition of some large businesses.
The scenery and landscape around Perkins county is not desirable, and that cannot be changed. I would like to live in a place with mountains and trials and bike paths, rather than flat country roads.
There could be more businesses and places to work. For high school students to work.
There is no way I could make Perkins County more "desirable" without changing the entire look of the community, and I wouldn't want to do that. I like our community the way it is.
Their needs to be more attractions, like shopping options and sports like softball and baseball in school. There are also not many places for people to eat.
Their needs to be more business, like places to eat, or gather, and more shopping in the surrounding area. There is not much to bring kids back here to raise their own families.
Their needs to be more jobs so people would even consider living here.
This county needs more outside of school activities for teenagers. This community also needs to be more open to the idea of letting outside people from other communities start new businesses here.
To be more things to do in Elsie or in Madrid
To maybe have more entertainment and to open back up the bowling alley.
We need more businesses to provide clothing and other services, in order to have people come into the area. The just isn't enough and gas prices keep rising.
We need more opportunities for jobs and more organizations to support our community.
We need to better business and also we need to get a better school system, we also may need to get a clothing store or something like that.
We need to have more businesses and opportunities to bring people to the area.
Well I actually think it’s a perfect county. So I wouldn’t like to see anything change.Yes there should be change to make it a more desirable place to live because it’s not really all that desirable to live in now.

Leadership Plenty ' Moving talk to action'

The Leadership Plenty Class met for session No. 8 on January 24th, at the Lied Library in Imperial, NE.

The speaker was Dennis Kahl from the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, Lincoln. Dennis was also our speaker on December 13th for session No. 6 on ‘Building Strategic Partners.’


The topic of discussion for this session was ‘Moving from Talk to Action.’

‘Moving from Talk to Action’ sounds pretty self-explanatory, but not as easy as it sounds.

Throughout our Leadership Plenty Class we have tried to pinpoint the things in our communities that would encourage growth. We have brainstormed about the general things that we can do to make our communities more attractive to people. We have even looked at the different things in our community that we could change, and figured out WHO could be involved in those changes. But to actually draw up an ACTION plan, that is a different story…

I don’t have to explain this to anyone who has tried to head a community project that had every good intention, but slowly dissipated. Dennis explained that the hardest part of reaching a goal is to actually come up with a detailed plan of action.

Dennis discussed the 3 phases of ‘Moving from Talk to Action.’

‘Phase One: Finding a Starting Point. Phase One involves describing the current situation and the factors contributing to it and deciding, what needs changed? Then, identifying the core values and principles that will guide the group’s work and deciding, what matters most? Then, creating a long term vision describing how the situation ought to be in your community in regards to the issue you are addressing. What should the long term results be?’

‘Phase Two: Mapping the Journey. Phase Two involves research and collecting information about what works. What have other communities done in similar challenges? What works to address this issue? What are effective strategies? Next, build relationships. Who needs to be included in your efforts? In determining who need to be involved, look at who will be most affected by the issue and give them a voice in the issue. We then need to decide what groups or individuals are needed to design and implement the solution. The next step is determining who will do what and when, in other words, define responsibilities and time frames. Part of the research also includes identifying which organizations provide financial support for this type of work. The last part of phase two is to set a time line, establishing interim goals to track progress.’

‘Phase Three: Revising the Course En Route. Phase Three explains the importance of celebrating successes and accomplishments as the project moves along, to sustain and build momentum. At this point, it is also important to put an evaluation of the project in place. With evaluation, you can determine effectiveness and make changes to your Action Plan. This allows the project to continue to be molded and shaped to work for everyone.’

There continues to be some of the same topics coming up within our particular group, such as: Making our communities attractive to young people & the need to reverse rural to urban migration. These topics are easy to write and say, but they involve so much more. The statements are very broad. What we are doing now is trying to determine WHAT would make our community more attractive and HOW do we reverse rural to urban migration?

Leadership Plenty was developed by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change and is sponsored locally by the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation, City of Grant, and City of Imperial.”

The next Leadership Plenty Class will be on February 28th and the Lied Imperial Public Library.

Article submitted by Shaun Meyer.

Al Gunther has submitted the $10,000 BEC Grant Application on behalf of the Chase Perkins HTC Program. If sucessful, there are matching funds available to bring the total amount to $20,000 for HTC ativities in the Chase and Perkins Counties.

Letters of Support came from the City of Grant, City of Imperial, Champion Community Center Board, Village of Madrid, Village of Wauneta, Chase County Development Corporation, Chase County Commissioners, Perkins County Zoning Commission, Imperial Chamber of Commerce, Perkins County Chamber of Commerce, Wauneta Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Community Betterment Corporation, Perkins County Highway Department, Chase County Schools and Imperial Public Power District.

Chase and Perkins County represented at the NCF Summit Meeting in Kearney

We had a very successful and invigorating Nebraska Community Foundation Summit Meeting in Kearney on Friday and Saturday.

The representatives are as follows:

Front row L-R: Becky Uehling- Grant, Leslie Carlholm- Imperial, Carolyn Hall- Wausa, Beth Kollmorgen- Stratton, Peggy McDonald- Stratton, Jane Moreland- Imperial, Jana Jensen- NCF
Back row L-R: Al Gunther- Arnold & GPC, Arlynd Johnson- Wausa, Larry Forch, Jr.- Stratton, Joe Skrivan- Bloomfield, Marvin Large- Imperial, Doug Friedli- NCF
Not pictured- Lori Pankonin and Elna Johnson- Imperial

Leadership Plenty "Putting Community Development Resources to Work"

Leadership Plenty met Tuesday, January 10, 2006 from 1-5 pm mountain time at the Midwest Electric Community Room. This was Session 7, titled "Putting Community Development Resources to Work".

Area resource providers came in and discussed what their organization could offer the Chase/Perkins county area and gave scenarios of programs that they have assisted with.

The presenters were: Kevin Poppe, District Manager-Great Plains Communications; Tara Hosick, Business Development Specialist-Nebraska Department of Economic Development; Brian Vasa-Economic Development Specialist-Nebraska Public Power District; Roger Stockton, Coordinator-Southwest RC&D; Connie Francis, Extension Educator-UNL Rural Initiative; and Corrinne Pedersen, Manager of Membership Development-NMPP.

Leadership Plenty ' Building Strategic Partners'

Leadership Plenty
December 13, 2005
Dennis Kahl, University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, Lincoln

The Leadership Plenty Class met for session #6 on December 13th in Imperial. Our speaker was Dennis Kahl from the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, Lincoln. The topic of discussion was ‘Building Strategic Partners’. Communities have begun to realize that in the attempt to solve deep-seated problems they cannot do it alone. In the process of narrowing the focus on specific problems the ‘big picture’ often gets lost, and efforts are fragmented. All of the many issues in a community need addressed, but if the community doesn’t work together, there is often a very minimal impact. Our session addressed the remedy for this community dilemma through strategic partnerships.

Partnership is ‘the cooperative relationship between two or more parties for the benefit of both or the greater good. In a community, partnerships are formed between individuals, organizations, and agencies that want to combine forces for a better result and have a notion that their own interests could be furthered by working with others’.

The idea of forming partnerships is an attractive notion for a community, but often times the community does not know how to go about forming one, and how to keep the momentum going once it is formed. The idea is to take several groups and develop goals together, instead of everyone taking a different route. We are all in need of knowledge, skills and resources that we do not have, and we all possess knowledge, skills and resources that someone else may need. The designated leaders of the group must learn to understand group dynamics, as well as manage and capitalize on conflict. Building partnerships takes time.

Dennis shared the video ‘Everyday Creativity’ with us that depicted Dewitt Jones, who is the photographer for National Geographic Magazine. This very beautiful and inspiring video was hosted by Dewitt Jones himself. He challenged us to ‘look at the ordinary, and see the extraordinary’. Dewitt said ‘we all have a passion for something, how can we make our lives and work extraordinary?’ As an example from his photography profession, ‘the lens we choose can change the perspective. There is always another perspective in everything we do. Break the pattern, embrace change, don’t fear it’. Dewitt challenged each of us to ‘not be afraid to make mistakes, break the pattern and reframe problems into opportunities’.

Dennis then had us divide into groups to discuss the biggest problems facing each of our communities. We then gathered our problems together and chose the top three issues affecting each of our communities. The top 3 issues are: 1) Job creation /retention/diversity/opportunity; 2) Rural to Urban migration; & 3) Creating a community that attracts people.

In conclusion, we need to strive to develop an attractive community with significant job opportunities that young people would want to come back to, and that, in itself will take the work and initiative of the whole community.

Leadership Plenty was developed by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change and is sponsored locally by the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation, City of Grant, and City of Imperial.

The next session of Leadership Plenty will be January 10, 2006 in Grant.
Article submitted by Shaun Meyer RN.