NREDA News Brief | December 2022

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President's Message

This is my farewell column as President and with it comes some reflections and challenges for you all.

First of importance to rural America is the FCC Map Challenge. You may have seen some information on this already. Getting our constituent bases to go online (broadbandmap.fcc.gov) and challenge the FCC broadband availability map helps define geographically where the NTIA broadband grants will go. The deadline for the challenge is January 13, 2023. While updates after the deadline will continue to refine availability maps, it won’t have an impact on this round of funding coming out in the summer of 2023.

Don’t forget NREDA is transitioning to Accent on Management as their management company. During this first quarter there will be some hiccups as we complete the transition on the backside and the facing side of the organization. There will also be some great changes which will better serve you as the member.

Some reflections on the year. Your organization has a great leadership group rising through the ranks. David Cleveland as President is a strong leader with focus to build the membership and provide NREDA members with the services they expect and deserve. Thank you to those who serve in your leadership roles for their support of the organization in 2022.

Think globally, act locally. There are great ideas out there and lots of opportunity. You are the conduit in your community to bring those big ideas into local focus and action. Use your NREDA connections to make it happen.

Finally, have grace and forgiveness, to those you meet AND yourself. We have all fallen short in expectations at one time or another. Give grace, forgive, and move on to make a positive impact on your section of the world. Time is too short to carry the heavy burden of guilt and unmet expectations.

My last quote to ponder by C.S. Lewis: “Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth 'thrown in': aim at Earth and you will get neither.”

Have a great 2023.

Dan Boysel, 2022 NREDA President

NREDA Has Moved!

Just a reminder that NREDA has moved, and we are working on a new website and online membership database that will launch in February. We appreciate your patience during this period of transition.

An email regarding membership renewals was sent to you from our new email address (nreda@assnoffices.com) regarding your membership renewal. If you have not received this information, please contact our office at nreda@assnoffices.com or 614-228-4706. Thank you!

NREDA

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NREDA Rural Economic Development Leadership Awards

Leslye Krampe

Leslye Krampe, Manager for Economic Development for Big Rivers Electric Corporation in Henderson, Kentucky received the 2022 Rural Economic Development Leadership Award for outstanding leadership in the field of rural economic development.

“Leslye has led efforts to bring broadband internet access to thousands of Kentuckians through endless hours of lobbying the Kentucky General Assembly in addition to being the point of contact for economic development projects interested in opportunities in Western Kentucky.” Stated Dennis Mingyar, NREDA Awards Committee Chair. “Through her efforts, rural Kentuckians are now able to close the digital divide as well as find employment efforts in the communities she serves.”

Bethany Dentler, CEcD

Bethany Dentler, CEcD from Medina County Economic Development Corporation in Medina Ohio received the 2022 Rural Economic Development Leadership Award for outstanding leadership in the field of rural economic development.

“Bethany was the mastermind behind the public-private partnership on a broadband demonstration project in Medina County that will serve all LMRE rural cooperative members with fiber optic broadband, preparing the community for future growth.” Stated Dennis Mingyar, NREDA Awards Committee Chair. “She has exemplified patience, passion and determination in her support of rural Ohio development and is a sought-after contributor to the field of economic devlopment.”

NREDA Organizational Excellence Award

DRIVE, An Economic Council of Governments in Danville, Pennsylvania.

DRIVE, An Economic Council of Governments in Danville, Pennsylvania received the 2022 Organization Excellence Award for implementing a successful rural economic development program for their area.

“DRIVE recognized the lack of access to broadband in their area and in response collaborated with county officials in the Central Susquehanna Region of Pennsylvania to design and build a carrier-grade wireless broadband network to reach unserved and underserved businesses and residences.” Stated Dennis Mingyar, NREDA Awards Committee Chair.

Dennis Mingyar and Kailah Schmitz Honored with NREDA President's Award

Dennis Mingyar, NREDA Past President and Awards Chair and Kailah Schmitz, NREDA Executive Director received the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA) President’s Award for outstanding support and commitment to rural economic development.

The President's Award recognizes an individual's dedication and leadership to Rural America and the National Rural Economic Developers Association, as evidenced by a commitment of unending time, talent and expertise, and a vision for rural economic growth. This award is selected by the current NREDA President.

NREDA 2023 Board of Directors Ratified at Annual Meeting

The 2023 NREDA Board of Directors was ratified by the NREDA membership at the 2022 NREDA Annual Meeting held at the NREDA Annual Convention in Albuquerque, NM.

Your 2023 NREDA Leaders are:

President David Cleveland, Jackson EMC, GA

First Vice President Brittany Dickey, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, IA

Second Vice President Lisa Hurley, York County Development Corporation, NE

Secretary-Treasurer Kathy Grasz, Lorain Medina Rural Electric, OH

Immediate Past President Dan Boysel, Consolidated Cooperative, OH

Director Brian Anderson, Wabash Valley Power Association, IN

Director Beth Bilyeu, Forest City Economic Development, IA

Director Jennifer Wakeman, DRIVE, PA

Director Allie Bennet, Northeast Missouri Electric Power Coop, MO

Director JD Lowery, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, AR

Director Shawnna Silvius, PCED, Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, NE

Director Karla Organist, CEcD, University of Northern Iowa - Institute for Decision Making, IA

Director Brad Thomas, Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, KY

Director Kris Williams, Ozarks Electric Cooperative Corp., AR

Ex-Officio Scott Bialick, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, VA

Ex-Officio Josh Seidemann, NTCA-the Rural Broadband Association, VA

Ex-Officio Jan Ahlen, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC), VA

Rural Broadband Providers Increasing Speeds on Fiber Networks, Annual NTCA Report Finds

For Immediate Release

Contact: Laura Withers, 703-351-2087, lwithers@ntca.org

Arlington, Va., (December 5, 2022)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today released its “2022 Broadband/Internet Availability Survey Report,” highlighting the ongoing efforts of rural broadband providers to deliver better broadband services to rural Americans.

“At a time when there’s so much focus on how to reach millions of rural Americans still awaiting quality broadband access, this survey highlights how NTCA members have led the charge to date in delivering on this promise for so many and the tremendous work they continue to do to close remaining gaps,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “I’m proud to share that our small, community-based providers have risen to meet this broadband moment again in 2022, delivering affordable, high-speed connectivity to some of the hardest to reach areas. Our members are poised and ready to keep up this momentum in 2023, and we think they provide a remarkable blueprint for how best to tackle outstanding challenges in rural broadband.”

Job Posting

Director of Economic Development

The incumbent is appointed by the Allegany County Board of Legislators and performs work under the supervision of the County Administrator with wide leeway allowed for the use of independent judgment in the performance of job duties and tasks.

Continue reading here.

Action Items

We Need Our Member's Help!

What are your success stories? We want to share them for future posts on social media and brag about our members! Email Jay Buchholz at jay.buchholz@siouxvalleyenergy.com.

#NREDA

Don't forget when posting on social media to use the hashtag #NREDA when sharing your stories! This way we can spread it to all of our members!

Upcoming Events

2023 Webinars

Looks for more information soon.

NREDA Annual Conference

November 8-10, 2023 | Myrtle Beach, SC