The NREDA Annual Conference is a unique power-packed design of mobile classrooms, general sessions, panel discussions, and breakout sessions presented by industry leaders. Topics include real-life economic development success stories and out-of-the-box thinking strategies sure to offer creative solutions to common industry challenges.

The value exceeds the cost! Registration also includes full access to speakers, sessions, mobile classrooms, panels, breakfasts, luncheons, and networking receptions.

The NREDA Membership Committee has set their goals for the year and is calling for your help.

The committee is targeting new members from telcos and states with low membership numbers.

The NREDA member that recruits the most new members in either of these categories will be awarded in a grand way at the Annual Conference this fall in Albuquerque.

Rural Community & Economic Development Consulting

I have held positions with local, non-profit, and regional community & economic development organizations.

Enhancing people's hometowns for a sustainable future.

Broaden community & economic development knowledge through networking, professional development, and conferences.

As a rural community, we want to build on our assets. We focus on business retention, small business entrepreneurs, and quality of place.

Bachelor's of Science, eight years in economic development for Parke County, previously worked in customer relations and project management.

The people I meet and taking concepts to reality. Our rural community is strongly focused and community development.

Creating opportunities that fit our very rural communities. Building on existing assets.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA and the University of Kentucky’s Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky unveiled a free digital toolkit to help rural leaders build placemaking plans in small towns and communities across America.

“When rural people thrive, all America thrives. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring rural Americans can build a good life and succeed in the communities they love,” Torres Small said. “That takes investment in the physical, digital, and social infrastructure that builds and strengthens successful communities. Physical infrastructure like roads, bridges, dams, and waterways, provides a foundation for safety and opportunity. With high-speed internet and other digital infrastructure, rural people can connect to learning, job opportunities, and markets around the world. When combined with social infrastructures, like good schools, health clinics, public parks, community organizations, and cultural venues, rural places can thrive. USDA is a proud partner to rural communities investing in their futures.”

Through this interactive toolkit, rural leaders can conduct assessments to determine their community’s readiness for placemaking activities. The toolkit includes examples of placemaking projects based on a community’s readiness that rural leaders can replicate in their communities.

The toolkit also will help rural leaders identify national and regional technical assistance providers, funders, and resource guides to implement rural placemaking activities in their communities. Regional and national technical assistance providers and funding organizations may request to be added to the toolkit’s directory.

NRECA's monthly podcast is focused on the important stories from across co-op country about the issues that matter most to rural America and the energy industry.

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.

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!