Welcome

Welcome to the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative!

The mission of the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative is to focus the knowledge, skills and creativity of the four campuses--Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha and the Medical Center--on stabilizing and enhancing the economy and quality of life in nonmetropolitan Nebraska. The goals of the Rural Initiative are to:

-- Connect Nebraskans with knowledge relevant to building their futures
-- Originate and support research that benefits community, regional and economic development in nonmetropolitan areas of Nebraska, and
-- Spur innovation, investment and wise use of resources to benefit Nebraska.

• University of Nebraska Rural Initiative has moved to Miller Hall.
  
  
• Click here for a map of UNL East Campus.
  Miller Hall does not have an adjacent parking lot. So, when visiting our office, you may park along East Campus Mall in any of 8 Visitor spots or we can issue to you a one-day guest permit. These allow you to park in any Area A lot. The nearest Area A lot is north of the East Campus Union.
  
  
• BECA (Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act) PowerPoint
  The Rural Initiative is collaborating with the Nebraska Rural Development Commission to use BREEZE technology as a new way to provide training for community leaders on how to apply for BECA grants from the State of Nebraska.
  Click above for a PowerPoint presentation with voiceover by Linda Fettig, Director of the Nebraska Rural Development Commission, explaining how communities can apply for BECA grants in two categories -- Planning and Coalition.
  
  
• Rural Initiative research aids western Nebraska marketing plan.
  Research supported by the Rural Initiative, "Moving to the Rural Great Plains: Point of Origin Differences in the Decision Making Process," was cited by the Denver Consulting Firm GBSM in a marketing plan commissioned by the Western Nebraska Development Network to recruit and retain families in the Panhandle.
  
  
• See selected articles on rural issues below.