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Implementing a regional plan is a big undertaking, but that’s the beauty of tackling it together! A network of partners and resources working from the exact blueprint and sharing the workload will get you further faster. Similarly, a blueprint designed with attainable, incremental deliverables offers the potential for wins along the way toward a realized vision.

first things first: establish a network of partners and resources

establish Regional and Local PowerUP Committees

Regional: Developing and executing a comprehensive regional plan is a big task that requires the focused attention of local leaders and the broader public’s support and perspective. For this reason, it is recommended that the PCRPPD invite the community partners recognized through Phase 1 of this process as Steering Committee members to transition as members of the PowerUP Committee. This core group will serve as the driving force behind the regional plan’s ideation, planning, and implementation. The core group should be small but mighty—one or two representatives per community.

Local: Like building the regional committee, each PowerUP Committee member should create a local cohort of community leaders to facilitate planning in each of the six communities. The PowerUP Committee members will serve as community advocates, sharing local ideas and agendas with the larger regional team

learn about the state’s Leadership Certified Community designation

The Nebraska Department of Development invites communities to participate in the Leadership Certified Community (LCC) program. This program provides smaller communities with helpful resources, including a roadmap or outline of activities that help them become better organized for future growth and development. The designation “unlocks” different resources and opportunities from the state.

The PowerUP Committee could host a workshop or training session with Kelly Gewecke, the LCC Program Coordinator, to learn more about how to plug into this resource.

thinking long-term: strengthen community infrastructure

Sustainable economic growth requires a strong foundation of essential services. Communities interested in retaining and growing their population must provide adequate public infrastructure and access to critical services for overall community health.

Atlas Community Studios has partnered with the Polk County Rural Public Power District (PCRPPD) to develop strategic plan recommendations for Clarks, Polk, Osceola, Silver Creek, and Stromsburg.

Plug in to PowerUP!

housing: offer an adequate supply of housing to meet current and future District needs

Even the most exciting, attractive community in the world won’t succeed without the housing needed to maintain or grow a population. Build an additional 30 – 50 rental units and single-family homes in varying price points throughout the region using sustainable, scalable development models.

create an inventory of abandoned, blighted, dilapidated properties

Housing was called out as the critical need to support growth in each of the six communities. Similarly, the most significant obstacle to growth was identified as blight, particularly regarding housing. Neglected properties send a message about community pride, the value of place, and commitment to the future.

A vacant property inventory is a tool that can be used to identify, catalog, and prioritize challenging properties throughout each of the communities. A prioritized inventory can be aligned with a strategic redevelopment plan that can be used to inform policy, attract capital resources, and spur effective neighborhood stabilization.

Build a blighted property inventory

explore and adopt a scalable housing model for each community

A recommended model for rural housing solutions is to adopt a locally-driven, scaled approach that tracks supply and demand. There are many different options to try, and the appropriate answer might be different in each community. Examples of creative, scalable housing solutions include:

The incremental redevelopment of vacant, blighted homes (possibly in partnership with the Omaha Land Bank)
The development of a housing development group, funded and operated by community members (and community lenders)
The addition of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to single-family lots as rentals
The residential reuse of vacant upper floors in downtown commercial spaces

education: support educators and investments in local school districts and training facilities to secure rank and reputation throughout the state

People often choose where to live based on access to education. Based on community feedback, this region has a reputable school district. The PowerUP District promises to increase access to education and promote existing assets.

develop partnerships and initial programming in support of the PowerUP Workforce + Entrepreneurial Training Program

Workforce development is a priority for government and industry leaders across Nebraska. There are established organizations and institutions with current plans to continue the education and retraining of the state’s next workforce. The opportunity to develop programs in multiple locations across Nebraska increases access to education.

Possible partners to support the development of the PowerUP Training Program could include (but are not limited to):

The Career Pathways Program
the State Chamber of Commerce
Nebraska Workforce
Central Community College
Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association

Proposed programming associated with the PowerUP Workforce + Entrepreneurial Training Program could include:

AgriTech Workforce Hub

Introduce a robust hands-on educational model that serves as a bridge between education and employment. Students will learn to build and apply technological solutions to move the food and ag sectors forward, adding value to local companies hiring program graduates.

Skilled Trades Training Program

For the past several decades, the gap between skilled trade workers and the supply has steadily increased in the United States. A trade school designed to train students in a skilled trade career would attract new populations while creating downstream economic opportunities for direct local impact. In addition to more traditional training tracks, “Community Action Studios” could be established, matching programmatic training to local projects turning catalyst projects in each of the six communities into real-world learning laboratories.

Entrepreneurship Assistance Center

A centrally located Entrepreneurship Assistance Center would provide a one-stop, full-service center serving the PowerUP District entrepreneurs through rigorous training and project-based coaching. Through strategic collaborative partnerships, the Center will give entrepreneurs the training, resources, and tools they need to benefit from running their own successful small business.

Action steps to get the ball rolling include:

Introduce this workforce training model to identified partners to gauge interest and support
Development of Small Business Bootcamp Event, designed to provide local training and support to entrepreneurs, promoting business growth in the six communities (include a $10K business start-up award and a downtown commercial lease option to the winning business plan)
Explore incentive programs to encourage existing businesses to offer competitive wages or internships or incentivize a college grad to start a local business.

identify possible program locations and pursue project and programmatic funding

Sites may be needed in each community, in some of the communities, or one central location. Vacant commercial buildings or vacant schools could be adapted to provide classrooms and training space, intergenerational care facilities, cafes, and other compatible community services. This can be explored by the PowerUP Committee and determined by broader community support and input.

To get started:

Utilize the prioritized vacant properties inventory (as recommended in the housing section) to select potential project sites
Work with the PowerUP Committee and program partners to identify and secure funding sources to support the workforce development component.
Work with the PowerUP Committee and program partners to identify and secure funding sources to support the property development component.

quality of life: strengthen the local economy and build community investment through ongoing business development and community engagement

An initial focus on improving the quality of life through business development responds to several issues highlighted in the public feedback. It represents local job creation, an increase to the tax base, the population of vacant storefronts, and a commitment to community identity.

host some events

Plan and host ONE new community event to celebrate your town
Design and Launch a Small Business Boot Camp fueled by local resources and designed to create a regional business network for mentorship and collaboration.

This program should include three components:

Small Business Boot Camp

A seven-week program introducing entrepreneurs to the concepts and practices necessary for business success. Programming should be designed to support the development of a business plan.

Small Business Resource Summit

Host an event featuring local, state, and federal agencies and small micro-business providers, including providers of loans, grants, and technical and education services. This will create an opportunity to learn about the many resources available to help folks start and operate a successful small business.

Entrepreneurs Cafe

Host a community-supported crowd-funding event. “Graduates” of the Small Business Boot Camp are invited to present business concepts that would positively impact the region. Then, attendees vote on their favorite, and the winner gets the money collected via admission.

support new and existing businesses through collaborative promotion and problem-solving

Small business owners in the PowerUP District face challenges in accessing financing options, finding and retaining a talented workforce, and obtaining the training and technical assistance they need to sustain and grow their businesses successfully. A proactive, collaborative stance on supporting regional entrepreneurs will help strengthen the economy. Efforts to provide cooperative support include:

Develop a Regional Entrepreneurship Network: a set of entrepreneurs, organizations, and residents working together to ensure that entrepreneurs get the support they need to start up and flourish.
Establish a regional marketing tool to promote businesses and events across all six communities

internet: secure reliable, equitable broadband services for all

Internet connectivity has long been recognized as an essential resource for effective participation in society, and the public overwhelmingly agrees that broadband is essential and should be treated as a utility. Any community looking for a fighting chance at retaining and growing the population must provide this critical infrastructure.

explore partnerships and opportunities for creating a local, regional telecom

While the State of Nebraska has not yet adopted legislation allowing power districts or co-ops to serve as internet providers, communities can support the PCRPPD in their efforts to find creative solutions for increasing area access to broadband. Additionally, public-private partnerships could be formed, opening the door to a larger number of resources for building infrastructure. Getting started could include the following:

Confirm the business case for this service
Identify local parties who might be interested in starting a telecommunication company to deploy broadband to the region.
Register interested parties in the Small Business Boot Camp.

identify partners and resources to support a local, regional telecom

Make a list of local, regional, and state partners to help explore and support this vision (partners could include Nebraska Broadband, state legislators, extension services, etc)
Explore the USDA ReConnect program, which offers resources to support start-ups in this industry

According to an April 2021 article in the Omaha World Herald, 80,000 of Nebraska’s rural residents lack internet that delivers speeds of 25/3 (25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload), a speed described by the federal government as barely adequate today and inadequate for future uses.

transportation infrastructure: establish a consistent, regional transportation system connecting assets, employment, and educational resources in each of the six communities

A hallmark of rural living is that with smaller populations and limited resources, sharing is very much a way of life. Small towns often can’t offer all of the preferred amenities and services on their own, but with a well-connected transportation system, small towns can work together to leverage individual strengths and resources, making the region more desirable and more economically stable.

assess existing available transportation systems/options

Collaborative transportation connects all residents of rural communities to a robust system of employment, education, health care, child care, recreation, and other activities of daily life.

Identify current organizations, agencies, businesses offering public transportation services in your community (Butler County Transport Service, Nance Trans, Midland, etc.)
Identify resources in each of the six communities that could be shared (pools, parks, theaters, bars, medical facilities, etc.)
Compare transportation service schedules with community interests/needs and identify gaps or opportunities for increased service

develop operating agreements with existing systems to improve connectivity OR develop business model(s) for new transit system option(s)

Access to safe, reliable, affordable, and convenient transportation improves the livability of rural communities and the quality of life for rural residents. Informed by the findings of the assessment, next steps could include:

Establish a “community resource route” with designated stops
Identify funding sources/models to sustain the regional program
Develop service agreements with existing transportation systems or explore the development of new models to meet regional needs
Develop a program brand and promotional tool to establish and grow ridership

medical:ensure availability of and access to medical care for all ages and stages of life

Access to health services affects a person’s health and well-being. This access also shapes the desirability of a place for new businesses and new residents. It’s essential to understand the system that is serving your community, so it can be utilized, celebrated, and promoted, as well as improved, if needed.

conduct a community health needs assessment to help the region determine needs and advocate for improvement

The assessment identifies factors that impact a population’s health and the resources available to help resolve these issues.

Identify partners to conduct a healthcare needs assessment. Often, state colleges and universities, public health departments, regional hospitals, or extension services will provide technical assistance to complete this work; OR
Conduct a healthcare needs assessment through joint community efforts. There are plenty of resources available to guide community groups through this process, it’s not difficult, but it is a commitment of time.

explore program models for supplemental healthcare options, if needed

The needs assessment and related asset mapping exercises recommended above reveal the various healthcare facilities and programs operating within the Polk County Rural Public Power District footprint. If this completed process exposed any existing vulnerabilities or service gaps, the following recommended steps are:

Match the area’s unmet needs with desired outcomes
Connect with local rural hospital representatives to share the results of the needs assessment and the list of desired outcomes
Begin exploring different models of care that could be strengthened or implemented throughout the region