Business development support available from RC&D
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- In addition to land and natural resource conservation, the Sandhills Resource Conservation and Development Council helps communities with economic and business development, said RC&D coordinator, Bob Broweleit at an extension value-added conference.
Assistance comes in four main areas, he said. Since the RC&D program is administered by the Natural Resource Conservation Service, one of it’s main focuses is natural resource concerns. The volunteer council also works in three other main areas.
- It helps communities meet infrastructure needs.
- It assists in community and regional economic development.
- It aids in tourism development.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides Broweleit’s expertise, as well as office and planning services to help revitalize rural communities. When the council works with a community, it helps survey those communities, their needs and resources. Then it works with community leaders to develop a project or projects to meet those needs.
Individual assistance available
Although the council works mostly with other organizations, it has hosted EDGE classes to help individuals write business plans. It also hosted business development training with Mid-Plains Community College.
Housing rehabilitation
Through survey work and needs assessments, the council discovered that the six upper north counties of the Sandhills RC&D lacked livable, affordable housing. The council helped communities in those counties to develop a housing rehabilitation program.
Tourism marketing
The council works with the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway on several projects, particularly marketing, Broweleit said. The mission is to improve the visitor experience along Highway 2 and help communities with economic development.
Information
For more information, go to the Sandhills Resource Conservation and Development Council or Resource Conservation and Development Association, for information about statewide concerns.
