Determined to Thrive:
A strong and active attendance at the NREDA Annual Conference proves rural developers are committed to building healthy, viable communities. To keep all NREDA members abreast of issues discussed at the conference, the Rural Developer will include summaries of conference presentations and links to pertinent Web sites throughout upcoming issues. Check our rural development briefs below for articles covering keynote speakers and award winners.

New Officers:
NREDA's officers for the coming year include Dennis Mingyar, South Central Power Co., OH, president; Loren Medley, Kansas Electric Power Co-op, KS, first vice-president; Stan Rice, Pioneer Communications, KS, second vice-president; and Sherry Rose, Wabash Valley Power Association, IN; secretary-treasurer. Past president is LaDonna Boyd, Dakota Electric Association, MN; NREDA directors are Henry Fischer, East Central Energy, MN; Pat Merritt, Georgia Electric Membership Corp., GA; Dorrene Benthin, GVNW Consulting, OR; Bruce Hensley, North Central Missouri Electric Co-op, MO; Rick Nelsen, Nebraska Public Power District, NE; Rick Whalen, Central Iowa Development Group, IA; Stan Williamson, Santee Electric Cooperative, SC; and Eugene Williams, Berkeley Electric Co-op, SC. Ex-officio board members are Bob McLaury, CFC; Adam Schwartz, NRTC; Jane Marden, NRECA; and Darren Pittman, NTCA. Find e-mail addresses and contact info for your directors on the NREDA Web site at http://www.nreda.org.

NREDA Password:
To access to NREDA's Member's Only section where you will find several conference updates, remember the following: User name: NREDA. Password: MEMBER.

Honoring Development Leaders:
NREDA honors rural leaders for significant accomplishments and contributions to rural development at the annual conference. The recipient of the Economic Developer of the Year is Hal Johnson, Orangeburg County Development Commission, South Carolina. Recipient of the Rural Leadership award is Marci Penner, Kansas Sampler Foundation. NREDA also recognized several members for excellence in economic development communications and promotional materials. FULL STORY >>

The Changing Rural Scene:
Rural America faces two possible futures-one of promise or decline. Are we moving toward a rural "tipping point" or straight into the eye of the perfect rural storm? According to Chuck Fluharty, director of the Rural Policy Research Institute and keynote speaker at the NREDA Annual Conference, both are possible in the next five to seven years. The outcome depends on...FULL STORY >>

Faith In Action:
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is offering Faith in Action grants of up to $35,000 along with technical assistance to help rural coalitions assist residents with long-term health conditions. Deadlines to apply for 2004 grants are February 1, June 1 and October 1. Faith in Action is actively seeking new grant applications with particular emphasis on underserved areas such as the rural community. GET INFO>>

Bikes Belong:
Bikes Belong: Encourage bicycling in your community by establishing trails and facilities. Bikes Belong is accepting requests for funding of up to $10,000 for facility and education projects that promote bicycling in communities. GET INFO>>

Healthcare Grants:
The Network Development Planning Grant program provides one-year funding to integrate healthcare in rural communities. $75,000 to $100,000 is available to fund 10 to 15 grants. GET INFO>>

Rural Housing:
USDA's Rural Housing Service offers $6 million in grants to rural non-profits and low-income rural community organizations to improve housing and community facilities. Electric cooperatives are not eligible for these funds, but share this information with your community development partners. Deadline to apply is October 28, 2003. GET INFO>>

Barriers to Community Building:
My Board Doesn't Get It
By Rebecca Ryan, Next Generation Consulting

Community initiatives start with good intentions and energized people. How do they get sidetracked? In this first article of a four-part series, Rebecca Ryan offers sound advice for dealing with boards, councils and community building committees who may or may not "get" the principles that encourage vital community growth. FULL STORY>>

The Rural Developer E-Bulletin is published
monthly for members of the
National Rural Economic Developers Association
431 East Locust Street, Suite 300 • Des Moines, IA 50309
Tele: 515-284-1421 • FAX 515-243-2049
E-mail: director@nreda.org or staff@nreda.org

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