Niobrara Nebraska from nearby hill

Blog Posts & Stories

What's happening with the Center for Rural Affairs? Find the latest on rural America and our work here.

By Deborah Van Fleet, Public News Service-Nebras ka Please note: Dennis Demmel serves as president of the Center for Rural Affairs Board of Directors. One of the goals included in Nebraska's...
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
El conocimiento empresarial y la calidez de María Dolores Arias Villalpando la han ayudado a convertir su negocio, Laundry Mex, en Grand Island, Nebraska, en un lugar acogedor para los clientes y un próspero centro de negocios para sus inquilinos.
  • Lending
Maria Dolores Arias Villalpando’s business savvy and warm nature have helped her turn her business, Laundry Mex, in Grand Island, Nebraska, into a welcoming place for customers and a thriving business center for her tenants.
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Ya sea que se trate de un giro estratégico o de un plan de jubilación, la decisión de vender una empresa requiere una cuidadosa consideración. Aunque muchos propietarios de pequeñas empresas confían en un plan de salida similar al de una sucesión familiar, ese no siempre es el camino ideal. A veces es mejor confiar el legado a alguien fuera del círculo familiar. En este artículo, el segundo de una serie de tres partes sobre transición empresarial, repasamos las etapas cruciales de la planificación de la sucesión cuando se trata de vender su empresa a una persona que no es miembro de la familia.
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Whether it's a strategic pivot or a retirement plan, the decision to sell a business takes careful consideration. Although many small business owners rely on a family succession-style exit plan, that isn’t always the ideal path. Sometimes it’s best to trust the legacy to someone outside of the family circle. In this article, the second of a three-part series on business transition, we walk through the crucial stages of succession planning when it comes to selling your business to a non-family member.
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A new farm bill is top of mind for many farmers, ranchers, and rural community members. However, amidst the ongoing discussions and negotiations, another important conversation is beginning to unfold. In the weeks ahead, members of Congress will outline federal spending levels for 2025, including funding for programs that impact agriculture and small businesses.
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  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
  • Policy
With a $9.48 million grant from the Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program, Montezuma, a town of 1,400 residents, is paving the way for rural communities and serving as a model for...
  • Small Towns
  • Policy
Now is the time to celebrate all the powerful women the Center for Rural Affairs works with and all the efforts led by women in rural communities. The Center is committed to supporting and helping...
  • Small Towns
  • Farm and Food
From volunteering in her church to donating homegrown fresh produce to her neighbors, Candi Benge demonstrates extraordinary commitment to serving her community every day. For her commitment to helping others, Candi has been chosen to receive the Center for Rural Affairs 2023 Rural Community Champion Award.
  • Small Towns
As we look ahead to what could only be four weeks remaining in the 2024 Iowa legislative session, the focus turns almost solely to floor debate in both chambers. Work for the Appropriations and Ways & Means committees continues full steam ahead this week. The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met on Friday, March 15.
  • Policy
No todo el mundo tiene la suerte de tener la oportunidad de hacer de su pasatiempo infantil una carrera de tiempo completo. Pero Cody Cahill ha trabajado en automóviles toda su vida y ahora le pagan por hacer lo que ama.
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Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to make their childhood hobby a full-time career. But Cody Cahill has been working on cars his whole life, and now he gets paid to do what he loves.
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With 16 days left in the Nebraska Legislature’s 2024 session, the Center’s priority bill— Legislative Bill (LB) 1116 , the Nebraska Grocer Reinvestment Option (GRO) Act—is not expected to advance out...
  • Policy
The Center for Rural Affairs is a nonprofit organization working to create vibrant rural communities. We advocate for rural residents on issues important to them, such as state and federal policy...
  • Small Towns
The Heartland Environmental Justice Center (HEJC) is a first-stop resource for communities seeking help with pressing environmental and energy equity challenges. We offer no-cost, customized support...
  • Small Towns
Small business owners in Nebraska in search of financial assistance need look no further. The Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act (NSBAA) Program is now available to support individuals looking to...
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Local farmers markets, direct-market farmers, and farm stands that are not registered to accept benefits or vouchers from customers might be leaving money on the table. Three of these benefits are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
  • Farm and Food
The 2024 South Dakota legislative session is coming to a close. Monday was the last day for bills to pass both houses. The 38-day legislative session will officially conclude on March 25, which is reserved for gubernatorial vetoes.
  • Policy
Samantha Goodbird has a reputation for building strong relationships, managing projects, and helping others succeed. She recently brought her talents to the Center as the Center's humna resources manager. Some of the main roles in human resources management include hiring and training people, and developing policies and strategies to retain them. But the position is much more than procedures and paperwork.
  • Small Towns
The expansion of wind generation has been, and continues to be, a boon for rural development. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity across the nation. A handful of Midwest states like Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota are leading the charge in its development, according to recent reports from the U.S. Department of Energy.
  • Policy