Forbes publisher to speak at Governor’s Conference on Rural Development

Registrations are being accepted for the Nov. 14 inaugural Governor's Conference on Rural Development to be held at the Kearney Holiday Inn.

Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes business and financial magazine, will deliver the keynote address.

The Nebraska Community Improvement Program and the Partnership for Rural Nebraska have joined forces for the conference. It will focus on building leadership and community and economic development capacity in rural Nebraska to create a more sustainable state.

This year's conference theme is "Renewable Nebraska."

The conference's five "resource" tracks -- technical, financial, human, natural and youth -- will each provide information about renewable community resources. Youths are either encouraged to participate in the all-day youth session track or attend any of the other tracks of interest to their community's youth leaders.

Karlgaard will deliver the keynote address focused on "America's Coming Heartland Boom" and why the Heartland cities and regions will prosper in a balanced, technology-enabled lifestyle of today's workers. He also will share eight secrets about thriving small- and medium-size cities and why states and cities should develop entrepreneurs and not chase jobs.

Karlgaard is author of the book "Life 2.0 How People Across America Are Transforming Their Lives by Finding the Where of Their Happiness," which was an Amazon and Wall Street Journal business best-seller.



Luncheon speaker Matt Deighton of Greensburg, Kan., will talk about how volunteers and residents are rebuilding an "all green" community following a devastating EF5 tornado that destroyed 95 percent of homes and businesses on May 4, 2007. Deighton helped recruit and coordinate volunteer brigades in the rebuilding efforts.

The conference will feature local tours, networking opportunities, resource booths and a variety of workshops, including:

n "Rejuvenating America's Downtowns and Main Streets."

n "Assessing Your Community's Technological Capabilities."

n "Innovation With Organics and Agri-business."

n "Development Districts: What Can They Do for You?"

n "Alternative Energy and Conservation Techniques."

n "Funders Roundtable and Utilizing Funders for Projects."

n "Engaging Newcomers in the Community."

n "Utilizing the Many Generations in Community Development."

n "Leveraging Fundraising Through Foundations, Tax Credits and Creative Fundraising Ideas."

n "Public and Small Business Assistance in Dealing With Brownfields and Environmental Issues."

n "Activating and Motivating Volunteers."

The annual Nebraska Community Improvement Program Awards Banquet will follow the conference and networking reception.

For information or to register for the event, visit http://cariregistration.unl.edu/CourseStatus.awp?~~08GOVNKR1113, or contact Lindsay Papenhausen at (402) 471-6587 or lindsay.papenhausen@nebraska.gov.