Small Towns Lack Capacity for Successful Development Efforts

Smalltown residents in Nebraska put a high premium on the need for economic development efforts, yet most think their towns' efforts fall short. Some towns, especially the smallest, don't even try to put together a development project. And those that do try often need help of a kind that State and Federal agencies do not offer. Nonetheless, Nebraska is trying some new programs that match State aid with a town's needs and willingness for self-help. Based on a survey of 135 small towns in Nebraska