Nebraska Cooperative Development Center Announces Mini-Grant Funding

Since 1999, the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center (NCDC) has provided technical assistance, education and training to groups who are developing or are considering the development of a cooperatively owned business. The primary objective is to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative business development

Owning Our Identity – Celebrating Cooperatives in 2023

Owning Our Identity is the 2023 theme to build awareness of cooperatives nationally. October has been nationally recognized as cooperative month since 1964. The following bullets in this year’s USDA Proclamation emphasize the impact of cooperatives

Broadband Availability Increased Significantly 2010 - 2015

Nebraska’s broadband vision is that residents, businesses, government entities, community partners, and visitors have access to affordable broadband service and have the necessary skills to effectively utilize broadband technologies. Nebraska Statewide Broadband Plan adopted 2014

Importance of Being Digital Ready – What Does that Mean?

Communities often determine if they are digital ready on whether or not high speed internet is available. The conversation then focuses on who has high speed internet and who does not. Hence, the divide. High speed internet is an important factor on whether or not a community can be competitive in a global market. But, it is not the only digital-ready factor necessary to compete in a global economy. One challenge of focusing on the divide is that assumptions are made that individuals do not have skills in rural areas to use technology and, that these rural residents may not need higher speed internet. These assumptions impact policy

Expanding Cooperatives in Nebraska

Nebraska has a history of cooperatives in agriculture. The most common types are agricultural marketing and supply cooperatives. The Nebraska Cooperative Council map highlights that there are over 400 cooperative locations in Nebraska. In addition to agricultural cooperatives, such as Ag Processing, Inc. and Producers Livestock Marketing Association, there are also cooperative credit unions and the Nebraska Rural Radio Association

Mobile Broadband in Nebraska

Mobile Broadband Coverage in Nebraska Is mobile broadband coverage available throughout Nebraska? Is there a difference between rural and urban areas with respect to mobile wireless speed? Should mobile wireless coverage be classified as broadband? These are some of the questions that were answered by an August 2015 Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) report. The study, which began in October 2013, was part of the Nebraska Broadband Initiative efforts to facilitate the integration of broadband and information technology into state and local economics

Mobile Broadband in Nebraska

Mobile Broadband Coverage in Nebraska Is mobile broadband coverage available throughout Nebraska? Is there a difference between rural and urban areas with respect to mobile wireless speed? Should mobile wireless coverage be classified as broadband? These are some of the questions that were answered by an August 2015 Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) report. The study, which began in October 2013, was part of the Nebraska Broadband Initiative efforts to facilitate the integration of broadband and information technology into state and local economics

Nebraska Broadband Initiative

The Nebraska Public Service Commission, Nebras-ka Information Technology Commission Community Council (NITC), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) and Applied Information Management (AIM) have cooperatively led the effort to address the broadband planning needs of Nebraska’s communities. UNL has led the planning component and is the fiscal agent for the planning part of the grant

New Youth Entrepreneurship Curriculum on the Horizon

The Agricultural Economics Department at the University of NebraskaSLincoln is teaming up with UNL’s Extension 4-H Development Program to produce a youth entrepreneurship curricula that incorporates 4-H projects, entrepreneurship, schools and community

Affordable Care Act and Your Ag Business

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is steadily moving forward. Whether you agree or disagree with the ACA, the fact is that it is currently the national law. Already we are seeing changes affecting how hospitals, doctors and insurance carriers operate. Regulations impacting individuals and businesses in the areas of benefits covered, maximum out-of-pocket costs, taxes and penalties began on October 1st. Spend time now to evaluate how these changes will affect you, your family and your business operations