REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NOW OPEN!
Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference
April 2026 and April 2027
Rural Prosperity Nebraska is now accepting proposals from Nebraska communities interested in hosting the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference in April 2026 or April 2027. Nebraska’s only annual “walking conference” gathers local leaders, business owners and economic developers from across the state to explore how rural communities cultivate entrepreneurship, strengthen local economies, and inspire innovation within their towns — and keep the momentum going.
Click here for more information and submission guidelines.
Rural Prosperity Nebraska is the community development arm of Nebraska Extension and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Founded in 2018, Rural Prosperity Nebraska has one goal: to help Nebraska’s communities thrive.
Imagine a family-owned bakery on Main Street, a bustling farmers market on Saturday mornings, or a sprawling cattle ranch outside of town. No matter the setting or situation, rural communities make Nebraska prosper. Rural Prosperity Nebraska Extension educators team up your communities and local leaders with university faculty and students, combining research with on-the-ground experience, to bring prosperity to your front door.
By exploring Rural Prosperity Nebraska’s four Focus Areas, you get to participate in collaborative programs to help you strengthen your community’s culture, create new economic and leadership opportunities, establish stronger ties to local foods, and turn your community into a place where people want to live, work, and play. Our Rural Tools offer resources to help you learn about improvement opportunities, plan and execute projects, and lead discussions that invigorate your community.
Focus Areas
Rural Tools
