Conference Details
Registration: $175; after April 11th, fee increases to $200.
Lodging: A block of rooms are reserved at the following North Platte hotels:
Candlewood Suites & Avid Hotel - 202 E. Eugene Avenue
- $109 + taxes, includes a kitchenette
- $99 + taxes, no kitchenette
- Phone: 308.252.1507
- Use Code: Rural Prosperity Nebraska or RPN; (cut-off date 3/24)
Holiday Inn Express - 300 Holiday Frontage Road
- $119 + taxes (indicate if state gov't, reduced to $109)
- Phone: 308.532.9500
- Use Code: CEC; (cut-off date 3/23)
Fairfield Inn - 319 W South River Road
- $154 - $159/night
- Phone: 308.532.9900
- Use: Reservation link for group rate,
- Use Code: CEC Conference UNL; (cut off date 4/9)
"Moving Forward, Working Together"
North Platte, Nebraska
April 23-24, 2025
Community development professionals from across the country are heading to North Platte Nebraska, for the 7th annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference on April 23-24. Hosted by Rural Prosperity Nebraska, this unique “walking conference” immerses attendees in the city’s entrepreneurial spirit, with nearly 30 sessions held inside locally-owned businesses. From workforce development to local food systems, experts will share innovative strategies to help communities thrive. With networking events, hands-on learning, and real-world business insights, this conference is a must-attend for anyone passionate about fostering community growth. Register now to be part of the movement shaping the future of rural prosperity.
See below for the 2025 conference schedule.
See Speaker Page for full listing of speakers.
Virtual Map of the Canteen District
Click Here to Register
Additional Opportunity
SourceLink Nebraska Business Connect – Moving Forward, Working Together at the CEC Conference
As part of the 7th annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference, SourceLink Nebraska is offering open office hours to provide personalized, one-on-one resource coaching for entrepreneurs and business owners. This year’s theme, "Moving Forward, Working Together," highlights the power of collaboration in building strong, thriving communities—something we’re passionate about at SourceLink Nebraska.
During the CEC Conference, stop by our open office hours to connect with Nebraska’s entrepreneurial support network and explore customized resources for launching, growing, or expanding your business. Whether you’re attending CEC to discuss workforce development, rural innovation, or local business ecosystems, we’re here to help you turn ideas into action.
You do not have to be a conference participant to access SourceLink Nebraska’s open office hours.
Register for an appointment with SourceLink Nebraska
Wednesday, April 23
11:00 am - 11:45 am
11:45 am - 12:50 pm
Welcome to the Conference
Conference Opening
Welcome to CEC 2025—Ben Dutton, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
Welcome to North Platte—Brandon Kelliher, North Platte Mayor and Cassie Condon, VP, North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation
Brief Address—Bryan Slone, President, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce
Keynote Presentation—Lisa Citta, Axes & Aces
Lisa Citta, Owner, Axes & Aces
"Doing Your Homework: Building Relationships with Local Businesses"
Lisa Citta will explore how entrepreneurship can fill gaps, create jobs, and strengthen local communities. Through real-world experience in community service and owning multiple businesses, she will highlight strategies for overcoming challenges, fostering innovation, and building businesses that not only succeed but also contribute to the local economic environment and strengthen local connections.
12:50 pm - 1:00 pm
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Walking Break to Sessions
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Breakout Session 1
SUPPORTING BUSINESS TRANSITIONS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Venue: Pizza Ranch, 201 E 6th St
Odee Ingersoll, Center Director, Nebraska Business Development Center
Jason Tuller, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
DEVELOPING YOUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS THROUGH THE BUSINESS BUILDER GRANT PROGRAM
Venue: Bow & Arrow Boutique, 509 N Dewey St.
Rulon Taylor, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
Ben Dutton, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
FROM ME TO WE: THE ART OF GETTING OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY
Venue: Cedar Room, 505 N Dewey St.
Nate Wyatt, President, Gothenburg Improvement Company
Colton Venteicher, Board President, Gothenburg Impact Center
Dr. Allison Jonas, Superintendent, Gothenburg Public Schools
Deb Egenberger, Executive Director, Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce
USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Venue: Double Dips, 522 N Dewey St.
Marla Marx, Business Programs Specialist, USDA Rural Development
INSPIRING CHANGE, TOGETHER: DRIVING COMMUNITY PROGRESS WITH 6 REGIONS, ONE NEBRASKA
Venue: Espresso Shop, 408 N Chestnut St.
Emily Wurl, 6R1N Regional Navigator, Mid-Plains Region
Dena Beck, 6R1N Regional Navigator, Central Region
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Walking Break
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Breakout Session 2
EXPLORING THE CHALLENGES OF SUPPORTING BUSINESSES IN RURAL AREAS
Venue: Cedar Room, 505 N Dewey St.
Shawn Kaskie, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
Charlotte Narjes, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
SERVING SAFE FOOD
Venue: APEShip Brewing, 520 N Dewey St.
Brenda Aufdenkamp, Extension Educator, Food, Nutrition & Health
Amy Prior, Food Sanitarian, Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Bill Panec, Field Supervisor, Nebraska Department of Agriculture
EVERYDAY AI: SIMPLE TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
Venue: Bunkhouse Creative Studio, 421 N Dewey St.
Kimberly Stanke, Extension Specialist, 4-H Science Literacy and Data Analytics
DISCOVER SOURCELINK NEBRASKA: SUPPORT TO START OR GROW YOUR BUSINESS
Venue: Venue 304, 304 E 5th St.
Scott Asmus, Program Director, NBDC SourceLink Nebraska
EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Venue: Hirschfeld's, 401 N Dewey St.
Bryan Slone, President, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Walking Break
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Breakout Session 3
AGING IN PLACE IN RURAL NEBRASKA: HOMECARE WORKERS COOPERATIVE
Venue: Flower Market, 510 N Dewey St.
Cindy Houlden, Program Coordinator, Nebraska Cooperative Development Center
Cathy Bowers, Republican Valley Homecare Cooperative
HARVESTING THE BENEFITS OF NEBRASKA FARM TO SCHOOL
Venue: Double Dips, 522 N Dewey St.
Eastlyn Wright, Ag Promotions Specialists, Nebraska Department of Agriculture
POWERING COMMUNITIES: TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM THE KANSAS CITY FED
Venue: Bunkhouse Creative Studio, 421 N Dewey St.
Rachael Surmick, Community Development Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Omaha Branch
BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES: THE WHY AND HOW OF ENGAGEMENT
Venue: APEShip Brewing, 520 N Dewey St.
Jamie Bright, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
Marilyn Schlake, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
WELCOMING NEWCOMERS & IMMIGRATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Venue: Hirschfeld's, 401 N Dewey St.
Bryan Slone, President, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce
TinaMaria Fernandez, Director, Hope Esperanza
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Walking Break
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Networking Event, Cash Bar, & Heavy Hors d'Oeuvres
Pals Brewing Company
4520 S Buffalo Bill Ave.
Join us for drinks, appetizers, and a chance to network with other attendees at the conference.
Thursday, April 24
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Welcome to Day 2
Prairie Arts Center
416 N Jeffers St.
*Please note Thursday's location is different from Wednesday's.
Morning Welcome—Ben Dutton
Keynote Presentation—Nick McNew
Nick McNew, Owner, McNew's Unlimited
"Driving Growth: Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Community Impact"
Nick McNew will share insights on building a successful business, fostering economic growth, and creating a thriving entrepreneurial environment in rural communities through engagement with community members. Drawing from his experience as an entrepreneur and city council member, he’ll discuss strategies for driving local development and empowering the next generation of leaders.
9:00 am - 9:15 am
Walking Break to Sessions
9:15 am - 10:15 am
Breakout Session 4
BEST PRACTICES FROM ENTREPRENEURSHIP COACHING AND NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
Prairie Arts Center, 416 N Jeffers St.
Shawn Kaskie, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
Panelists - Alisha Juelfs-Cheyenne County E3; Molly Jeffres-Keith County E3; Doris Lux- UNL cCoach; Travis Barker-UNL eCoach, Brent Custer-Owner, Shelter Insurance, Broken Bow
INNOVATIVE CHILDCARE SOLUTIONS
Venue: Espresso Shop, 408 N Dewey St.
Dena Beck, Central Regional Navigator, 6 Regions One Nebraska
Jamie Bright, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
BREATHING LIFE BACK INTO DOWNTOWN: THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPARK THAT DRIVES GROWTH
Venue: Pizza Ranch, 201 E 6th St.
Shae Caldwell, Business Owner, Multiple Businesses & President, Downtown Canteen District
BRIDGING DATA AND ENGAGEMENT: CONNECTING UNIVERSITY RESOURCES TO COMMUNITY IMPACT
Venue: Bunkhouse Creative Studio, 421 N Dewey St.
Katelyn Larson, Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension
Jentry Barrett, Engagement Zone Coordinator, Nebraska Extension
LONGITUDINAL TRENDS IN COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP STRUCTURES
Venue: Double Dips, 522 N Dewey St.
Lindsay Hastings, Clifton Professor in Mentoring Research and Director, Nebraska Human Resources Institute
Justine Yeo Bircher, Graduate Research Assistant, ALEC-UNL
10:15 am - 10:45 am
Walking Break
10:45 am - 11:45 am
Breakout Session 5
FUTURE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Venue: MacKenzie's Snack Shack, 408 N Dewey St.
Shawn Kaskie, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
CHILDCARE AS A COMMUNITY CONNECTION FOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION & VETERAN ENGAGEMENT
Venue: Bow & Arrow Boutique, 509 N Dewey St.
Shaniya DeNaeyer Albertus, 4-H/Youth Development Assistant, Nebraska Extension
Andrea Thomas, Thomas County C4K, Treasurer, Thomas County
DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP & CYBER SECURITY
Venue: Bunkhouse Creative Studio, 421 N Dewey St.
Travis Barker, CEO, EZ IT Solutions
FROM BIG DATA TO LOCAL INSIGHTS: MAKING DATA WORK FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
Venue: Pizza Ranch, 201 E 6th St.
Katelyn Larson, Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension
Rebecca Vogt, Program Manager, Nebraska Rural Poll
Marilyn Schlake, Extension Educator, Rural Prosperity Nebraska
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT: FROM INVITATION TO BELONGING
Venue: Double Dips, 522 N Dewey St.
Chloe Higgins, Youth Engagement Specialist, Nebraska Community Foundation
Becky Boesen, Community & Cultural Impact Specialist, Nebraska Community Foundation
11:45 am - 12:00 pm
Walking Break
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Conference Conclusion
Prairie Arts Center
416 N Jeffers St.
Lunch
Keynote Presentation—TinaMaria Fernandez
Wrap-up—Ben Dutton
TinaMaria Fernandez, Founder/Executive Director of HOPE-Esperanza
"Embracing New Beginnings: The Power of Welcoming Newcomers in Rural Communities"
In this interactive presentation, Fernandez will explore the transformative impact of welcoming newcomers in rural communities, focusing on how inclusivity and cultural competence can drive economic growth and social cohesion. By highlighting successful strategies and community initiatives, she aims to demonstrate the power of embracing communities collective backgrounds and viewpoints to foster a more vibrant and resilient rural environment.
