| |
Team with rural development
authorities to improve their skills and ultimately the
potential for success with which economic diversification
is pursued in rural Nevada.
Provide technical assistance to rural communities through
the rural development authorities and a variety of informational
conferences and training sessions.
|
|
Strengthen and diversify Nevada’s regional economies by
encouraging cooperative local planning.
Support the implementation of regional development plans.
Foster cooperative agreements among local, regional, state and
federal economic development efforts.
Continue to provide funds, training, and
technical assistance to the rural communities to enable them
to plan and carry out activities necessary to achieve economic
viability.
In close coordination with the Rural Community
Development Program, Rural Economic Development assisted communities
throughout Nevada with community and economic development projects.
During the biennium, one development authority was created,
four experienced staff turnover and one came back on line after
being dormant for several years. Staff provided technical assistance.
Rural economic development activities focused on existing businesses.
In White Pine County, the Homegrown Jobs Program was created
to provide common marketing that included a web site and a variety
of business assistance support. Other communities held town
meetings to prioritize activities that might lead to economic
diversification. Activities included efforts to stop leakage,
the encouragement of entrepreneurial business development, enhancing
infrastructure to prepare for economic development and business
retention, expansion and attraction efforts.
NCED used new grant funds for a series of rural meetings to
inform rural community leaders of the potential benefits of
enhanced telecommunications. A statewide workshop was held to
showcase successful telecommunications projects in rural Nevada
and a document, Reaching Out: Telecommunications in Rural Nevada,
outlined the process, summarized the workshop and offered conclusions
as to possible future directions. NCED staff worked closely
with the Rural Telecommunications Task Force to help implement
strategies to bring better telecommunication services to rural
communities.
Efforts were taken to review the plan Rural Nevada 2000 for
its impact in rural communities and to start the process to
develop a new plan, Building
Prosperity: An Action Plan for Rural Nevada. Eight workshops
were held in rural communities to review historic and projected
economic, demographic and fiscal trends and gain perspective
on community and economic development opportunities and constraints.
Through the process, 125 key individuals with rural Nevada interests
identified issues, goals and potential implementation strategies
designed to help build rural Nevada communities where current
and future generations can lead healthy and productive lives.
The final plan will be completed in FY 2001 with a mobilization
workshop to create a plan of action.
Local and regional economic development authorities were supported
in their efforts to diversify their local economies through
a CED matching grant program – the Local Development Grant
Program. Authorities match the state’s contribution on
at least a dollar for dollar basis except in those regions with
a population of less than 35,000 where the contribution can
be reduced. In FY 1999, Pershing County withdrew from Tri-County
Development Authority and created the Pershing County Development
Authority. Tri-County became Hi-Desert Economic Development
Authority.
Development authorities use state grant dollars to fund marketing
efforts, client services, special projects, planning studies,
operating expenses and personnel costs aimed at diversifying
the local economy.
|
|
|
 |
|
