Strategic Discussions for Nebraska interviewed selected local and state leaders, representing government, academia and business. Each was asked questions about economic drivers, community and state susceptibility, the state's role in the global economy and vision for the future.
The people we interviewed were selected based on their roles in Nebraska. You will find points of view based on agriculture; economic development; rural and urban perspectives; the University of Nebraska; state and local government; and business. You will read about efforts to grow the state's work force and thus, the state's economy. You'll learn about Nebraska's tax structure; what it takes to help a small community to thrive; how education is integral to the state's future; exports; efforts to recruit and retain the state's population; and the teamwork necessary to bring Nebraska together.
These stories represent Nebraska's challenges and opportunities.
SDN Projects
Opportunities for Nebraska is the first magazine in a series that showcases University of Nebraska-Lincoln research. The world population is expected to grow to nine billion by 2050 and this research will result in producing twice as much food with the same amount of land and water. Watch and listen as UNL experts tell the stories of research and innovation at one of the top research universities in the country!
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UNL student researchers along with SDN conducted a major research project to study the ways Ord residents communicate about what is happening in the community.
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Published in June 2009, Nebraska's Economic Future includes a summary of findings; stories based on individual interviews; summaries of community conversations; and articles written specifically for this magazine. The articles represent varied geographical perspectives as well as perspectives on various parts of the state's economy.
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SDN published research on Immigration in Nebraska for the project's initial study in May 2008. We selected Scottsbluff, Lexington, Crete and Omaha and looked at the impact immigration has had on those communities.
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- Focus on Youth, Opportunities, Bringing Nebraska Together with Richard Baier
- Agriculture: Nebraska's Chief Economic Driver with Greg Ibach
- Rural Infrastructure Vital for Nebraska's Future with Dr. Sandra Scofield
- Nebraska's Future Bright with Bold, Frugal Leadership with State Senator Bill Avery
- Agriculture, Incentives, Education Vital to Nebraska's Future with Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman
- Nebraska Population Aging, Shifting East with Jerry Deichert
- New Senator, Solid Vision with State Senator Kathy Campbell
- Lincoln, Omaha Must Cooperate for Future with Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler
- Education, Leadership, Cooperation Keys to Nebraska's Future with Peter Kotsiopulos
- Equalizing Earning Potential = Billion-Dollar State Impact with the Bright Futures Foundation
- Education, Agriculture, Positivity Forecast Nebraska's Future with Roger T. Larson
- Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship: "Innovation is the quickest way out of a recession" with Kathleen Thornton