2006 NCIP Awards Guide available

LINCOLN, NEB. (February 3, 2006)-The 2006 Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Awards Guide is printed and available. The guide outlines the process for nominating projects in leadership, economic, and business development categories. Changes this year include an extended award nomination September 5 due date, the addition of a joint NCIP and Citizen Corps Council award, and the renamed Community Notebook Advantage (previously Blueprint for Success Award) designed to encourage communities to look at how this year's projects have developed within the entire community planning process.

Communities can submit award nominations for individual project accomplishments and/or the overall community development process that encompasses planning, leadership development and a variety of community accomplishments. Youth from participating NCIP communities may be nominated for the Youth Leadership for Outstanding Community Service Award. Communities may also submit a Founders Award for an intergovernmental project or program, or nominate another community for the Good Neighbor Award.

NCIP participants have successfully accomplished many projects, including developing technology centers and recycling programs, promoting regional tourism, revitalizing downtowns, improving public facilities, developing housing, recruiting and expanding businesses, beautifying communities, and developing festivals, events, and community leaders.

Since 1963, NCIP has been a tool to assist communities to meet challenges and build on the vitality of their strengths and resources to form a vision for the future. Nebraska communities and multi-communities with populations of 50,000 or less are eligible to participate. The program recognizes communities annually for their improvement efforts during the past year, with an emphasis on the achievements of grassroots volunteers.

The 2006 NCIP awards will be announced at the annual banquet on November 3 in Kearney.

NCIP is a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the University of Nebraska, and NCIP Sponsors. The following investor-owned utilities sponsor the program and provide funds for judging expenses, plaques and cash awards: Aquila, Northern Natural Gas, Glenwood Telephone, Great Plains Communications, Inc., Qwest, Kinder Morgan, Inc., and NorthWestern Energy.    

For a copy of the 2006 Award Guide, or more information on NCIP, contact Jerod Trouba at 800-426-6505, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Award guides also are available online at: http://crd.neded.org/ncip   

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jerod Trouba at 800-426-6505, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it