NCIP recognizes the leadership, community and economic development efforts of Nebraska's communities and multi-communities. These communities organize to plan their future, set goals, determine priorities and implement project action plans. Since 1963, the Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) has assisted communities in meeting challenges while building on the vitality of their strengths and resources. NCIP is a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), and investor-owned natural gas and telephone companies.
NCIP communities document community and project accomplishments and submit project write-ups or a report book toward the end of August. Awards are presented at the NCIP Recognition Banquet in November.
Every Nebraska community with a population of 50,000 or less is eligible to participate in NCIP.
2010 NCIP Regional Nomination Trainings (PDF)
2010 NCIP Regional Nomination Training workshops provide information on the 2010 nomination process, as well as tips for successful nominations. In addition, the workshops will cover planning and volunteer recruitment/retention strategies.
Workshops will be held:
February 23, 2010 – Ainsworth, February 26, 2010 – Nebraska City, March 2, 2010 – Hartington, March 4, 2010 – Gothenburg (City Council Room at City Hall, 409 9th Street, enter on the east side of building), March 9, 2010 – Alliance (Alliance Chamber of Commerce, 111 West Third Street), March 10, 2010 – Potter, March 15, 2010 – Scribner, March 17, 2010 – Ord, March 29, 2010 – Hebron
Nebraska Leadership Development Application (PDF)
Applications due November 20, 2009. Only DED-USDA-RCDI communities are eligible to apply. Please see Appendix 1 in the application for a list of eligible communities.
2009 Governor's Conference on Rural Development
46th Annual NCIP Awards Banquet
PDF Slideshow: Presentation by 2009 Keynote Speaker:
Terry Jones , founder and former CEO of Travelocity.com and CIO of Sabre, Inc
"Recognition by NCIP has benefited us by letting the rest of the state know what western Nebraska has to offer. By documenting our activities, we found that there is a lot more going on in Kimball than we realized. Participating in NCIP has helped us pool our resources and volunteers, and provided opportunities to identify people to work on projects."
Sandra Lukassen
NCIP Ambassador
" Our participation in the Nebraska Community Improvement Program is one way in which we are able to show pride in our community and state and also encourage volunteers by gaining recognition for their accomplishments."
Sue Williams
Gothenburg CIP
" A cornerstone of NCIP is to enhance community strengths, which should be Nebraska's highest priority. Our state's cultural and economic vitality will be measured by the collective strength of individual communities."
Dr. Doyle Howitt
NCIP Advisory Chairperson
Community Planning 
