LINCOLN, NEB. (July 18, 2005)—Workshops are scheduled July 25-29 to help communities participating in the 2005 Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) prepare for the Aug. 31 award nomination deadline. Volunteers or professionals who are preparing nominations, or individuals who want to learn more about NCIP are encouraged to attend the free workshops.

Nebraska communities with populations of 50,000 or less are eligible to participate in NCIP. Benefits include leadership skill development, increased community involvement, visioning and planning process assistance, greater access to community and economic development resources, and statewide recognition during an annual conference and banquet.

The workshops will cover the NCIP process and help participants prepare award nominations for their community and economic development accomplishments. Workshops are scheduled as follows:

• July 25, 11:30-1 p.m. MST—Scottsbluff, Scottsbluff City Council Chambers, 1818 Ave. A
  
• July 26, 11:30-1 p.m. MST—Sidney, Western Nebraska Community College, Room 137, 371 College Drive
  
• July 27, 11:30-1 p.m. CST—McCook, McCook Community College, McMillan Hall, 1205 E. Third St.
  
• July 28, 11:30-1 p.m. CST—Gothenburg, Gothenburg City Hall, Council Chambers, 409 9th St.
  
• July 29, 11:30-1 p.m. CST—David City, Hruska Memorial Library, 399 5th St.

The registration deadline for all workshops is July 21. Workshop sites that receive no registrations will be cancelled.
The Gering Civic Center in Gering, Neb., will be the site of an NCIP pre-conference training session, Nov. 3, and the 2005 Community Quest Conference and Awards Banquet, Nov. 4.

NCIP is a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, University of Nebraska, and eight investor-owned utility companies. NCIP sponsors providing plaques, cash awards, judging and conference expenses for 2005 NCIP are: ALLTEL, Aquila, Northern Natural Gas, Glenwood Telephone, Great Plains Communications, Inc., HunTel Systems, Kinder Morgan, Inc., and NorthWestern Energy.

Additional funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Community Initiative. To register or learn more, 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 . Information also can be found 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