LINCOLN, NEB. (October 2, 2007)—“Invest in Your Community” by attending the 44th Annual Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Conference and Banquet, November 2, at the Marina Inn Hotel & Conference Center in South Sioux City. 

Morning keynote speaker Jim Segedy will offer up ideas that any community can implement to invigorate and enhance its well-being through effective planning.  Segedy has won numerous awards for his projects with communities across the country and recently co-authored the 3rd edition of the Small Town Planning Handbook.  

A series of workshops will follow the morning session, giving attendees resources and ideas for turning their plans into action.  Workshops will include: developing leadership training programs, utilizing technology, setting up local financial investment programs, creating tourism packages, selling communities to attract a workforce, working toward successful business transitions, dealing with dilapidated housing and more. 

Also back by popular demand is “FunWorks,” aimed at developing youth entrepreneurs.  This highly interactive full-day session reserved for Nebraska’s youth provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to work together to turn business ideas into funded business plans that incorporate each individual’s talents.  During the workshop, participants will put together a short-term (six weeks or less) business plan that helps them make money all while having fun and doing good works.  Later in the afternoon, teams will sell their products to conference attendees to jump start their business venture efforts and enable conference participants to “Invest in their Communit(ies)”.  Additional seed money and ongoing support will be provided to each team and individual that decides to take the FunWorks challenge.  

Participants also will have the opportunity to tour South Sioux City’s architectural and technologically advanced downtown, visit the new ethanol plant in Jackson, and conclude with a fall hayrack ride and tour of nearby Ponca State Park.

Master of Ceremonies Don Gill will once again provide the “Voice of Nebraska” for the 2007 NCIP Awards presentation during the November 2 evening banquet.  Governor Dave Heineman will present more than 70 awards to individuals and communities. 

Registration information for the 2007 NCIP Annual Conference and Banquet was recently mailed out. Early registration is due October 15.

NCIP, a program of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, is sponsored by the following investor- owned utilities: Great Plains Communications, Northern Natural Gas, Glenwood Telephone, Aquila, SourceGas, Northwestern Energy.  Sponsors help support the program year-round and provide plaques and cash prizes to the NCIP award-winners.

For information on the NCIP conference and banquet, contact Lindsay Papenhausen at 402-471-6587, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Elizabeth Martin at 402-471-4168, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .    Registration information also is available at www.neded.org.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:Lindsay Papenhausen at 800-426-6505, 402-471-6587, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it