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Success Stories

Smith Island, Maryland

Investing in Wastewater Infrastructure is Key to Preserving Smith Island, Maryland

For the people living on Smith Island, the water matters. But it’s about more than the beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay from the picturesque island ten miles from the mainland. The multi‐generational residents depend on the surrounding Chesapeake Bay for their livelihoods. For many, crabbing, oystering, and ecotourism are what puts dollars in their bank accounts, and food on their tables. In rural communities…
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Search Results: 729 Stories
El Molcajete after improvements.

El Cambio es Bueno! (Change is Good!)

In March of 2017, the city of Scottsbluff announced a grant opportunity for businesses (many of which are Hispanic owned) to improve the exterior of buildings along the East Overland Corridor.  Ramon and Elena Pedroza decided this might be an opportunity for their restaurant, El… [Read More]
Energy
Glass of wine.

Sharing Their Love for Wine, All Across Nebraska

    McFarland Family Farms, LLC dba Mac’s Creek Vineyards & Winery, located in Lexington, Nebraska, is a small locally owned vineyard and winery. They grow more than 10 varieties of grapes that are productive for the Nebraska climate, and are able to produce 16 wines in… [Read More]
Value Added
The multi-slice CT scanner provides enhanced scans for the medical providers, both in-house as well as those from other facilities treating

Advancing Healthcare and Improving Patient Safety in Rural Nebraska

Brown County Hospital, located in Ainsworth, Nebraska, is a 23 bed, critical access hospital that provides health services to residents located in Brown, Rock, Keya Paha, Cherry, and Blaine counties. They use e-emergency, with their primary service provider being Avera from… [Read More]
Health Care
Heartland Lumber Storefront

Building Materials + Ag Supplies = Heartland Lumber and Supply

Joe Quinn found out that after 100 years of operation, that all five of the S.A. Foster Lumberyards would either be sold or closed, including the Oshkosh, Nebraska lumberyard.  The Oshkosh location had been in operation for 65 years, and was where Joe had worked for 34 years, 31… [Read More]
Business
Everyone is smiling. The transfer of ownership is complete!

Revolving Loan Fund Prevents Potential Food Desert

In 2017, Hayes County Economic Development Corporation (HCEDC) received a Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) of $43,229 to establish a revolving loan fund (RLF). HCEDC contributed $15,000 cash and leveraged $1,500 from the community to provide a more than 27% match for the… [Read More]
Infrastructure

Two Thumbs Up for Homeownership

Morgan Linden-Lowell was living in a loft style apartment in Lexington, NE.  He desired to move into a home of his own that would be closer to his work.  Morgan attended a Rural Development Community Housing Meeting in Lexington, NE and learned that he could become a first time… [Read More]
Homeownership
Mike tests his thermostat for new cove heaters while Luke supervises.

Home Electrified & Heated for Comfortable Living

Michael Costa was having electrical issues in his 1912, 900 sq. ft., two bedroom bungalow home in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  The electric outlets upstairs were not working.  Some electricity did work downstairs where he had his TV and kept his refrigerator running by way of an… [Read More]
Home Repair
Photo: After years working in construction on other people’s homes, Matt was able to buy his first house for himself and his two girls with help from USDA.

After Building Others’ Homes, Father of Two Achieves Homeownership

Matt was fortunate to have a rental in Redmond’s competitive market in central Oregon, where the vacancy rate is around one percent. But the scarcity of available homes is driving up prices, and Matt was feeling the impact. He also worried that if his current rental fell through… [Read More]
Housing
Rose Fraser with Running Strong

Youth Project Promotes the Well Being of Children and Families

Oyate Teca Project an affiliate of Running Strong for American Indian Youth, Inc. is centrally located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, in Kyle, SD a non-profit organization providing a variety of programs and activities promoting the well-being of children and their… [Read More]
Economic Development
car crusher

#1 Selling Car Crusher on the Market Benefits From Making Energy Efficiency Improvements

OVB Holdings, LLC dba Overbuilt, based in Huron, SD,  manufactures heavy machinery including car crushers and balers/loggers.  Overbuilt and its products have been around since 1996.  They produce top-quality, high-performance equipment for auto salvage yards and scrap metal… [Read More]
REAP

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