A Times reader ("90s Grad") pointed us to a news item that appeared recently in the Grand Island Independent. According to the story, a new poll finds that Nebraska's rural residents remain positive about their own communities. But many are concerned about what tomorrow holds for their small towns. The 12th annual Nebraska Rural Poll was conducted by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The survey found that residents find more reason for worry as farms grow fewer but larger -- and rural communities see an increasing out-migration of young residents. About 45 percent of respondents said they are better off than they were five years ago, compared with a 12-year low of 32 percent following the drought of 2002. Only 15 percent said they are worse off.
Most rural Nebraskans expressed positive sentiments about their communities. About two-thirds agreed with the statement, "My community is very special to me." About two-thirds agreed with the statement, "I feel I can really be myself in my community."
The poll found rural residents satisfied with basic services, such as fire protection, library services and religious organizations. But about 35 percent of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with entertainment, shopping, restaurants, streets and roads, arts/cultural activities and local government in their community -- all factors they believed that were leading to increased out-migration.
Even more of a concern is that the poll showed that younger respondents were more likely to be dissatisfied with their community's services. For example, the poll found that 60 percent of respondents 19 to 39 years old were dissatisfied with entertainment options, while only 28 percent of people over 65 were.
Bruce Johnson, an agricultural economist who's part of the Rural Poll team, said some of those individual indicators "aren't very positive." "That doesn't bode well for retaining as well as attracting younger individuals and families," Johnson said. He said an evolving rural population and certain needs and amenities of rural areas are going to take on increasing importance.
"...the poll found that 60 percent of respondents 19 to 39 years old were dissatisfied with entertainment options..."
ReplyDeleteWhy not make this an option when brainstorming ideas of what to do with the vacant buildings on Main Street? I heard that in one small town, lazer tag was a booming success because it drew in folks from surrounding towns, too. I guess the key is to think of things that Crete, Lincoln and Seward doesn't already have.
Nebraska and the Midwest in general has lots of people who complain about the situation but don't do anything to fix it. That's why I commend those around Dorchester who are working to improve the situation. DACA and DSIP included.
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