In April of 2002, a group of concerned citizens in Furnas and Harlan counties met to discuss the future of their area. This initial meeting was the result of a combined effort of Twin Valleys Public Power District, Nebraska Public Power District, Southwest Nebraska Resource Conservation and Development, the Trailblazer Resource Conservation and Development in south central Nebraska, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Wanting to find ways to stabilize and grow their communities and this region, the initial meetings were very productive. From these meetings it was decided to form an organization that would help accomplish the goals and objectives this group wanted to address. Nine communities, two county governments, and a public power district joined their efforts to form the Furnas and Harlan Partnership. An inter-local agreement was signed by all of these entities in December 2003. Board members were appointed from each community, county, and public power district, with a part time director also being hired.
The mission of the Furnas and Harlan Partnership is “Working to Ensure the Future of our Region.” This organization is now a resource for the communities and counties to utilize in their quest to stabilize and grow this region. Many different activities have already been a part of the Furnas and Harlan Partnership efforts including:
- Focus Groups
- Business Retention & Expansion Surveys
- Educational Workshops
- Housing Grants
- Business Transitions
- Grant Writing
- Red Carpet Service Training
Working relationships with the many organizations within the State of Nebraska and nationwide have been established to help the Furnas and Harlan Partnership reach the goals as set forth by the citizens that formed the organization.
One of the objectives of the organization was to find a way to keep a portion of the wealth transfer that is going to take place over the next couple of decades. Out of this, the Republican River Valley Community Foundation (RRVCF) was formed as a vehicle to keep wealth within this region and a means to utilize these assets for the growth of the region. The RRVCF has developed the following goals and objectives:
- Increasing the number of jobs and median income
- Improving housing
- Promoting business transition
- Retaining services
- Education
- Quality healthcare
- Protecting our natural resources
- Supporting of alternative agricultural practices that encourage sustainability of family farms.
- Encouraging philanthropy in the local area through the retention of the local wealth transfer.
The Furnas and Harlan Partnership is becoming a vital member of the economic development efforts of this region. This organization is bringing together the efforts of the communities and counties it serves into a single goal of preserving the Furnas and Harlan county region.
Please visit their web site, http://www.furnas-harlan-partnership.org/, to found out the current efforts of this important organization.
