"Entrepreneurial individuals and leaders are essential to the success of our rural communities in a global society because they make innovation happen," said Reimers-Hild. "The session, Entrepreneurial & Innovative Thinking, will introduce participants to the concepts of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial personality, entrepreneurial leadership and innovation.  Participants will assess the entrepreneurial climate of their communities and explore ways to strengthen their entrepreneurial leadership skills so they can help others become more entrepreneurial while integrating innovation into their communities."

The closing phase III session will be held on March 31st with Community Growth Matters and Leading Local Economic Development.  This program will identify reasons growth is crucial to sustaining rural communities and how economic development professionals help communities grow.  The program will also explore what "quality of life" means to young families and how communities can build on the concept to attract new residents.  Participants will engage in a group discussion about the Logan Valley area's strengths and assets and "investing" in these for community growth.  Lastly, the group will examine how staying focused on economic development goals can help achieve community development success and growth.  The overarching purpose of this program is to delve into real strategies and discusses the "nuts and bolts" of economic development in the Logan Valley.

The cost to participate is $5 per session.. For additional information or to register for any of the remaining sessions from the Learning to Lead in Logan Valley Program, please contact Stephanie Fritz at (402) 358-3432 or stephanief@cfra.org .  The registration fee covers meals and material costs. (Registrants are asked to make checks payable to the Center for Rural Affairs.)

Stephanie Fritz with the Center for Rural Affairs commented, "You can spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on professional seminars, but here in your own community with the Learning to Lead in Logan Valley Program, you have access to all this knowledge for a minimal fee. We hope as many people as possible take advantage of this opportunity."

The program is made possible through a Building Entrepreneurial Communities grant applied for on behalf of Bancroft, Rosalie, Pender, Thurston, Lyons and Decatur by the Center for Rural Affairs. The grant was awarded by the Nebraska Rural Development Commission.