I write today to thank our 2024 donors. Friends, your financial support of the Center’s work has been invaluable to the progress we’re making toward long-standing rural vibrancy. Your partnership provides a steadiness we do not take for granted in these turbulent times.
Our work today is guided by the same grassroots principle on which we were founded more than 50 years ago. We can build a brighter, more resilient, and welcoming rural future when we come together to advance our shared values.
Growing services for small business owners
Looking back at 2024, I’m proud of what you helped our team accomplish. Our small business resources are now more comprehensive than ever. Your support has strengthened our industry-specific academies, offered in both Spanish and English across Nebraska. These free, multi-day sessions help rural entrepreneurs turn a business idea into a plan and learn skills crucial to the vitality of their business and their community.
As each academy session kicks off, the room fills with people eager to carve their niche in high-demand rural fields like construction, restaurant, child care, trucking, salon, and cleaning.
Your contributions help us bring expert guidance, materials, and access to capital to rural people. Many of our small business borrowers are low-income, low-asset, and new immigrant. All of our clients are people who seek to enrich and serve their communities. The services we provide are indispensable to achieving their goals.
Prioritizing food access
I’m also cheered by the awareness and support we built for rural grocery stores last year. We will continue our efforts to get tangible legislative solutions passed.
In 2024, we brought forward legislation in both Iowa and Nebraska to create grant and loan programs to help keep locally owned grocery stores open. The remoteness of many small towns, coupled with limited mobility for elderly people and others, means that store closures will strip away many people’s fresh food options.
We got our foot in the door, but we need to double down on our efforts this session to keep bedrock businesses like grocery stores alive, and keep communities fed.
Our efforts to advance policies that help rural grocery stores thrive is just one facet of our comprehensive, ongoing work to support local economic ecosystems and local producers.
Driving forward
For years, we have been laying the groundwork to bring solar and other clean energy options into the hands of low-income homeowners and underserved communities. With your support, we plan to launch our first climate-responsive lending products in 2025.
But, I’ll be honest. The year ahead is uncertain. We need to be prepared to face roadblocks that may seek to deter us from carrying out our mission.
As 2025 unfolds, it’s not enough to buckle up for the ride. I encourage you to be an active participant in building the road ahead. Stay engaged to make sure diverse rural voices are heard. Advocate in ways that make sense for you, from making financial contributions to holding meaningful conversations with neighbors, to calling or writing lawmakers.
Your continued care and dedication will help us overcome any challenges as together we bring our shared vision to life and spark positive change. Rural America needs you.
