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Ten years ago, Omaha Public Power District Board member Eric Williams took the leap to power his home with solar energy. He has since significantly upgraded his setup with a Sol-Ark 15 kilowatt (kW)...
- Policy
Angela Mueller credits her grandfather for nurturing her passion for growing local food. Raised in south central Nebraska, she was inspired by his innovative approach to gardening, which was rooted in traditional methods.
- Farm and Food
Today is Day 14 of South Dakota’s 38-day legislative session. With a new governor in place, and over 400 bills introduced so far, the session is off to a busy start. More bills are expected in the run...
- Policy
Alongside lawmakers, we continue to comb through bill introductions as week four of the legislative session commences. Also on the docket are numerous subcommittee and committee meetings scheduled to...
- Policy
When Tina Biteghe Bi Ndong began working at the West Point Chamber of Commerce in 2006, she quickly became aware of the services offered by the Center for Rural Affairs. Now executive director of the...
- Small Towns
Week three of Minnesota’s legislative session wraps up today. The session got off to an interesting start. While the Senate is operating under a power-sharing agreement–which may change, as a Jan. 28...
- Policy
Bill introduction concluded last Wednesday, Jan. 22, with a total of 715 bills introduced. A new rule implemented this session limited senators to just 20 bills each. Committee hearings began on Jan...
- Policy
The window for the second and final round of Business Builder Grants has been pushed back to spring 2025. Food businesses will be able to apply for the reimbursable funds that could promote business...
- Small Towns
- Farm and Food
As Minnesota transitions to a clean energy future, modernizing and upgrading the state’s energy transmission infrastructure is crucial for a more efficient electric grid. However, transmission...
- Policy
Effective advocacy requires understanding the legislative process and employing strategic communication. Constituents can impact legislation by providing their perspective on a bill and explaining the reasoning for their position.
- Policy
Small towns across rural America have one thing in common: Eventually, they will have to repair, replace, or build something new to maintain their communities. But not all towns have the funding for...
- Small Towns
The targeted investments of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have real-world impacts that are hard to ignore. Since its passage in August 2022, the IRA has been quietly bringing tangible benefits to...
- Policy
Iowa lawmakers kicked off the 91st General Assembly last week and are now in week two. Full session hustle and bustle is underway, with more than 200 bills introduced last week and many more yet to...
- Policy
Today, a familiar but new administration is being sworn into office. The change in the presidency and shift of power in Congress have the potential to profoundly impact rural America. The details of...
- Small Towns
- Policy
Minnesota’s 94th legislative session officially kicked off on Jan. 14 and will run through May 19. The Center for Rural Affairs will be tracking policies that affect the rural quality of life and...
- Policy
The 109th Nebraska Legislature convened on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and is tentatively scheduled to adjourn on June 9. The first days of the session saw 17 new senators sworn in, committee assignments...
- Policy
El crédito es una herramienta que le permite pedir dinero prestado o acceder a bienes y servicios con la certeza de que los pagará más adelante. Es un componente importante de las finanzas personales y empresariales, ya que permite realizar compras importantes, como viviendas o vehículos, o permitir que los pequeños negocios inviertan en su crecimiento.
- Lending
Credit is a tool that allows you to borrow money or access goods and services with the understanding that you’ll pay for them later. It is an important component of personal and business finances, enabling large purchases like homes or vehicles, or allowing small businesses to invest in their growth.
- Lending
From intern to manager, Dongwen Wang has built her career at the Center for Rural Affairs. In 2009, Dongwen made the journey from her home in China to the U.S. to study accounting at the University of...
- Small Towns
Shahab Bashar leads a quiet life as a farmer in Lincoln, Nebraska, but the road getting there has been paved with challenges. Born and raised in northern Iraq, Shahab had his first taste of...
- Farm and Food