1. Applying Research to Community Recruitment and Retention Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Ph.D. In partnership with team members R. Cantrell, B. Johnson, C. Narjes, & B. Vogt. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is an equal opportunity educator and employer with a comprehensive plan for diversity.

2. Research was… USDA – NRI (200 6-08) Census review New resident household survey Focus group interviews Rural, regional perspective

3. Simpler pace of life53% Less congested place 50% Closer to relatives50% Lower cost of housing 48% Lower cost of living45% Higher paying job39% Desirable natural environment 37% Safer place to live36% Job that better fits skills 35% Community that shares values 34% Better place for kids 32% Closer to friends32% Lower taxes22% Why do people move to the region? % of Respondents indicating Important or Very Important

4. Where do people find relocation information?

5. New residents shop around: a job + quality of life = the package  Feature characteristics that make living there special and desirable

6. Some new residents are coming home – for others, this is a new experience  About 1/3 of the new residents had a previous experience with area – 2/3 were new

7. The majority are new to small town rural life  New residents are often looking for a “slower pace of life and “safety”

8. Perceptions may not be correct!

9. How they find rural communities - they talk to family  Can the community web site be used as a “one-stop” referral site for family and friends?

10. After family – it is the Web!  Family is the most often used information source in relocation – the Web is next

11. One example of relocation…

12. New residents bring talents – they want to contribute to community life  Are there easy ways to connect with organizations, groups or events?

13. Images are marketing “gold”!

14. “Slower pace of life…”

18. Sell your community accurately: don’t hide it - don’t over sell!  New residents often had to work hard to find “hidden treasures”… it should not be that difficult!

19. Adapting to rural life…

20. A regional airport shuttle service!

21. Share history, successes, dreams for the future: communicate vision

22. An example of vision…  Communicate vision by showing results

23. Retention? Share easy and fun ways to meet people - develop friendships  A higher level of “sense of belonging “ can translate into higher retention

25. New resident event

26. Research – right time & place  Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA)  Funded by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development  Encouraging new resident recruitment projects  Developing Websites for Community Growth  Funded by the Nebraska Information Technology Commission  Encouraging site development with a purpose

27. Applying Research to Community Recruitment and Retention Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Ph.D. In partnership with team members R. Cantrell, B. Johnson, C. Narjes, & B. Vogt. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is an equal opportunity educator and employer with a comprehensive plan for diversity.