Editorial

Nebraska progress report launches Forging Nebraska's Future Initiative

Monday, September 10, 2012
Bob Harris

A recent Gallup survey rated Nebraska as the 4th best state for living in the future. That's comforting news and Nebraska has clearly ridden the recent economic roller-coaster better than most states. Yet in that same study, Nebraskans rated our state in optimism (or pessimism) that life will be better in five years as 42nd.

Why this concern from Nebraskans about the future for our state? Part could come from our historically cautious approach, some could come from limited awareness of how Nebraska factually compares to other states, and much could come from a lack of confidence that a shared vision exists for actions that should be taken to sustain our success and make the state an even better place for the Next Generation.

The Forging Nebraska's Future Initiative, sponsored by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce with support from the Nebraska Press Association, the Peter Kiewit Foundation and numerous other partners has been formed to address this need for a shared factual understanding and a shared vision for future action. With broad, "bottom up" input from across the state, Forging Nebraska's Future plans to define and then help execute critical action steps to sustain Nebraska's momentum and assure an even more attractive and competitive environment for the NExt Generation

The initiative will follow a straight forward four step process beginning with (1) present Nebraskans with unbiased and unvarnished data comparing our state to others. The full color Progress Report inserted with this newspaper presents important summary facts and issues for our state. Future guest editorials will focus on more specific Nebraska challenges and opportunities.

Based on shared factual data, (2) through open and easy processes (group meetings, surveys, electronic access), seek ideas from everyone in the state about what should be done, changed or emphasized to build a better Nebraska.

Then (3) consolidate that input down to "100 Great Ideas" (to coordinate with the February, 2013 100th anniversary of the State Chamber); and (4) from those 100 Great Ideas identify 3 to 5 "Big Ideas" that can have positive transformational impact on all of Nebraska. The State Chamber, in partnership with elected officials, state and local leaders and other appropriate organizations, will then develop and execute coordinated action plans to implement the policy or legislative steps identified within the "Big Ideas."

In true, common-sense Nebraska fashion, the Forging Nebraska's Future Initiative will work with residents, businesses and partners across the state to seek out aggressive strategies and policies to make Nebraska even better for the Next Generation. To find more information about Forging Nebraska's Future or to submit your action ideas, go to www.forgingnebraska.com.

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