Census data no surprise

It was disappointing but no surprise that while Nebraska gained about 100,000 people, it was at the expense of those of us not living near the major population centers nor along Interstate 80.

Officially, Southwest Nebraska lost about 2,000 people over the last decade, ranging from a loss of 393 people in Red Willow County (11,448 in 2000, 11,055 in 2010) down to Hayes, down 101 people (1,068 in 2000 to 967 in 2010).

McCook's official population now stands at 7,698, down 296 from 7,994 at the turn of the century.

Officials are likely to question the accuracy of the count, and they're probably right -- no matter how much cajoling and pleading is done, a certain number of people are always missed in the process.

The truth be known, the area population has been declining since 1930, when Red Willow County's population peaked at 13,859. First the Depression thinned out the farming population, then advancing technology and larger farms meant fewer people were needed to produce grain and livestock.

But should we just throw up our hands and accept declining population as our fate? No, we have the opportunity to attract and create more industries like Valmont, Parker Hannifin and the numerous other industries that dot the region. Declining population, unfortunately, means reduced political influence plus state and federal funding.

It's not Mission Impossible. We have much to offer to those attracted to our slower pace of life and outdoor recreational opportunities as well as positive business climate.

Not all of us actually want to see a growing population, but we need to do everything we can to maintain the "critical mass" of people needed to support the basic services and cultural opportunities we all enjoy.