Ribbon Cutting Set For Tuesday, Feb. 5, For The Center For Rural Research And Development At UNK

Deborah Murray
director of the Center for Rural Research/Development, 308.865.8199
 
What has been described as the reopening and refocusing of the Center for Rural Research and Development (CRRD) at the University of Nebraska at Kearney will be marked by a 4 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 5, in the atrium of the West Center Building, located on the UNK West Campus.
       According to Deborah Murray, CRRD director, the CRRD “…focuses on programming that empowers the region’s residents to seek avenues of rural economic development through university, community, and global partnerships to build entrepreneurial and professional capacity, and encourage creative thinking about the economic growth of our region.”
       The CRRD partners with UNK’s other outreach centers, regional businesses, economic development organizations and community development nonprofit organizations. Through financial support from the University of Nebraska Programs of Excellence funding and a U.S. Department of Education Title VI-B grant, an entrepreneur and innovation support program, and a business and international education program have been launched.
       “The ribbon cutting ceremony will highlight the partnership of the four UNK outreach centers serving businesses and communities the U. S. Third Congressional District,” Murray said. The other three centers include the Center for Economic Education, the Nebraska Safety Center and the Nebraska Business Development Center.
       Mary Rittenhouse, director of the Center for Economic Education, said: “The Center for Economic Education serves Nebraska with programs to increase economic literacy among adults, and to enhance the quality of elementary and secondary school economic education. By working together, our outreach centers have substantially extended our community outreach.”
       “We are excited to be part of a university partnership that has a global perspective,” said Gordon Brooks, director of the Nebraska Safety Center. The safety center serves the state through safety education classes, workshops, research and coordination of statewide safety education programs.
       Odee Ingersoll is the director of the Nebraska Business Development Center. NBDC provides business loan packages, business transition planning, government procurement contracts, GIS studies and statewide business appraisal services.
       “The addition of the UNK Center for Rural Research and Development will provide important new opportunities for collaboration, business growth and economic development,” Ingersoll said. “It’s an excellent addition to the College of Business and Technology.”