Nebraska Economic Recovery Summit is May 10

April 28, 2017

Lincoln, Neb. — The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Services and the DeWitt Area Recovery Team will present a Nebraska Economic Recovery Summit 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. May 10 at Nebraska Innovation Campus.

The summit will look at recovery in DeWitt and other rural communities impacted by natural disasters. The program features several representatives from the University of Nebraska, including Ashley Mueller with Nebraska Extension and Connie Reimers-Hild and Shawn Kaskie with the Rural Futures Institute.

“The Summit will feature national and local subject matter experts who will discuss solutions for the Long-Term Recovery on the second anniversary of the 2015 DeWitt floods,” said Elizabeth Disco-Shearer, COO of St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Services, whose organization provided disaster case management services to DeWitt and is helping coordinate the summit.  

Tim Garrison, the Chair of the DeWitt Area Recovery Team, which is also helping to coordinate the summit stated, “Economic recovery is extremely important after a natural disaster. DeWitt has done a great job of rebuilding after the flood and to date have sold 17 houses in town. I feel that this shows the pride we have in our town and a commitment by the people of DeWitt to keep our community a good place to live and raise a family. The next step in our recovery process is equally important as the physical rebuild we need to look for opportunities to improve the economic atmosphere and show people that DeWitt is a viable option for businesses to prosper.”

The keynote luncheon speaker will be Connie Reimers-Hild, Associate Executive Director and Chief Futurist, Rural Futures Institute, who will present “Your Desired Future in the Age of Exponential Change, Focused Leadership & Life.”

The presentation will introduce key megatrends impacting rural community development while discussing the characteristics and importance of future-focused leadership. Rural communities that blend high-tech innovations with high-touch community development and future-focused leadership have the potential to shape the future.”

The event is free to the public, but registration is required. To register, please email Brooke Newton at bnewton@svdpdisaster.org. The last day to register is May 5, 2017.