The director of the Nebraska Rural Futures Institute says there’s no easy trick to developing the state’s small, rural towns and one of the biggest challenges is the community’s confidence level. Charles Schroeder says perceptions about the years to come are the key to success — or failure.

 
Schroeder says when people were asked if they believe those towns of 500 would still be around 20 years from now, only 35-percent said “yes.” He says one vital ingredient in a community’s success is leaders who have vision and confidence.

 
Schroeder says small communities are the preferred incubator for the start-up of small businesses in Nebraska, which economists agree are the source of the vast majority of jobs in the U.S.