Keith County Community Vision Planning 

In 2020, the Keith County Foundation Fund (KCFF) initiated a collaborative effort with local organizations, including Keith County Area Development (KCAD), the Keith County Chamber of Commerce (KCCC), Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF), Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), the City of Ogallala, and Keith County officials, to identify and prioritize the community development needs of Keith County. This effort aimed to strategize actionable plans for achieving success through community vision planning sessions.

Large community “think tank” gatherings were held to identify Keith County's assets and potential opportunities. Through an interactive and collaborative process, input was gathered from participants, resulting in the identification of three key focus areas:

1. Early childhood development
   
2. Housing development
   
3. First impressions/curb appeal improvements 

Since then, the community has been actively working toward a shared vision for growth and improvement, thanks to strong partnerships between KCAD, KCFF, NPPD, and NCF. 

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Thematic Conversations 

Early Childhood Development

Housing Development

First Impressions / Curb Appeal

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• Early Childhood
• Housing
• First Impressions

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Early Childhood Development - Community Vision Planning - Session I

September 22, 2020

• ​Recap Email
• Chat Transcript
• Community Assets

Early Childhood Development - Community Vision Planning - Session II

October 13, 2020

• Slides​​
• Chat Transcript 

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Related Information:

• ​My Nebraska Story: Ogallala (YouTube Video)
• My Nebraska Story: Statewide Campaign (YouTube Video)
• ​Keith County Communities for Kids (C4K) (Facebook Page) - Contact information:  [email protected]
• Nebraska Childcare Referral Network
• Early Childhood Programs' Scarcity Undermines Nebraska's Rural Communities (Council for a Strong America)
• Panelists Release a New Report about the Scarcity of Early Childhood Programs in Nebraska's Rural Communities (Council for a Strong America)

Other Community Examples:

• Red Cloud Community Fund (Vimeo Video)
• Boone Beginnings - Albion
• Gothenburg Early Childhood Learning Coalition

​Housing Development - Community Vision Planning - Session I

October 14, 2020

• Slides
• ​Chat Transcript

Housing Development - Community Vision Planning - Session II

October 27, 2020

• ​​​Chat Transcript
• Recap: Goals Identified

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Related information:

• Keith County Housing Development Corporation's Housing Fund
• Nebraska Rural Workforce Housing Fund 
• Keith County Housing Study (2017)

Keith County Housing Study (November 2017)

First Impressions - Phase One Projects

January 2022​​

• Thanks to funding from the Keith County Big Give and grants from the Keith County Foundation Fund and Robert F. Hanich Charitable Trust, we are preparing to implement Phase One projects.
• Phase One includes: 2022 Mural Project, Alleyway Pocket Park, Downtown Hanging Baskets, Greenspace at the new Ogallala Mural Site, and a Wayfinding Study.
• Project Status Slides

First Impressions / Curb Appeal - Community Vision Planning - Session III

February 18, 2021

• Chat Transcript​
• Discussion Notes

First Impressions / Curb Appeal - Community Vision Planning - Session II

October 28, 2020

• ​Chat Transcript
• Recap Slides

First Impressions / Curb Appeal - Community Vision Planning - Session I

October 16, 2020

• ​Slides - Jennifer McKeone
• Slides - Mary Wilson​
• ​Chat Transcript

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 Related Information:

• ​Keith County Historical Society: Educational History Museum Survey
• First Impression Project 2017 - Cozad/Ogallala - Mary Wilson

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Other Community Examples:

• Quality Growth Fund at 20: Preserving North Platte's past through façade program, bricks beautification
• Our Town Cozad: Dynamic Downtown

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Learn more about Keith County's Community Visioning Process:

2020 Innovative Minds Event Summary

Keith County Data Snapshot

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Brought to you in partnership by Keith County Area Development and Keith County Foundation Fund, with support and facilitation from the Nebraska Community Foundation and Nebraska Public Power District.