(KTIV, Sioux City) -- Is rural America dying? Economic development leaders in Nebraska say yes. With the workforce leaving for better paying jobs in bigger cities, leaders are asking themselves, how can rural towns retain businesses, fill schools, and stay vibrant? An economic summit Thursday in Wayne, Neb., sought to answer those questions. Mayors, city council members, and economic development leaders from all over Nebraska attended seminars and networked with economic development experts. The summit's keynote speaker said rural towns need to recognize that it's not location that keeps people in town; it's quality of life. "Communities that invest in themselves and create the amenities that attract people," keynote speaker Don Holbrook said. "Like having a great college like Wayne State here as an asset, huge asset. If they play off of that, any community can be a world class community." From sessions throughout the day, to networking and meeting other economic leaders, the summit's goal was to share experiences and forge partnerships throughout the region. The summit was funded by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
