Over 80 young Valentine area residents attended an informational event held last evening at Bolo Beer in Valentine. The Valentine Economic Development board hosted the event to gather information about what led those residents to remain or return to the Valentine area and what challenges they face in the community. Leading factors that brought attendees to to the area were:family, small town values, safety, outdoor activities, among others. Some challenges included quality daycare, housing, good paying jobs and higher cost of living. There will also be a group meeting with early retirees in the community.
9 students from the UNL School of landscape Architecture are involved in a local project to visit the community and offer ideas and a plan for possible projects that would improve the quality of life. The students will tour the area and work on ideas to be presented during return trips to Valentine. The students facilitated last evenings discussion.
The Valentine Economic Development Board is currently working on plans to address early childhood development, and housing issues. The board is also pursuing a leadership program for those in the area that would like to become more involved in the community.