The National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA) was formed in 1988 by economic development professionals representing rural American electric and telephone cooperatives and affiliated organizations.  Today, while retaining its strong roots in the rural electric and telephone cooperative representation, NREDA’s membership is comprised rural economic developers from local, regional and statewide organizations and agencies including local elected and appointed officials, college and university representatives and other affiliated organizations. 

The mission of NREDA is to provide education, advocacy and networking opportunities to rural and suburban utilities and economic development organizations. 

Welcome to the National Rural Economic Developers Association web blog!  My name is Pat Merritt and I am the 2008 President of NREDA.  I am excited about NREDA and about community economic development in rural America!  I’ve selected “celebrating what is right with rural America” as the theme for the year.

We’d love to hear your success stories.  What do you think is “right” with your part of rural America?

Want to learn more about NREDA?  Go to www.nreda.org and check us out.

Want to get involved in an active committee within NREDA?   We are actively planning the 2008 Annual Conference that will be held in Kansas City, MO November 9-11, 2008.  Get involved and help us plan a conference that is like no other.