Raising Rural Voices: Why Representing York County in Washington, D.C. Matters

Raising Rural Voices: Why Representing York County in Washington, D.C. Matters 
By Lisa Hurley, Executive Director, York County Development Corporation 

Last week, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. for the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA) D.C. Fly-In. As the current President of NREDA and Executive Director of York County Development Corporation (YCDC), it was both an honor and a strategic necessity to ensure York County and rural Nebraska had a seat at the table during critical federal discussions. 

Our delegation met with numerous federal agencies, legislative committees, and national organizations. These conversations were more than ceremonial—they were a chance to speak directly with the people who shape and advocate the policies, programs, and funding streams that impact our rural communities. The groups included:  White House staffers, State Business Executives, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), National Rural Utilities Cooperative (NRUC), Finance Corporation (CFC), National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), Small Business Administration (SBA), National Association of Counties (NACo), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Senate Agriculture Committee with Chairman John Boozman, House Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson, Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar staff, International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  

And here’s the truth: rural America must speak louder. We heard that time and time again.  

Many lobbyists and advocacy groups in Washington are laser-focused on one issue at a time—whether it's broadband, housing, energy, or agriculture. But rural economic developers like me are in a unique position. We work at the intersection of all these challenges, with a holistic view of what it takes to create healthy, thriving communities. That means we need to advocate from that broader perspective—and do it early. Topics such as HeadStart, housing, infrastructure, energy, broadband, and regulations were just a few of the discussion points last week.  

A recurring theme throughout our meetings was the importance of building relationships before a crisis arises. Waiting until we have a need or a challenge can mean it’s already too late. Proactive engagement with national partners is essential to ensure rural communities don’t miss out on funding, support, or inclusion in key initiatives. 

During our conversations, I shared specific examples from York County—on housing needs, industrial expansion, workforce partnerships, and entrepreneurship efforts. What stood out was how similar our story is to that of other rural communities across the nation. We’re not alone in our challenges—or in our opportunities. 

These face-to-face conversations helped make rural voices real and relatable for federal leaders. They heard how policy decisions and funding gaps directly affect real communities like ours—and that’s what makes attending these events so important. 

York County’s presence in these national forums isn’t just about visibility; it’s about influence. It’s about ensuring that when decisions are made in Washington, the needs and potential of places like York are clearly understood. And it’s about cultivating strategic partnerships that can help us grow—not just for today, but for the long haul.