Great to hear that Pillen is putting good internet access to rural areas. I believe that is crucial for small town Nebraska. I question your statement that Red Cloud is vibrant. You know more than me, but when I pass through there it seems there is little to no growth. In fact, it looks like it is eroding. It had a population of 1531 in 1970 and has consistently lost population since. It had a population of only 962 in 2020.
Some of these towns need to come up with a theme or exploit something they make or produce. Create a festival or an annual event. Here in Eastern Washington a lot of towns promote ag products and wine. Nearby Leavenworth, Washington (pop. 2,263) was afraid of fading away after the lumber mill closed down and logging was slowing down back in the sixties. With no German heritage the town leaders encouraged the businesses to all change into Bavarian architecture. Leavenworth is now famous for Octoberfest, Autumn Leaf Festival, Christmas Lighting Ceremony and having plays in the summertime.
We had festivals and what nots. We have the fair and a rodeo. They quashed all the festivals and what nots. We have a Pizza Hut and a Subway, a local Dine in place that's been here forever, 2 bars and a theater. That's it.
The main downtown area is some banks, lawyers, insurance agents, car dealer. There's nothing there for an out of towner to come in and do. Hell, there's nothing on the highway through town for that matter. DG maybe? Bomgaars?
And then we get our council arguing about flippin what color they want the cement and planters on main and oh lets buy some new banners to hang off the light poles so people can look how great they are while they drive through and not stop. But oh no its to lure people into town so they can do what? THERES NOTHING THERE FOR THEM. Spend money spend money.
And now they want to focus on building apartments and housing and why? So they can build another pig farm and lure more illegals here? GET THAT MONEY NO MATTER HOW YOU DO IT. It never F'n ends.
I liked how our town was 20 years ago. We don't need to be a suburb of big town in the middle of no-where.