Name: Luke Kramer
Hometown: Rosalie
Affiliated Fund: Cuming County Community Fund
School: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
What projects are you working on this summer with your affiliated fund?
One project I’m working on is the Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program, which provides renovations to homes across the county free of charge for the homeowner. Another project that we’re working on is getting all of Cuming County either Economic Development Certified or Leadership Certified. These distinctions will help establish each town in the state of Nebraska with willingness to bring in and expand businesses. And finally, I’ll be spending most of the summer asset mapping, which is helpful in determining what each town in Cuming County has to offer and gives me a perspective of areas where each town can improve.
Why did you want to take this opportunity to participate in this internship?
One area I felt was lacking on a personal level was my human interaction. I realized, during my time away from home, how disconnected I was from the rest of the county. This opportunity sort of fell into my lap, and I saw this as a way to bridge the gap between each town here in Cuming County. I saw this as a way to give back to the communities that gave me so much during my youth.
How would you describe the experience so far?
It’s been an interesting, but overall positive adjustment thus far. I’ve had to get out of my comfort zone multiple times this summer, but during that process, I’ve been able to meet dozens of new faces here in Cuming County. I feel more connected to the four communities than I ever have, and I feel like that will continue to be the case for the duration of this summer.
What do you appreciate most about your community?
I’ve noticed each town slowly start to come together. It’s maybe not something everyone sees at first glance, but I’ve noticed it more and more as we’ve progressed through our projects. With that being said, each community is unique and cherishes something different, which makes me appreciate each community more.
What excites you the most when you think about the future of your community?
What excites me most is the potential each community has. There is a lot of room in each community to bring in new businesses, new faces, and different events to bring more people into the county. I think giving people a reason to come back to their hometown is something that excites me and something that we will continue to build on in the future.
What are you looking for in a place to call home?
Community is one of the big things I look for in a place to call home. I’d want an environment that I could raise a family in and continue to live there the rest of my life. Not only that, but I also look for opportunity when I’m searching for a place to call home.
