Why are young families choosing to move back to a town of just 435 people? In Leigh, Nebraska, the answer isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about opportunity, pride, and a community that refuses to just survive — it wants to thrive.
Host Scott Foster visits with Justine Fischer and Ryan Hillen to talk about why former graduates are returning home to raise their own kids in Leigh. They share how:
Small-town schools and safe neighborhoods matter
Community pride starts with visible projects like a renovated ballfield
Local leaders built a permanent endowment to invest in Leigh’s future
Youth and families are helping shape what comes next
Since affiliating with the Nebraska Community Foundation in 2020, the Leigh Legacy Fund has built a $1.2 million unrestricted endowment and reinvested nearly $140,000 back into the community.
But this story isn’t about the dollars.
It’s about kids walking downtown.
It’s about knowing your neighbors.
It’s about building something that lasts for the next generation.