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GERING, Neb. --- Two members of President Obama's cabinet arrived in western Nebraska today for a stop on the administration's national Rural Tour series.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar stopped in Gering to discuss production agriculture and initiatives to revitalize rural America.
The main public event was a community forum in the outdoor amphitheater at the bae of Scotts Bluff National Monument.
"People are optimistic and they're hopeful,'' Vilsack said. "They want to know that there's a direction and a strategy. They appreciate knowing there will be investments in broadband, local production and local consumption through 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.' They like the idea there will be new energy opportunities created in rural America.''
Vilsack encouraged rural communities to work on economic development through regional efforts, not lone communities.
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., Gov. Dave Heineman and Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., were joining the two secretaries at the forum.
Vilsack and Salazar also planned to receive briefings on droughts, biomass and climate change, based on research conducted at the Panhandle Research Extension Center in Scottsbluff. The Scotts Bluff National Monument stop is Salazar's first visit to a small unit of the National Park Service since he took office earlier this year.
Vilsack also is to tour the Evergreen Community Greenhouse in Gering and visit a food bank and health clinic at the Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska in Gering.
The Nebraska stop is the 20th similar forum since Vilsack was sworn in earlier this year.
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