McCook Connects

What is McCook Connects?

McCook Connects links new people to those already in the community with like-minded interests in McCook and Southwest Nebraska. McCook Connect is aimed at two demographics, short-term students such as medical or teachers as well as new residents. 

Medical students are focused on their rotation and may not venture out into the community to be exposed to all the community has to offer, like the lakes, golf course, arts and culture. We also need to attract and retain new residents and make those connections, especially those without the a link to the community such as family or friends. 

To put it simply, we are going to be match-makers between new and current residents.

How does McCook Connects work? 

Students, interns and new residents would complete a google form asking about their interests and hobbies. Already in place would be a list of McCook Ambassadors, who have also filled out a google form, who have also listed the interests and hobbies they would like to share with others.

Using those answers, these students and new residents will be matched up, sort of like a match-dating service, with a current resident who will take them to a concert, take them fishing, out for coffee, meet them at the park. 

McCook Connects will have funding available for the ambassadors to cover their expenses such as buying a concert ticket, a state park sticker, tee time at the golf course. 

Why do we need McCook Connects? 

Every business in McCook needs employees. We need service industry workers. When the hospital calls up that former medical students, we want them to remember McCook with a fondness, with nothing but good memories. But on another level, we need these new people to enrich the community with new ideas, new enthusiasm, new energy.

McCook Connects will also include a training program for the Ambassadors as well as a quarterly newcomer supper. This will bring newcomers together to meet each other and include a tour of McCook to immerse them in the community to experience the arts, food and destinations of McCook….sort of a Night on the Bricks. 

How is McCook Connects funded?

Community Hospital and MCFF have both granted $5,000 each toward the program. In addition, the program received a $10,000 People Attraction grant from the Nebraska Community Foundation. Reimbursement is run through the McCook Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Goal of McCook Connects
We want these students and newcomers to experience McCook and learn to love it as much as we do. McCook Connects will make McCook and Southwest Nebraska move from friendly to welcoming to belonging.