Rural communities are often dependent upon their agricultural bases, which have undergone drastic changes. For communities to remain viable as economic units certain measures must be taken. Strategic planning can assist communities in assessing their situations and in developing plans and implementation schedules. Initially used in the business and corporate worlds, strategic planning can be used by education, including continuing higher education and the Extension Service to deliver efficient, effective programs. The purpose of this paper is to present a strategic planning model designed to fit small-town community development in group situations. This model focuses on rural communities with populations of 1500 or less and was piloted in three areas of Nebraska. Cooperation between small towns and communities is also part of the model. Non-residential cooperative extension personnel have no preconceived notions about the community and hence can remain objective and neutral in delivering the program. The following six steps constitute the strategic planning process as it is applied to small community development in a group setting: (1) determining who should be involved in the process; (2) determining the geographic area and its needs; (3) analyzing the external environment affecting the area; (4) assessing the area's strengths and weaknesses; (5) analyzing competing areas; and (6) examining potentials for growth and development, assumptions for success, and development of objectives with an action plan. This paper contains 11 references. (ALL)