Case studies of five rural Nebraska communities identified why some rural communities have survived economic trends stemming from the worst agricultural economic crisis since the Great Depression, while others seem to have surrendered. Background information on each community was gathered from available state, federal, and private information resource banks. Community leaders were identified and interviewed about quality of life, the economy, leadership, and future planning. A synthesis of insights into community success led to development of a series of "clues to rural community survival." The 20 clues are: (1) evidence of community pride; (2) emphasis on quality in business and community life; (3) willingness to invest in the future; (4) participatory approach to community decision making; (5) cooperative community spirit; (6) realistic appraisal of future opportunities; (7) awareness of competitive positioning; (8) knowledge of the physical environment; (9) active economic development program; (10) deliberate transition of power to a younger generation of leaders; (11) acceptance of women in leadership roles; (12) strong belief in and support for education; (13) problem-solving approach to providing health care; (14) strong multigenerational family orientation; (15) strong presence of traditional institutions that are integral to community life; (16) sound and well-maintained infrastructure; (17) careful use of fiscal resources; (18) sophisticated use of information resources; (19) willingness to seek help from the outside; and (20) conviction that, in the long run, you have to do it yourself. This report contains community profiles of 19 successful small towns in Nebraska, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Kansas, and Texas. (KS)