GOED Offers Post-Conference Session on Community Development

Session Held Day After 2016 Conference

In conjunction with the 2016 Governor's Economic Development Conference, the GOED is hosting a special session Thursday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. that focuses on Rural Community Development. 

The session is free to conference attendees. 

"We are really excited about this year's bonus session," said Pat Costello, GOED Commissioner. "It is going to feature a number of in-state examples of community development done right, and we are striving for attendees to leave energized with ideas to take back to their own communities." 

This session will also include a discussion with experts about opportunities in small community development. It will highlight the many advantages of small towns, development “best practices” from throughout the region, and what public and private resources are available to support community development action across South Dakota. 

"We are looking forward to this special session, and really encouraging conference goers - especially those from our rural communities - to stick around for this session," Costello concluded.

Community Development Spotlight

Dave Anderson

If you are involved in economic development in South Dakota and from a rural area, chances are you have met Dave Anderson, GOED's Community Development Representative. 

Dave has been in this role since 2008 and typically visits 160-200 communities per year. So far in 2016, Dave has visited 80 communities and 30 small companies.

"My visits are typically in communities with fewer than 5,000 people," Anderson said. "I have the opportunity to visit with city officials and/or economic development professionals and provide them with information on the programs and services that are available to them - whether the service is administered through the GOED or not."

While in town, Dave also visits with small-business owners to see if there is an opportunity to assist in growing his or her companies.

"I may visit with a plumber from Eureka, or a shop owner in Volga to see what their retention and expansion needs are," Anderson said.

Anderson says that issues like infrastructure, housing and labor are topics that come up time and time again, in communities across the state. The GOED utililzes the information Dave gathers to help develop future straetegies in workforce development, finance programs and other campaigns.

Don't Forget to Register!

Registration for the 2016 Governor's Economic Development Conference is now live! The cost for the conference is $150 and the deadline to register is April 6.