Here's more information on the national program: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/initiatives/stronger-economies-together
January 2019 Update
A $2,000 grant was awarded for the SET Glacial Lakes group for planning and research for a mobile app for the Day, Grant, Marshall and Roberts counties region. A starting point will be 10 "points of interest" per county (such as a park, landmark, eating establishment, or whatever your region is known for).
Since the initial call in May 2018, the group has been working with a local graphic designer to create a printed brochure. Webster Area Chamber and Webster Area Development Corporation have been collaborating on the Day County portion. Watch for the brochures in Spring 2019.
Since the initial call in May 2018, the group has been working with a local graphic designer to create a printed brochure. Webster Area Chamber and Webster Area Development Corporation have been collaborating on the Day County portion. Watch for the brochures in Spring 2019.
Leaders and residents of Day County continue to be invited to participate - contact Melissa Waldner at 345-3159 or email.
Check out the history of this program below.
Check out the history of this program below.
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| Discussion about challenges and opportunities of our region |
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| Reporter & Farmer article |
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| Reporter & Farmer article (continued) |
Session #2 - Oct. 19, 2016
People from allover Day, Grant, Marshall and Roberts counties met in Webster, SD to continue laying the groundwork for a regional economic development plan.
It was the second gathering for the Stronger Economies Together (SET) program, which could hopefully bring $10,000 from USDA to implement the plan. A huge thanks to Miss Duerre and the culinary students at Webster Area School for preparing delicious food for us!
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| Strengths defined at the forum |
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| Challenges defined at the forum |
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| Food prepared by Webster Area high school culinary class |
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| Attendance |
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| Reporter & Farmer article |
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| Reporter & Farmer article (continued) |
Session #3 - Nov. 16, 2016 - Milbank
Session #4 -February 7, 2017 - Sisseton
Session #5 -February 22, 2017 - Waubay
Session #6 - March 23, 2017 -
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Headquarters
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Headquarters
Next Steps
Regional Collaboration to Put Spotlight on Region
City and county officials and residents from a four-county region—Day, Grant, Marshall & Roberts—are focused on regional Tourism and Agri-Business initiatives as part of a nation-wide program called Stronger Economies Together (SET).
Gatherings have rotated across the four counties to welcome all interested residents in examining demographics, opportunities, assets and barriers of the region. After reviewing the date, attendees identified Tourism and Agri-Business as two collective areas of interest. The group is developing a regional plan around these topics that will generate benefits for all communities involved.
The purpose of SET is to strengthen the capacity of communities/counties in rural America to work together to develop and implement an economic development blueprint for their multi-county region--one that strategically builds on the region’s current and emerging economic strengths. SDSU Extension and USDA Rural Development assisted the group as they worked through the process.
Community members have been invited to attend and participate in the process at every location. Once again, we are asking for input from the region.
One goal is to develop a name, logo and tagline for the four-county region: Day, Grant, Marshall and Roberts counties of South Dakota. These items would be used to put a spotlight our region as an ideal travel destination.
All community members are invited to answer a few open-ended questions at this Survey Monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TPYGNF6. Please be as specific as possible when describing elements to incorporate into a name, logo, and tagline for this area. Consider which colors, font style, images, wording, etc. will represent us well and draw people to this area.
