Webster City Council commits $25,000 to local gift card drive

Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 7, a very special day to support the small businesses you love in Webster, SD. Thanks to Webster City Council's unanimous vote on April 28, up to $25,000 of gift card purchases will be matched!

Watch for the full details very soon on our @WebsterAreaDev Facebook page, on our website, and in the Reporter & Farmer.

#WowWebster #SparkDayCounty

Day County Hosts State-Wide Workshop

It was an honor to host one of the four annual Dakota Resources Learning Network gatherings in Day County this week. This training and networking opportunity was around "community engagement."

Executive Director Melissa Waldner worked closely with the Dakota Resources team and local business owners to create a valuable experience for the 25 community leaders that traveled from across South Dakota. A total of 38 joined us for the Northeast Regional Development Roundtable in Bristol.

Thank you to The Galley Hotel Bar & Grill, Boomers Outback & Motel, Schmidt's Custom Meats, Roslyn Mini Mall, Bristol Sand Volleyball League, Webster Area Career & Technical Education Center, International Vinegar Museum, Jimmy J's Bar & Grill, Capitol Lanes Lounge & Cafe, Bristol Community Center, and First Savings Bank for your hospitality and participation!

Case Studies presented by Mike Knutson, Dakota Resources

Amy Miller sharing about Webster Area's career and technical education expansion

Kelly Hanson sharing about Roslyn's new mini mall and Schmidt's Custom Meats

Brenda Mammenga sharing about Bristol's sand volleyball league

Dakota Resources' Paula Jensen and Kristi Wagner showing how to host a World Cafe event

Samples at Schmidt's Custom Meats in Roslyn, SD

Networking at Schmidt's Custom Meats in Roslyn Mini Mall

Vinegar tasting by Mary Wagner at International Vinegar Museum

Souvenirs from International Vinegar Museum

International Vinegar Museum in Roslyn, SD

Social and supper at Jimmy J's Bar & Grill in Roslyn, SD

Powerful Questions session with Joe Bartmann, Dakota Resources

Lunch at Capitol Cafe in Bristol, SD

Northeast Regional Development Roundtable hosted in Bristol Community Center

Northeast Regional Development Roundtable in Bristol, SD

Angie Hammrich of WEB Water presents at the Northeast Regional Development Roundtable

Director graduates from intensive professional development course

Melissa Waldner, Executive Director of Webster Area Development Corporation and Day County Champion Community pictured with colleagues from South Dakota: Joe Fiala of SD Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Joshua Hofer of Freeman Development Corporation, and Andrew Nilges of North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation.

Melissa Waldner of Day County was one of 87 economic development professionals to attend the Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) April 23-26, 2018 in Blue Springs, Missouri.

Heartland attendees receive intensive lectures, expert panels, educational tours and small group challenges on topics ranging from business, retention and expansion, workforce development, real estate and entrepreneurship to marketing, finance, ethics and managing and economic development organizations.

“It was an incredible experience learning from national experts, and I am eager to implement several ideas and strategies in Day County,” said Waldner, Executive Director of Webster Area Development Corporation (WADC) and Day County Champion Community (DCCC). “I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend Heartland.”

HEDC is coordinated by the Institute for Decision Making at the University of Northern Iowa and certified by the International Economic Development Council.  The 2018 class includes economic developers from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota, as well as nationally recognized faculty from within the profession of economic development.

“Heartland students experience a variety of presentations, best practices and networking opportunities that they can apply back in their own organizations and communities,” says James Hoelscher, CEcD, HEDC Director.  “Heartland provides a solid foundation upon which each developer can build their base of knowledge and experience.”   

The Heartland Economic Development Course is a partnership of the Kansas Economic Development Alliance, Professional Developers of Iowa, Missouri Economic Development Council, Nebraska Economic Developers’ Association, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and the Oklahoma Professional Economic Development Association.