1. What is needed to accelerate economic development in your region of South Dakota?
2. How can South Dakota Rural Enterprise, in cooperation with its partners, help to meet that need?
3. How will you know when it has been accomplished successfully?

The discussion sessions brought up several needs which South Dakota Rural Enterprise will seek to address in upcoming months. Among the concerns voiced were:

• The need to raise the level of awareness regarding resources available to support business development. Match the right resources with the right people.
• The importance of continuing and expanding efforts to bring training and technical assistance to development organization staff and directors.
• The need to encourage and support efforts to create economies of scale within the economic development community. This includes strategies for increasing the capacity for small development organizations to put their money to work, and supporting local leaders in small communities who have a realistic vision for the future viability of their community and the commitment to make it happen.

Grant Funds will need to be identified in order for South Dakota Rural Enterprise to continue to focus and increase activity in these areas as most are non-revenue generating.

This was the first time the Advisory Board was convened. South Dakota Rural Enterprise hopes to bring investors and development organization directors together with our partners at least annually to insure that the organization is meeting the interests of constituent groups. Contact the South Dakota Rural Enterprise staff and Board of Directors at any time to continue the dialogue regarding economic vitality in South Dakota.