Gregory County, the T.R.E.E. (Timberlake, Isabel, and Dupree) area, the Glacial Lakes region, (Marshall, Day, and Roberts counties) and the communities of Huron and Mobridge are seeing solid results from their Creating a Value-Added Community (CVAC) process planning efforts.

CVAC brought together twelve Gregory County citizens from seven communities. Throughout the planning process, the idea of "branding" Gregory County kept surfacing. The CVAC group launched a new web site complete with a logo, tagline, and a focus on tourism. Group efforts toward the other goals identified by the local CVAC participants are centered on the expansion of local business and promoting tourism.

Local voices identified a CVAC goal of the T.R.E.E. area becoming a "greener" community. CVAC participants have begun this journey by instituting a Recycling Program throughout the area. Through creative collaboration efforts, T.R.E.E. residents can now recycle plastic, glass and aluminum, with other efforts at being eco-friendly currently under way. Strides toward a second goal are being made, with plans to offer community computer classes soon.

Entrepreneurship emerged as the key goal for the Glacial Lakes CVAC program. Participants from nine communities in northeast South Dakota realized that focusing on existing assets is crucial. The team is looking at ways to support and strengthen the many business owners in their territory. A quality start has been the selection of Glacial Lakes Area Development as one of four Dakota Rising sites. In applying for the innovative entrepreneur fellowship program, Glacial Lakes Area Development forged strong ties with the community of Sisseton and the Sisseton Wahpeton-Oyate reservation.

After compiling community data and hundreds of surveys, the two dozen participants in the Huron CVAC group identified five strategic goals, which research indicated were already being addressed. So the challenge became how best to support and strengthen efforts currently underway on key issues. The answer was an innovative thought: a Community Incubator. The way that the Community Incubator adds value to community organizations continues to evolve. Some of their early successes with regard to volunteer recruitment, fund raising, and marketing points to good things for Huron, and a viable concept for similar communities.

A strong message about the need for additional learning opportunities came out of the Mobridge CVAC community survey. The CVAC team launched ACE, the Area Community Education program. Thanks to local partnerships and talent, Mobridge residents now have 15 different classes offered locally and hosted throughout the community. The topics range from Selling on EBay and Beginning Genealogy to Floral Arrangements and yoga classes. In addition, the CVAC group is in the process of implementing a recycling program and putting together a task force to bring a bowling alley to the community.

These results are just a small part of the good things being done through the hard work of CVAC participants. The process of slowing down and taking time to plan is not only good for individuals and businesses, but important for communities as well. The success that these CVAC communities are enjoying is proof of what can happen when local leadership is inclusive and targets the future by focusing on assets.

We are currently identifying the 2009 CVAC communities. For more information contact me at 605-978-2804 or e-mail .

2008 AUTUMN REPORT
	Entrepreneur Fairs focus on the future
	South Dakota heritage will serve us well today
	Development Institute provides creative networking opportunities
	CVAC communities are building success
	SAVE THE DATE
	Positive actions for troubled economic times
	Qualifying is easier for the 2008 Dakotas America New Markets Tax Credit allocation
	New Markets Tax Credit Low Income Communities by County
	Gregory and Lakota Fund receive "Success Stories" awards