The impact of economic development is more then just jobs for your community or county. Just ask communities like Aberdeen, Bowdle, McLaughlin, Huron and Pierre, among others. South Dakota Rural Enterprise, with its partnership in Dakotas America LLC, leverages financial programs to create a lasting impact for those communities. The industries that have been targeted by these communities include agriculture, energy and technology-industries that have been important in the past and recent economy and will continue to be important in the future. South Dakota is a state where business expansion and creation creates impact regardless of where those businesses are located.

Agriculture is what Bowdle, McLaughlin and Huron have leveraged to expand their communities and trade area. Bowdle, with their grain handling terminal developed by North Central Farmers Elevator, and McLaughlin, with a similar development by South Dakota Wheat Growers, used Dakotas America to leverage New Markets Tax Credits to enhance their expansions. These projects will have lasting economic enhancements not just to their communities-local governments will also benefit from increases in property valuations. Since both expansions have been made by cooperatives, the increased patronage dividends and capital stock growth go back to their members.

Huron leveraged agriculture also, but a different niche in targeting the turkey processing industry. Dakota Provisions, a cooperative Hutterite venture of enhancing their six million bird turkey industry, sought to add value to their product by retaining processing inside the state. Statistics show that Huron had annual population declines until the addition of the new turkey processing plant and that spinoff industries and population influx came with the new development. The Greater Huron Development Corporation (GHDC) leveraged the Rural Enterprise Capital Investment Fund as one element of this vital expansion.

The recent expansion of Molded Fiber Glass in Aberdeen targeted the energy industry. MFG manufactures components for wind turbines-a rapidly growing industry. Aberdeen Development Corporation leveraged the Capital Investment Fund to partner in this new development. The impact to Aberdeen and Huron has reduced their unemployment percentages to some of the lowest in the state of South Dakota-less than half the national average. In addition, their water, power, sewer and road infrastructures were improved to provide lasting benefits to their communities.

The Pierre Economic Development Corporation leveraged the technology industry with the addition of Eagle Creek Software Services to their community. The additional impact for Pierre is that it diversifies their economy from their dependence on state government.

Opportunities for impact are endless for your community, county or region even in these current economic times. I encourage you plan for your future and certainly plan to make an impact. You will be surprised by benefits beyond your original ideas.

2010 SUMMER REPORT
	Entrepreneurs chosen as 2010 Dakota Rising Fellows
	New duties for Wagner
	Taking stock of your community's strengths
	Partner Spotlight: South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service
	Dakotas America announces Wheat Growers projects in both Dakotas
	VanHofwegen receives national certification
	YOU are the community leader of tomorrow
	Community development creates more than jobs
	Ag Summit focuses on development issues