Earlier this year, a dedicated group of our state's economic development officials, including Lin VanHofwegen, Vice-President of Operations for South Dakota Rural Enterprise, received the Economic Development Finance Professional certification from the National Development Council. The classes were sponsored in Sioux Falls by CITI.

This national training course is specially geared to developing knowledge and skills essential to making deals happen here in South Dakota. The certification program is a rigorous, four-week training series that explores the skills essential for the successful practice of economic development: business credit and real estate finance analysis techniques, loan packaging procedures, negotiating and problem solving skills and deal structuring techniques. Participants in the training course build the capacity to translate development opportunities into results for our communities and our state.

In addition to lessons drawn from actual projects, these certified professionals completed hands-on exercises, spent four weeks in classroom sessions and passed comprehensive exams to receive this professional designation. We're proud of Lin and the other South Dakotans who went back to school. Their training will be vital to maintaining the viability and prosperity of our state's communities.

Congratulations to SD Rural Enterprise Capital Investment Fund partners who also received Economic Development Finance Professional certification: Dwaine Chapel of Lake Area Improvement Corporation in Madison, and Lori Finnesand and Jannine Fagerland from NESDEC.

Thank you to CITI who, with support from the Citigroup Foundation, partnered with the Governor's Office of Economic Development and USDA Rural Development to offer the NDC training series at no cost to economic development professionals in South Dakota.

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