South Dakota Rural Enterprise partnered with local development groups for a series of Town Hall meetings held throughout the Black Hills, facilitated by Program Developer Kristi Wagner. The meetings were held to discuss the region's future and to gather community feedback to help shape the scope of work for each of the sponsoring organizations in coming years. The material gathered at each Town Hall meeting is also available to community planners to assist in shaping development initiatives in each of the eleven sites.

Black Hills Vision, Black Hills Council of Local Governments, and Black Hills Community Economic Development organized the events. The groups sought to share the public's thinking about changes in the region over the past decade, emerging issues of concern, challenges that must be met, and what is working in other regions that might be implemented here.

The meetings featured a presentation by Mike Derby, Chairman of Black Hills Vision, on the history and accomplishments of the group, followed by small group discussions facilitated by Wagner. The groups talked about opportunities available to grow each community, regional growth opportunities and the role Black Hills Vision could play in both.

"There have been many efforts over the years to get the communities to look at the region as a whole and understand that each needs to be involved in the shaping of the region," Blaise Emerson, Executive Director of Black Hills Council of Local Governments said. "This process gave each community an opportunity to express their thoughts and perspective about the region and a reason to be involved in future initiatives."

The Town Hall meetings showcased citizen concerns on a wide variety of topics. Among the common threads which emerged from the community discussions were questions relating to the issues of energy, transportation, tourism, education, medical and outdoor recreation. The responses will be compiled into a report, available to participating communities and other Black Hills organizations.

"We're hoping that this grassroots effort will be used by other groups and communities to be a springboard for their local and regional development planning, both in the short and long term," Wagner said.

For more information, contact Black Hills Vision at 605-394-2681 or e-mail bemerson@iw.net.

2009 WINTER REPORT
	Capital Investment Fund Reaches $10 Million
	Black Hills Town Hall Meetings Focus on Priorities
	Opportunity Roundtable Discussions on Line
	Dakotas America Provides Vital Funding for Regional Projects
	Micro-Enterprise Program to Benefit Small Business Statewide