In rural economic development, progress often depends on the right timing. A business is ready to expand. A property becomes available. A community need rises to the surface. A future opportunity starts to take shape before all the pieces are fully in place. For the Madison Area Development Corporation, formerly Lake Area Improvement Corporation, having access to flexible, long-term capital has helped make those moments possible.
Volunteering is a big part of life for many people living in rural areas. A recent community survey by Dakota Resources and eight rural communities found that about 80% of people believe they need to get involved to help their community succeed. Volunteering can mean different things: donating money, helping neighbors, taking on leadership roles, or working on community projects. Across the country, the number of people who volunteer formally has been dropping for about 20 years.
On January 15, Dakota Resources marked a major milestone: 30 years of connecting capital and capacity to empower rural communities. The day brought together community leaders, team and board members, partners, and supporters in Pierre for conversations at the Capitol and an evening reception celebrating the people and partnerships that make rural progress possible.
Dakota Resources will kick off its 30th anniversary celebration with a public reception on Thursday, January 15, 2026, inviting community members, partners, and supporters to join in recognizing three decades of investment in rural South Dakota communities. The 30th Anniversary Kickoff Reception will be held 4:30–6:00 p.m. CT at RedRossa Italian Grill – Hills Highland Ballroom in Pierre. A short program will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will include remarks and proclamation of January 15, 2026 as “Dakota Resources’ 30th Anniversary Day” from Governor Larry Rhoden and brief comments from Dakota Resources.
Hey there, Rural Thrivers! This past year reaffirmed something we’ve believed at Dakota Resources from the beginning: rural communities don’t need “saving.” They need support that helps local leaders build skills, connect to resources, and turn good ideas into real projects. When that support shows up consistently, local people can do extraordinary things. And that’s exactly what you did in 2025. We’re connecting an ecosystem where rural leaders level up their skills, confidence, and impact—together—and then bring that momentum back to their hometowns. At the same time, the truth is 2025 also came with real challenges for CDFIs, like Dakota Resources, and for rural economic development in general. That’s why we stepped up our advocacy efforts significantly this year and helped local leaders to do the same.
A stroll down Main Street in Lennox feels different today than it did just a few years ago. Freshly updated storefronts line the blocks, businesses are reinvesting in their spaces, and there’s a renewed energy downtown. What was once a corridor at risk of being overshadowed by growth along Highway 17 is now a hub of pride and possibility.
Click on the image below to Download the PDF.
We want to celebrate you. Our annual Thriverr Awards will be presented at our Using Public Policy for Local Development Thriverr Gathering on November 12th in Murdo, SD. Award applications are opened, and we look forward to reading your submissions! See the award descriptions below. All applications are due on October 24th, 2025.
A stroll down Main Street in Lennox feels different today than it did just a few years ago. Freshly updated storefronts line the blocks, businesses are reinvesting in their spaces, and there’s a renewed energy downtown. What was once a corridor at risk of being overshadowed by growth along Highway 17 is now a hub of pride and possibility.
Volunteering is a big part of life for many people living in rural areas. A recent community survey by Dakota Resources and eight rural communities found that about 80% of people believe they need to get involved to help their community succeed. Volunteering can mean different things: donating money, helping neighbors, taking on leadership roles, or working on community projects. Across the country, the number of people who volunteer formally has been dropping for about 20 years.
Click on the image below to Download the PDF.
The northwestern South Dakota farming community of McIntosh is celebrating a new preK-8 school, opening this Fall.
Volunteering is a big part of life for many people living in rural areas. A recent community survey by Dakota Resources and eight rural communities found that about 80% of people believe they need to get involved to help their community succeed. Volunteering can mean different things: donating money, helping neighbors, taking on leadership roles, or working on community projects. Across the country, the number of people who volunteer formally has been dropping for about 20 years.
When I was a child, my mom ingrained in me the mantra: “Whatever you do, leave it better than you found it.” That statement resonates daily in my work as a community coach with rural leaders. As I help these rural leaders uncover a vision for their community, I often hear the greatest generation reminisce about their community’s vibrant past. They express a dream of returning to those days.
Deon Vilhauer was raised in South Dakota and has called North Dakota home for the past 28 years. Growing up on a ranch 10 miles south of the SD/ND border, at an early age Deon learned there are more things that South Dakota and North Dakota have in common than what they don't have in common. Deon attended High School in Leola, SD, college in Aberdeen, SD and flight school in Tulsa, OK. Deon enjoys a busy life as he is the Flight Operations Manager for the North Dakota Department of Transportation as well as ranches with his parents and sister and brother-in-law when time allows. Deon is also a Board Member for Capital Electric Cooperative of Bismarck, North Dakota Association for Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC), Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC), Dakotas America and is on the Rural Development Services Committee for NDAREC.
Garrett Schweitzer is the Market President of Dacotah Bank's locations in Lemmon and Bison. He understands the important role community banks play in rural economic development and takes great pride in helping business owners and farmers and ranchers reach their financial goals. He is active in the community, having served on the Lemmon City Council, Lemmon Area Charitable and Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, West River Cooperative Telephone Company Board of Directors, and Lemmon Country Club Board of Directors. Garrett and his family love the outdoors and enjoy spending time in the vast, rural areas of western South Dakota and other western states.
With a commitment to both rural and urban communities, Jarrett has carved a unique path in his career, seamlessly blending his educational achievements with hands-on experience across various domains. Jarrett’s educational journey began with a focus on engineering and construction management. While working in project management roles for different contractors across the United States, he realized the importance of complementing his technical expertise with a solid foundation in business. This drove him to pursue an MBA, further enhancing his ability to navigate the complex world of project management and entrepreneurship. After several years of success in the construction industry, Jarrett returned to his roots and joined his family on their farm. Here, he took on a wide variety of responsibilities, including legal, financial, and HR management, among others, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to ensuring the farm’s success. He also spearheaded the expansion of their trucking business, venturing into commercial work, and introduced a custom spray application service, diversifying their agricultural offerings. Beyond farming, Jarrett is an investor and property owner, with multiple apartments and rental properties in the Groton and Aberdeen areas. Since his return to South Dakota, Jarrett has actively participated in initiatives that make a difference. He serves on the board of directors for the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce and Aberdeen Regional Airport.
Dr. Jacob Quail was raised on the family farm outside of Sinai, South Dakota. He attended Augustana College and then medical school at the University of Minnesota. After medical school, he and his wife moved to San Diego where he trained and worked as a general surgeon in the US Navy. While serving in the Navy, he served in multiple locations including Guam, Okinawa and California. He separated from the Navy in 2020 after serving Active Duty for 11 years. Dr. Quail and his family moved back to South Dakota where he now works as a rural general surgeon at Sanford Vermillion.
Ryan is the Sioux Falls Market President for American State Bank. With more than 24 years of experience in the financial services industry, Ryan assumed his current role with the bank in 2018. Prior to American State Bank, he was employed with HSBC/Capital One. He joined HSBC in 1999 as an entry level unit manager. He managed several different departments over the years including customer service and credit bureau disputes. Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree from Dakota State University in Madison. He has served as a committee Chair for the Sioux Empire United Way and an 18-year classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement.
Mr. Petersen is a Professional Engineer with over 20 years of engineering experience in the public and private sector, including: water distribution system modeling and design, water tower and pump station design, instrumentation and control design, preparation of plans, specifications, and engineering reports, construction inspection, hydrant flow testing and pressure monitoring, water sample testing, stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP), infiltration and inflow analysis, sewer design, bridge hydraulics and special experience working with rural water systems. Mr. Petersen also has surveying experience including construction staking, site grading, topographical mapping, and boundary surveying. Mr. Petersen is a professional engineer in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota.
Kevin Moe brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services and credit policy to the Dakota Resources Board of Directors. He currently serves as Regional Credit Policy Officer and Vice President at First National Bank of Omaha, where he leads credit administration across a multi-state region with a $1.2 billion portfolio. Kevin’s deep expertise in agricultural lending and economic development is rooted in his early career across South Dakota communities and strengthened through leadership roles at MetaBank, Bank of the West, and First National Bank South Dakota. A graduate of South Dakota State University, Kevin holds a Master of Science in Finance from Georgetown University and a Master of Studies in Law from the University of Southern California. He is an active community leader, having served as Board Chair of Yankton Thrive and the Ty Eschenbaum Foundation, and as a board member for SDARL, Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Plains, and FNN Trust Company. Kevin also teaches business courses as an adjunct professor and is a past president of Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton.
Lynn Kendall is a Regional Public Affairs Manager for Black Hills Energy. In her role, she facilitates public relations for Black Hills Energy in South Dakota while overseeing strategy implementation and public affairs managers in a four state region. Lynn is focused on support and engagement strategies that cultivate strong partnerships to impact community needs and exemplify the company brand. Lynn’s previous professional experiences span over 15 years of community building, connections, advocacy, and engagement throughout the Black Hills with the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce, and then the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. Lynn has been engaged in policy making at the state level and has led and participated in many local and statewide election campaigns. Lynn served in the United States Air Force for 10 years in the Munitions Systems career field where she was stationed at Kadena AB, Osan AB, and finally at Ellsworth AFB. Lynn received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Black Hills State University, South Dakota, and her Master’s Degree of Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Civic Engagement from Claremont Lincoln University. She is a graduate of Leadership Rapid City, Leadership South Dakota and has her Institute of Organizational Management designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Lynn is an active member of the community and currently serving on the boards of the Central States Fair Foundation, YMCA of the Black Hills, Leadership South Dakota, Dakota Resources, and the Board of Trustees for Western Dakota Tech.
Skya Ducheneaux is deeply rooted in her native heritage and a passion for community development. An enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Skya spent her formative years on a cattle ranch on the CRST Reservation in South Dakota, forging a profound connection to her land and culture. Skya’s educational path led her to earn an MBA in Business Administration, equipping her with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact on her community. Her journey into community development began during her summers interning for the Intertribal Agriculture Council, where she was introduced to the work of Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). With dedication and vision, Skya took on the challenge of creating the first national Native CDFI dedicated to Indian agriculture, successfully launching this groundbreaking initiative in 2019. Her work continues to bridge the gap between finance and agriculture, benefiting Native communities across the nation. While Skya has transitioned to the other side of the agriculture table, her commitment to the land, her people, and her mission remains unwavering.
Attorney, licensed in both Illinois and South Dakota. My practice is primarily business and estate planning. Originally from Lapeer, Michigan. Currently on the Board of Trustees for theBoys & Girls Club of Watertown and Vice-President of the Watertown Rotary Club. As part of my civil service to the community, I am currently the President of the Watertown Municipal Utilities Board and have served as the interim City Attorney for the City of Watertown. Prior to opening my own practice here in Watertown in 2008, I served as General Counsel to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Indian tribe from 2003 to 2007. What I enjoy most about my law practice is helping non-profits and those wanting to start their own businesses and watching them grow and helping them navigate the landscape as they grow and encounter new challenges.
Bryan Breitling is a rural hospital administrator with over three decades of experience, including 25+ years with Avera Health System. Bryan currently serves as Administrator for Avera Dell Rapids and Avera Flandreau hospitals, and as Regional Administrator for the Avera McKennan Leased and Owned network. He has served on the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations for over a decade, ultimately serving as chair. Bryan also served as South Dakota State Senator for District 23 from 2021–2024 and served as Vice Chair of Senate Appropriations. He is a graduate of Roscoe, SD, and holds a BS in Finance and Accounting from Northern State University and an MBA in Health from the University of Sioux Falls.
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