Resource Partners' Coffee Break at EDPA Annual Conference
2023-09-20 08:00 - 09:00 UTC | Dacotah Bank Center, 824 32nd Ave, Brookings, 57006, United States
Date: September 20, 2023
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Daktronics B Room at Dacotah Bank Center, 824 32nd Ave., Brookings, SD 57006

An invitation from organization President, Joe Bartmann
Hey fellow Rural Resource Partners!
I’m hosting a coffee break at the EDPA Annual Conference on September 20 at 8:00 a.m. in Daktronics B Room at the Dacotah Bank Center. It’s only for us Resource Partners. Since we will all be there to support rural community leaders who will be showing up, I think we can do that better by doing it together.
During the coffee break, I’ll host a conversation about how we might support leaders in rural communities. I think it’ll be helpful to decide together how we want to organize our efforts just a bit so that we can create the biggest impact during our time together at the conference.
Here’s a very short video I made to explain a little more about why I’m inviting you.
I hope you’ll join me there, and please invite any other members of your team who will be around. But remember, this is for Resource Partners only. I’ll see you in Brookings!
To the future of rural,
Joe

Stakeholder Social
2023-09-27 18:00 - 20:00 | ROAM Kitchen + Bar, 4525 W Empire Pl, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106, United States

B.O.L.D. Information Session
2023-10-12 10:00 - 11:00
Through a partnership with South Dakota Community Foundation, we’ve created B.O.L.D.: A Framework to Build Organizations for Local Development. This program engages board members in capacity-building activities that level-up your organization’s ability to create a thriving rural community. Over a six month time frame, you will commit to eight facilitated training sessions, connect with an online network of other economic development leaders, and create next steps to strategically carry out your mission. Dakota Resources will work with 20 South Dakota economic development organizations in 2023 and 2024 through this program.
Join us for an Information Session to learn more about the B.O.L.D. Framework. We will be hosting the Information Session over Zoom. To get access to the Zoom link, please register below.
Register for Information Session

B.O.L.D. Information Session
2023-10-25 12:30 - 13:30
Through a partnership with South Dakota Community Foundation, we’ve created B.O.L.D.: A Framework to Build Organizations for Local Development. This program engages board members in capacity-building activities that level-up your organization’s ability to create a thriving rural community. Over a six month time frame, you will commit to eight facilitated training sessions, connect with an online network of other economic development leaders, and create next steps to strategically carry out your mission. Dakota Resources will work with 20 South Dakota economic development organizations in 2023 and 2024 through this program.
Join us for an Information Session to learn more about the B.O.L.D. Framework. We will be hosting the Information Session over Zoom. To get access to the Zoom link, please register below.
Register for Information SessionSubmit an Interest Form

Entrepreneur Support Systems Gathering
2023-11-02 13:00 - 2023-11-03 14:00 | Dacotah Bank Center, 824 32nd Ave, Brookings, 57006, United States
About this event
We will explore the big framing question, “How might we cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship in our rural communities?”
Agenda
(all times are in Central Time Zone)
Day 1 – Thursday, November 2, 2023
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Welcome & Check-in
1:30 – 1:40 p.m.: Workshop: How can you tell if your community has a culture of entrepreneurship?
Thriving communities begin with bold entrepreneurs who ignite economic growth. Often, what sets these communities apart is a remarkable ‘culture of entrepreneurship’ that fuels the growth and development of these entrepreneurs. Join us for an empowering workshop where we delve into the core practices of communities with vibrant entrepreneurial cultures. Together, we will uncover the unique traits and qualities that set these places apart, and gain actionable insights on how to cultivate this culture in your very own community.
2:40 – 3:00 p.m.: Break
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Panel: How do leaders create a culture of entrepreneurship?
Whether you’re a resource partner or an entrepreneur, there’s a role for each of us in shaping places for people to start or grow their businesses. Join us for a conversation with community leaders who are thinking beyond their businesses or organizations and putting a culture of entrepreneurship into action.
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.: Storefront Case Studies
We will travel to Downtown Brookings to learn from four talented entrepreneurs that have created a strong culture of entrepreneurship on their Main Street and beyond. Our case study presenters will be 1) Carrot Seed Kitchen Company, Kirsten Gjesdal 2) Upframe Creative, Carrie Kuhl 3) Hitch Studios, Renee Bauman 4) ID8 Architecture, Angie Boersma
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Network Social at Wooden Legs Brewing
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.: Dinner & Awards at Wooden Legs Brewing
Day 2 – Wednesday, May 17, 2023
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.: Welcome & Check-in
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Workshop: A Framework for Launching Entrepreneurs in your Community
Part of building a culture of entrepreneurship is providing regular education that develops entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. During this session you will learn how to offer entrepreneurs a safe space to share, experiment, fail, and learn together. We will walk through the four components of the Co.Starters Bootcamp which is a 2-day business basics intensive course giving the entrepreneur concrete tools to bring their business to life in your community.
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.: Workshop: Using Technology to Launch / Expand a Business
ea Smith with the Northern Innovation and Startup Center works with innovators, nonprofits, and rural communities to launch startups and create more digital jobs. During this session we will learn how to use a team approach through ideation and resourcing to accomplish successful business growth in our communities.
1:30 – 2:00 p.m.: Closing
Location & Lodging
We have a block of rooms at the Country Inn & Suites at a rate of $94+tax per night. The block of room closes on October 6th. Call the hotel directly at (605) 692-3500 to book your room. Mention “Dakota Resources” to receive the group rate.
Register for the Event

Thriverr LIVE: Age-friendly housing and workforce housing: How are they connected?
2023-11-16 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Brought to you by
The housing stock in your community is an asset. Over the last several decades, that supply has become tighter partly because older residents choose to stay in their homes longer and longer. With rising construction costs, it’s challenging to develop workforce housing for younger families who also want to live in our communities. How might a focused effort on the changing housing needs of older residents help meet the workforce housing needs in your community?
Our guests include: Cliff Mesner, Mesner Development Company, Central City, NE and Richard Duncan, RL Mace Universal Design Institute, Ashville, NC. Sponsored by AARP South Dakota, this Thriverr LIVE event will bring together housing experts with age friendly, universal design experience, housing developers, and community leaders for a conversation about this important topic.
Date & Time: November 16, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. CT
Register Here

Climate of Community & Economic Development Information Session
2023-11-29 12:00 - 12:30 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Description: Dakota Resources has developed a survey to assess the regional climate of community and economic development. This survey covers four core areas of community and economic development: 1) organizational/funding model design, 2) compensation, 3) active priorities, and 4) professional development needs. This is a repeat of the survey that we conducted in 2021.
This information session will be used as an opportunity to explain more about the survey and answer any questions that you might have about the survey.
Details: Tuesday, November 29th at 12:00 p.m. CT
Register for Session

Workforce Gathering
2024-01-30 13:00 - 2024-01-31 13:00 | Roots Kitchen & Taphouse, 621 Main St., Webster, SD, 57274, United States
Register for the EventAbout this event
We will explore how might we utilize the assets we already have in our communities to cultivate local workforce solutions right now.
Agenda
(all times are in Central Time Zone)
Day 1 – Tuesday, January 30th, 2024
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Opening Session
1:30 – 2:40 p.m.: Thriving Community Blueprint and Uncovering the Paradigms, Trends, and Shifts around Workforce
2:40 – 3:40 p.m.: Panel – Career Readiness for Youth: The panel will be focused on career readiness for youth including unique workforce partnerships, educator externships, new programs, and more. Panelists will be from the SD Department of Education, industry partners, school districts, and community partners.
3:40 – 4:00 p.m.: Break
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.: CTE School Tour & Case Studies – The focus will be on sparking career paths, establishing business partnerships, and returning hometown workforce methods. We will get an up close look at the Webster Area’s new Career & Technical Education wing in their school.
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Network Social
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.: Dinner & Invited Guest Speaker, Tiffany Sanderson, President of Lake Area Technical College
Day 2 – Wednesday, January 31st, 2024
7:30 – 8:00 a.m.: Hot breakfast at Roots
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.: Welcome & Check-in
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.: Workshop – Workforce Pipeline Development with invited presenter Amy Miller, Assistant Director of the Division of Career & Technical Education at the SD Department of Education
10:00 – 10:15 a.m.: Break
10:15 – 11:30 a.m.: Workshop – Preparing your Community to Attract Workforce Talent with invited presenter Jessica Meyers, Founder of Porch-Light Services
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Skill Building – Linking & Leveraging Your Local Resources
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
12:30 p.m.: Closing & Next Steps
Location & Lodging

The Galley; $100 per night. Call (605) 345-9989 to reserve your room. The block closes on January 12th.
Boomers; $69 per night. Call (605) 345-3323 to reserve your room. The block closes on December 31st.
The Loft; $140 per night with minimum 2 night stay. This location has 4 beds. Book on AirBnb.

Stakeholder Social
2024-03-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Moccasin Creek Country Club, 4807 130th Street NE, Aberdeen, 57401, United States
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Simple Facilitation Training for Rural Leaders
2024-09-04 10:00 - 2024-09-05 14:00 | Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center at Cedar Shore, 1500 Shoreline Drive, Oacoma, SD, 57365, United States
Learn how to lead collaborative action in your community – the Dakota Resources way.
Stay tuned for an updated agenda!

Register Here

Housing Gathering
2024-11-13 13:00 - 2024-11-14 13:00 | The Lodge at Deadwood, 100 Pine Crest Ln, Deadwood, 57732, United States
How might we expand housing options for Active Agers (the 55+ crowd) to increase workforce housing in our communities?
Agenda
Day 1: November 13th, 2024
(Optional) 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Housing Tour of Lead, hosted by Emma Garvin
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Opening
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.: Interactive Workshop: What’s getting in the way of this type of housing activity?
2:15 – 3:30 p.m.: Speaker Samar Jha, AARP’s Local and State Housing Advocacy
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.: Housing Case Studies
4:45 – 5:30 p.m.: Tour and Social
6:30 p.m.: Dinner & Awards
Day 2: November 14th, 2024
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.: Opening
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.: Skill Building Workshop
9:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Reverse RFP Process
12:15 – 12:45 p.m.: Lunch
12:45 – 1:45 p.m.: Skill Building Workshop with Amy Eldridge, South Dakota Housing Development Authority
1:45 – 2:00 p.m.: Closing
We have a block of rooms at the The Lodge in Deadwood, SD for Wednesday at a rate of $99 + tax per night. The block of room closes on October 13th.
Call the hotel directly at (605) 584-4800 to book your room. Mention “Dakota Resources” to receive the group rate.
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Thriverr Gathering: Housing
2025-04-08 13:00 - 2025-04-09 14:00 | Highland Conference Center, 2000 Highland Way, Mitchell, SD, 57301, United States
Imagine if we could acquire, revitalize, and redevelop housing to create affordable living opportunities—how might that transform our towns?

About this event

Agenda
Day 1 – Tuesday, April 8, 2025
(Central Time Zone)
1:00 PM – Opening Session
1:30 PM – Systems Analysis Activity: In this activity, participants will examine how the housing system is working and identify what might need to change within the system to make it easier to acquire, rehab, and redevelop housing opportunities.
2:15 PM – Skill Building Workshop-Inventory Your Housing Opportunities: Dawn Hegland with the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission will share how they worked with cities in their 5-county region during the summer of 2024 to create the first draft of an inventory of buildable lots matched with local incentives that were available to build new homes. The RDC intends to update this inventory annually and share it online. The RDC will share some tips and tools that you can use to do the same.
3:30 PM – Break
3:45 PM – Housing Case Studies: In this session, participants will hear detailed case studies on housing projects from the communities. Presenters include:

Kaitlyn Killoran (Canistota): “Using Housing Opportunity Funds for a Twin House”
Geri Beck (Mitchell Dev. Corp.): “Rehab Housing in Mitchell using HOME Funds”
TBA

5:00 PM – Closing Session
6:00 PM – Network Social at Palace City Brewing Co., 227 West Railroad Avenue, Mitchell.
7:00 PM – Dinner on your own.
Day 2 – Wednesday, April 9, 2025
(Central Time Zone)
8:30 AM – Opening Session
9:00 AM – Panel Discussion and Workshop: How can local leaders be catalysts to access rehab programs? In this session, participants will hear from leaders (Darin Beckius of HAPI; Emily Rodgers of BASEC; and more…) who operate rehab housing programs. Using what we learn from day one activities, participants will examine how they can take small steps toward developing and/or accessing rehab programs for their communities.
10:15 AM – Break
10:30 AM – Round Table Discussions on the Future of Housing: During this session, participants can share the ideas, questions, or possibilities about housing solutions they want to explore with their peers?
12:00 PM – Lunch
12:30 PM – Exploration Session – How might we launch the next version of the Housing Toolkit? In 2018, five community leaders shared resources, tools, and tips that helped us launch the first ever Housing Toolkit for rural communities in South Dakota. In this session, we will examine how individuals can access and utilize this toolkit, and identify what other resources might be necessary to add in 2025.
1:30 PM – Closing Session

Location & Lodging
The room block for the Thriverr Housing Gathering is available at the Hampton Inn and Comfort Inn & Suites attached to the Conference Center for Tuesday, April 8. Call the hotel of your choice and mention Dakota Resources Room block. Single King and Double Queen rooms are available.
Hampton Inn
Address: 1920 Highland Way, Mitchell, SD 57301
Phone: 605-995-1575
Rate: $139.00 + tax
Deadline to book as part of room block: Tuesday, March 25
Comfort Inn
Address: 2020 Highland Way, Mitchell, SD 57301
Phone: (605) 990-2400
Rate: $139.00 + tax
Deadline to book as part of room block: Tuesday, March 25
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Stakeholder Social
2025-05-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Myrtle’s Fur Vault & Bar, 208 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, 57104, United States
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Thriverr Learn: Getting Beyond the Same 10 People cohort
2025-10-06 - 2025-11-17 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Join Dakota Resources and Executive Director of Growing Small Towns, Rebecca Undem for this interactive and engaging cohort process. Using the Framework for Change, participants in this cohort will learn and apply a new approach to engaging volunteers in their community. Participants will use this process to improve the results related to a specific community project and develop the knowledge necessary to improve any community project requiring volunteers.
At the end of this cohort experience, participants will develop a newly revised and innovative approach to engaging their community and gaining buy-in for a current project/event/committee, using a proven, repeatable process.
Dates for this cohort are October 6, October 27, November 3, and November 17. Each session runs from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. CT with an optional 30-minute immediately following each session for questions, answers, and deeper understanding.
Register today!

Thriverr Gathering: Using Public Policy for Local Development
2025-11-12 - 2025-11-13 | Murdo Golf Course, 24084 270th Ave, Murdo, 57559, United States
Agenda
Day 1 – Wednesday, November 12, 2025
(Central Time Zone)
12:00 p.m.: Lunch and Registration (optional)
1:00 p.m.: Opening Session
1:45 p.m.: Understanding the Rural Wealth Framework with Brian Blackford, Indiana Communities Institute. This framework has emerged as a powerful, comprehensive, and dynamic approach to more fully understand not only the assets and opportunities rural communities and regions hold, but also the challenges they must confront in achieving development and sustainability.
3:00 p.m.: Ready, Set, Act: Building Capacity for Community Change Management with Brian Blackford, Indiana Communities Institute. Change is constant in communities, whether it is realized or not. Dealing with that change can also be a constant frustration – especially when moving beyond planning and into policy decisions and action. This workshop explores change while providing tips and tools to make change.
4:30 p.m.: Policy Pulse & Partner Sparks. Connect with policy experts during “Lightning Table Talks” that allow participants to initiate important conversations and discover “connection sparks” that will inspire new ideas or action.
5:30 p.m.: Closing Session
6:15 p.m.: Network Social, Dinner, and Awards
Day 2 – Thursday, November 13, 2025
(Central Time Zone)
8:30 a.m.: Opening Session
9:00 a.m.: Case Studies on Local Policy Development. Stay tuned for details on presenters.
10:30 a.m.: Practice Makes Progress with Mike Bockorny, Economic Development Professionals Association of South Dakota. Learn practical skills and confidence to effectively engage in public policy. Participants will learn how to provide compelling public comment, testify before the Legislature, present a well-crafted policy brief, and influence other public policy isues. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate governmental processes and advocate for policies that support local economic growth and community well-being.
12:00 p.m.: Lunch
12:30 p.m.: Writing a Policy Statement to Take Local Action with Mike Bockorny, Economic Development Professionals Association of South Dakota.
1:30 p.m.: Closing

Location & Lodging
A block of rooms have been reserved at Range Country Lodging at 302 W 5th St, Murdo, SD for $109 per night. Make your reservation by calling the hotel at (605) 669-2425 and mentioning the Dakota Resources room block.
Register today!
