605-374-4177
SDSU Extension Lemmon Regional Center
401 6th Ave. W.
Lemmon, SD 57638
Dacia supports the citizens of South Dakota in her role as an SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist based in Lemmon.
Dacia Hilkemeier
SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist
Also by Dacia Hilkemeier
Challenges Facing Rural Grocery Stores in the Midwest and Impacts on Rural Communities in South Dakota
Throughout history, local markets have been the lifeblood of communities. Yet in recent years, that steady pulse has weakened as economic and social changes challenge their survival, leaving many communities scrambling to revive what was once their economic heart.
Saving the Small-Town Grocery Store: A community investment in the future
Throughout rural South Dakota, grocery stores do far more than provide access to food. They create jobs, generate local tax revenue, support community activities, and serve as gathering places where neighbors connect.
More Than a Store: What happens when a rural grocery closes?
When a rural community loses its grocery store, the impact extends far beyond the loss of a business. While residents may still be able to purchase some household necessities elsewhere, the loss of a local grocery store can affect food access, community well-being, and economic vitality.