BROOKINGS, S.D. – SDSU Extension Community Vitality wants to put you on the map.
SDSU Extension is holding a series of community meetings to share and collect information to promote tourism along U.S. Highway 14, which runs east-west across north-central South Dakota. Join one of these community meetings to learn about the economic impact of tourism for your community.
U.S. Highway 14 is one of the original routes included in the United States Numbered Highway System, which initiated numbering roads and highways within a nationwide grid in 1926. It runs about 1,445 miles across the country from Chicago, Illinois, to the eastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, passing through many South Dakota communities along the way, including Brookings, De Smet, Huron, Miller, Highmore, Pierre, Philip, Wall and Sturgis.
The goal is to have every South Dakota community along U.S. Highway 14 represented during the community meetings. Everyone from agritourism enterprise owners and local business owners as well as representatives of area artwork, parks, historic buildings and community events are encouraged to attend.
“All of these locations, events and activities can be a draw for visitors to South Dakota, if the visitors know they exist,” said Peggy Schlechter, SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist.
Community meetings will be May 16, 17 and 23 at local businesses in De Smet, Highmore, Philip, Fort Pierre and Sturgis. The May 16 meetings are at 6:30 p.m. MT at The Steakhouse, 160 S. Center Ave., in Philip; 7 p.m. CST at Double Bogey’s at the Kingsbury County Country Club and Golf Course, 611 Seventh St. SW, De Smet; and 7 p.m. CST at the Willow Creek Steakhouse, 33690 U.S. 14, Highmore. The May 17 meeting is at 6:30 p.m. CST at the Chateau Lounge, 110 Deadwood St., Fort Pierre; and the May 23 meeting is at 7 p.m. MT at the Loud American Roadhouse, 1305 Main St., Sturgis. Food and beverages will not be provided but will be available to purchase.
Register by May 12 by visiting the SDSU Extension Events page. The meetings are free to attend and registration is not required, but at least 15 people must be registered at each location in order for the meeting to take place.
For more information, contact Peggy Schlechter, SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist; or Kara Harders, SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist.
