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A group of friends gathered inside for a holiday meal.

Thriving in the Cold: How Northern Cultures Build Community to Combat Winter Isolation

Whether it's sharing a meal, enjoying the outdoors, or simply staying in touch, winter is an opportunity to foster connections and build resilience in South Dakota communities.

People shopping inside De Smet small business.

Are Chamber Bucks a Thing of the Past or Still a Viable Economic Development Tool?

For many communities, Chamber Bucks, sometimes called community gift certificates or local currency, have been a long-standing tradition. Today, they remain a simple, meaningful way to keep dollars working close to home while supporting businesses that invest in your community.

A map of South Dakota indicating libraries that are participating in the Rural Libraries Hotspot Lending Program

SDSU Extension collaborates with AARP South Dakota and rural libraries to provide better internet access

February 17, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is collaborating with AARP South Dakota and South Dakota’s public libraries to give the state’s rural citizens better access to the internet.

Dave Anderson, President, Mt. Vernon Economic Development Group

South Dakota Newcomers Survey Report

Results from the 2024 state-wide Newcomer Survey, which was administered to gain a better understanding of the newcomer population in South Dakota.

A group of people watching a movie outdoors on a video screen on the side of a brick building.

Marketing Hometown America

Marketing Hometown America empowers communities to create a vision to attract new residents. Designed as a tool to create dialogue that moves people toward action, the process can be the spark to help a rural community look at itself in a new way.

A group of attendees at the Small Business Basics course at Volga, South Dakota.

Small Business Basics

The Small Business Basics program covers an extensive list of topics, including writing or updating business plans, tax and licensing, employee relations, pricing and marketing, customer service, social media, and aspects of financing.

Instructor and female grant applicant reviewing paperwork at a table.

Writing Your Future: Grant Writing Training

Often community or organizational programs need capital to get them off the ground. Our Writing Your Future grant writing training can be the start to finding that initial investment.

Deadwood, South Dakota buildings with Black Hills in the background

Community

Resources to support communities, organizations, leaders and businesses.

2021 Energize! Conference attendees gathered outside a brick building.

Energize!

The Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference is designed to empower South Dakota’s rural communities by inviting them to network with community leaders from across the state to share success stories, get new ideas and take action to improve their own communities.

two men and one woman standing with a presentation check

South Dakota Small Business Basics Program Participant Earns Award in Business Plan Contest

July 14, 2020

Heather Solberg of Volga has been awarded $500 to put toward a business plan concept she developed while participating in the Small Business Basics program coordinated by SDSU Extension.