Community and Economic Development
Recommended Content
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.
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.
Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing Workshops
Often, a community or organization needs capital to get a project off the ground. Our Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing workshops can be the start of finding that initial investment.
All Community and Economic Development Content
Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing Workshop
SDSU Extension will host workshops on October 7 and November 4 in Mitchell, SD, for the Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing program.
Energize Conference
SDSU Extension will host the next annual Energize conference on May 6–7, 2026, in Wall, South Dakota.
SDSU Extension identifies challenges, opportunities in agritourism
April 07, 2026
South Dakota State University Extension has identified key challenges and opportunities operators face in agritourism, an emerging industry in the state.
SDSU Extension AgritourismSD graduates receive state tourism awards
March 24, 2026
Two South Dakota State University Extension AgritourismSD graduates were recently recognized by Travel South Dakota for their achievements and contributions to the tourism industry.
Nebraska entrepreneur announced as 2026 Energize conference keynote
March 06, 2026
South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to announce Nebraska Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame member Craig Schroeder as the 2026 Energize conference keynote speaker.
Opportunities for Addressing Book Deserts in Rural Communities
By fostering a culture for reading, placing books into community spaces, and partnering with libraries to extend their reach, rural communities can transform book deserts into book-rich environments.
Community
Resources to support communities, organizations, leaders and businesses.
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.
Rural Library Hotspot Lending Program
The SDSU Extension and AARP South Dakota Rural Library Hotspot Lending Program provides hotspot lending through rural public libraries, allowing community members to “check out the Internet” and bring connectivity to the comfort of their homes.
SDSU Extension helps agritourism producers promote their strengths
January 09, 2026
In 2019, Good Earth Farm owners Nancy and Jeff Kirstein had to make a decision. The barn on their Lennox-based property, originally constructed in 1897, needed attention.