BROOKINGS, S.D. — In recent years, Campbell County Economic Development Corporation has succeeded in overcoming challenges faced by rural communities across South Dakota.
To better understand the strategy behind these successes, SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialist, Paul Thares sat down with Andrew Van Kuren, Coordinator for Campbell County Economic Development Corporation for a question/answer session.
The discussion is recorded below.
First, some more about Campbell County. Campbell County is made up of four small communities, Artas, Herreid, Pollock and Mound City.
Campbell County is located in north central South Dakota. U.S. Highway 83 runs through the middle of the county (north / south), with S.D. State Route 10 connecting the east and west portions of the county.
The western edge of the county borders the Missouri River and Lake Oahe. North Dakota is the county’s northern neighbor.
According to the 2016 U.S. Census, the total population of the county is 1,397 2016. Population of the four communities is 759.
For more information, check out Campbell County Economic Development on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Question: Herreid recently made a commitment to raise $250,000 for housing projects. How did that come about and what was your role?
Van Kuren Answers: Grow SD – First Impressions tours jettisoned the discussions on how to make our community better.
SDSU Extension Representatives helped guide the brainstorming and action plan formulation. I helped organize the tours / discussions and encouraged key leaders to participate in the process.
Question: How did Herreid-area residents react to such a big win – raising the money and starting several housing projects – were they surprised?
Van Kuren Answers: Reaction was very supportive. Especially with those who invested their time and money.
I think some people were pleasantly surprised. Dean Schwartz, Board President for Campbell County Economic Development and I organized public meetings and took the issue to the people. We didn’t know what to expect, if anything, we were the people who were most surprised.
Question: It pays to be able to network. Tell us a bit about the community member’s involvement?
Van Kuren Answers: I can’t say enough good things about the people who are involved.
Some people offered to write checks at our very first meeting. Not only were people willing to invest money, they invested their time and physical efforts to get the housing group going. This project is a testament to the people who make up our communities.
Question: The housing project came on the heels of several big achievements for Campbell County. Could you please explain these successes and your role?
Van Kuren Answers: Ralph Hanson got the ball rolling with the Campbell County Wind Park. He received the 2016 Governor’s Office of Economic Development’s Economic Developer of the Year, post humus.
Our Campbell County Economic Development board is really great to work with. I feel fortunate to have their support.
Our County Commissioners are very approachable and listen to our concerns. Cooperative, local landowners are key to being able to negotiate pricing, secure plots and be flexible in their expectations.
Without all of those people it would be very difficult to be successful.
Question: Tell us about a pivotal moment in this housing development process?
Van Kuren Answers: When Dean Schwartz, president of Campbell County Economic Development Board said, “We have to do this ourselves. No grant money is ever going to do this for us.”
Question: Were some people skeptical that these projects would be successful?
Van Kuren Answers: You will always have skeptics and critics, which, in a certain way, is good.
I don’t dismiss people’s concerns as long as they are logical and have merit.
I am the outsider, so I have learned a lot by listening to all sides of an issue.
Question: Has opportunity been scarce for Campbell County?
Van Kuren Answers: Yes, and then again, no.
I understand we are a remote rural county. So, in that sense, we don’t have the opportunity that some other larger communities do.
We have had and will continue to have good opportunities in the agricultural markets, energy industries, hunting and fishing segments, too.
I see future opportunities in the information technology and other white collar careers. We have excellent telecommunications capabilities (Valley Tel. Corp.) and authentic life styles to offer. Which are perfect for individuals who telecommute part-time or work out of their own homes.
Question: It seems you have a lot of dedicated people in the county. Has this contributed to the success?
Van Kuren Answers: We have been successful up to this point because of the dedication of community members.
Like the old saying, “Success is a journey, not a destination.”
As long as our county has the leadership we currently do, today and into the future, I am confident we will experience continued success.
Question: Through this process, what have you learned?
Van Kuren Answers: I have learned to slow down and listen. Build support within a group or community before you go public with an idea.
I also believe that a community needs an economic developer to drive new ideas, champion worth-while community causes and to keep community leaders informed.
Question: What advice do you have for other rural communities?
Van Kuren Answers: Don’t be afraid to ask for support of a project or program. Also, don’t be afraid to try an old idea again. People do change their attitudes and beliefs. This could mean the community, as a whole, may have a different attitude toward a project or program.
— SDSU Extension
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