Looking for a way to grow your businesses and sustain your community? Become a Dakota Rising Site

Community leaders in five locations across South Dakota are unanimous in their praise for Dakota Rising, the unique and effective entrepreneurial development program that builds local economies. A statewide program of Dakota Resources, the leadership and economic development organization for South Dakota communities, Dakota Rising is now adding new Sites–and your community can be one of them.

"If you are looking for a program which will enhance your community’s effectiveness to retain and grow local business," said Bryan Walker, a Site Coordinator in Spearfish, "I would strongly recommend applying to become a Dakota Rising site."

Dakota Rising, currently working in five South Dakota Sites, is expanding. Through a competitive application process, up to four new Sites will be added to the Dakota Rising network.

"The Dakota Rising process makes you truly assess your community, engages those you know will help advance the community and gives you a fresh perspective," said Cindy Turner, Site Coordinator for Southern Hills on the Rise, serving Fall River and Custer Counties. "It is excitement driven. Others within the community see this excitement and it is contagious."

Dakota Rising cultivates entrepreneurs dedicated to growing themselves and their businesses by connecting them to a system of support, resulting in economic growth. Dakota Rising, a program of Dakota Resources: Economic and Leadership Development, commits resources to the creation of environments that support and nurture entrepreneurs and people engaged in rural businesses.

"The Dakota Rising program has broadened our horizons as a positive force for economic development in rural South Dakota," said Joel Price, chairman of the Faulkton Area Economic Development Corporation. "Dakota Rising brought the tools, talent and people together in one place to maximize the potential necessary to maintain, strengthen and grow small businesses. The phenomenal growth in our business community that we’ve seen in Faulk County can be directly attributed to our selection as a Dakota Rising Site."

To become a Dakota Rising Site, please review the Site Selection Criteria, available at http://www.dakotaresources.org/dakota-rising/sites, prior to submitting an Intent to Apply, also available on the Dakota Resources website. Once an Intent to Apply is submitted, you will be contacted by Dakota Resources with additional information about the Dakota Rising application process and opportunity.

Dakota Rising partners with local community groups led by a local Site Coordinator and driven by a local Resource Team to develop a system of support for business development by:

* Nurturing a pool of entrepreneur and small business talent through business visitation, community outreach and youth activities.

* Networking resources through Resource Fairs, mentoring connections and bringing together resource partners, business leaders and entrepreneurs statewide.

* Building community support, through heightened public awareness of the value local entrepreneurs and business people add to the community by sharing entrepreneurs’ and community success stories, collaborating with other community organizations and seeking resource and financial assistance for the Dakota Rising Entrepreneur Development System.

Sites that are a part of the Dakota Rising network are supported by Dakota Resources staff, national experts in entrepreneur development systems and ongoing training to create environments where businesses grow and prosper.

"The Japanese proverb ‘None of us is as smart as all of us’ aptly describes the philosophy of Dakota Rising and the resulting outcome of a community’s involvement," Turner said. "Dakota Rising encourages and cajoles a community and its entrepreneurs to stretch, reach and grow with amazing results."

For more information about becoming a Dakota Rising Site, visit http://www.dakotaresources.org/dakota-rising .

For additional information, please contact Dakota Resources at 605-978-2804 or
e-mail [email protected].