SDSU EXTENSION COMMUNITY VITALITY – YOU ROCK!
The 2025 Energize Conference in Platte, SD was inspiring for the 150+ attendees from across the State including Dave Bonde, Sunny Hannum and Mayor Hanson. Next year’s conference will be West River so get your boots on.
The Energize Conference gives small town economic developers, chambers and businesses a chance to hear success stories that leave you wanting to go home and try what worked for small communities like Murdo and Stratford.
Stratford, a town of 72 without an economic development or chamber started a dinner theater that raised money to build a new fire hall, renovate a community center, and twelve $1,500 scholarships for a school in a nearby town. Support from the outlying community has been tremendous.
What makes the towns succeed are people who are willing to be a part of a good idea and carry it to fruition! A question asked by the keynote speaker was “What would make you love your community more and what’s your role in creating it?
The Keynote Speaker, Rebecca Undem, herself a former Economic Development Director and Chamber Director, believes that “Entrepreneurship Is the Way Forward for Small Towns.” She said, “Be specific about what kind of businesses your towns need and invite them.”
Undem, from Oakes, ND, had bought a 9,000 sq. ft., 100-year-old Ben Franklin building just before covid hit in 2020. She invested $100,000 in the building and created a meeting place for groups. “WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN TO OUR TOWNS IF WE DON’T FIX OUR OLD BUILDINGS?”
Undem continued, “When looking for people to be involved, work with the willing and love the rest.” “The rest” are the naysayers. Oakes needed a bakery so she went to Chicago and recruited a young woman who had graduated from school in Oakes and was working in a restaurant as a sous chef.
Marketing and fund raising ideas abounded at the conference. Kelsie Sutton shared how she had raised funds for her town of Burke, SD through grants, fund raising and donations. She was able to fund a Splash Pad, Day Care scholarships, and a housing project. She talked about the importance of communication and confronting road blocks (objections).
The Conference always winds up with a young entrepreneur panel who are the voice of the next generation. These under 21 somethings still believe: The customer is the boss, nothing pays off more than hard work, you have to learn from others, and you need to develop people skills.
Professor Ryan Van Zee, Mitchell Tech Leadership Academy and Entrepreneurship Program wrapped up the Conference. He said young people today are technologically savvy, adept with AI and good with Quick Books, Wix and Facebook. We can share our experience with them and give them learning experiences, teach them to show up to work and do their job, and share business knowledge.