October Newsletter

2 Oct 2021


Newsletter

  • INDUSTRIAL PARK RECEIVES FUNDING!

The City of Wall and Wall Economic Development Corporation have been working together to pursue infrastructure development in the Industrial Park area (such as sewer and road). In June Mayor Huether and WEDC President Mary Williams presented a waste system funding assistance request to the Pennington County Commission to ask for some of the funds. During the August Pennington County Commissioners meeting, the County Commissioners awarded $661, 900.00 of unassigned funds for the construction of that system.

The City of Wall is in the process of signing an agreement for the distribution of funds.

The approximate timeline to finish construction - mid-summer 2022

  • ASSISTED LIVING: MOVING AHEAD!

The Assisted Living Committee has been moving forward to make a decision on what type of facility is needed in Wall and what challenges it could bring.

Wall Economic Development held focus group meetings that included retired community members, healthcare professionals, and young couples. The summary of the focus group meetings showed certain support of the community members on the building of the Assisted Living Facility but also indicated some challenges: workforce and funding. The committee will continue looking for options on how to fund the facility as well as it is still considering what type of facility to proceed with: assisted living, independent living, or twin homes.

  • DAYCARE CRISIS

Legacy Child Development Center announced its closure in July due to a lack of workforce. The child-care program has struggled with staffing due to low wages and the inability to offer healthcare benefits.

WEDC has been working with Tammara to help her solve the workforce issue. WEDC Board members have been actively recruiting people and allocated workforce grant to supplement the wage gap to help with the workforce temporarily.

As for right now, Legacy Child Development Center has 2 full-time teachers and 2 substitute

  • WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT MARKETING CAMPAIGN

In August, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) announced a workforce recruitment program to inform out-of-state job seekers that South Dakota businesses across the state are hiring.

Communities were invited to apply for funding, which would be distributed based on the partnership commitment, and the quality of jobs available.

The two-part workforce initiative includes an opportunity for both marketing as well as incentives for workforce recruitment in local communities across the state. The digital marketing effort will promote both businesses and communities looking for help. Incentives such as relocation bonuses, signing bonuses, and upskilling are also included.

With both initiatives, GOED will provide Wall Economic Development Corporation funds in the amount of $9,750.00 to be matched by WEDC.

A state-wide workforce campaign has already begun, and individual community campaigns anticipate launching in October throughout the states of North Dakota and Colorado.

WEDC has decided to target the trade industry workers and provide relocation expenses in the amount of $1500 as well.

  • GOLDEN WEST ANNUAL MEETING

Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. held its 69th Annual Meeting on September 25th. During the meeting, Golden West Cooperative members voted for two of the five candidates Kenneth Zickrick, Dave Assman, and Amanda Antoine for District IV, Dale Guptill, and Murdock Arthur for District VI. As a result, Dave Assman and Murdock Arthur were elected to the Board of Directors.

Many outstanding door prizes were awarded by random drawing prior to the election of directors' results.

  • LEADERSHIP CLASS 2022

Wall Economic Development is seeking individuals to join the class.

What to expect?

Leadership class objective is to develop leadership potential existing in our community in order to continue to provide civic organization in the Wall area for quality civic leaders

The class will be held on Monday from 5:30 pm till 7:30 pm.

Tentative dates of the classes: January 10 and 24, February 7 and 28, March 14 and 28.

  • FUEL THE GROWTH: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

BHSU and Rushmore Region partnered to host the first Economic Development Workshop in the state of South Dakota. The training covered several topics of Economic Development.

Executive Director Liliya Stone, President of WEDC Mary Williams, and Board member Lindsy Reagle successfully completed this course.

 

  • JOIN OUR BOARD

Wall Economic Development Corporation members will elect two directors to its Board of Directors at the organization's 6th Annual Meeting at 7:00 pm at the Wall Community Center on November 17th in Wall, SD.  Candidates must be members of WEDC and qualify according to the Bylaws. Candidates must submit a petition with 5 signatures and a biography. If you are interested in running for a Board Position, please contact Liliya Stone at (605) 279-2658 walledd@gwtc.net

All petitions and biographies must be received in the WEDC office by Tuesday, October 19th, 2021.

 

 

 

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