Revitalization Please!

After a very long winter and ushering out March like a lamb, we're ready for springtime. With SD's election for governor and the win of Kristi Noem, she has been quoted to have a "heart for rural". If you're from SD, regardless of who you voted for, it’s time to move forward whatever state you live in or if your party got in. We need to keep moving forward.  We need rural to be validated and supported.


I’m sure many S.D. Governors have come from small rural communities.  Kristi has come into office at a time where, I feel, there’s an insurgence and fresh focus on our ruralism and regionalism with other states on the great plains. We have what others want— low crime, great schools, work ethics, a focus on growing healthy hometowns for all generations. We’re looking for more jobs, training, workforce, housing and getting our school children in more educational forums to help our youth advance and diversify. 

---

Grain Elevator in Faulkton, SD

Our communities want to be on the map and want to be destinations where travelers go.

​Like Faulkton SD's new grain elevator mural, and growing businesses in our communities, we have to keep moving forward and keep our focus on our communities. Collaboration is a great thing to keep working towards. 

---

​A city mayor recently shared how there’s just not enough money to see our communitys' dreams through. And he’s right. But our cities do have "us"; working for all the places we call home, whether it's a large city or a town so small that if you blink you miss it.

  Really, we die or we work together. Wasn’t it Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption that said “we get busy living or get busy dying.” And that’s true. A young man recently at a craft fair told me that he wishes he could go back home and sell his wares.  

​But he also told me that he'd be laughed out of town and the only thing this small town wants is their bar and the freedom to go there.  They do not really care that their town is dying.


I wake up every morning and think about what I want to do for rural or my community. My energy might not be there at times, but my passion for rural and business never wanes and continues to grow. 

I’m anxious to meet Kristi one day. I coached an opposing  team of her daughters years ago. I want to tell her about Travel Backroads. I also want her to know there is a movement out there of focus, determination, passion and desire not only in SD but the upper Midwest. We need to stop being politically "negative Nellies" and get to working on customers, business, community and quit being so critical.  Like Kristi said be “fully committed to revitalizing South
​

---

Buffalo Ridge Resort in Gary, SD

Dakota’s rural culture, so small-town schools and businesses can thrive for generations to come.”  I love the thought of thinking about our children and their children--the future; for all the states around.
If you agree with me or want to do something in your community, a great jump start for you SERIOUSLY is to go to Dakota Resources’ RuralX '19 Summitin June. See below more info on that 

OR if you are going to be near Clear Lake, SD on May 14th buy a $10 ticket ahead of time to hear Women Entrepreneurs' founder Pat McGill.  She's talking at "Women Who Care~~A Gathering" as she talks to women about ruralism, regionalism, women and collaboration.  See Below and call 605.874.8038

C'mon people, run, don't walk to the future; now is the time to be shaping the new rural! 

Joan
Travel Backroads

P.S. Be watching for some new happenings with TB.T! Also a possible future BUS TRIP is in the works. Check out Destination Cluster costs for communities and chambers to get on board. ​

---

Call ASAP 605.874.8038 for tickets. They're going fast.

Clear Lake SD

Rural and Loving it?  This is for you! RuralX '19 invites you to grab your friends, your leaders, your powers-that-be and come to Mitchell for this Event.  The only event in SD that focusses totally on rural. Can't come to all but some?  Contact them.  Can't afford it fully. Contact them or Travel Backroads and we'll get you where you need to be. www.dakotaresources.org