Governor Daugaard on Small Towns
Air Date:01/11/2011
By Gary Ellenbolt
South Dakota's new governor has set a goal of revitalizing small towns in the state. Dennis Daugaard, who grew up near Dell Rapids, says smaller communities form an important part of the state's economic engine.
"I appreciate that the ethanol industry has brought jobs and wealth to the rural areas of our state," Daugaard says. "South Dakota is a state with many small towns, and they must be an important component of our economic development efforts. We will work with local and regional economic development organizations and non-profits, to identify and train small town specialists, who can work with local leaders to make contacts, create plans and goals, and promote themselves to business."
Daugaard says he will work to revamp the state's micro loan program, which provides working capital for small businesses. He says too many layers of bureaucracy have left the program under-utilized.
Right click here to download audio.