June 4, 2012
The Reason for Low Unemployment in the Black Hills May Be... Altruism?

High rates of community engagement in South Dakota are likely to contribute to the state's low unemployment rate, according to a study by the National Conference on Citizenship. When people volunteer with community organizations, vote in local elections, and help out their neighbors, they are more likely to work together to solve economic problems.

We know the health and vitality of a community are directly linked to the community's information infrastructure. The Black Hills Knowledge Network began as a project to help move local information through this infrastructure, giving decision-makers and leaders current and background information on the issues of today. Did you know that states that scored higher in a civic health study also had lower unemployment rates? This is good news for South Dakota.

May 31, 2012
Infant Mortality In South Dakota

With Infant Mortality Rates in South Dakota higher than the national average and surrounding states, Governor Daugaard authorizes a task force to examine the issue.

Infant mortality rates in the United States as a whole have been dropping, but South Dakota has seen a rise in recent years. Since 2000, South Dakota has seen an average infant mortality rate of 7 (infant mortality rate defined as the number of deaths between birth and one year out of 1000 births), edging out the national average of 6.8, and considerably higher than surround states of North Dakota (5.9), Minnesota (5), Iowa (5.2), Nebraska (5.9) and Montana (6).

May 18, 2012
Rapid City's Western Dakota Technical Institute Gets New President

Rapid City School board approves hiring Mark Wilson for new WDTI president.

Mark Wilson of the SD Department of Education, will begin his presidential duties in Rapid City at Western Dakota Technical Institute July 2012. 

At the same meeting, the School Board approved an agreement with the Rapid City Library Board of Trustees to operate a joint-use library at WDTI.  See related story here.

April 12, 2012
Oil Exploration and Mining in the Black Hills

                                     The Current Oil Boom

April 4, 2012
Forums to Highlight State of the Region

Elected officials, policymakers and nonprofit leaders in the Black Hills will hear about what's working and what could be improved in the areas of education, health and wellness and the economy in three upcoming Data Matters leadership forums. 

Elected officials, policymakers and nonprofit leaders in the Black Hills will hear about what's working and what could be improved in the areas of education, health and wellness and the economy in three upcoming Data Matters leadership forums. The forums will highlight local statistics and data that reveal regional strengths and weaknesses and benchmark the Black Hills against comparable communities, the state and the nation.

April 4, 2012
Health Rankings by South Dakota Counties Released Yesterday

Last week the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released its annual health rankings by state. South Dakota was number six in the nation for health spending. This week the foundation released the data by county. How did the West River counties fare? A clickable Map drills down to the data on a county-by-county basis.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation collected data for 49 of the counties in South Dakota on variables such as mortality rates, smoking, obesity, healthcare coverage, number of primary physicians and more to rank each county as to how healthy its citizens are. The county with the highest ranking in South Dakota is Brookings County. For the counties in the Black Hills Knowledge Network area, Lawrence County ranked the highest as the 18th healthiest in South Dakota.

March 28, 2012
Personal Income Growth in South Dakota Fourth Highest in Nation

Personal incomes in South Dakota rose faster than all other states except North Dakota, Iowa and Oklahoma between 2010 and 2011, according to a new report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Per capita personal incomes in South Dakota rose 5.2 percent in 2011, faster than all other states except North Dakota, Iowa and Oklahoma, according to a new report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Much of this growth came from expansion in durable goods manufacturing; wholesale and retail trade; health care and social assistance; and professional, scientific and technical services. 

 

March 27, 2012
Black Hills Knowledge Network to Add More Community Data With Bush Foundation Partnership

The Bush Foundation has awarded the Black Hills Knowledge Network a $100,000 to expand its offerings of data, news and information.

The Black Hills Knowledge Network will make it easier to find data about our region thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Bush Foundation. To find out more about this grant, watch the video of the March 26 KNBN broadcast and interview of Eric Abrahamson.

KNBN Interview

 

 

March 27, 2012
New Report Ranks Public Health and Healthcare Spending in South Dakota

South Dakota ranks sixth in the nation for federal spending on preventative healthcare spending according to a new report issued by the Trust for America's Health. Based on data assembled by the federal Centers for Disease Control, the report looks at overall spending as well as efforts to prevent specific diseases and health conditions.

The Trust for America's Health has issued its annual state rankings for preventative healthcare spending at the state and federal level. The rankings are based on data assembled by the federal Centers for Disease Control. The report also ranks state efforts to address certain diseases and illnesses, such as asthma and diabetes. Overall, South Dakota ranks sixth in the nation for federal spending. 

 

March 27, 2012
Open Meetings Law in South Dakota

March 11-17 was Sunshine Week, meant to raise awareness about the laws that govern what information local, state and national governmental entities provide to the public upon request. This resource list provides the link to information from a variety of sources on the laws in South Dakota that govern meetings and public information.

March 11-17 was Sunshine Week, a national effort meant to raise awareness about the laws that govern what information local, state and national governmental entities provide to the public upon request. This resource list provides the link to information from a variety of sources on the laws in South Dakota that govern meetings and public information.

March 15, 2012
Rapid City School IT Submits Revised Technology Plan

Inability to access social mediums such as Facebook and texting cause for revised plan.

School board meeting to include revised technology plan, relocation and consolidation of academies, president selection process for Western Dakota Technical Institute, and hear updates on House Bill 1234.

 

Meeting time and location:

March 15, 2012

City/School Administration Center

300 Sixth Street

5:30 PM

 

Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

 

February 25, 2012
Final Legislative Crackerbarrel Held in Rapid City

The final legislative crackerbarrel of the session was hosted by the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, February 25.

The final legislative crackerbarrel of the session was hosted by the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Opening remarks came from from Senator Stan Adelstein, Representative Mike Verchio and Representative Phil Jensen.

January 26, 2012
Nation's Top Three Poorest Counties in Western South Dakota

Based on US Census Bureau statistics for 2010 income, western South Dakota is home to three counties in nation's highest poverty rate.

Native American reservations have a major presence in the most destitute counties.

Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

About poverty at U.S. Census Bureau.

Related items on census HERE.

January 24, 2012
2012 South Dakota Legislature
As the South Dakota Legislature begins its 2012 session, you can find the information you need to understand what laws are being proposed and to learn how you can make sure your voice is heard. 
 
Track upcoming hearings and votes on the Legislature's official calendar.
 
January 22, 2012
WDTI President Decides to Move On

Craig Bailey plans to help launch national educaton laboratory. He leaves WDTI after three years as president.

Craig Bailey, president of Western Dakota Technical Institute (WDTI), has left the institution. Bailey told the Rapid City Journal that he plans to work on the creation of a national education laboratory. Bailey came to WDTI three years ago and has overseen the start of 60,000-square foot, $12.5 million expansion to be completed this fall.

January 20, 2012
Paralegal Firm Brings Jobs Back From India

Legal support services jobs previously outsourced to India could benefit Rapid City programs.

Company chooses to launch business in Rapid City since the cost-saving of outsourcing jobs to India was no longer so significant.  National American University and Western Dakota Technical Institute paralegal graduates factor into decision.

Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

January 20, 2012
Tourism Helped Boost Black Hills Economies in 2011

Butte, Custer and Pennington counties saw significant increases in tourism spending in 2011, according to the newly released Annual Report from the South Dakota Department of Tourism.

Tourism spending rose 8.8 percent in Butte County in 2011, according to the recently released annual report from the South Dakota Department of Tourism. Custer County (up 5.7 percent) and Pennington County (4.1 percent) also saw gains that were well above the statewide average increase of 1.5 percent. Comments on the report are available from the Rapid City Journal.

January 12, 2012
Work Force Initiative to Aid Career Preparation, Attract Families

Governor's initiative hopes to recruit 1,000 skilled workers to South Dakota.

To train and attract skilled workers, Governor Dennis Daugaard proposed a multi-faceted initiative to address the state's work force shortage. The program, dubbed South Dakota Wins, focuses on four key areas: K-12 education, technical training, rural health and workforce training.

January 5, 2012
Bill Proposes Allowing Notes of Executive Sessions in SD

Almost two thirds of the members of the South Dakota Municipal League oppose a proposed bill to allow public bodies to take notes in executive session. Rapid City Mayor Sam Kooiker is among the municipal government leaders who support allowing note taking during executive sessions.

Almost two thirds of the members of the South Dakota Municipal League oppose a proposed bill to allow public bodies to take notes in executive session. Rapid City Mayor Sam Kooiker is among the municipal government leaders who support allowing note taking during executive sessions. Minutes would not be public record, but would be available to the members of the body.

January 4, 2012
Track the 2012 Legislative Session

The South Dakota legislature convenes Tuesday, January 10, 2012. View our legislative page for information on your Black Hills legislators, the bills they are sponsoring, upcoming Cracker Barrel sessions and more.

 

The South Dakota legislature convenes Tuesday, January 10, 2012. View our legislative page for information on your Black Hills legislators, the bills they are sponsoring, upcoming Cracker Barrel sessions and more.

 

December 28, 2011
Rapid City Area Schools, Colleges, and Universities

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Media:

December 21, 2011
Executive Sessions Down in Rapid City, Still High for State

The amount of time Rapid City council spends in executive session is down for the year but still remains higher than most other cities in South Dakota.

In May, the Rapid City Journal reported that Rapid City officials spent more time in executive session than any other city in South Dakota. Since then, city council has reduced the use of executive sessions, but use still remains higher than other cities in the state.

November 28, 2011
South Dakota Air and Space Museum Shares History of Military Aircraft - Rapid City

The Air and Space Museum in Box Elder is home to about 30 aircraft and missiles that were used by the military in some way during the past 60 years. “The neatest things are the stories people tell us. The sacrifices they made and the things they did to make the aircraft fly,” said Tech Sgt. Duane Cole, museum curator. Read more
HERE

See photos and read about the SD Air and Space Museum
HERE

November 6, 2011
WDTI, USD Agreement Smooths Credit Transfers

Students benefit when schools play nicely.

A new agreement between Western Dakota Technical Institute and the University of South Dakota allows students to begin their education at one school and transfer to the other school without losing credits.  Read full story in Rapid City Journal.

October 26, 2011
2011 South Dakota Festival of Books

Ian Frazier, Joseph Marshall III, Craig Johnson, and Marilyn Johnson spoke at the 2011 South Dakota Festival of Books. Watch their speeches here.

Joseph Marshall III

Saturday, October 8, keynote speaker

Joseph Marshall III is the author of The Journey of Crazy Horse, which was the 2011 One Book South Dakota selection. Introducing Mr. Marshall is Leroy "J.R." LaPlante, Secretary of Tribal Relations for South Dakota.

Craig Johnson