2016 graduates of Dakota Rising honored
December 9, 2016
An estimated 80 individuals attended the fourth Faulkton Area Development Corporation (FADC) annual meeting Saturday evening, Dec. 3.
A roast beef dinner was served by Cheryl Schaefers of Cheryl’s Catering, with help from granddaughter Lily.
Trevor Cramer, executive director, served as master of ceremonies for the program that included past and future involvements of the group, honored the 2016 Dakota Rising graduates, and gave appreciation to the four individuals retiring from the board.
The FADC operates under four pillars of priority:
- Housing
- Leadership and Quality of Life
- Dakota Rising - entrepreneurship/economic development
- Financial
Following Cramer’s presentation he introduced featured speaker Joe Fiala of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Fiala spoke on maintaining and retaining businesses.
“There are challenges to keeping a vibrant community as in the maintaining an adequate work force, and housing,” he said. Fiala also noted that Faulkton has a lot to be proud of, noting nothing can be accomplished without the hard work and commitment of volunteers.
Fiala complimented the Faulkton community for their hard work and knows that Faulkton will continue to do great things in the future.
Next on the agenda was the election of four new members on the Development Board of Directors. Elected were Derek Barrios, Linda Bartholomew, Cody Cotton, and Brandon Spanier.
Dave Hedt then gave his presentation on his new venture, Walkabout Mother Bins. He is excited that two bins have already been purchased and hopes to see more of them showing up in Faulk County and surrounding counties. An excellent promotional video about Mother Bins was then shown which was done by Hedt’s friends Shayla Hoheisel of Lakeville, Minn., and Luis Goveo of Puerto Rico with their drone.
Shayla has a youtube channel “Living On A One Way” if you would like to follow their work. Kelly Melius then spoke about the four pillars of the Development Corp.
He commented that the Faulkton Business and Professional Association has been working with the Development Corp. and are working on goals and activities for the community in the future, including, B & P meeting, trainings and presentations: Jan. 23: Training, Quickbooks - advanced class; March 27: presentation on how to run an effective meeting; May 22: planning for Wild West Days; July 24: presentation - resource night - SDBC/NECOG/GrowSD; Sept. 25: training on putting your business on the map with Google; Nov. 27: presentation on media and marketing. B & P co-sponsored events: Jan. 19: home-based business fair; April/May: customer service workshop by Trevor Cramer; May: spring business showcase (service focus); October: fall business showcase (retail focus); November: countdown to Christmas.
Melius ended by stating that he has learned a lot from his mentors. He has brought back these ideas to his own business and that this has helped him in his business tremendously.
“Faulkton has been doing a lot of things that work, so let’s keep on doing them!” he concluded.
Faulkton Mayor Slade Roseland then spoke to the group about the city’s promotional video, also furnished by Shayla Hoheisel. Hoeheisel showcased what Faulkton has to offer and put many hours worth of video into about a three minute video for the city. It is an excellent video and shows many of Faulkton’s businesses, including the courthouse, carousel and ball park. Go to faulktoncity.org to view the video.
The Dakota Rising graduates were then honored. Graduating this year are business owners, Lisa Mueller of Mueller Therapeutic Massage; Melanie Hoke of the Burger Shack; and Cheryl Schaefers of Cheryl’s Catering. Each was presented a clock plaque by FADC Director Trevor Cramer. Each graduate was also featured in a video about their time with Dakota Rising.
President of the FADC Roger Deiter then spoke on the issues facing Faulkton with the biggest interest in housing. He touched on a wide range of housing issues, as in from retirement to young families needing housing. The demolition and cleanup of six to seven properties in Faulkton was completed last year, including residents cleaning up their own properties. Due to the Dept. of Environment and Resources this is not affordable to continue as there are too many restrictions in place. Deiter noted that the architectural work is complete and bids will be let in December, and will be awarded in January on Phase I of the Westside addition.
He then informed the group that there is a firm commitment from Jensen Rock & Sand out of Mobridge to locate a satellite business at the Industrial Park east of Faulkton. They have committed to buying two lots and will lease two more lots for a portable asphalt plant. The Industrial Park is located west of Homan Welding on the north side of Hwy. 212. The land was acquired from Dwight and Rhonda Hossle. Bids have been awarded and work may start this week.
Next on the agenda was a report from the local foundation board which had set an initial goal of raising $200,000 at the 2014 meeting. Foundation President is Troy Hadrick. Hadrick noted that when this goal is reached, the S.D. Foundation will donate a $50,000 match.
In addition a few businesses/residents have stepped up and are willing to pitch in another $50,000 match. With that commitment every dollar you donate essentially turns into $1.50 for the foundation. To date the foundation has $57,000. When completed this money will go to non-profits as in parks, school uniforms, the ball field, etc. Serving with Hadrick on the Faulkton Area Foundation board are Randy Tisher, Lisa Mueller, Dwight Hossle, Kevin Deiter, Lori Holt and Dale Melius.
You are welcome to contact any member to answer questions, receive a pledge agreement or to visit about ways you can impact the foundation, said Hadrick.
Quality of Life committee chairman Jody Moritz then spoke about their projects. Phase 1 of the sidewalks between the school and downtown are in the works. They are waiting on confirmation of a grant for this project; a grant has been applied for to fix the tower at the Pickler Mansion; completed benches and another picnic table at the pool; the mural on Quilter’s Corner is scheduled to be completed next fall; and there will be a Mystery Dinner Theatre this spring.
Moritz and Hedt were excited to announce that Guido Van Helten, a muralist from Brisbane, Australia was in Faulkton. He creates larger than life portraits on buildings. His murals have a delicate quality to them, an almost fragile reality that exists in contradiction to their size and the structure on which they are painted. His portraits speak to everyone, not only those for whom the mural was created. His paintings will be on three sides of North Central Farmers white elevator on the east side of Faulkton. He confirmed that this mural will be the only one in South Dakota and possibly the only one in the northern United States. Hedt also stated that most of the money needed for this project has already been raised.
A promotional video of Lakeside Country Club, by Shayla Hoheisel, was then shown, and again was very good quality. Groups were then asked to write down their priorities for Faulkton.
Included in the list were cafe, bike path, school improvements, roads, young adult league sports, body shop, clean up Main Street, a Veteran’s Memorial, and on the lighter side, to survive the sewer project.
To end the evening four members of the Development Board of Directors were given appreciation plaques for their hours of volunteer service to the community. Retiring from the board were Jay Jahnig, Jody Moritz, and Virgene Wagner.
Newly elected to the board are Derek Barrios, Linda Bartholomew, Cody Cotton, and Brandon Spanier. Verne Hansen retired last year from the board after serving since 1987 and and was also presented a plaque.