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Marketing Hometown America Program
David Olson In honor of David Olson, the SDSU Extension Community Development Team will be offering their Marketing Hometown America Program at a discounted fee. David Olson started working for SDSU Extension as a Community Coach for the Horizons Project in 2006 and was named the Community Development Program Director in 2011.
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David Olson passed away from cancer on February 12, 2016, he was diagnosed in May of 2015 and was still working at the time of his death. He quickly made his impact, providing mentorship and thoughtful leadership, while intersecting his own brand of humor and grace, to the projects and the community members he worked with. He quickly established himself as a community capacity builder – engaging communities in gaining skills that empowered their ability to identify, achieve and sustain THEIR goals and objectives. David had this magnetic personality that put people at ease. He was a man of honor, integrity, loyalty and grace.
SDSU Extension has lost an accomplished professional, valued colleague and a true friend. We will never be able to replace David, but we are committed to continuing his work and his legacy.
As a part of David Olson’s legacy the Community Development Team would like to offer to any rural community in South Dakota the opportunity to participate in the Marketing Hometown America program at a discounted fee.
Marketing Hometown America empowers communities to create a vision to grow. Designed as a tool to create dialogue that moves toward action, it can be the spark to
help a rural community look at itself in a new way. It was pilot tested and in seven communities.
When asked to explain what happened the following impacts were highlighted:
Marketing Actions
j Entrance signs were created or renovated. j Videos were produced showcasing the community.
Amenity Improvements
j Downtown murals were painted. j Lots cleared.
Adult and Youth Engagement
j Expanded recruitment of new professionals. j Youth planned and implemented a scavenger hunt via traditional and GPS methods for youth.
Leadership Development
j New people stepped up to mobilize, play a role and even lead the Marketing Hometown America process.
Networking
j New connections were made with Federal agencies, tourism boards, Chambers of Commerce, economic development groups, University Extension, schools and other higher education institutions.
Civic Awareness and Community Spirit
j People noted a heightened sense of urgency and began to question the “status quo.” j A “can do” perspective was strengthened. Your community may already be working on attracting new residents. But to grow, more people need to be part of that effort. Marketing Hometown America engages communities through small groups called Study Circles to get more people involved and more voices heard.
Community Benefits
j Use positive conversations to begin or expand community marketing j Create a welcoming spirit needed to attract new residents j Learn what new residents are looking for as they relocate to a rural community j Discover often overlooked local assets that attract potential new residents j Build and implement a marketing action plan.
For more information on how to participate in the Marketing Hometown America program or to learn more about the “programs and tools” the SDSU Extension Community Development Team can provide please contact a team member: Kari O’Neill (605.685.6972) Martin, SD Peggy Schlechter (605.394.1722) Rapid City, SD Kenneth Sherin (605.995.7378) Mitchell, SD Paul Thares (605.374.4177) Lemmon, SD
See more at: http://igrow.org/community-development/ communities/marketing-hometown-america.
