Rural Learning Center receives funding

Contact Person: Jim Beddow – 772-5139; beddowj@alliancecom.net

Mark Bahnson, Sales Marketing and Customer Service Manager from Splitrock Properties, Inc. delivered a check for $25,000 to the Rural Learning Center.

Dr. Jim Beddow, Executive Director for the Center assumed his duties to develop the Center’s concept in April of 2002. The Center has recruited its founding board members from across the state to shape the direction the Center will take.

The board of directors are Bob Hull, Executive Director of Northeast South Dakota Economic Corporation; Bernie Christensen, Executive Director of the South Dakota Community Foundation; Dr. Tom Kilian, Executive Director of the Rural Initiative Center; Jim Doolittle, Executive Director of the Black Hills Economic Development, Inc.; Randy Parry, Executive Director of Miner County Community Revitalization; Dr. Daryl Hobbs, Director of the Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis, University of Missouri and Kristi Wagner, Director of the Center for Civic Partnership and Leadership.

The first board meeting held this week will help determine the mission and vision of the Center; identify stakeholders in the state and determine the feasibility of the facility that will be located on the 16-acre parcel of land donated by Robert and Raymond Weishaar located just east of Howard on Hwy 34 if funding is secured.

Splitrock Properties, Inc.’s generous support of the facility has also been matched with their commitment to provide up to date technology infrastructure to the county for such a project as this.

The South Dakota Community Foundation has also given $25,000 for the use of pre-implementation for the development of the Center. MCCR has also set aside funds for the development of the project. MCCR will serve as the fiscal agent for the Center until a new non-profit corporation is set up.

According to Beddow, “The significant early financial commitments made by Splitrock Properties, Inc., South Dakota Community Foundation and MCCR are a great boost to the Center and a strong expression of support for its mission.”

Beddow will be locating his office in the former Sage and Sage Building in Howard and will be assisted in his duties by Tami Schwader, a Miner County native who recently started part-time for the Center in May.