Update on Our Work

Hard to believe that it has been six months already since Corsica area leaders invited us, The Rural Learning Center, to begin partnering with you about the future. We have formally interviewed over 80 people and had hundreds of other conversations and meetings about a lot of different things – visions for the future, business ideas, creative concepts about building new homes, leadership development strategies, etc. etc. It has been exciting for us to interact with members of the City Council, School Board, Commercial Club, County Commission, Corsica Foundation, Development Corporation, the Housing Commission and other organizations doing outstanding work. No question that the Corsica region has a great “volunteer army.” Our work centers around enabling this “army” to more effectively articulate its visions, work together, and get things done. The next “big thing” will be the Design SD:Project Corsica May 16-19. We are co-sponsoring this event with the Corsica Commercial Club and working to get strong participation from across the region. Public participation in this event actually begins with an informational meeting at the Corsica grade school gym on the evening of April 24th.

Those of us who love and believe in rural South Dakota know that we have significant and difficult challenges in front of us. We are all in this for the long haul. Our pioneer foremothers and forefathers were amazing entrepreneurs who figured out how to successfully adapt to a very difficult environment – we can do it again. We at the Rural Learning Center are honored and energized by our partnership with the good folks of this region. Keep in touch and let us know how we can work with you to realize your dreams.

Thanks for the opportunity,

Jim Beddow, The Rural Learning Center