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SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITIES RECOGNIZED FOR SUCCESSES
APRIL 23, 2004
DATE: APRIL 23, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DES MOINES, IOWA
CONTACT: ANGIE RICHARDS
515.281.1014
arichards@fhlbdm.com
PRESIDENT BUSH KICKS OFF LANDMARK EVENT WITH SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITIES RECOGNIZED FOR SUCCESSES
President George W. Bush addressed a standing room only crowd at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown last week, kicking off the "Capitalizing on Rural America" symposium. The two-day, landmark event, hosted by Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Tom Harkin and sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, attracted over 500 participants. President Bush headlined the impressive contingent of nationally-recognized speakers assembled to discuss new policies and innovative ideas for the future of rural America. Ten communities were also chosen from the five states served by the Bank, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota, to showcase their accomplishments during the symposium.
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| Pictured, from left: Patrick Conway, Pres. & Chief Exec. Officer of Fed.Home Bank of Des Moines, Iowa. Rod Kusser, Rich Larson, Vikki Day of Highmore. Randy Newman, Chairman, Chief Exec. Officer, Pres. of Alerus Financial, Grand Forks,N.D. David Hauschild, Exec. Director of the Central South Dakota Enhancement Dist. |
The ten communities, two from each state in the Bank's District, were designated as "Capital Communities." Belle Fourche and Highmore were chosen from the State of South Dakota. With the help of a statewide planning committee, the Capital Communities were selected based on their size, organized planning efforts, unique projects and involvement of local financial institutions. Consideration was also given to selecting communities that were different from one another to demonstrate a variety of approaches that can be used to meet a community's economic challenges.
The Capital Communities had the opportunity to display their community achievements and network with other conference attendees throughout the two-day symposium. The communities were honored during a luncheon program, receiving an award plaque in recognition of their accomplishments as well as a $7,500 check from the Bank. A portion of the check ($5,000) can be used any way the community chooses while the remaining $2,500 is allocated for an internship.
There are communities that are thriving and growing in rural America, not just surviving," commented Home Loan Bank President Pat Conway. "These are the communities that we chose as examples to highlight at the symposium – our Capital Communities. During the selection process, we considered several factors including housing, economic and community development and growth of new and existing businesses. The ten communities we selected are only a snapshot of the successful communities throughout our District that are using unique approaches and forward-thinking ideas to remain vital and active."
With a population of only 851 people, Highmore has initiated and completed a number of impressive community and economic development projects. Highmore built the Mid-Dakota Rural Water System to bring safe, clean drinking water to more than 30,000 people in Central South Dakota for the first time. Also, the City has attracted new businesses, completed a wind tower project, established several hunting lodges and built new homes as well as a junior/senior high school. Vikki Day, Highmore City Commissioner, Rod Kusser, Member Services Manager, Venture Communications Cooperative and Richard Larson, Vice President, First State Bank of Miller attended the symposium from Highmore.
For more information on the symposium, "Capitalizing on Rural America," or the Capital Communities, please contact Angie Richards at 800.544.3452, ext. 1014 or arichards@fhlbdm.com.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is a AAA-rated wholesale bank that provides low-cost short and long-term funding and community lending to more than 1,200 stockholder commercial banks, saving institutions, credit unions and insurance companies. The Bank is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. The Des Moines Bank serves Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota and is one of twelve regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System.