Posts Tagged ‘Gary SD’

5 Things I experienced in Gary, SD

July 7th, 2009

As I promised, here’s an update on what I experienced over the weekend at the Gary, South Dakota 3rd of July Celebration.  For a town of 250 residents, they held an amazing event.  Both the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and the Watertown Public Opinion published stories.  Rather than describe the activities or the grand opening of the Buffalo Ridge Resort, I want to share “5 things I saw” in Gary while I was at the celebration. 

1. The transformation of a decaying community asset:  I’ve previously stated that I believe most rural communities have hidden assets waiting to be transformed.  And the former South Dakota School for the Blind may have been more decay than asset.  But a quick look at these before and after pictures will show what vision and hard work can do.  I hope it inspires other rural communities to look for assets they can develop.

2. A community coming together:  Gary residents have always come together to sponsor some great community celebrations.  This year, they put together an incredible set of activities for their two-day 3rd of July Celebration that coincided with the Buffalo Ridge Resort grand opening.   Not only do events like this bring money into town, but they also create a sense of community for residents and visitors alike.  (If you want to see what other events the community has planned, I’d encourage you to check out their new website.)

3. A Sense of Opportunity:  While taking some pictures Friday, I overheard one middle-aged guy say, “I want to move back, and I mean here (meaning Gary) not Watertown.”  I don’t know where the person lives or what he does for a living, but I’ll bet he wasn’t the only one to say that over the weekend.  The Buffalo Ridge Resort has undoubtedly created some employment opportunities, but hopefully it will also inspire others to dream of creating their own businesses.  (Anyone who has such dreams should contact Briana Hoffman, Deuel Area Development, Inc — briana.hoffman@rurallearningcenter.org .)

4. An entrepreneur who reinvested in his community after striking success:  Let’s be honest.  It would have been easier for Joe Kolbach to take the earnings from selling his wind energy business and move to the big city.  Instead, he chose to reinvest in the community that helped him build his company.  

5. Skepticism:  Yes, I overheard a few other people talking about how tough operating a resort facility in a town of 250 people will be.  But as Joe Kolbach said in the Argus Leader, “People can’t imagine why I’m spending the money on building this. But this is a passion for the whole community. It will work. I wouldn’t have built it if I thought otherwise.”

 

So what will the future hold? Some people will root against the Buffalo Ridge Resort because of jealousy and small-mindedness. That happens in big cities and rural communities alike.  Hopefully most people in the Gary region understand what an incredible opportunity stands in front of them.  I’m sure there are a lot of communities who would welcome such a development with open arms. 

Personally, I’d never root against anything Joe takes on.  He built a company from scratch, and has already done more with former blind school campus than most people thought possible.  Those are people who usually find a way to get the job done.  And they are the type of people we could use more of in our rural communities.

       

Note:  Be sure to check out more before and after pictures on Flickr.

Update:  Check out this post at Madville Times about the project.

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The Transformation of the former Blind School

July 4th, 2009

Talk about transformation!  The former blind school in Gary, SD has been transformed into an incredible community asset. 

Yesterday (July 3), I went over to Gary, SD for the first of their two-day 4th of July Celebration.  The celebration also marked the opening of the Buffalo Ridge Resort and Office Complex (formerly the blind school).  As the pictures will show, the campus has undergone an incredible transformation.

Because I have other family obligations today, I’m just going to post a few photos and provide a link to a more complete set at the Rural Learning Center’s Flickr account. 

If you get a chance to go Gary today for the second day of their celebration, I highly recommend it.  If you do, I’m sure you’ll see why projects like this cause me to believe that there’s a real opportunity to transform Rural America. 


 

Note:  Check out posts here and here for more information on the project.   And if you want to see a listing of the events, go here.

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Welcoming potential residents

March 31st, 2009

A recurring theme we heard during our three-day design charrette in Deuel County (SD) was the desire to bring more residents to the community.  We heard that several of the community’s largest employers are still looking for employees – even during this economic downturn – and that a high percentage of the community’s labor force is currently driving into town to work.   Sounds like a great opportunity. 

It also leads to a question: how does a community convince people to move to their town?   Part of the answer may be in how easy it is for these potential residents to get to know the community. 

Lost and Found

During the charrette, design team members stayed with host families.  One of our presenters was one of those hosts. 

On Wednesday evening, he and his wife were on the “look-out” for their guest.  After seeing someone who looked lost go by their house several times, the presenter’s wife walked out to the street to see if this was their guest. Turns out the individual worked in town and was contemplating a move to Clear Lake.  His work schedule had made it difficult for him to get to know the community and look for available housing, specifically.  , He was driving around to get a feel.  The presenter’s wife offered some assistance, and the worker was on his way.

Small town atmosphere

This is the type of story that we have come to expect from rural communities.  It demonstrates the small town, friendly atmosphere that is so common.  But it also demonstrates that just being friendly may not be enough.  How many people never get noticed as they check out our communities? 

I was happy to learn that the town of Gary recently held housing fair as means of sharing information about housing opportunities.  But beyond that I did not hear of many other examples of how the issue was being addressed in Deuel County. 

It seems to me that all rural communities should dig into this question further.  Unfortunately, I don’t have the answers, but I’m sure there are a lot of innovative ideas out there.  I hope people who have those ideas will share them in the comments below. 

The bottom line is that welcoming potential residents is too important of an issue for us to leave it to happen-stance meetings out on the street.

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Former Blind School Project moves forward

December 12th, 2008

If the residents of Gary, SD  had succumbed to the psychological effects often associated with “Broken Window Theory“, I doubt anyone would have showed up for the Dessert and Design meeting at the former South Dakota School for the Blind in Gary last night. 

But signs of helplessness and community despair were far from present as approximately 140 Gary residents gathered to hear about future plans for former School for the Blind campus.  Quite a turnout for a community with a population of 250.

The community meeting, which was held in the south dormitory auditorium, began with a presentation by Joe Kolbach, who recently acquired the property.  He shared his aggressive vision for restoring the buildings and filling them with productive uses.   He and Briana Hoffman, Deuel County economic development coordinator, then asked the community for their input into future activities that could tie into the facility.  The community eagerly shared their ideas, and it was wonderful to see the entire auditorium filled with energy and excitement.

Joe has identified office space, lodging, and an auditorium/events center as purposes for two of the campus’ three main buildings.  Plans are still pending (hence the need for ideas) for the former administrative building. (check out Joe’s presentation here) 

Restoration of the buildings and reestablishment of Lake Elsie will undoubtedly enhance Gary’s existing charm and make it a unique and special community in the upper Great Plains.  But work of this nature in a rural community doesn’t get done based solely on one person’s vision and commitment.  To be truly successful, it takes the support of the entire community.

And that was the message offered by Randy Parry, who spoke briefly during the meeting.  Parry, the President of the Rural Learning Center in Howard, recounted how easy it is for negativity and skepticism to cripple community development efforts.  It’s easy to feel bursts of excitement now, but the community will undoubtedly experience barriers that it will have to fight through.  That’s when support becomes vital. 

As I reflect back on the meeting, it’s that message that I hope struck home with attendees.  The campus’ redevelopment is an amazing opportunity for Gary.  But its greatest impact will only be reached by the community working together to determine how to take full advantage of and build upon this incredible opportunity.   

 

 Other links about the School for the Blind project:

 Update: Briana Hoffman asked me to make one correction.  While 140 people attended the meeting, not all were Gary residents.  Attendees came from throughout Deuel County, as well as neighboring Canby, MN.  It’s great to see regional interest.

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Bernie on the Blind School

November 26th, 2008

Bernie Hunhoff, editor of South Dakota Magazine, captures the essence of Joe Kolbach’s bold vision for turning the former South Dakota School for the Blind campus in Gary, SD into a community revitalization project. 

The Gary community has been saddle for years with this incredible asset that has deteriorated to the point of being a community detriment.  Way too often, some of the best physical assets in our small towns (i.e. – old school and bank buildings) have been purchased by individuals – often with good intentions — who end up neglecting the property.  Un-mowed lawns lead to broken windows, lead to graffiti…, you get the picture.  (And if you don’t, take a closer look at the picture to the left.)

But is the preservation of historic buildings really a path to community prosperity? I emphatically say “yes” as I’ve experienced it first-hand.  Back in the mid-1990′s, I helped a start-up tourism venture in Beaufort, South Carolina, a once sleepy, depressed community located half-way between Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. 

There the focal point was antebellum, plantation-style homes that were being restored to their original splendor.  Visitors flocked to see the see the magnificence of the restored mansions and hear the history of an era gone by.  Along the way, they left their dollars at main street businesses.

Equally important is the role the restored mansions played in changing the community’s brand.  In marketing terms, a community’s brand is what others say and think about you.  Ask anyone about Beaufort’s image during the 1960s and 1970s, and they’d tell you it was a community without a future.  The restored homes helped change that image.

It’s too early to say what impact the former School for the Blind will have on Gary and surrounding Deuel County.   But what’s important is that communities attempt to regain control over these assets and incorporate them into the community’s vision for the future.   

Update:  The transformation of the former blind school into the Buffalo Ridge Resort and Business Center is not complete.  Check this post for further info and pictures.

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