Stay connected to current events and discussions happening at all levels of government.

Elevate’s Critical Issues Luncheon Series

Join us for our new event series: the Critical Issues Luncheon! During the luncheon on August 5 you will hear from an influential panel of our strong growth leaders to discuss Local Economic Development. As the profile and growth of Rapid City continues to rise, understanding strong local economic development practices are imperative to the quality growth we all want to see for our region.

Those joining the panel will be: Hani Shafi, Dream Design International Domico Rodriguez, Main Street Square Andy Scull, Scull Construction Jennifer Sietsema, West River Business Council Jared McEntaffer, Benchmark Data Labs   During this forum, the panelists will touch on the following: Downtown development and redevelopment. The importance of having a diverse number of local industries. Why strategic planning and community partnerships are the keys to success. Workforce recruitment/retention strategies. The significance quality of life plays in building a vibrant community.

REGISTER NOW!

2021 Legislative Summer Study: Workforce Housing

A legislative interim study committee meeting was facilitated on July 14 at the Monument. Nineteen legislators and over 100 members of the community attended this public meeting to hear local testimony and discuss our region’s unique needs as well as the progress made on identifying workforce housing solutions.  The bipartisan committee of legislators volunteered their time this summer to research and coordinate strategies that can ease the pressure on housing availability and costs. Rapid City was fortunate to have a strong local showing of experts and industry leaders, including city officials, local developers, non-profit groups, large employers, and many others who exist in the housing and development space.  We encourage you to tune in to the recording on South Dakota Public Radio to hear local experts and advocates share the progress made in our cities and towns and by community partnerships who seek opportunity to collaborate with the state. The next meeting is planned for early August in Sioux Falls. Elevate will attend to support our fellow communities across the state encountering a similar crisis and to ensure our place in the discussion. Take a look at the Legislature’s schedule on SDLRC to follow other important summer committee meetings including medical marijuana and redistricting.

Updates from the City of Rapid City

Here’s a comprehensive list of what’s news in the City of Rapid City, but what Elevate’s tracking most closely is the Vision Fund application process and public transit study. The Vision Fund was created after the flood of 1972, helping to pay for the original Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The fund was made permanent 20 years later to provide a constant source of money for local improvements and community projects. Funded by a half-cent sales tax, the fund has paid for projects such as the Canyon Lake restoration, the Journey Museum, and lighting for little league fields. Keep an eye out for this round’s set of applicants and projects!

If you have any government or political related event you want us to promote or share with the Elevate GAC network – please let us know! We would love to feature your event in the next GAC.

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