Blog—August 19, 2025—9-10, 10-11—It’s YOUR Business

   Our It’s YOUR Business Show---took a lot of opportunity to talk about how Dakota Fest was beginning near Mitchell today---how the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance was doing quite the bus tour of the communities they work together with----16 or so---

   Those were two topics we included in the 9-11 shows today---talking with small town communities that work together. Inspiring to hear what they are doing—how it was put together—and why our smaller communities are just as important per family as any size Sioux Falls or Rapid City in the state.

   Nikki Jones helped us set the stage for Dakota Fest. Pfeifers, Kubota, yes IDEAAG---all make the 3 days of Dakota Fest---bigger than life---and we’ll do our best to tell the stories on Wednesday.

   Lisa Ottmar—talked with us about the HELPLINE Center—it is a part of a lot of the stories we share with our audience---Lisa is the Director—and we talked about the Volunteer Connections Prggram at the HELPLINE Center.

   The goal of Volunteer Connections is to connect volunteers and support nonprofits. They are the go-to hub for all things volunteerism in the Black Hills, Brookings and the Sioux Empire. We had a chance to listen and learn –and yes the SALSA Program in 9 Sioux Empire High Schools.

   The SALSA stands for the Serve and Learn Student Association. It’s all about getting young people involved in volunteering and creating that early spark so they’ll want to stay engaged as lifelong volunteers.

   Anyone can get involved with Volunteer Connections---whether you’re an individual, family, business, student, retiree or part of a faith community, there’s a place for you to serve. There are opportunities for all ages—Abilities and schedules.

   Lisa explained that volunteers are the backbone of so many essential services, mentoring youth, helping seniors, protecting the environment and responding in times of crisis.

   The have a big volunteer event coming up on September 11th—hosting a Day or Service with Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers will be working on building and repair projects throughout the day. They had already added 3 extra shifts to fit everyone in. It’s a hands-on way to make a visible difference, and they would love to make even more folks join them.

    We talked as well with leaders of the 17th Annual Sioux Metro Growth Alliance—and Tyler Torgeson---we were able to listen in to a handful of the 16-18 communities yes they took us along for quite the tour in their two hours. From 9 to 11---as they were part of portions of both hours.

     Our 10:00 hour---did hear more from Nikki at Dakota Fest, the Tour with Tyler in the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

     We shared information with John Ball—Mr. Tree-----Laura Edwards ---South Dakota Climatologist, Plains Commerce Bank, Sarah Heinrich—Growing Harvest Network---Matt Swenson---Swenson Commodities too.

     The 9 and 10 show—did some traveling with guests---multiple stops and events---Dakota Fest----Sioux Metro Alliance----

     Listen live to the show at 1320, 105.1, 107.9—use the KELO-APP Streaming on line or just ask Alexa---

     Norm Anderson posts the podcast –I write the show—schedule the guests—and do the interviews and write the blog.