Blog-June 26, 2024-10-11—It’s YOUR Agri Business
  Our It’s your Agri Business Show---keeps in mind that Agriculture IS the NUMBER 1 Industry in South Dakota. But it needs support from many others with what they do.
   In our 9-10—Working on Wellness Wednesday Show---we talked about the flood waters from doctors---to health directors for the City of Sioux Falls---
   One of those that traditionally is in the 9-10—Working on Wellness Wednesday is Dr. Allen Unruh-----who is in demand to help those with serious body pains and distress. We talked about those kind of needs our listeners have—and he has become a man in demand-and we talked about that today---how he helps---what he does—and how he is really making a difference. Many times we have some of his patients on the air---and will in the future. His option of health care is growing—and we are happy to make a difference.
    Right behind him was Congressman Dusty Johnson----he shared the late vote on the house floor---what it meant---as well as a bit of a rift with the FBI-----they couldn’t be in the building if he was there. Seemed a little strange---but the difference with Native Americans is causing concerns in South Dakota-we talked as well about the floods---the other political paddy-cake that still shows an election year and what our only Congressman sees and hopes for.
     Right behind was Kevin Deinert—President of South Dakota Soybeans Association. What has he seen with the floods and heavy rain—what are there hopes for the days ahead—and the market-place. We were hoping to talk to Danita Murray as well with SD Corn---but we’ll catch up with her later in the week.
     Brent Baloun---Plains Commerce Bank---gave us his take on planning for those in business—those in agriculture---the young---the older---and how to plan successfully. 
     Sarah Heinrich—Growing Harvest Network –updated her take from the North Side of the Dakotas—as she does in each of our shows. Matt Swenson---Swenson Commodities—shared the mid-morning farm commodity prices—and what’s happening on a Wall Street.

        Jaime Wood---SBA of South Dakota is leaving us for DC ---we know that our working together will continue in the weeks, months and hopefully years ahead----
     

     Jaime Wood—SBA of South Dakota---shared some cookies with Norm Anderson and I----included this important update

Join SDCEO East Women’s Business Center and Jodder for a hybrid in-person and virtual training event on “How to Create Social Media Content: From Conceptualizing to Posting”, tomorrow, June 27, from 11:30am-1:30pm in Madison at the Prairie Shores Resort and Events and virtually! While the focus is on improving small business digital presence, the training is open to anyone. There’s still time to register today at sba.gov/southdakota. The in person training is $40 and includes a lunch, the online portion is $10.
 
On July 9th, the 2nd annual Women In Business Luncheon in Chamberlain-Oacoma takes place at the Arrowwood Cedar Shore.  SBA Resource Partners SD CEO West and SD CEO East are partnering  together to bring an intentionally crafted half-day luncheon focused on the networking experience to identify small business aspirations, define next steps and build your resources.
 
The event features a business showcase/networking hour, a keynote speaker and luncheon, and curated networking! Early bird registration going on through tomorrow, June 27, for $45 per ticket.  SD CEO Women’s Business Centers are seeking vendors for this event, a vendor booth is $70 and includes one participant ticket as well.  This is such a great summer event – I attended last year and SBA will be onsite again this year. Oacoma, right next to the beautiful Missouri River makes a gorgeous backdrop for this business gathering.  Register online at sba.gov/southdakota
 
We kicked off the SBA SD THRIVE CEO Leadership Training Cohort yesterday in Sioux Falls. Big shout out to over 20 businesses owners and operations managers who are leaning in to improve leadership skills over the next six months. This is such an amazing and diverse group comprised of several industries from both urban and rural SD. We have participants from Estelline, Wessington Springs, Watertown, DeSmet, Chamberlian, Owana, IA, and Sioux Falls. We’ll get a chance to learn more about these businesses over the next few months as they join us on the radio.
 
 
REFLECTION:  My time at SBA is drawing to a close and soon I’ll be joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture in DC. I joined the SBA SD District Office as the District Director about 5.5 years ago and it has been the honor of my career to come back to my home state of South Dakota to serve small businesses!    There are approximately 90,000 small businesses across the state and we make it a point to get out to many communities to make sure small businesses are aware of the programs, resources, and lending available to them to start and grow a business.
 
Added an additional Women’s Business Center to the eastern side of the state (now we have two)
 
-Added Innovation support programs:  Federal & State Technology (FAST) Grant and Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) funding – both of these programs are pairing nicely with Small Business Innovation & Research (SBIR) funding to spur increased innovation and competition for SD products.
 
Reignited the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) to SD. This grant is hosted by SD Trade and provides grant funding to small businesses to conduct foreign market research. In fact, SD Trade is leading a delegation this week to Tawaiin and Japan that includes several small businesses, non-profit leaders, and the SD Lt Governor, and STEP is being leveraged to help offset travel operational costs for the participating small businesses.  With each STEP investment we’re seeing a high rate of return in terms of international contracts being established. It’s a game changer for SD.
 
Massive disaster response efforts for COVID-19 and many weather related disasters (tornado, straight line winds, floods, drought, blizzards are a few)
 
- $1M Community Navigator Pilot Program Grant to Startup Sioux Falls – this resulted in hundreds of small businesses from across the state to get access to small business support, training, lending, and many resources – we are seeing a shift in the business demographic space because of this grant – minorities, women, rural, Tribal – all increased reach to business resources with the CNPP implementation.
 
- $1M Cybersecurity Grant hosted by Dakota State University – DSU was one of only three initial grantees across the entire U.S. for this prestigious and important SBA grant. They reached hundreds of small businesses and non-profit organizations that serve small businesses to increase cybersecurity awareness and to implement cybersecurity measures, protecting the entire economy of SD.
 
- I have immense gratitude and appreciation for our small businesses and the entire network that serves them – there are so many people and organizations at the federal, state, and local level working hard every day to make sure small businesses have what they need to thrive. Thank you for all you do!
 
As we move forward with some changes on our SBA SD team, the same great service will continue. Bryson Patterson, who’s served as our Deputy District Director over the past 4.5 years will be the Acting District Director. He has a depth of knowledge that spans far and wide across the small business portfolios.  Connect with SBA for business assistance at sba.gov/southdakota. Call the office at 605-330-4243. Be sure to follow us on social media – 
 

         Mary Michaels---AARP joined us as well---explaining the awarding of six grants to five South Dakota Communities. 
         Since 2017---AARP South Dakota has supported 33 Community Challenge grant projects investing more than $317,000 thru the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities.
In 2024—these are the winners we announced on the air today---   
The Legacy Foundation Sioux Falls—with the first mobile medical equipment lending library.
City of Edgemont—Project Convert the Court—will improve overall wellness among people 50-plus by creating regular and consistent prosocial and active recreation opportunities thru the construction of a new pickleball court in an accessible area downtown
Grand River Arts Council-Lemmon-The Palace Parklet project will provide a vibrant gathering space for arts—based programming , a ramp for accessibility to the theater and benches for older adults who use the downtown
Community Advancement for Roslyn and Eden (Care)---The Vets Memorial Park of Roslyn will honor vets and be inclusive of the area’s heritage. This project will provide an ADA Accessible gazebo

Gettysburg-Whitlock Bay Development Corporation---will allow seasoned gardeners to share and continue their love of supplying veggies for family and friends while beautifying an empty lot.
                   One Downtown Sioux Falls project received a demonstration grant thru the Community Challenge program. The Lively & beautiful Streets projects will focus on downtown streets to create an environment where people can experience slower traffic, safer crossings and a more hso0table pedestrian realm. 
   
  We closed the show with Justin Glisan---Iowa State Climatologist---we caught up on the flooding in my home state of Iowa—the flooding what farmers are expecting—and what is expected ahead. Justin and our South Dakota Climatologist Laura Edwards keep us updated on the weather we have seen and will see.
  
   Our It’s YOUR Agri Business Show ---does cover a lot of ground—we listen---we learn and we share.
   
    Listen live at 1320, 105.1, 107.9—use the KELO App—Streaming on line or just ask Alexa.
 
     Norm Anderson posts the Podcast of each show-----and I write this blog—to go along with bringing the guests together to talk and often educate us all.

    Questions for me—feel free to call/text at 605-728-2455 (BILL) or email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com.