Join the Economic & Entrepreneur Development Team
Do you want to help make Hot Springs a “destination city” where people come to see our attractions, purchase our services, food and products — but not settle here? Would you like to help plan signage, improve the business district, get involved in a “shop local” campaign, complete the Veterans Memorial, promote the arts community, and grow entrepreneurs?
Come to the Horizons community dinner Feb 21 at the American Legion (6 p.m., lasagne, good food, good people) and sign up for a team, or — if you can’t make it — leave a comment here with your contact information and someone will get in touch with you.
Goal 2: Provide opportunity and support for business and economic development and entrepreneurship.
Goal 2 - Objective 1: Promote “destination retail” and attractions. Implementation Step …………………………………………………………. Completion Date
1. Find funding to hire an expert to assess the economic community
and make recommendations …………………………………………………………..… 06/15/08
2. Select and hire the expert……………………….………………………..………………… 08/01/08
3. Receive, evaluate and act on the assessment recommendations….………… 06/01/09
Method of Evaluation…………………………………………………………….Completion Date
Report is complete and group is taking action on it ……………………………. 12/01/09
Goal 2 - Objective 2: Develop effective signage to encourage and facilitate visitation.
Implementation Steps ……………………………………………………………Completion Date
1. Meet with SD DOT for price quotes and requirements………………. 03/01/08
2. Find funding and determine locations……………………………….………… 07/15/08
Method Of Evaluation ……………………………………………….Completion Date
Agreed-upon signage is in correct locations………………………………….. 01/01/09
Goal 2 - Objective 3: Improve business district.
Implementation Steps …………………………………………………….. Completion Date
1. Increase business accessibility through infrastructure
modifications such as walking areas.………………………………….… 07/01/08 & Continuing
2 Develop “shop local” campaign ……..…………………………..……………….. 05/01/08
3 Complete plan in place for annual clean up & fix up day..………..……. 08/01/08
4 Inventory & develop promotion plan to fill vacant buildings…………… 09/01/08
Methods Of Evaluation ………………………………………………….. Completion Date
Obtain City Council approval of plan for infrastructure modification (#1)…. 10/01/08
Infrastructure modification (#1) is under way ………………………..……..…………01/01/09
“Shop local” campaign is implemented ………………………………………….….…… 09/15/08
First annual clean-up, fix-up day is complete …………………………………………. 10/01/08
Vacant building inventory is complete ……………………………………………….…… 10/01/08
Promotion plan to fill vacant buildings is approved by Chamber …………….… 01/15/09
Goal 2 - Objective 4: Complete the Veteran’s Memorial.
Implementation Steps ………………………………………………………. Completion Date
Find funding and an organization to complete………………….……………………….. 04/01/08
Method Of Evaluation……………………………………………………….Completion Date
Veterans Memorial is complete …………………..………………………………………. 04/01/09
Goal 2 - Objective 5: Promote Hot Springs Arts Community.
Implementation Steps ………………………………………………………… Completion Date
1. Advertise and display visual arts by local artists …………………. 1/28/08 & Ongoing
2. Advertise musical arts by local artists ………..…………………… 01/28/08 & Ongoing
3. Advertise and display fine crafts by local artists ……………….. 01/28/08 & Ongoing
Method of Evaluation
Advertise art activities and events in retail locations ………….……….. 01/28/08 & Ongoing
Advertise art activities and events on Horizons blogsite ……………… 03/01/08 & Ongoing
Goal 2 - Objective 6: Grow Entrepreneurs.
Implementation Steps…………………………………………………………..Completion Date
Schedule a seminar to educate community about micro-lending ……………….. 04/01/08
Involve the Hot Springs Economic Development Corporation …………………… 03/15/08
Create a mentoring group to encourage and provide counsel
to entrepreneurs with specific business ideas……..……………………………………….. 06/15/08
Establish capital-structure for micro-enterprise lending program………..….…… 01/01/09
Method Of Evaluation…………………………………………………………….Completion Date
A minimum of two enterprises are funded ………………………………….…………..…. 06/01/09
February 27th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Developing effective signage to light the way to Hot Springs is a great idea. I suggest there be an objective to develop effective signage within Hot Springs as well that would inform both visitors and residents of our events, attractions, businesses…
March 6th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Read in the Rapid City Journal about a program to get people back into mainstream lending. Could we try that here?
March 30th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Moving to Hot Springs in June, and opening a quilt shop/creative sewing center with my wife, Ann. I am interested in participating in entrepeneurship mentoring since I have operated business for a number of years and volunteered to teach entrepeneurship in our schools here for a number of years.
April 19th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I recently spent several hours with great people from SDREI, a non profit corporation working with and for people in South Dakota to help businesses, and business development. One very promising program is coming up very shortly working with entrepreneurs, and finding appropriate people to help mentor new entrepreneurs. Hot Springs may be involved in this program, if we have interest from some locals that want to be interested.