News & Events

Marcia Erickson grew up on a cattle farm in rural South Dakota where neighbors knew and took care of one another. If one neighbor fell ill or got hurt when it was time to bring in the corn, the others were ready to help. “The crops can’t wait,” Erickson said.  That spirit of helping her rural community stayed with her and made a career in affordable housing and community development a natural fit. Erickson has worked in the field for 38 years and counting, coming up with fresh ideas, strategizing and giving voice to rural concerns. Her work as a...

Starting a business can be overwhelming, and financing is just one piece of the puzzle. Fortunately, GROW South Dakota has knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you get started. When Derek Diedrich, owner of Fun Time Rentals, was planning his venture, he sought advice from a local banker who recommended the GROW South Dakota business loan program. Reflecting on their journey, Derek shared, "We had never owned our own business. Now, we own two: Fun Time Rentals and Fun Time Adventures." He added, "We started as a seasonal rental company offering just boats, campers, and jet skis. Now, we've...

It was a journey filled with ups and downs, but Alexis's dream of purchasing her first home became a reality with the help of GROW South Dakota. Her story is a testament to the organization's commitment to supporting individuals on their path to homeownership.Alexis had always dreamed of having a place to call her own, a space where she could build memories, and a house she could truly make into a home. However, it was a challenge to save for a down payment and navigate the complex home-buying process.That is when she discovered GROW South Dakota and its down payment...

Each year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) honors small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country for their community leadership and achievements. In conjunction with that, the SBA South Dakota District Office has selected Fallon Deutsch of Langford as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Fallon is the owner of Distinctly Drey, an online boutique that offers a variety of different clothing, tops, bottoms, outerwear, loungewear, clothing for toddlers, and so much more. Fallon stays on top of fashion trends and changes her clothing with the seasons. She frequently runs sales, and one of these sales includes the "Cyber Monday Mystery Bags".Fallon’s...

Could you survive a month in poverty?107,500 South Dakotans, 34,000 of whom are children under the age of 18, live in poverty every day. Many more have incomes above the poverty line, but their incomes are still low enough to qualify for programs like Food Stamps and Medicaid. The recent economic downturn has seen unemployment rates rise and the use of emergency food pantries increase.It is difficult for those of us who have enough to truly understand the situations that families living in poverty experience every day – the decisions they have to make, and the fears and frustrations they...

   They say when it rains, it pours. For one GROW South Dakota client, it was a torrential downpour! First, his car broke down, so he didn’t have enough money to fix it because he had to pay his monthly bills. Then he nearly lost his job because he didn’t have transportation to get to work. The last drop in the bucket was an emergency stent surgery. It was a dire situation. “I was very concerned about the cascading crisis of potentially becoming homeless, losing my car, and possibly losing my job,” he stated. “I really didn’t have anyone to...

In honor of NeighborWorks Week, staff from NeighborWorks Amercia came to visit the staff of GROW SD.   They received a tour around the town of Siseton to highlight the work done by GROW SD. GROW SD staff provided sidewalk chalk and treats to area daycares and after school programs. NeighborWorks staff and GROW SD staff attended the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition convening in Flandreau, where Lori Moen was elected to the first official board of directors.https://youtu.be/_x9INlqgdjE 

Committed, inspired, dedicated, empowered.  These are just a few words that describe the journey taken by the leadership within GROW South Dakota.  More impressive, is the chief leadership positions are held by four women with a combined total of over 100 years of experience with GROW SD.  This dedication to persevere through decades of challenges, growth, and change has allowed GROW SD to become one of the nation’s leading organizations in their industry. Marcia Erickson, Co-Chief Executive Officer, has been with GROW SD for over 32 years and Lori Finnesand, Co-Chief Executive Officer, has been with GROW SD for 30 years. ...

In recognition of Women's History Month, GROW South Dakota is commemorating and celebrating the vital role of women in American history.  One of the leaders we celebrate is JoAnn Schaefers, Faulkton, and previously from Polo.  JoAnn Schaefers has served on the Board of Directors for GROW South Dakota for 47 years.  Schaefers served on the Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program (NESDCAP also known as GROW South Dakota) Board of Directors for 10 years, including a number of terms on the State Community Action Board. Following her tenure on the NESDCAP Board she began serving on the Northeast South Dakota Economic Corporation (NESDEC also known...

Marcia Erickson, GROW South Dakota CEO, recently became President of the Board of Directors for the National NeighborWorks Association (NNA). She will serve a two-year term. NNA is a national membership-based trade association for NeighborWorks America chartered organizations that are providing over $9.3 billion of affordable housing and community development across the nation. NNA provides national advocacy for policy and funding for these organizations as well as membership benefits that either reduce operating costs or increase revenues. Marcia has been with GROW South Dakota for more than 30 years and became the CEO in 2005. Marcia has a broad...

Tuesday, January 26, 2021, South Dakota will be conducting the Annual Point-In-Time Homeless (PIT) Count and Housing Inventory Chart (HIC). These activities are required by US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) nationwide as part of the Continuum of Care Program. The information is collected and reported to Congress. The information is also used for measuring progress, identifying strengths in services, identifying gaps in services, increasing public awareness and enhancing system planning.  GROW SD will be helping to coorindating the count for the following counties in SD: Beadle, Brown, Campbell, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, Marshall, McPherson, Potter, Roberts,...

During NeighborWorks Week, June 6-13, GROW South Dakota and other NeighborWorks organizations across the country will host several events that educate, train and inform. GROW South Dakota will provide a virtual platform this year to bring awareness about the programs we have to offer including home ownership options and economic development.  Other activities this week include a Regional Economic Roundtable for economic development leaders to come together to provide development opportunities and solutions, and GROW SD will host a QuickBooks online tutorial. "NeighborWorks America provides a very impactful role in partnering with non-profits across the country.  NWA, along with its many...

Have you always dreamed of owning your own home? Does the process seem overwhelming, and you’re just not sure where, or how to start? GROW South Dakota is here to help make that dream a reality. GROW South Dakota is a HUD approved Housing Counseling Agency and Homeownership Education Resource Organization (HERO). With our team of trained, HUD certified counselors, we are here every step of the way to ensure you have the tools, knowledge and education needed to become a successful homeowner. Each counseling session is tailored to fit the individual needs of each client.  In addition...

“Because of this program, I no longer have to worry about C02 poisoning. I have adequate heat and no wind blowing through the windows and doors. For the first time, I don’t have to walk to the outhouse and worry about falling. I’m able to take a shower without going to someone else’s house. To say what I have received from the program has been life-changing would be a complete understatement.” In 2018 GROW South Dakota’s weatherization team received a call from Ruth, a senior resident, in need of assistance with heating her house. When the weatherization team...

Seeing a business close their doors in a small town is always difficult. When the Clark meat shop closed in 2008, Randy Gruenwald decided he wasn’t going to stand by and watch it happen. His professional experience was an excellent fit to revive the business. He worked 15 years as a meat department manager for Nash Finch. Then Randy worked as a banker before he purchased the butcher shop. Karen, Randy’s wife and business partner, worked for the previous meat shop owners and brings exceptional customer service skills and experience to their ownership team. Able to capitalize on their professional...

Nicole Nelson has owned and operated the Cross Country Vet Clinic in Clark, SD since 2004. She is well established and has a great reputation in Clark and the surrounding area. Cross Country Vet Clinic does everything from grooming small animals to medical services and surgeries, all the way up to large animal services. Over the past 15 years Nicole and GROW SD have had a great lender and borrower relationship. Nicole has used GROW SD and many of its funding program to help start, maintain, and expand her veterinary clinic. In 2004 she used GROW SD’s Intermediary Relending...

GROW South Dakota has received a grant from the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) to support home improvements for low-income veterans in northeastern South Dakota. The $30,000 grant was made possible through generous support from The Home Depot Foundation and will allow GROW SD to make improvements to six homes. GROW SD has renovated and weatherized more than 9,300 homes in eastern South Dakota over the past four decades. In recent years, it has added a special focus on veteran households, with a goal of helping veterans make their homes safer, healthier, and more energy efficient. Through this program, dozens...

Nearly 80 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. A recent survey found that 44 percent of households wouldn’t have the savings to cover a $400 emergency expense. These statistics illustrate that many people are one hardship away from a financial crisis. An unexpected life challenge like a car breakdown, illness or job loss could be devastating. April happens to be Financial Literacy Month. While it’s advisable to practice good financial habits year round, it’s helpful to have a reminder. And since spring is the season of renewal and rebirth, it’s an appropriate time to cultivate new habits...