Success Stories

National Write a Business Plan Month: Some useful tips on writing a business plan for your enterprise

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

At GROW South Dakota, entrepreneurs and business owners are crucial to our thriving community and economy. One of GROW SD’s goals is to maintain good relationships and communication with the business community. Advice and technical assistance are offered, in order to help companies problem-solve to optimize their chances for success and expansion. Do you own a business? Are you just starting out to own one? In either case, you can provide a sense of direction to your enterprise’s daily operations with a business plan. A well-written business plan can help you measure and guide your company goals. With December as Nationa...

Supporting South Dakota Businesses On Small Business Saturday

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Interposed between the furor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for South Dakota shoppers to stand by the local business community and in turn, give a boost to the local economy. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to celebrating small businesses and encouraging consumers to shop at local establishments. Now in its 12th year, Small Business Saturday falls on November 27. American Express started Small Business Saturday in 2010 in the midst of the recession to give small businesses a boost. The movement gained significant traction in 2011, when the Senate unanimously passed ...

Honoring Women’s Small Business Month In South Dakota

Monday, November 01, 2021

The month of October, that just went by, is celebrated as Women in Small Business Month - honoring women-owned businesses (11.6 million and counting) around the country. According to a 2020 report by the National Women’s Business Council, 42% of all US businesses are represented by women owners. With 9.4 million employees and $1.9 trillion in revenue, we observe that women-owned businesses are concentrated in industries such as child daycare, private households, beauty salons, fitness, and home healthcare services. Celebrating Women Business Owners In South Dakota For most women owners being successful in business means not subscribing to set expectations, but instead, defining their own. Women business owner...

Small Business Lending In Grow South Dakota-Offering The Community A Voice

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

For a business to succeed, financing plays a huge role in the entrepreneurial landscape. GROW South Dakota was formed to provide housing, community, and economic development statewide. It has had a broad and lasting impact on the small business community. Through its business lending program, it continues to serve the communities of South Dakota by providing technical assistance and small business loans. Over the years, GROW South Dakota has deployed 2,298 business loans to 1,413 businesses, financing over $89.5 million. Any new or existing business in the GROW South Dakota service area may qualify for a loan. With loan amounts rangin...

Women in Leadership

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

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. ...

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Monday, March 15, 2021

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 as GRO...

Erickson Named President of National NeighborWorks Association Board

Monday, March 15, 2021

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 range o...

GROW South Dakota Highlights NeighborWorks Week

Monday, June 08, 2020

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 man...

Making your Home Ownership Dream a Reality

Monday, June 08, 2020

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 to home ownership counseling...

A Life Changing Event

Monday, May 18, 2020

“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 went t...

Dakota Butcher - 2020 SBA Entrepreneur of the Year

Monday, May 04, 2020

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 professiona...

Success Stories

The GROW South Dakota Organizations Have had a Remarkable Few Years!