Success Stories

GROW SD Celebrates National Homeownership Month During June

Friday, June 04, 2021

GROW SD celebrates National Homeownership Month during June by raising awareness about the benefits that home ownership brings to families, neighborhoods and communities alike. The real estate market is thriving, and GROW SD is working to make homeownership a reality for many people who may not have the opportunity otherwise. Learn more about why homeownership matters and how you can become a homeowner too. Why Homeownership Matters Owning a home is a cornerstone of the “American Dream”. “Grow SD helped me achieve my goal of finally owning a home, not only for me but most importantly my three children. I never thought thi...

GROW SD Celebrates Small Businesses in May

Wednesday, May 05, 2021

With spring in the air and the COVID-19 spread slowing, businesses are beginning a journey of recovery. For those looking for an opportunity to support local businesses, May is an excellent time to shop for local goods and services. The month of May includes two recognition weeks - Small Business Week and the 2021 National Economic Development Week. Small Business Week The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has historically held its National Small Business Week in the first week of May each year. The COVID-19 pandemic forced 2020’s event to occur in September, but many organizations have been celebrating small businesses thi...

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...

Annual Point-In-Time Homeless Count

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

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, Spink, Stanley...

Weatherization Benefits Homeowners and Renters During the Pandemic

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Weatherization helps homeowners save money by improving the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes. Weatherization has proven to be especially important during the pandemic when many homeowners and renters are home more of the time. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides qualifying homeowners with weatherization services during the pandemic and beyond. Benefits of Weatherizing Your Home The benefits of weatherizing go far beyond keeping homes warmer during the winter months. Weatherization benefits homeowners year round and reduces their overall cost of living. Weatherization lowers energy bills. Weatherization is vital during the pandemic as the energy savings offsets the cost of staying at home...

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...

Cross County Vet Does It All

Tuesday, November 05, 2019

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 Program (IRP...

Grant Received to Support Veteran Home Improvement

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

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 of Sout...

BIG IDEA COMPETITION OFFERS NEW AWARDS FOR 2019

Monday, August 12, 2019

by Kelly Weaver, Small Business Development Center Regional Director Youth! Entrepreneurship! Cash! Scholarships! These are the key ingredients in the 2019 BIG Idea Competition launching on September 1. High school students across South Dakota are invited to compete in this business idea competition where over $25,000 in cash and scholarships are awarded. Students will be able to submit their business idea applications online from September 1 until October 31, 2019. The online application as well as various resources and examples can be accessed at the BIG Idea website: www.BIGIdeaSD.com. For the optional marketing design competition, students can create an ad to suppor...

Success Stories

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