Steele, ND

Last week the ED met at the Pirate Cafe.  People who weren’t there not only missed some great Carmel rolls, fresh out of the oven, but also some frank discussion about where the county and our community is headed in the future.

President Paul Erdeldt’s agenda is a timely plan that we can use to grow from the inside out.  

This group is going places. 

Steele Area Economic Development 

A group wanting to maintain and grow business in Kidder County giving the citizens of Kidder County the goods and services they need for a healthy and prosperous life.

Goals:

Maintain and Grow Current Businesses:

• Businesses must change with society
• Business owners need assistance running their business in areas they may not be familiar:  accounting, small business loans, personnel, marketing, advertising
• Businesses need to cater to us and we need to support the businesses
• The business owner may be the only one knowing their goals – do we fully know the strengths and core duties at each business?
• Get resources in front of this group…SBA, SCORE, etc.

Available Goods and Services:

• City spoke loud and clear about the clinic
• Horizons opened our eyes, but did we ask all the right questions to everyone
• We are an aging community…but we also are a thriving community

Truths:

Work Force, Real Estate (residential and commercial), Attitude, Resources, any other business aspect…KC does not mean Steele.  The communities have shrunk alone…now it’s time to come together and grow.

We have challenges.  It’s too easy to run to Bismarck, it is also difficult to explain driving to Bismarck ALSO costs…time, gas, etc.

Questions:

What is the role of this group?

Does the current role need to change?

Who should be a member of this group?

What is expected out of each member?

What is the difference between ED and Betterment?

My preference:

I would like this group to get more aggressive.  Have monthly meetings with specific measurable goals, and celebrate the victories.  I believe we can host potential KC businesses at least quarterly, and try to grow by 1 non-competing business each year.  I believe we need the assistance of the Commissioners, City Councils, Sales Tax Committee, Current Businessmen (including farmers and ranchers), and Co-ops.  This means this group becomes a lot more active.  We will all be expected to ‘host’ a potential business, do some homework, and always keep the primary goals of this group at the forefront of any decision. 

If we are all in agreement, your 1^st assignment would be to invite 1 person to our next meeting March 5^th at 8am at the Pirate. 

Just about this time every year I notice we all come down with the fever.  First one or two people catch it in the fall but by now we have all been infected.  The epidemic causes us to do unusual things.  We shout. We sing. We jump up and down on the bleachers and hug each other enthusiatically.  Some of us go as far as painting our faces maroon and gold. 

Undoubtedly, Cass B Basketball Fever is the greatest.  If you’ve ever lived in a rural community you know what I mean.

This week the Lady Pirates will storm the District 3 Basketball Tournaments held in Ashley North Dakota.  Last night they beat Wing and tonight they face off against Strasburg.

Good Luck Ladies.  You are all great examples of champions on and off the court!

The Kidder County Jaycees would like to extend a warm welcome to people between the ages of 18-40 to come join us in being an important part of our community. The Kidder County Jaycees are working hard on helping in the community and becoming great leaders. It is also a great opportunity for those that are new to the community to get out and meet new people. If you are interested in joining or if you have any questions on what we are all about,  please contact Sonya Larson at 387-4784 or David Malsam at 475-2679

Since last November our community has been changing in a quite, subtle way.  The effort has been like a little stream at the top of a high mountain that starts with a tiny trickle and then gains more and more momentum as it flows down the mountain side.

Steele is one of 24 state wide communities participating the Horizons program http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/horizons/ program sponsored by the Northwest Area Foundation.   The goal of our community involvement is three fold: poverty reduction, training new leaders, and creating a thriving community.

During the first phase of our project study circles met and exchanged  dialogue on poverty in our community.Then we brainstormed about what  we can realistically do to help eliminate it.  Phase two was an intense course on the nuts and bolts of community leadership.  Phase three is in the works and it is by far the most exciting one.

Last night  7 people spent the evening in the city coordinator office learning the art of community blogging.  Under the guidance of NDSU’s, Mike Miller, we learned the “how to” and the “what to do” of blogging.  I have to admit I was thrilled. 

When the idea of a community blog  was first presented to me I realized what a valuable tool we have been handed.  What  a great opportunity to paint a portrait of who we are!  I also realized that by myself this would be an impossible task.  So I looked around the community and asked myself “Who are we?” and “what is the story do we have to tell?”  The rest was easy.  I sent out a few quick letters, made few phone calls and boom.

The result is what I am calling “The Mighty Steele Bloggers”.  I hesitate to give you their names because I think they will do such a great job introducing themselves in the coming weeks.  I will say that each one these bloggers will share some wonderful insights into our community. 

Come back often and read the blog. Share your own points of view.  Ask us questions.  Be patient…it might take us a little time to get rolling full steam.

On Tuesday Jan. 8, 2008 the residents of Steele will have the opportunity to vote in the first Kidder County School Board election.

Earlier in the fall of 2007 citizens voted to re-organize the county into one school district.
Communites joining together to form the new school district are Steele-Dawson, Tappen, Tuttle and Pettibone. One school will operate in the city of Steele and one school will operate in the city of Tappen.

The new school board will consist of 7 members. Three members from Steele-Dawson, 2 members from Tappen, 1 member from Tuttle and 1 member from Pettibone.

The elction will be at large and community members can vote a either the Steele School or the Tappen School. Polls will open at 9:00 am and close at 7:00 pm on Jan 8th.