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. 

Jeff Turner has been hired as the local contractor for the some of the stage renovation project.  So far a new sub floor has been added. 

Edna Schultz and friends…lots of friends…celebrated her 80th birthday. She was also honored for her many years of community service at the celebration held in the Emmons-Kidder Senior Center on Friday Jan. 11th.

Begining with a delicious noon meal, prepared by the Senior Services staff, and carrying on into the early afternoon hours the party celebrated this lovely lady’s special once-a-year-day.

The Kidder County Food Pantry provided a beautiful cake and everyone else just provided the fun.

The Food Pantry was a project born out of Edna’s heart and started in her own home on the farm “many years ago”. All these years later, with many hours of hard work, plus multiple moves the Kidder County Food Pantry is now located at 202 1st Ave NW in Steele.

Countless families have been touched by Edna’s caring and compassion. Edna’s mission will continue with her passing the torch onto her daughter-in-law Brenda.