THE RURAL INITIATIVE CENTER -  A REPORT

    Almost everyone who lives in South Dakota is well aware of a pervasive, on-going problem: the silent exodus of people from the farms, ranches and small towns.  The search for ways to deal with the consequent social and economic changes is a constant concern.  There are dozens of organizations who purport to offer help to rural people and communities.  Unfortunately most of them lack an understanding of the obstacles facing the people who rernain on the land.
 
Out of the experiences of the Miner County Community Revitalization project (MCCR), based in Howard, SD, a new organization has arisen which offers a responsible approach.  It is called "The Rural Learning Center".  It is a freestanding, non-profit corporation governed bv a volunteer board of experienced rural developers from across South Dakota.  It's mission: " To help rural communities achieve viable and vital futures by serving as a catalyst, resource and guide for rural-based learning".  Its fundamental assumption is that people in a community must work together to study their setting and assets and to identify their goals.
 
The RLC has struck a responsive note with the rural people of the region.  It is now engaged in discussions with groups of communities in a half-dozen areas in South Dakota, acting as a catalyst, resource and guide.  Through a series of meetings with volunteers from the communities, leaders emerge.  They recognize that if anything of consequence happens, it will be a result of the communities' decision - not a solution imposed by outsiders.  Often, the first task to be faced is the definition of the borders of the community itself.  Rather than a single small town, it may be important to include all the towns in a county or several .towns beyond countrv lines.  Fewer people often means a larger community, geographically.
 
An understanding  of the true nature of the local economy is basic to planning for the future.  What is the reality of the sources of local income?  And, what is the profile of the local residents?  How old are they? What are their nunbers?  Their income?  Their ages?  These and dozens of other questions form the basis of understanding of where we are now.  From that base, the people can begin to ask themselves "what are our greatest and most immediate needs?" "what do we first want to achieve?" Having decided tocether, the chances for success are far greater.
 
The Rural Learning Center is under the direction of Dr. Jarqes Beddow, formerly president of Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell.  The Center is based in Howard, SD and is making plans for the construction of a state-of-the -art learning and service center on a 17 acre site there.  The Center has received several substantial, federal grants and is receiving private gifts for its support.  Operational costs will be met in part by contracts for services with area organizations.
 
I serve as board chairman for the Rural Learning Center and the Rural Initiative Center is cooperating as we are able to assure the success of this promising new service to rural South Dakota.
 
Tom Kilian, Director
Rural Initiative Center