USDA Rural Development and North Dakota State University Extension Service announced today that Tri-County was selected as a Stronger Economies Together (SET) region. Consisting of McIntosh, Logan and Emmons Counties, Tri-County will benefit from a focused initiative to explore regional economic advantages. A blueprint will be developed for their region that strategically builds on the current and emerging economic strengths of the area. Tri-County will be joining 21 other regions across thirteen states participating in SET during 2015.
“A regional approach can help address challenges and opportunities that may be too big to take on alone,” said Ryan Taylor, USDA Rural Development state director. “Bringing these counties together, they will assess their resources and formulate a plan to grow their economy and spur development.”
SET is intended to help strengthen the capacity of communities and counties in rural America. Working in collaboration, USDA Rural Development and the Extension Service will bring people together across the multi-county area to create and implement a plan, one that strategically builds on the current and emerging comparative economic advantages of that region.
“A committed team from across the state is prepared to provide technical assistance, coaching, and in-depth data tailored to the Tri-County SET region as they develop regional goals and strategies for the future,” said Lynette Flage, NDSU Extension Center for Community Vitality Director.
Established now in more than 70 regions in 31 states, SET was first launched in 2010 by USDA Rural Development and the nation’s four Regional Rural Development Centers, the Purdue Center for Regional Development and their land-grant university partners.
For more information on the SET initiative in North Dakota, contact Jodi Bruns, Area Extension Specialist/Community Vitality, jodi.bruns@ndsu.edu, 701-349-3249, ext. 127 or Marion Houn, USDA Rural Development Outreach Coordinator at 701-530-2059. To view information about SET nationwide, visit http://srdc.msstate.edu/set/.