Success Stories

According to a Bureau of Health Workforce analysis published in November 2024, the average age of registered nurses across the United States was over 43 years old, while the population of Americans over age 65 is expected to increase from 58 to 82 million by 2050.These changes,… [Read More]

What began as a controlled burn in early May 2025 at Wolsey’s landfill turned dangerous when high winds stoked embers deep in the rubble, igniting a grassfire. The blaze quickly spread to within a quarter mile of the town, charring more than 250 acres in its path.The Wolsey Fire… [Read More]

When storms hit rural communities, oftentimes fewer resources are available to assist them in cleanup efforts. This is the case for the east-central community of Colman with a population of 600 citizens. The city’s budget is tight, leading to stretched-thin resources.When Grant… [Read More]

Students at the Chamberlain School receive virtual speech therapy with a Teachwell Solutions therapist using distance learning technologies. Finding qualified teachers can be challenging for rural communities. Finding speech,… [Read More]

Outreach events offer a unique opportunity for community leaders and Rural Development staff to come together, identify community needs, and match potential projects with Rural Development funding.During one such visit between the Wagner mayor, city finance officer, and the… [Read More]

Submitted by Four Bands Community FundAshley Elk Nation had been living in a single-wide mobile home in Eagle Butte with her two sons for several years. Although she owned the home, her desire to do her best for her children was tugging her towards a safer neighborhood."I wanted… [Read More]

When Scott and Melissa Holt moved to Hot Springs, their plan was to retire. They started as a small farmer’s market selling meat, farm produce and homemade ice cream. Soon they saw the demand for their specialty ice cream grow – even in the dead of winter.People would come to… [Read More]

There’s no doubt about it – feeding a large family can be expensive. When U.S. Army Veteran Ryan Dennis and his family realized how much beef they were consuming each year, they knew they needed to get creative.“We were going through two and a half cattle per year. We thought we… [Read More]

Inspiration can strike at the most unlikely times. For Trey Hendrickson, it struck when he was returning from deployment in Afghanistan. He had, what he recalls as ‘the best cup of coffee’ he’d ever had. It was a taste of home. U.S. Marine… [Read More]

Valley Telecommunications has been providing its members in the Herreid area with quality service for nearly 70 years. The Cooperative strived to deliver the high speed, reliable internet service to its members across McPherson, Edmunds, and Campbell counties. When an… [Read More]