At the annual meeting of members, a new and expanded Board of Directors was elected for EDPA. Help us welcome our new board members and keep an eye out to learn more about them!

Were you able to make it to our Empowered CommUNITY conference last month? It was great to network, share, and learn from each other and our great speakers! Enjoy these photos and let us know what your favorite part of the conference was!

Did you know our membership is open to more than just EDO's? Associate Members play a huge role for EDPA ow.ly/KEv250Lsqu1 ⬅️ click here to learn about the MASSIVE benefits of becoming an Associate Member!

Happy Thanksgiving from EDPA!

It's Small Business Saturday! Get out and support your local businesses today!

Meet our newest board members! We expanded our board this year; now allow us to introduce you to our great leaders. We are so excited to have Mike on board and can't wait to see what the next year brings!

Thank you for being a board member, Hollie! Hollie is the Executive Director of Belle Fourche Development Corporation and has spent most of her life in South Dakota. We're proud to have Hollie as a new board member for EDPA.

Don't miss your chance to apply for our Mentorship Program! We are thrilled for our first cohort and want you to get involved! Applications are available on our website until December 31. Apply today! edpasd.com/mentorship_pro…

Welcome to Jim Protexter, board member and co-chair of our public policy committee. The Pierre Economic Development Corporation COO, Jim, has worked in economic development for 27 years. He graduated from USD and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at EDPA.

Give a warm welcome to new board member Julie Johnson! Julie is the South Dakota SCORE District Director, a licensed S.D. attorney, registered lobbyist, and small business advocate. She deeply understands SD’s small business, economic, and community development issues.

Welcome new board member Caleb Finck! Caleb Finck is a 6th Generation Farmer and Rancher and an active member of his community. Caleb is passionate about public service and served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2018-2022.

Calling all members! Don't miss our weekly calls with lobbyists Larry and Sam Nelson. These calls are exclusive to EDPA members and designed to keep you in the know throughout Legislative Session. Join our first call of 2023 this Friday at 11am!

Welcome to Michelle Kakacek! Michelle has been with Watertown Development Company since 2014 and was named Executive Director in May 2022. She is an IEDC Certified Economic Developer, certified Co.Starters facilitator, and an active member of several organizations.

Welcome, Alex Smith! Alex Smith, originally from Gettysburg, is an Economic Development Representative for the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Representing a three-state territory, he collaborates with development leaders to fund over 50 EDA grants.

Welcome to the board, Kyle Peters! Kyle Peters joined A1 Development Solutions in 2021. He brings extensive background and knowledge in finance, economic development, agriculture, and governmental affairs. Kyle comes from a fourth-generation farm & ranch near White Lake, SD.

Welcome, Brooke! Brooke Rollag is the Executive Director of Lake Area Improvement Corporation. We are excited to have her on our board!

Welcome, Ted! Ted Haeder is the President/CEO of Greater Huron. Ted has experience working with local governments to complete infrastructure and community facility projects while also working with private companies on retention and expansion efforts.