A new start in Miner County , South Dakota

At the start of the 21st century Miner County, South Dakota decided to re-invent itself. It had no choice, really. Tightly connected to the economic swings of the farm economy, with little other industry, Miner County saw its population steadily dwindle after the 1920 census. By the 2000 census it ranked among South Dakota’s poorest counties. Pulling residents out of poverty became central to Miner County Community Revitalization’s mission, and it stressed a belief that rural life in the 21st century shouldn’t mean wages, healthcare, housing, or educational services inferior to those found in urban America.

With grant support from the Northwest Area Foundation, and expertise that included that of Dr. Daryl Hobbs of the University of Missouri, Miner County’s people went to work. Three things are most remarkable about their early efforts:

—The high percentage of local residents who decided to participate personally in revitalization work

—That Miner County turned to its own public school system for know-how and for youthful energy to jump-start the work. Randy Parry, former high school business/economics teacher, is Miner County Community Revitalization’s executive director, and the whole process began with high school students encouraging residents to buy goods and services locally

—How fast the revitalization work started paying off and attracting national attention. New industries, especially in the renewable energy field, are helping longtime residents and newcomers anticipate a bright future. A new Rural Learning Center opened in 2006 so that other small communities, hoping to revitalize themselves in their own fashion, can learn from Miner County and share their own stories.

Browse this website to learn what Miner County’s people consider the most important lessons they’ve learned.