Thursday, April 1, 2010

Exciting two months for Rural Ventures

In less than two months, Rural Ventures has become an online publication hit.
On Feb. 1, the first issue was launched with more than 340 visits on the web site the first month. Now, when the words ‘Rural Ventures’ are typed into Google, the publication is listed fifth out of more than 4 million different pages. At times, both the PDF that is sent to the partners and the web site are in the top five.
From what I have been told about those who know about how Google and how the web site works, this is good news. It means that people are reading the stories that are being written and more importantly, having opportunities to view our partners’ web sites.
My feeling is there are several reasons why Rural Ventures is being read from people around the country and even as far away as Israel, England and India.
First, there are the stories that are being written and the people that are telling the stories. People are craving stories that enlighten, educate and enhance their everyday life.
Then, there is the network of partners that distribute the publication either by placing a link on their web site or by sending the publication to their distribution list. I have been told by more than one partner that they are behind this venture because it shows that there are good things happening in our communities and our counties.
Finally and possibly the most important aspect is what the publication stands for: “strengthening rural communities by connecting them.” This is our way of helping bring businesses and families back to South Dakota by telling the stories of the people who are in the communities.
And that is exactly what economic development leaders are doing in their communities as you will read in this month’s issue; strengthening their communities by connecting with others who have the knowledge and expertise to help them grow into the future.
Right in our own backyard there is being built a state-of-the-art learning center in Howard. In addition, two economic development trend setters – Jerry Prostrollo and Randy Parry – are continuing to work to bring jobs to communities, but more importantly the younger group is learning from those two and others and carrying on the torch.
And Rural Ventures is just a rural publication that is doing what it does best – telling stories – to help the economic development cause.

No comments:

Post a Comment