SHEDCO director outlines workforce, app and housing projects in quarterly update
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Summary
Andrea Powers, executive director of SHEDCO, briefed the council on workforce training with Western Dakota Tech, a proposed Living Local app for community notifications (one‑time build $15,000), a free entrepreneur course (week of Nov. 7), Catapult regional workforce coordination and a forthcoming housing update from Fall River Health Services.
Hot Springs — Andrea Powers, executive director of the Southern Hills Economic Development Corporation (SHEDCO), delivered a quarterly update to the Hot Springs City Council covering workforce training, community communications and housing efforts.
Powers told the council she and local partners met recently with Western Dakota Technical College about new programming and toured the state veterans home nursing program. She said discussions about local training and program siting are ongoing. On digital outreach, Powers proposed the Living Local app, a community notification and events platform designed for rural towns; she said the initial one‑time cost to bring the app to Hot Springs would be about $15,000 and that more than 100 communities already use the product.
Workforce and entrepreneurship: Powers described a free, statewide entrepreneur start‑up course offered the week of Nov. 7 (10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Mountain Time) that SHEDCO will host with regional partners; registration goal is 25 participants. She also discussed the Catapult platform and a West River Policy Group that is pursuing coordinated workforce and education strategies; individual membership in the Catapult platform is about $2,000 annually, and SHEDCO is assisting with grant applications to offset costs.
Housing and other items: Powers said she has been working on housing needs and that Fall River Health Services will present a positive housing update at the next council meeting. She also briefly described coordination with the airport, regional economic development organizations, and a stakeholder group seeking federal Heartland Highway designation.
Council members thanked Powers and encouraged staff coordination on app demonstrations, grant details and outreach to older residents who may not use email.