Top 5 Things I am Learning
– By #MillerSD
June 6, marked one month for me here at On Hand Development. Here are my top 5 things I learned in my first month:
- Be Patient- (this one goes for you too!) Economic development is a marathon, not a sprint. Ideas come in real fast but implementation takes time. There are systems, approval processes, financing hoops, and lots of other obstacles to overcome. Good work takes time.
- I am not alone- The economic development community is likely the best community of support I have ever worked with. There are resource providers all around the state of South Dakota ready and willing to help me with projects that will benefit our community. The ones I have reached so far are GOED (Governor’s Office of Economic Development), NECOG (NE Council of Governments), Dakota Resources, SDHDA (South Dakota Housing Development Authority), Grow SD, USDA Rural Development, (SDSBDC) South Dakota Small Business Development Center and of course our own board, Megan Fritzsche, our assistant here at On Hand, and community members who are supportive and encouraging.
- I need to be out of the office- I am not doing my best work sitting behind a desk. I need to be out and about meeting the community members that I am serving. I am getting to know business owners on a daily basis with business visits. The more connected I become, the more comfortable community members and business owners will be when they need to reach out for me for resources. I am here to connect the dots, provide resources and facilitate solutions.
- It’s not all rainbows and Kumbaya by the campfire- There will be a time when community members will not like the work that we are doing. However, this is not a reflection of me. It is a reflection of their fear of change. Support is here, but those who support change often do not come forward. I know in my heart that what I am doing is right and good for our community, and my board.
- Communicate, Communicate, Communicate- I am constantly telling my board, city council, and members of our community about our organization and our projects.
Working with my community again brings me so much joy and energy. I invite you to stop in to my office and chat with me anytime about On Hand and the good work that we are doing here.
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