Badlands/Bad River Regional Economic Development new logo, photo contest

The Badlands/Bad River Regional Economic Development has a new logo.

This new logo was developed by Taylor Trask, managing partner for Strategic Blend, Denver, Colo.  Trask, originally a Badlands/Bad River native, is excited about the potential this group has to promote the region, showcase the region’s assets, and the potential we have for growth and development.

The group is currently working on a promotional video of the Badlands/Bad River Region. The video will promote the entire region with an emphasis on Kadoka, Interior, Midland, Philip and Wall. While working on the video, they found out that the original logo unfortunately would not work properly with the video or other forms of media/promotional items. The graphic design needed to be "flat," in other words, simplified, with fewer layers of color. Trask is in the marketing business and sees the value of the BBR having a logo that works locally, regionally and nationally.

The BBR has also announced the results of the 2015 Badlands Bad River Regional Economic Development Photo Contest. The photos submitted in the contest may be used in future marketing or publication materials for the BBR. Like them on Facebook and visit their website, www.badlandsbadriver.com. There were three contest categories. First place in each category will receive $100 gift card, second place a $50 gift card and third place a $25 gift card.

People: first place – Emma Slovek, Philip; second – Sierra Hilgenkamp, Wall; third – Kristi Johnson, Quinn

Places: first place – Elizabeth Leonard, Philip; second – Brianna Jones, Midland; third – Alana Neville, Milesville

Activities and events: first place – Kristi Johnson, Quinn; second – Del Bartels, Philip; third – Jessica Wheeler, Philip

Kari O’Neill, South Dakota State University Extension, said a yearly photo contest is a possibility. “We are a nonprofit group. Currently we are working with grant funding that is designated for projects that we addressed in the grant application. So, it will depend on funding, but we would like to do that again. We have so many talented people, and it was great to see the pictures from around the region. We will utilize the pictures to help promote the region,” said O’Neill.

Everyone is invited to help, by getting involved. The BBR needs people to join committees or help in other ways to achieve the following plans and goals. The goal is to distribute the load, thus making more hands do less work, and for more people to feel a sharing, an ownership in the regions economic efforts.

The BBR needs committee members to plan and to host a community leader dinner, become a 501c3 status organization, coordinate entrepreneurship education and network, develop a business transition team, and develop a business incubator.

The group plans to promote a regional job fair sometime this spring. Businesses are expanding, new businesses are starting up and there is work available. The group wants to educate our youth on the opportunities available within the region if they return after getting their college or vocational education.

The group’s website is currently under construction. When completed, it should be a one stop shop for individuals and businesses for what resources are available in the area. The site will include demographics, links to the area community websites, entrepreneurial resources, etc.

At least three people from each community are needed to help add content about the happenings in the area to Facebook. Volunteers are needed to assist with development of the website and to keep content up to date. Community awareness events are planned to help your community learn about the BBR and connect with them to get involved. Organizers are needed to set up the community leader dinner. A business transition team will help with business transitions in the region, to nurture and strengthen the region’s economic development with an added personal touch.

Everyone is invited to join the next meeting of the Badlands/Bad River Regional Economic Development Partnership, Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the Wall Community Center, starting at 5:30 p.m.