Grant County, ND

During a recent road trip through Grant County, I had the opportunity to visit with the mayor of Carson and also meet with a group of Horizon Program steering committee members.  With open arms I was welcomed to the community and was also invited to tour the main street businesses.  There is a home-town pride throughout the community like none other.  Together business owners and individuals are talking about actions they are taking to be a thriving community.  Making an impact in their progress is the shared commitment to work together more effectively in addressing complex issues.  From developing leadership potential to reducing poverty, solutions are coming from individuals who are willing to learn, understand, and work together.  To experience the spirit of community vitality and community pride visit Grant County soon! 

Elgin Days Celebration will be held on June 6-8, 2008 in Elgin ND.

Friday, June 6 activities are - Heil Rummage Sale, Hamburgers in the Park, Variety Show, Alumni Football Game, Bench Press Competition and a dance

Saturday, June 7 - Heil Rummage Sale, Flea Market, Parade, Four-Man Golf Scramble, Children’s Tricycle Racing and activities, a Dunk Tank, Water Balloon Toss, Free World’s Largest Banana Split,  Watermelon feed, Elgin Saddle Club Rodeo, and a dance

Sunday, June 8 - Smorgasbord, Elgin Saddle Club Rodeo and check out the Elgin Museum

Share your story about “great customer service in Grant County.” 

Our connection with local businesses is all about great customer service. If you have a story about “great customer service in Grant County,” the Grant County Job Development Authority (JDA) wants to hear about it. 

The stories will be published in the Grant County News and Carson Press, and all the submissions will be elibible for a drawing for four different prizes.

Program for all Grant County businesses and interested residents

The Small Business Administration, in conjunction with the Grant County Horizons Program, will present two informational programs with guest speaker Fay Behm, a business development specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration, who coordinates activities in southwest North Dakota.

Thursday, May 15, 2008       Elgin Community Center Council Room

1:30 pm MT - Starting or expanding a business in North Dakota: Anyone interested in starting or expanding a business is welcome. Following the program, Fay Behm will be available for one-on-one counseling.

4:00 pm MT - SBA Financial and Technical Assistance: An overview of SBA programs, along with information on customer service and ideas to encourage residents to shop locally. An overview of assistance through the Grant County Job Development Authority will also be presented.

The conferences are free and open to the general public. All residents of Grant County are welcome to attend any or all of the presentations.

A seminar for business owners/managers to improve their skills with their customers is planned for May 15th from 4-6 pm MT at the Elgin Community Center. The topics are related to customer satisfaction and advertising/marketing for the area consumers.

Dr. Larry Skogen, President of Bismarck State College and members of the BSC team met with local leaders in Grant County on Thursday, April 17, 2008 to discuss how Bismarck State College can engage, connect and deliver lifelong learning opportunities in Grant County.

Information was shared about programs already available from BSC and how BSC may be able to deliver lifelong learning opportunities in Grant County.

You are invited to Women’s Day on Monday, April 21, 2008 at the Fairbuilding in Carson. Starting at 5:30 pm MT there will be a free salad supper, registration and viewing of displays.  There will be a presentation on Healthy Cooking at 6 pm and at 6:30 pm a Horticulture Program on simple landscape ideas, flowers & vegetables varieties, container planting and selecting the right location for your plants. 

You will have an opportunity to get your bone density, blood pressure, and total cholesterol/HDL checked for a small fee.

This event is open and free to the public.

Sponsored by: Carson Women’s Club and Grant County Extension Service

Quiet Riot (4-H Activity Night) is set for Friday, April 11, 2008 at the Grant County Fairbuilding starting with supper at 5 pm MT. Open to ages 5 and up including adults. Participants choose 3 sessions to attend. Sessions include: cooking class, target shooting, self defense, wildlife, entomology, activity room, internet safety and horse. Each session gives participants hands-on experience. Sponsored by the Grant County  4-H Council

The North Dakota Community Foundation held a meeting on March 14, 2008 at New Leipzig. Twenty-eight residents from New Leipzig, Elgin and Carson learned how people can invest in the future of their community by developing a community endowment fund and fundraising ideas.

A variety of books on leadership, poverty, and community are available for check out at the Grant County Extension Service (701-622-3470) in Carson.  Compliments of the NDSU Extension Service Center for Community Vitality Horizons Program.