PIERRE – The communities of Lead and Wessington Springs have been selected as the first participants in Travel South Dakota’s new Destination Development Program, a tourism initiative aimed at bolstering rural areas.
The program, a partnership with George Washington University Institute for Tourism Studies and Crosscurrent Collective, provides strategic planning, professional development, and marketing resources to help communities create authentic visitor experiences and sustainable tourism growth.
According to a press release from Travel South Dakota, the application process was competitive, with 15 communities submitting proposals. Lead and Wessington Springs were chosen for their vision, community engagement, and commitment to building unique visitor experiences.
“Developing and supporting tourism offerings, especially in rural areas, is a key part of our strategic plan, and we are thrilled to get to work with these two communities,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism.
The pilot program will serve as a model for rural tourism development across the state. Templates and guides generated from the process will be shared with the entire industry.
Emma Garvin, Executive Director of Lead Economic Development Corp., said the grant is a “powerful affirmation” of the Black Hills community’s “unique charm and potential.”
“We are excited to work with community leaders to magnify and sustain the tourism experiences that make Lead an unforgettable destination for visitors from near and far,” Garvin said.
Troy Duxbury, a board member of the Wessington Springs Chamber of Commerce, expressed similar enthusiasm, noting that the partnership makes the community’s trail project feel more “realistic” and will “put our community on the map for generations to come.”