The Future of Rural America: How Dakota Resources is Planning for Tomorrow in a Time of Crisis
How are mindsets shifting about the rural narrative in the 21st century? What is the heartland doing when it comes to brain gain and talent attraction? Join Dakota Resource's Paula Jensen and Mike Knutson on Facebook, who'll explore answers to those questions and more and will talk about why networking matters and how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted the future of rural America.
Mike Knutson currently serves as the Network Orchestrator and Community Coach for Dakota Resources, a Community Development Financial Institution serving rural South Dakota. In his work he tries to help connect rural changemakers as they work to build thriving rural communities. He has previously developed single family housing and served as a rural school educator.
Paula Jenson has a passion for community leadership and development, which drives her personal and professional life. She serves as the Vice President of Advancement with Dakota Resources based in Renner, South Dakota. Dakota Resources is a 501c3 Community Development Financial Institution with the mission of connecting capacity and capital to empower rural communities. Her roles with Dakota Resources include resource development and community coaching. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Northern State University and is also a proud graduate and board member of the Leadership South Dakota. She resides in her hometown of Langford, South Dakota, population 318+, where she and her husband have owned and operated an auto repair business for the past 27 years. Together they are raising three boys, who love living rural. FUN FACT: She was the first woman to serve on her community's city council in 113 years and still remains the only woman to ever serve in that leadership capacity.
