Howard’s wind turbines, the first municipally-owned in the state, are quickly becoming symbols of innovation for South Dakotans.  More and more people see Howard as a regional leader in 21st century industries, especially the renewable energy and organic foods fields.
           
While those industries are new, Howard’s spirit of innovation is not.  In the early to mid 1900s, farmers here experimented with machinery that revolutionized agricultural production, and they also devised means to bring back the land after the Dust Bowl’s devastation.  Decades later, Howard was among small communities nationally who embraced certain 21st century technologies and industrial trends faster than their urban counterparts.  It was the first community selected to be part of a ten-year partnership with the Northwest Area Foundation in a campaign to eliminate rural poverty.
           
Today nothing sets Howard apart from other communities more than its commitment to innovation.  Here are four areas where it especially shines:
           
Industry – Energy Maintenance Service, which originated locally, and Knight and Carver, which expanded into Miner County from California, are leaders in the wind energy industry and work internationally.  Dakota Beef is the United States’ premier organic beef producer, with products ranging from high-end steaks served in the finest restaurants to hot dogs served at Houston Rockets games.  Clarke Machine sells its improved-style farm equipment around the globe.
           
Public Education – Howard’s public school students are uncommonly connected to the community.  In fact, the community’s dramatic revitalization over the past decade began with a high school economics class project.  Students impressed the community by demonstrating how shopping locally for goods and services would improve local tax revenues.  Sales tax revenues have grown every year since.
           
Health Care – Connecting a network of health care providers across the upper Great Plains, Horizon Health Care believes no one should have to accept sub-standard medical services because they live in sparsely populated areas.  Based in Howard, Horizon puts telemedicine technology to work that is unsurpassed anywhere.  Its sliding fees, based on patient income, for dental services draws patients from a vast region.  Meanwhile, Howard residents have worked successfully to create a continuum of residential care for its older people.
           
Rural Learning Center – Howard’s innovation and community revitalization is attracting national attention.  Every week leaders from other small towns call requesting direction.  Staff at the Rural Learning Center, a striking new building that opened in 2006, field calls.  The Rural Learning Center is a forward-looking resource for communities hoping to draw plans suited to their own hopes and resources.