Forecast Restaurant kitchen area.
Forecast Restaurant dining room.
Heartland Discovery Corridor.
Windward Inn hotel room.
The wind tower above the Maroney Commons.
Staircase with a view.
The crowd for the grand opening ceremony
South Dakota Rural Development State Director Elsie Meeks visits with U.S. Senator Tim Johnson.
Monte Selby kicked off the ceremony with a performance of his original song, "Architects of Change," which has been adopted as the Rural Learning Center's unofficial theme song.
Rural Learning Center Executive Director Joe Bartmann told the crowd, "The power of collaboration is evident throughout this project and will continue to be demonstrated in the months and years to come."
Howard Mayor Andrew Dold proclaimed August 18 as Rural Learning Center Day.
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson applauded the efforts of the project partners, saying Howard's hard work should serve as a model for other rural communities.
The day was emotional for Randy Parry, who shared a laugh during U.S. Senator Tim Johnson's speech. Many officials praised Parry for his leadership and commitment to the project since its early development stages.
Longtime project supporter Dr. Jim Beddow speaks to the large crowd.
Madison resident Jerry Prostrollo (far right) listens during the ceremony. The Forecast Restaurant's private dining room is named after his family for their contributions.
Heartland General Manager Mike McDowell told the crowd this project proved rural communities can offer cutting edge choices to families looking for an alternative to postage stamp urban life.
Morgan Andenas and her grandfather Sigurd shared a Norwegian poem that inspired the hotel's name. The Andenas family plays an active role in the community of Howard and donated toward the reality of the Windward Inn.
Staff member Benjamin Ready spoke on behalf of U.S. Senator John Thune. Senator Thune, along with Senator Johnson, played an integral role in acquiring federal funding for the project.
Staff member Lance Hildebrandt shared comments on behalf of U.S. Representative Kristi Noem.
Officials from Airstreams Renewables participate in training exercises outside Maroney Commons. Mike Messier announced the expansion of Airstreams Renewables' renewable energy learning programs to the Rural Learning Center.
