BOX ELDER – The Box Elder City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, June 16 at City Hall.
Public Information Officer Rebecca Bader shared a media report with the council, which included the introduction of a new quarterly newsletter that will be sent to Box Elder residents.
Bader noted the newsletter is intended to inform residents who do not use social media or other online resources. The publication will feature stories drawn from the city’s social media and website content, as well as information addressing common public questions. The five-page, front-and-back newsletter will also include updates on city projects and staff achievements.
“That’s really important as we move forward with all the large projects we’re undertaking. I don’t want this part of our population to miss out on our achievements. We celebrate it online and we should celebrate it in print,” Bader said.
Bader said 100 copies of the newsletter will be printed and available at City Hall and various Box Elder businesses. Advertising for the newsletter will begin in next month’s utility bills.
She also shared the city’s digital reach in the second quarter, saying the City of Box Elder Facebook page has reached 7,000 followers, while Instagram has 493. She said the city nearly doubled its social media posts in the second quarter, reaching a broader audience. Media inquiries also increased during the same period.
Bader updated the council on the upcoming Box Elder Toastmasters open house on June 29. The event will highlight the growth and impact of Box Elder’s club and surrounding clubs in the region. A grant request to Toastmasters International was submitted and awarded to help support the event.
The open house will kick off Fourth of July week festivities in the area.
“We’re going to ask you to start at Box Elder,” she said. “Enjoy some patriotic history and patriotic speeches.”
Bader also announced that during the Toastmasters open house, the city will begin collecting items for the Centennial Time Capsule project. She said time capsules have increased in popularity, noting Rapid City recently buried one.
“We’re going to recognize how special this community is and it’s a true celebration of the American experience,” Bader said.
In the mayor’s report, Mayor Larry Larson said on June 4 he attended the Flying J Truck Stop ribbon cutting and grand reopening. On June 9, he met with The Box Elder Guardian and the Box Elder Chamber of Commerce to discuss promoting the new online publication and advertising opportunities for local businesses.
On June 11, he attended a Rally Rush Marketing meeting with the Chamber and the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. The group worked together to secure a $500 tourism grant aimed at increasing Sturgis Motorcycle Rally traffic to Box Elder. He also attended a Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting that same day.
On June 12, Larson attended the Ellsworth Air Force Base change of responsibility ceremony.
The next Box Elder City Council meeting will be Tuesday, July 7 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
