Brad Johnson column — State leaders stop Friday to promote The Goss

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and SD Symphony Conductor Delta David Gier dropped by the Goss Opera House Friday night to get an update on construction activities, projected reopening and encouraged people to contribute to the renovations.

Both talked about how important theaters and the arts are to rural economic development.

They noted how unique the Goss Opera House theater is to Watertown and South Dakota.

The Friends of the Goss Foundation, which acquired the building on Dec. 31, 2018, has raised about $3 million in a nearly $4 million campaign. An anonymous $250,000 challenge donation was announced at the event by Jan DeBerg from the Watertown Area Community Foundation (WACF).

All donations through the end of December will be matched.

People behind The Goss project believe in what is said in a 2019 National Governor’s Association (NGA) report. It says, “rural counties that are home to performing art organizations experienced population growth three times higher than rural counties that lack performing arts institutions.”

The Goss, which opened in 1889 fell dormant in the early 1940s. It was resurrected in 2008 but closed in early 2018 after roof issues were discovered. It is expected to reopen in April. A new roof is installed, a new heating and cooling system is being built and interior renovations are occurring.

Because community leaders rallied to improve and reopen The Goss, several new apartment and retail spaces funded by outside investors are either under construction or being planned.

Other downtown buildings have been purchased and more are under option. The WACF’s announcement Wednesday that it would donate $500,000 toward a downtown summer park and concert venue and winter ice skating rink helps build the momentum.

In the past two years, the WACF and the Watertown Development Company have led the way in supporting the efforts of the new Friends of the Goss Opera House Foundation.

They see the big picture.

The NGA study, entitled Rural Prosperity Through the Arts & Creative Sector, underscores the importance of artistic gathering places like The Goss.

“Rural counties that house performing arts organizations provide residents with higher incomes (up to $6,000 higher) than are reported in rural counties that lack performing arts organizations.”

Additionally, “Two out of three rural businesses report that arts and entertainment are important for attracting and retaining workers.”

The study also highlights how important the arts are to rural health care.

“There is strong evidence that applying the arts to medicine has benefits for both patients and their caregivers,” it says.

It also is important for rural workforce development.

“Creativity-infused places to live and work have significant appeal to younger populations, entrepreneurs and businesses seeking family friendly locations. These attributes may ameliorate the brain-drain many rural communities face.”

The study encourages state governments to use tax policies to make the arts more accessible, feasible and prominent.

In order to make places like the Goss succeed, the NGA report urges governors to lead the way in creating “an environment friendly to investment and innovation.”

The Goss renovation project, funded entirely by private donations, is showing how a community can rally to save a historic building created 130 years ago.

As the study indicates Watertown recognizes that “arts and cultural activity can stimulate business development and a diversified economy.”

We also know from the recent renewed downtown business investment that “arts and culture are preexisting assets that communities can effectively harness and rapidly mobilize for economic growth.”

The study adds that “arts based economic development builds on a community’s authentic traditions and homegrown assets rather than imported solutions that may not be a good fit.”

The Goss theater is the last of Watertown’s three opera houses, and current efforts will ensure its future for generations to come.

“The arts contribute to a distinctive community identity and can fuel the resurgence of much needed “mojo” in rural regions,” it said.

Watertown’s momentum is in high gear and we need to take advantage of it and get to the finish line.

--- Brad Johnson is a Watertown businessman and journalist who is active in state and local affairs.