BROOKINGS – South Dakota State University student Isaiah Croatt wants to give fellow students a stronger voice in Brookings.
That’s why he’s making his first run for public office this spring, one of four candidates vying for two seats on the Brookings City Council.
Croatt, 19, stays plenty busy beyond his studies at State. He runs a couple of his own businesses: digital marketing agency Inceptum Technologies and a window washing business, Touch of Glass. He also works as a consultant, mostly in marketing and sales, for Lake Preston-based Dakota Grills.
Croatt has lived in Brookings for almost three years and says he wants to help break the stigma he feels students have here, “that SDSU students aren’t much of an economic impact on Brookings. I like to think the opposite, that it brings a lot of people from all walks of life, and that’s part of what makes the community a great place.”
Croatt said he wanted to be someone who could represent students and their perspectives on the council, rather than just faculty or staff.
He’s also focused on improving student retention by getting students more involved in the community and making it a more welcoming place.
Croatt said one of his main focuses on the council would be retaining talent in Brookings.
“I’d like to retain a lot of the SDSU talent, but also ensure that Brookings is a great place for entrepreneurs to bring their businesses. I’m a big believer of people don’t move for jobs, jobs move for people.
“I’d like to help make Brookings one of those communities where entrepreneurs, small businesses owners and even larger businesses take a look at Brookings and bring that business here to attract more people here.”
He also wants to help create spaces where creative people can shine, such as spaces for public art and more downtown Brookings events.
Croatt said he’s also a big believer in community, and he liked to see all the public input the city had in creating the Bicycle Master Plan.
“Get the community involved in the beginning stages. I think that creates a lot of public transparency between what kind of decisions the City Council is making and what the City Council is involved with … and ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard.”
Contact Jill Fier at jfier@brookingsregister.com.
