BROOKINGS — The process of merging four Brookings development groups — the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, Brookings Economic Development Corporation, Downtown Brookings and Visit Brookings — moved a few steps closer to reality this week as the groups themselves sent letters of intent and a board of directors for the new group was named.

According to a release from the merger committee, the following people were named to the board of the as-yet-unnamed group: Dr. Michaela Willis of South Dakota State University, Nick Wendell of the City of Brookings, and Shawn Hostler of Brookings County. Also selected were Angela Boersma, Elena McKeown, Jamison Lamp, Jeremy Johnson, Kyle Minett, Laci Thompson, Mike Turnwall and Nate Schaefer.

According to the release from the merger committee, the new board includes eleven individuals who represent a mix of public and private sector leadership in the Brookings region.

“The board selection committee was impressed by the quality of applicants and their passion for the Brookings community,” said Tom Fishback, a member of the selection committee. “Our goal was to create a leadership body prepared to carry forward the vision of a unified organization. This group brings strong expertise and a shared commitment to collaborative, strategic economic development.”

Fishback also said the committee now has letters of intent from all four groups to move forward with the merger process. 

The plan is for the board to appoint a president and CEO this summer or early fall, with an eye toward the new group taking over on the first day of 2026.