Forbes has an interesting article on the small towns with the highest concentrations of advanced degrees in the U.S.A.

Some will surprise you--and some will not.

Which brings me to my point: Just think if college towns Spearfish, Madison, Brookings, and Vermillion were on this list?  Think of the high incomes and research that would be going on?  I know Brookings has had at least some success with their research park. 

Wouldn't it be great if the next Forbes listing had a South Dakota town on it?  I think it is something to strive for in 2009 and beyond.