It’s crazy to be writing 2010! How’d we go from worrying about whether or not our lights would stay on at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2000 to Jan. 1, 2010 already?!

This past year has been one of amazing growth and development for Silicon Prairie News. Looking back at the growth over the past year, it’s tremendously exciting to think about what’s ahead in 2010 and beyond...

2009 held numerous tweetups, the debut of the Creative Capital Pitch Sessions, and of course, the inaugural Big Omaha event.

I’m honored to be able to get to play a role as a conduit, along with Dusty, Danny and the rest of the Silicon Prairie News team, to influence change, move the needle and put our region into motion through the energy and ideas that this collective community holds.

Silicon Prairie News is every single one of us. It's not just the team behind the website updates and interviews, but the entire Silicon Prairie New tribe. Without you supporting what we're doing by coming out to events to meet new people, arranging impromptu lunches and coffees, as well as discussing the stories and ideas we provide as an outlet for coversations, we wouldn't be where we are today.

2010 is already shaping up to be an amazing year…several things are on tap in the first few months including the redesigned site launch on Jan. 14, which will include dedicated space, time and effort towards the community in Des Moines through the leadership of Geoff Wood and others.

In March, we’ll be participating on a panel at SXSW Interactive titled “Don’t Move, Build a Startup Community Where You Live,” as well as hosting a Big Omaha / Silicon Prairie News party to bring together attendees from our region and others for a guaranteed good time…and just a couple months later we’ll plan on doing the same with our second annual Big Omaha.

We’ve listened to your feedback through the survey we recently released and will be taking many suggestions into account going forward. We honestly mean it when we say we want to make sure we’re staying true to what you, our supporters and readers, want to see. Keep sending us your ideas as to how we can continue to push the envelope and build the momentum.

Thank you for your energy...your excitement...your support...and your friendship.

Here’s to a great 2010!