Talent Thursday with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation is a LIVE Facebook event at 3 PM Central every Thursday. During this 30-minute program, we share the career journey of Chelsea Brech.
Author: meganjansick
Talent Thursday with Avera Health
Talent Thursday with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation is a LIVE Facebook event at 3 PM Central every Thursday. During this 30-minute program, we share the career journey of Mackenzie Haensel.
CARES Act Grant Assists in Road Completion
A $1.9 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration will support water, wastewater and roadway infrastructure to support the development. The EDA grant will be matched with $478,830 in local funds and is expected to create 1,000 jobs and generate $200 million in private investment.
“This investment comes at a crucial time for Sioux Falls’ and South Dakota’s economies to come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the delegated duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “EDA is pleased to invest this CARES Act funding to improve infrastructure to create an industrial mega-site to aid the region’s recovery. The project’s location near a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone will drive additional investment to the state.”
This grant will allow us to complete the Foundation Court loop connecting all available lots to Marion Road and opening up a number of new lots for development
“This grant will allow us to complete the Foundation Court loop connecting all available lots to Marion Road and opening up a number of new lots for development,” said Bob Mundt, President/CEO of the Development Foundation. “These funds will help us to complete the main entrance/exit to the site and proved vital in our efforts to further market Foundation Park. We sincerely appreciate the EDA’s assistance and look forward to continued success”.
Forward Sioux Falls on Track for 2021
The 8th Forward Sioux Falls campaign is moving forward with the blessings of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation Board of Directors, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Joint Venture Management Committee. Board and committee members have given the green light to NCDS to begin the process of raising the necessary funds for our next five-year campaign.
The five-year campaign includes specific funding for the areas of Business Development & Retention, Talent & Workforce Development, Airport and International Trade services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship through the Zeal Center and the Discovery District, and Advocacy and Community Development.
Campaign organizers are forming the leadership structure of the campaign and are looking for leaders to participate in the fundraising efforts. NCDS will begin organizing these leaders into teams who will canvass Sioux Falls businesses for their participation in the campaign set to begin in early 2021.
Groundbreakings: Sunnycrest Village
September 1, 2020
Sunnycrest Village Groundbreaking
Sunnycrest Village broke ground September 1st on a 60-unit addition to their current 223-unit apartment complex. This building will include modern, well-designed one- and two-bedroom apartments with attached garages, two elevators, and six resident lounges for independent seniors. The expected opening date is late 2021/early 2022.
Process Begins to Establish Foundation Park North TIF
At the City Council meeting on September 15th, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation began the process of establishing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District for Foundation Park North.
The purpose of creating the TIF District is to proactively prepare for growth due to the increased interest being shown in South Dakota and Sioux Falls for economic development projects and shovel-ready land. Several lots have active options on them which is driving increased demand to bring the 450 acres of Foundation Park North on-line with infrastructure build-out.
“We don’t have new tenants or projects to announce at this moment, but we are very excited about the interest Foundation Park is receiving,” president and CEO Bob Mundt said. “There are several active deals underway in the park and no current deals are contingent on tax increment financing.”
The first step to establishing this TIF District is approving the boundaries, which the City Council did at its September 15th meeting. Next, the Planning Commission and City Council will be asked to review a Project Plan for the TIF.
“The Project Plan will detail how the TIF will be utilized to prepare the property for development and to stimulate the general economic health and prosperity of our state,” Director of Business Retention and Expansion Mike Gray said. “Those public meetings are expected to take place over the course of the next few months.”
For additional information on land availability, the TIF process, and the Development Foundation, please call (605) 339-0103.
Build-Ready Sites
Foundation Park was announced in 2015 with a vision of attracting major industries of all sizes. Win Chill, LLC was the anchor tenant that landed in the spring of 2017. That specific land sale triggered necessary infrastructure of roads, rail, water, sewer, utilities, and fiber. In essence, the first phase of Foundation Park was off and running. The key to successful land development is the availability of build-ready sites that provide land parcels of all sizes with all the named infrastructure.
The 80-acre sale to Amazon was crucial in many ways, obviously the large capital investment and creation of 1,000 jobs, in addition the requirement to build out and finish an existing road in the park. The timing of this deal was quite advantageous because it coincided with a planned mass grading project to open more available sites. Ultimately, the Development Foundation was able to blend the grading of the road for the Amazon site with the overall grading plan. Once complete, the Development Foundation will open an additional 200+ acres of graded sites with all the infrastructure to each individual site, resulting in an abundance of build-ready sites.
As much as we desire to have build-ready sites, it certainly comes at a cost. This is the primary reason why we strategically plan our phased development and limit the amount of investment up front
“As much as we desire to have build-ready sites, it certainly comes at a cost. This is the primary reason why we strategically plan our phased development and limit the amount of investment up front,” according to Dean Dziedzic, vice president of economic development. As mentioned, the Amazon sale and planned grading plan timing was perfect. “This large land sale to Amazon also offered the opportunity to apply for federal and state grants to offset some of the overall infrastructure cost”. The Development Foundation was appreciative and extremely fortunate to be awarded an Economic Development Administration, EDA, infrastructure grant of $1.9 million for the completion of Foundation Court. This road completes the loop in Foundation Park and will serve as a primary entrance and exit for Amazon’s truck activity. In addition, the Development Foundation also received a $200,000 Local Infrastructure Improvement Program, LIIP, grant from partners at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Again, these dollars will be beneficial in offsetting the remaining cost of the build out of Foundation Court.
In just a handful of years Foundation Park has gone from a vision to reality. City, State and Development Foundation leadership made some bold moves by believing and investing in a park that will change the landscape of industrial development for years to come. The ongoing activity and inquiries within Foundation Park is extremely brisk. The Development Foundation remains very confident that new projects will continue to land to help fulfill the organization’s mission of creating good paying jobs and strong economic development for the city, region, and state.
Talent Draft day draws high school, college students from 11 Midwest states
They logged in by the hundreds, from Missouri to Michigan, Ohio to Illinois – and left learning more about the career opportunities available in Sioux Falls.
This was the 2020 version of the annual Talent Draft Day, an event organized by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to connect middle school, high school and college students with education and training paths that lead to rewarding careers.
Sioux Falls Ranks Among the Most Livable Mid-Sized Cities in America
Out of 227 cities, Sioux Falls ranks No. 11.
Mid-sized cities can be great places to live, offering an urban feel without the congestion. As the pandemic drives some residents out of densely-populated cities, there are smaller metros that perform well across an array of livability metrics.
In the 2020 study, SmartAsset crunched the numbers to find the most livable mid-sized cities nationwide across eight metrics including:
Gini coefficient * A statistical measurement of income inequality. A Gini coefficient of zero indicates total equality of wealth distribution, while a coefficient of one indicates total inequality of wealth distribution across groups.
Median home value change The percentage change in median home values from 2015 through 2019. Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015 and 2019 1-year American Community Surveys.
Median monthly housing costs * .
Percentage of residents below the poverty line *.
Median household income * .
Unemployment rate Data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is for July 2020
Percentage of residents without health insurance. Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
Average commute time *
* Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 1-Year American Community Survey.
Community Pride Drives Regional Development
Partnership is an essential element in the success of the Minnehaha and Lincoln County Economic Development Associations. Working together—combining our strengths to achieve growth in both counties—has served our regional economy well for almost three decades. But equally important are the unique elements that make each community, each utility, and each company different from every other.
Community pride is an essential part of that equation, expressed in community celebrations and—especially this year—the support of local businesses. The ownership and civic pride felt by citizen volunteers and elected officials keep our communities growing. We share good ideas with other communities in our region, and find new ways to express the strong sense of place that makes each community a great place to live.
Community pride is an essential part of that equation, expressed in community celebrations and the support of local businesses.
Just as diversity makes companies and states stronger, more innovative, and more successful, having distinctive communities makes regional economic development thrive. When corporate executives visit our region to explore locations for a business expansion, we can show them a range of options, with individual industrial park sites in a variety of different communities. Meeting with people who have invested in their hometowns and feel a strong sense of local pride encourages new companies to make that investment, too.
Communities that are distinct from each other also provide choices for the new families that move to our region each year. When new people explore our communities, they find local retail options, civic organizations, and consistently excellent schools that give them strong reasons to make a home here.
As we plan the future of regional economic development, we can depend on community pride in each LCEDA and MCEDA community. We celebrate the values we share, the ways in which we are similar, and the distinct qualities which make each community in our region unique—and how those things prepare us for even stronger future economic growth.
Story by:
Jesse Fonkert
LCEDA/MCEDA Executive Director
SD No. 2 in Tax Foundation’s 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index
The Tax Foundation’s 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index enables business leaders, government policymakers, and taxpayers to gauge how their states’ tax systems compare.
The 5 best states in this year’s Index are:
1. Wyoming
2. South Dakota
3. Alaska
4. Florida
5. Montana
To read the entire story, click here.
Sioux Falls Development Foundation sells 80 acres to Amazon.com
The Sioux Falls Development Foundation has completed its largest land sale to date at Foundation Park to Amazon.com Services Inc.
Amazon has purchased 80 acres at the corner of Foundation Park and Marion Road for future use.
“Their 80-acre purchase is the largest single purchase to date for Foundation Park and we look forward to watching the parcel develop as Amazon implements their strategy in South Dakota. This is the type of project City and civic leaders envisioned in 2015 when Foundation Park was started and we look forward to similar developments in the future.”
Additional details about the project will be announced by Amazon at a future date.
The Sioux Falls Development Foundation thanks the city of Sioux Falls and the state of South Dakota for their collaboration in this historic transaction.
“Their 80-acre purchase is the largest single purchase to date for Foundation Park and we look forward to watching the parcel develop as Amazon implements their strategy in South Dakota. This is the type of project City and civic leaders envisioned in 2015 when Foundation Park was started and we look forward to similar developments in the future.”
“We’re excited to finally announce that Amazon has selected Sioux Falls and Foundation Park as the site for a future facility,” Mayor Paul TenHaken said.
“This announcement that an innovative Fortune 5 company plans to open a site in Sioux Falls speaks to how our business environment and economic climate continue to be a great place for companies to do business. We look forward to working with them to ensure their operation in Sioux Falls is a success story for all.”
A $1.9 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration will support water, wastewater and roadway infrastructure to support the development.
The EDA grant, to be located near a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone, will be matched with $478,830 in local funds and is expected to create 1,000 jobs and generate $200 million in private investment.
We’re excited to finally announce that Amazon has selected Sioux Falls and Foundation Park as the site for a future facility,
“This investment comes at a crucial time for Sioux Falls’ and South Dakota’s economies to come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.
“EDA is pleased to invest this CARES Act funding to improve infrastructure to create an industrial mega-site to aid the region’s recovery. The project’s location near a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone will drive additional investment to the state.”
“South Dakota is open for business, and we’re excited that Amazon is joining our South Dakota community,” Gov. Kristi Noem added.
Foundation Park was announced five years ago as a partnership among the Development Foundation, the City of Sioux Falls and the State of South Dakota.
With the Amazon sale, about 180 acres have been sold so far, with tenants that include Win Chill LLC, Nordica Warehouses, Dakota Carriers and New Century Partners.
Sioux Falls is a top 10 best place to live
Sioux Falls has been named one of the 2020 Top 100 Best Places to Live by Livability.com, outpacing more than 1,000 cities with populations between 20,000 and 1,000,000 in this data-driven ranking.
This year’s rankings were informed by each city’s “Opportunity Score,” which consists of several variables centered around the economy, job opportunities and growth. When combined, these points offer a snapshot of the opportunity landscape of each city, and the potential for businesses and residents to thrive and grow.
“There are many opportunities not only for careers, but for connection. Sioux Falls is growing rapidly, and it’s amazing to see the impact of community groups. I’ve seen things started by a handful of individuals grow into movements that expand across the entire city — from arts programming to running clubs to environmental initiatives! Whether you’d like to lead the charge on a passion project, or join a group of like-minded individuals, Sioux Falls is a great place to find community.”
The city’s affordability, low crime rate, top-notch healthcare systems, great schools and four-seasons climate make it the perfect place to build a life.
Check out the 2020 Top 100 Best Places to Live list.
Sioux Falls is a Top 10 City for First-time Homebuyers
SmartAsset uncovered the best cities for first-time homebuyers in 2020, comparing 185 of the largest U.S. cities. Sioux Falls cracked the top 10!
SmartAsset analyzed data on 12 metrics across four major categories: home market favorability, affordability, livability and employment. These points offer a snapshot of the opportunity landscape of each city, and the potential for businesses and residents to thrive and grow.
The full report, including the methodology and key findings, can be found here: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/best-cities-for-first-time-homebuyers-2020.
Sioux Falls Named the Happiest City in South Dakota
Happy and we know it
Zippia turned happiness into a science and scoured the country examining 600 cities to find those with all the ingredients for happiness:
- Being well educated (Population with at least a bachelor’s degree)
- Percent of households earning above $75,000
- Median home prices
- A short commute to work (Traffic = unhappiness)
- Having a family (Getting, and staying married, has a ton of happiness benefits, on average)
Zippia listed Sioux Falls as the happiest city in South Dakota.