The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is closing out its fiscal 2025 marketing campaign with one clear mission: to make sure decision-makers across the country see Sioux Falls as the best place to expand, innovate, and invest. This year’s efforts focused on connecting with site selectors, corporate location advisors, and industry influencers who play a major role in guiding business expansions.
Telling the Sioux Falls Story The Foundation continues to share news and insights through a newsletter with branded infographics, sent quarterly to a national audience of site consultants. Each edition spotlights business growth, available real estate, workforce strengths, or policy updates that make Sioux Falls stand out; showcasing key accolades, national rankings, and the city’s infrastructure advantages. These eye-catching visuals make it easy for busy decision-makers to see why Sioux Falls is a smart choice.
Expanding Regional Awareness Closer to home, the Foundation used targeted radio advertising in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. These campaigns highlight Sioux Falls’ affordability, skilled workforce, and easy access to major markets. Messages designed to reach regional brokers and business leaders who are already familiar with the Midwest advantage.
Building Partnerships and Connections Relationships remain at the heart of business development. That’s why the Foundation is sponsoring key industry groups such as the SIOR Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter and the NAI Global Midwest Regional Event. These partnerships provide valuable opportunities for networking, branding, and one-on-one conversations with top real estate professionals and consultants.
Showcasing Sioux Falls on the National Stage Throughout the year, Sioux Falls was represented at major national events. In June, the Foundation joined Dakota State University and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development in Washington, D.C. for the AI Expo, where Sioux Falls was positioned as a new frontier for innovation. In July, the team traveled to Beaver Creek, Colorado for the Logistics Development Forum to highlight Sioux Falls’ strengths in transportation and distribution. December brings Area Development’s Consultant Forum in Fort Lauderdale, where national site consultants gather for high-level discussions about business growth.
In addition, the Foundation will take part in a targeted site selector trip to Greenville, South Carolina, working side by side with South Dakota’s economic development delegation to personally share Sioux Falls’ advantages.
A Year of Momentum From newsletters and infographics to radio ads, partnerships, and national events, the Development Foundation is working on multiple fronts to keep Sioux Falls in front of the people who influence business decisions. Each effort reinforces the same message: Sioux Falls is a premier destination for companies looking for opportunities, innovation, and long-term success.
Krier & Blain is growing in Sioux Falls! The company recently closed on a 4-acre site in Foundation Park with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. This new space will give Krier & Blain room to expand while keeping its roots strong in our community.
Foundation Park continues to welcome new businesses and create opportunities for Sioux Falls to thrive. The addition of Krier & Blain is another sign of the momentum building in the city’s largest industrial development.
It’s been an exciting summer of hosting groundbreakings for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. In the third quarter of 2025, the Foundation hosted three groundbreakings to mark the start of construction for various projects in our community. Find a recap of each of them below!
Chabad Jewish Community Center
The groundbreaking for the Chabad Jewish Community Center celebrated the start of construction on a 15,000-square-foot community center that will include a Synagogue, social hall, commercial Kosher kitchen, community room, early childhood education center, classrooms, Judaic library, children’s library, lounge, ritual women’s mikva, office spaces, outdoor playground, and an indoor play area.
L to R: Julie Iverson, T. Denny Sanford, Pat McAdaragh, Andrew Friedman, Sen. John Thune, Rep. Dusty Johnson, Steve Schwartz, Gov. Larry Rhoden, Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz, Mussie Alperowitz, Clark Meyer, Joe Kirby, Jennifer Kirby, Miles Beacom, Mayor Paul TenHaken, Adam Bergman, and Stephen Rosenthal.
Levitt at the Falls Expansion
Levitt at the Falls broke ground on a 7,000 sq. ft. expansion which will include the Sweetman Atrium, DSU Community Room, Lust Family Second Stage, six new offices, a new dressing room, and greenroom for artists. The expansion will be used to not only enhance the experience of working in the venue for artists and staff, but it will also allow for expansion of public programming to include year-round educational and entertainment events alongside community partners.
L to R: Kent Cutler, Rose Ann Hofland, Laura Mullen, John Lust, Jeanelle Lust, Bob Thimjon, Nancy Halverson (President and CEO), Kathy Sweetman, Dick Sweetman, Tamien Dysart, Mary Kolsrud, Richard VanDemark, Don Kearney, Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, Mike Fischer, and Mary Ellyn Minenko.
Sioux Falls Regional Airport Concourse Expansion
The expansion of the Sioux Falls Regional Airport concourse will provide up to five new aircraft parking gates and 57,000 square feet of passenger seating and circulation. The new gates will accommodate the significant growth in passenger traffic of the past 20 years as well as the continued increase in the next 10-15 years.
L to R: Councilor Richard Thomason, Tony Wiseman, Brian Mahlendorf, John Taylor, Kent Cutler, Dan Letellier (executive director), Mayor Paul TenHaken, Dan Statema, Tom Hurlbert, Miles Beacom, and Mitch Walker.
Innovators never sit still. That’s continually the case at POET, which has grown to become a global leader in biofuel and sustainable bioproducts.
“POET is a visionary company, and we’re proud that they’re changing their industry and even the world from their home base in Sioux Falls,” said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
“The career opportunities offered at POET are exceptional, and we’re grateful to them as a broader community partner supporting workforce development and the ingredients it takes to fuel growth in a city.”
Here’s a closer look at the business, courtesy of CEO Jeff Broin.
Business name: POET
Year founded: 1987
Year operations began in Sioux Falls: 1998
Total employees in the Sioux Falls area: 380
CEO/lead executive in Sioux Falls: Jeff Broin
How would you describe your organization to someone not familiar with it?
POET is the world’s largest producer of biofuel and a global leader in sustainable bioproducts, creating plant-based alternatives to fossil fuels that unleash the regenerative power of agriculture and drive value for America’s farm families and rural communities. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Sioux Falls, POET operates 34 bioprocessing facilities across eight states and employs more than 2,400 team members. With a suite of bioproducts that includes bioethanol, high-quality animal feed ingredients, corn oil, green asphalt rejuvenator, purified alcohol and bioCO2, POET nurtures an unceasing commitment to innovation and develops practical solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
What are the top three reasons you continue to locate in the Sioux Falls area?
Its Midwest location provides a strong connection to agriculture and rural values.
It’s a great place to live and work, attracting top-tier talent and providing access to valuable business resources.
Sioux Falls is a vibrant, growing community that supports innovative businesses like POET.
What are you most proud of within your business in the past year?
POET continues to prosper and grow on all fronts. We are driving the technology platform for bioethanol production to new heights. We filed numerous new patents, completed over 190 construction projects at our sites and improved efficiency in marketing and logistics across our entire business. Our global feed product and bioCO2 markets continue to grow, and in fact, POET was recently named the 15th-largest container exporter in the United States. Renewable diesel production from soybean and corn oil continues to expand as well, driving demand for another co-product.
We are also proud of the continued expansion of consumer access to E15, allowing drivers nationwide access to affordable, American-made biofuel. This growth reflects the hard work and collaboration across the POET team and directly supports our mission to replace fossil fuels with cleaner, homegrown alternatives.
Lastly, we are proud of the impact made on our many home communities through POET’s Community Grant Program. In 2024, POET donated over $629,000 in grants to various causes and organizations selected by POET team members in Sioux Falls and across our footprint.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing your business?
The agricultural economy is entering a very difficult time. Ever-increasing grain yields, coupled with stagnant demand, have caused oversupply and low commodity prices. We need Washington to grant year-round E15 to increase grain demand. Expanding the bioethanol industry to meet demand from E15 will be a critical component of improving profitability on the farm and reversing this oncoming ag crisis.
CO2 sequestration will play a significant role in the expansion of the industry. The inability of South Dakota plants to access a pipeline to sequester CO2 will make it difficult for those in our state to expand compared to those in states that have access to CO2 sequestration.
How would you describe the culture of your business in three words?
Vision. Innovation. Purpose.
Why does your business choose to invest in Forward Sioux Falls?
Giving back to the communities we call home is a core part of POET’s mission. We believe in building stronger communities. Forward Sioux Falls fuels growth, innovation and economic opportunity for the entire region — goals that we’re proud to support.
What specific advantages or values have you found to partnering with Forward Sioux Falls and its programs?
The ability to collaborate with local leaders, support workforce development and help shape the future of Sioux Falls makes this partnership truly valuable. Through its programs, we can strengthen the regional business climate and reinforce our shared vision for economic development. The initiatives led by Forward Sioux Falls align closely with POET’s mission to invest in people, support our communities and drive innovative solutions. We share a goal of ensuring that Sioux Falls remains a thriving hub for growth and industry.
What are your expectations for your business in the year ahead?
Many opportunities are on the horizon for POET. The biofuture we envision solves many of our world’s greatest challenges. As we work to move away from fossil-based energy and products, POET will continue to turn innovation into opportunity, finding ways to advance agriculture and improve lives in the U.S. and around the globe by harnessing the power of the sun, the soil and the seed.
The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is committed to helping your business/organization connect with top talent at our regional colleges and universities.
We’ll be attending each of the career fairs listed below to promote living and working in Sioux Falls, but we’d love to see your hiring team there, too! You can register to attend any of these career fairs by clicking the ‘register’ link below each fair’s listing.
Are students looking for internships in the fall? Yes!
One of the best ways to recruit and retain talent is by offering internships! In fact, fall is considered the ideal time to recruit for summer internships.
While we’re at the career fairs this fall, our team will be encouraging students to browse our online listing of Sioux Falls employers with internship opportunities (view the page at www.siouxfalls.com/intern).
If your organization has an internship program you’d like to add to our listing, please click here and complete the form!
2025 Fall Career Fairs
University of South Dakota Part-time & Work Study Job Fair 2025 Wednesday, August 27, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Register
Black Hills State University Part-Time & On-campus Job Fair Thursday, August 28, 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM Register
South Dakota Mines Fall Career Fair Tuesday, September 16, 2025 11:00 AM-4:00 PM Register
South Dakota State University Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Career Fair Wednesday, September 17, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM Thursday, September 18, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM Register
Dakota State University 2025 Fall Career & Internship Fair Wednesday, October 1, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Register
Augustana’s Rydell School of Business Career Fair Wednesday, October 1, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Thursday, October 2, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Register
University of Sioux Falls Career & Internship Fair Thursday, October 16, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM Register
University of South Dakota Career Fair 2025 Wednesday, October 22, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM Register
South Dakota State University College of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice Job Fair Wednesday, November 5, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM Register
Questions? Contact:
Riley Johnson
Talent Recruitment Coordinator, Sioux Falls Development Foundation
An immersive experience for contractors and DIYers is waiting with a new showroom and lumberyard for Paradigm Lumber.
It opened late last year at 3335 N. Lewis Ave., supporting the needs of residential and commercial projects.
“Access to quality building materials is key to supporting area growth,” said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. “Paradigm Lumber has an impressive new showroom that will appeal to anyone considering a building project.”
Here’s a closer look at the business, courtesy of general manager Doran Horsely.
Business name: Paradigm Lumber LLC
Year founded: We began operations in 2020 due to material procurement issues caused by COVID-19 — knowing what we were going through was not isolated to just us. We transitioned to a retail yard in late 2022 to service the Sioux Falls metro area.
Total employees in the Sioux Falls area: 12
CEO/lead executive in Sioux Falls: Rob Broin, co-owner and president
How would you describe your organization to someone not familiar with it?
We are the only locally owned, full-service lumberyard in Sioux Falls. We can help with all your building needs and have knowledgeable staff to guide you through the process.
From drafting services to get your project started to lumber, sidings, shingles, windows, doors, cabinets, several delivery options to accommodate your needs and so much more. We service a 100-mile radius around Sioux Falls.
What are the top three reasons you continue to locate in the Sioux Falls area?
We have business roots in the city and a positive reputation in the market and sought to build on that. This is a very fast-paced, growing market. We enjoy strong local support and see the potential to continue to expand here.
What are you most proud of within your business in the past year?
Paradigm Lumber was started by builders with a service-first mentality. Our new location features a beautiful, interactive showroom that showcases products in a full-scale application — not just small samples to take home.
Customers who walk in say it’s an amazing showroom, and they can’t believe how much product we can showcase in such an area.
We have two full kitchens with appliances and a mini house showcasing 22 different products in a life-size format. It is very impressive!
We are constantly adding new lines of products to better serve our customers.
We recently added Valspar paint and have various options for interior and exterior lines, as well as stains. We can mix or match any color.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing your business?
Interest rates and product costs have been challenges for the building industry. We’ve seen good availability of product, but if we see a sizable drop in rates, that could become an issue.
How would you describe the culture of your business in three words?
Helpful, determined, service-oriented.
Why does your business choose to invest in Forward Sioux Falls?
We have common ownership with RMB Associates, which has partnered with Forward Sioux Falls for almost 15 years and has continued to do so over the years because of the forward-thinking leadership that has often been involved, and their commitment and dedication to investing in the future of the Sioux Falls region. Being in development, we also have a vested interest in ensuring the community continues to grow, that we attract and retain talented people to live and work in the area and that we have strong advocates for the business community. We share a similar vision to Forward Sioux Falls in that we are all stronger working collaboratively to grow the overall pie.
What specific advantages or values have you found to partnering with Forward Sioux Falls and its programs?
We appreciate the partnership and look to Forward Sioux Falls to help be another advocate within the business community. It is also helpful to be able to provide funding to one joint venture who can then pool those resources to tackle the most important issue facing the community instead of each business attempting to tackle it on their own. This frees up valuable time and resources that we can use to focus on providing products and services to the community.
What are your expectations for your business in the year ahead?
We’re excited to continue to help our friends and neighbors make their dreams a reality.
Forward Sioux Falls is a joint venture between the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and is widely respected as the premier economic driver for the Sioux Falls region. To learn more and connect, click here.
Nearly 250 area middle school students spent part of their summer recently immersed in two days of education and hands-on learning in STEM-related fields.
The camp at Augustana University was part of the broader Your Future STEM program through the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to connect middle-schoolers with opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.
Students spent part of the day in classroom-style learning, followed by interactive activities hosted by 20 local employers.
As a great state for business, South Dakota offers tax-friendliness and workforce readiness. As such, the state continues to attract impactful economic development projects. South Dakota’s latest recognition is a testament to that: a Silver Shovel award from Area Development!
“Each year, Area Development recognizes states that stand out for their ability to attract high-impact economic development projects,” the story releasing the awards says. “Using data submitted by state economic development agencies, we evaluate the top projects based on job creation, capital investment, diversity of industry, and each state’s overall economic strategy.”
South Dakota was one of two Silver Shovel winners for the under 3 million population category.
“South Dakota rounds out this year’s Silver Shovel winners with a series of steady, practical investments across agriculture, food processing, and industrial manufacturing — sectors that may not dominate headlines but form the backbone of economic resilience in the Upper Midwest,” the state’s narrative says. “The biggest-ticket item is SFC Global Supply Chain’s $250 million investment in Sioux Falls, supporting its presence in the frozen food sector and adding jobs in one of the state’s fastest-growing regions.”
Read more about the awards by clicking ‘learn more’ below.
Sioux Falls is a great place to live and work, and it’s not by accident. Our community and city leadership have worked to ensure the quality of life in our city is top-notch.
WalletHub recently ranked the best- and worst-run cities in America, and they’ve ranked Sioux Falls, SD, the No. 7 best-run city in America in 2025!
“The best-run cities in America use their budgets most effectively to provide high-quality financial security, education, health, safety and transportation to their residents,” Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst, says in the article releasing the rankings. “Many of the top cities also have a very low amount of outstanding government debt per capita, which can prevent financial troubles in the future.”
Read more about the ranking by clicking ‘learn more,’ or use the interactive map to see how other cities compared.
A big move started when everything essentially stopped in the New York City area.
“During COVID, they basically sent everyone home, and there wasn’t much going on in Manhattan,” said Jessica Lattuga, a native of Staten Island, New York, who had spent her entire life there up until that point.
“Everybody stopped building.”
So with a career in the construction industry, Lattuga’s brother-in-law needed another option. With 19 years of union tenure, he wasn’t about to leave it.
“Tennessee and South Dakota were on the table, and South Dakota called first,” Lattuga said. “My sister said, ‘Hey, me and the kids are moving, and this is where we’re going.’”
Her parents, now retired, looked at her. She looked at them.
“And I said: ‘You know what? Let’s go,’” Lattuga said. “New York was getting quite hectic, it was getting ridiculous, and I said: ‘Let’s see. It can’t hurt.’”
That was in 2022. By the end of the year, the entire family had relocated west — and Lattuga moved to Sioux Falls without even visiting.
“I just wanted to jump in with both feet,” she said.
From her first landing at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, it was clear she’d left New York far behind.
“It honestly was just different. Staten Island is small — it’s like suburbia — so I’m OK with a small-town feel, but at the same time, I worked in Manhattan and New Jersey, which are huge, and that in itself was a very big adjustment,” she said.
“But the people are incredibly nice. No matter where I’ve gone — a store, a doctor’s office, a hospital — everyone is incredibly helpful. In New York, that had changed over time as people had stopped interacting as much. Here, it’s a completely different feel and very nice.”
She has found a new role in Sioux Falls as a people generalist at Medvantx.
“I love it. I have great co-workers and am happy to come in every day,” she said. “I like the balance of working from home once a week, more if I need to, but I choose not to because I enjoy being in an office and always have.”
Her new neighborhood in south Sioux Falls “actually kind of reminds me of a few spots in north Jersey,” she said. “I very much like the neighborhood and just enjoying the downtime after things had gotten so hectic in New York.”
Her twin niece and nephew are thriving in the Sioux Falls School District, she said.
“They’re doing incredibly well,” Lattuga said. “My nephew is autistic but very high-functioning, and they mainstreamed him here, which they weren’t able to do in New York. Both kids are in the same class, and they’ve made friends and are both doing excellent.”
Her parents “are adjusting very well,” she said. “I think the slower pace of life is a good thing. The lack of traffic is something we’re all enjoying. I’ve sat in traffic three or more hours on a city bus. I’ve been in my car four hours on a workday. My parents are in their 60s, and the health care is amazing. There’s a huge difference here.”
The family’s experience shows the multifaceted advantages that life in Sioux Falls offers, said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce development for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
“It doesn’t matter what your life stage — from your early education to your midcareer growth to your retirement years — there are so many benefits to making a move here,” she said. “We’ve especially enjoyed getting to connect with Jessica in her HR role at Medvantx and look forward to helping her and her team grow their talent pool here by further engaging them in the main programs we offer to support their talent pipeline.”
Looking back on the move, “I have no regrets on the decision I made,” Lattuga said. “It’s not the easiest thing in a way, but my everyday has become significantly better. There’s a far better quality of life, and I would say the same for my sister and her family and my parents. When I look at the bigger picture, it was a good thing not just for myself but everybody involved.”
Would you like to learn more about how Sioux Falls can become your new place to grow a family and career? Email deniseg@siouxfalls.com to get connected with opportunities ideal for you.
While many college students are just getting acclimated to their summer internships, Hannah Preheim is already a seasoned pro.
This summer marks her third internship with Sayre Associates — a relationship that began during her senior year at Brandon Valley High School.
Preheim became interested in civil engineering after an eighth grade project focused on traffic flow. Her teacher, Brady Olson, helped take it from there.
“Hannah is a rock star,” Olson said. “She’s very thoughtful and approaches challenges from different perspectives. She’s a great problem-solver. When she expressed an interest in engineering, we worked to find her an opportunity to explore it firsthand.”
Brandon Valley is one of six area high schools participating in the Career Connections program. As part of the internship course, Olson reached out to Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce development at the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
“Through the Career Connections program, Denise connected us with Sayre,” Olson said. “They took a chance on bringing in a high school student — and she absolutely rocked it. She did an outstanding job, and it was incredible to see that door open for her.”
That’s exactly the goal of the program, Guzzetta said.
“We’re able to leverage strong relationships across the business community to connect talented students like Hannah with employers like Sayre,” she said. “It’s inspiring to see how much can grow from that initial high school opportunity.”
As a senior, Preheim began interning at Sayre, where she was introduced to advanced computer-aided design software.
“We could tell Hannah was a very bright student who learned quickly, so we asked her to go through the tutorial and see what she could pick up,” said Paul Korn, civil engineer at Sayre. “From there, we were able to assign her tasks and design work on active projects.”
The summer after her high school graduation, Preheim continued her internship — this time moving from design work indoors to hands-on experience in the field learning construction administration.
“I got to do different things in the field and see how things are built,” she said. “I was keeping records of things and did some as-built drawings and helped monitor quality control.”
Following her freshman year at South Dakota State University, where she’s studying civil engineering, Preheim came back to Sayre for a second summer.
“That year, I was more in charge of one specific project, checking in with contractors and doing price estimation,” she said.
Her role included assisting with curb and gutter repair for the city of Sioux Falls in south-central Sioux Falls.
Now in her third summer, Preheim is back in the office doing site design, grading plans and designing utilities.
“I’m doing things for a gas station and working on putting together some plan sets for affordable housing,” she said.
The level of responsibility Preheim has earned is unusual for an intern — but well deserved, Korn said.
“I think this is the first time we’ve had an intern work inside on design from the start,” he said. “But Hannah has shown she’s proficient with the software, and we wanted to utilize her more now that she’s gained the field experience most of our interns start with.”
“She’s had two summers of seeing how things are built and reviewing plans, and now she’s applying that knowledge in design.”
Now entering her third year of college, Preheim also feels more comfortable as part of the team.
“Everyone is really nice, and I don’t feel intimidated asking questions, which I really appreciate,” she said.
Most importantly, her internship experience has confirmed that she’s on the right path.
“I definitely feel like I have a better understanding of what I’m working toward in my degree,” she said. “Things feel more connected and applicable now that I’m taking design classes.”
Sayre also has connected through Sioux Falls Development Foundation programming to reach students earlier in their education.
The company was among 17 employers participating in an interactive Your Future STEM event for sixth graders this year, for example.
“We continually emphasize the need to develop STEM skills in students and the opportunities they will have to apply those,” Guzzetta said.
A Talent Talks event during Women in Construction Week in March further inspired students by allowing them to hear from STEM professionals.
“We’re seeing success encouraging more women to pursue engineering careers, which is critical to meeting our projected workforce needs,” Guzzetta said.
While Preheim still has two years of undergraduate education to go, Korn already sees a bright future.
“She’ll have lots of opportunities when she graduates, and we hope she considers Sayre as one of those opportunities because we certainly see her fitting in here,” he said.
Olson sees Preheim’s success as a model of what Career Connections can offer.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “It’s all possible because of business partners who are willing to provide these opportunities. It’s incredible that they see the value in creating win-win experiences.”
“We’re hoping students get authentic learning opportunities and businesses get worthwhile work done,” he added. “We’ve had several students asked to stay on for employment — either after high school or while in college — and some have even received full-ride Build Dakota Scholarships.”
Through the partnership with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, “Denise and the team help expose students to what’s out there,” Olson said. “A lot of students just don’t know what’s possible, and the more we can do to change that, the better.”
“Career Connections is truly a win-win — for students, schools and employers,” Guzzetta said. “It offers a smart, streamlined way to engage early-career talent while making career development more intentional, accessible and impactful.”
If your business would like to connect with career development opportunities, reach out to deniseg@siouxfalls.com.
Sioux Falls continues to earn national recognition as one of the most business-friendly and economically vibrant cities in the country. In 2025, it was ranked the No. 1 city in the United States for corporate site selection per capita among tier-two metro areas. This distinction underscores the city’s growing appeal to site selectors and expanding companies looking for long-term success. WalletHub also named Sioux Falls one of the “Hardest-Working Cities in America,” reflecting a reliable, committed labor force that businesses can count on.
In addition to its strong workforce, Sioux Falls is recognized for its environment of safety and affordability. Earlier this year, it was ranked among the “Top 25 Safest Cities in America,” providing peace of mind for companies looking to relocate employees or attract new talent. The city also earned a spot as the best U.S. city for small businesses, a nod to its support systems, low regulatory barriers, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Economic development in Sioux Falls is backed by transformative investment and coordinated planning. Major projects like the $400 million downtown revitalization featuring developments such as Cherapa Place and the Steel District are reshaping the urban core with new office space, retail, and residential offerings. Foundation Park, a premier industrial development park, has attracted significant employers like Amazon, Lineage Logistics, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, Avera, Owens & Minor, and CJ Foods. As Mayor Paul TenHaken stated, “We are keeping Sioux Falls investible by strategically planning for growth in every direction.”
With a low-tax climate, top-tier rankings, major infrastructure investment, and a workforce that consistently earns national praise, Sioux Falls offers the right combination of opportunity, affordability, and momentum for any business seeking a smart place to grow.
As we prepare for the ninth Forward Sioux Falls campaign, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation Board of Directors has made a strategic decision to eliminate our traditional membership dues model. Going forward, Forward Sioux Falls investors will be recognized as members of the Development Foundation with pledges supporting the work of the Development Foundation in place of dues.
Current Development Foundation/FSF contributors will be asked to combine their investments into their FSF IX pledge; others will be asked to contribute to the FSF campaign for the first time. In return, Development Foundation members will automatically remain members as investors in FSF. By investing in Forward Sioux Falls, you’re fueling the mission and impact of the Development Foundation—no separate membership required.
“This is a great opportunity to streamline our dues and investment processes in our partnership with Forward Sioux Falls,” said Bob Mundt, President & CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. “Our members are approached multiple times for dues and sponsorships from our nonprofits. This allows them to contribute to the growth and development of many projects in the community through one investment.”
“The Board feels this is a good way to continue supporting the Development Foundation, increase contributions to the Forward Sioux Falls campaign, while making it easier for our members and investors to support multiple projects under the umbrella of Forward Sioux Falls,” said Development Foundation Board Chair Kent Cutler. “It is our hope that this change will make it easier for our members to track our progress and contribute in a meaningful and productive way.”
We believe this streamlined approach will provide a more effective and impactful way to fund our economic development and workforce efforts. Thank you for your continued commitment to advancing the Sioux Falls area through your involvement with Forward Sioux Falls and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
By: Kent Cutler, 2025 Sioux Falls Development Foundation Board Chair
Many companies look to the future to plan for what they believe will be a profitable path forward. Strategic planning is a part of most companies’ operating procedures and may involve a complex process for forecasting growth, anticipating opportunities and threats, and laying the groundwork for moving forward profitably. In a world changing fast, these plans now may only look forward three to five years with any degree of certainty and allow for critical adjustments if needed quickly.
The Sioux Falls Development Foundation also follows a strategic planning process that anticipates the growth of Sioux Falls as it relates to economic and workforce development and the state and national trends that may affect our growth.
Available land for development that is adjacent to the city and provides for city services is critical. Companies looking for land to expand – whether internal or external – need build-ready property to make sure their schedules for increasing product demand can be met. These sites need to be served by local utilities including water, sewer, electricity, gas, and communication services and meet transportation needs for the companies and the public in general. All this takes a coordinated effort on behalf of the Development Foundation, the City and the State with planning well in advance.
In addition, the workforce needs of our existing companies and the ones locating here are changing and advancing. Competition and technology are forcing companies to update equipment and retrain employees. New graduates must possess the skills needed to operate and maintain modern equipment, so our educational institutions need to be training for the jobs and technology of the future. Companies must anticipate the needs of the future and adjust their technology and training to compete, and the Development Foundation and the State must partner with education and training institutions to make sure our workforce is ready for the available jobs.
The feasibility analysis of the Forward Sioux Falls campaign anticipates these trends and developed a five-year plan of action to address changes and move Sioux Falls forward. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation works with the Chamber and partners to address economic development and workforce challenges. Through workforce recruitment, retention, and retraining, the Development Foundation leverages the funds from Forward Sioux Falls to increase the number of people in the employment pipeline. Research helps anticipate the need for specific skill sets to grow your business.
Like your business, we will plan for the challenges of tomorrow and anticipate as best we can what the Sioux Falls economic and employment landscape will look like in the future. We hope you choose to invest in the Forward Sioux Falls campaign and be a part of creating the future.
Each spring and summer brings the beginning of new projects, and we love celebrating them with groundbreakings! Here’s a look at the groundbreakings we celebrated in the second quarter of 2025.
Augustana University: Foundation Heights
Augustana University broke ground on Foundation Heights, a new on-campus apartment complex. The project was inspired by the late Craig Lloyd, an honorary alumnus and member of the Augustana University Board of Trustees.
L to R: Liz Lloyd, Mary Lloyd-Huber, Pat Lloyd, Christie Ernst, President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Keith Severson, Councilor Curt Soehl, Miles Beacom, Chris Thorkelson, Shannan Nelson, and Kent Cutler.
City of Sioux Falls: McKennan Park Wading Pool & Bathhouse
The City of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department broke ground on a new wading pool and bathhouse facilities at McKennan Park, funded in part by a donation from Pierce and Barb McDowell.
L to R: Mike Begeman, Kellen Boice, Jason Herrboldt, Mary Kolsrud, Don Kearney, Pierce McDowell (donor), Barb McDowell (donor), Mayor Paul TenHaken, Kent Cutler and Tyler Landry.
Mapleton Highlands
Mapleton Highlands LLC and Van Buskirk Companies broke ground on Mapleton Highlands, a luxury housing development located near the new Mapleton Golf Club. Work at the site is underway, with construction for homes to begin in fall 2025 and ready for spring 2026.
L to R: Miles Beacom, Jeff Eckhoff, Kent Cutler, Steve Van Buskirk, Danny Amundson (founding manager), Brett Busch (founding member), Dan Statema (founding member), Travis Thie (founding member) and Trent Bruce.
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