Past Chair’s Message

By Kurt Loudenback, President, Grand Prairie Foods, Inc.

2022 has been a year of resiliency and recovery. Our community has emerged stronger and more resilient as we have dealt with some crazy economic challenges over the last 2 years. Despite all of the headwinds we have faced, The Foundation has had another good year of land sales, prospect development and connection between workforce candidates and our members. We are collectively in a good spot to take advantage of continued interest in our state and region while addressing the need for expanding a skilled workforce.

Through various partnerships with both the public and private sectors, the Foundation is positioned to provide valued services to our members, our clients, and our community. Board identified priorities including business retention and expansion, business attraction, and workforce and talent development remain key focus areas. Foundation leaders created a plan centered around these areas three years ago and we have been executing on strategies and programs developed to address these needs.

Partnerships with existing companies looking to grow in the Sioux Falls region have increased dramatically. The Foundation’s Business Retention & Expansion initiative has paid dividends with several expansions. Additionally, the Foundation continues to work with the City of Sioux Falls on expansion projects and infrastructure developments.

Our Business Attraction efforts have resulted in land sales in Foundation Park and Sioux Empire Development Park 8; and we have implemented new and creative marketing techniques to promote the area. Our partnership with local brokers to tap into their national networks has created additional interest from companies across the country.

We have implemented new programs to identify and attract talent to the region and build up our talent from within. Many of our events are both in-person as well as virtual, allowing us to expand our reach far beyond our borders. Our WIN in Workforce Summit in October brought nearly 800 HR professionals, educators, and industry leaders together to share new ideas and best practices for successful talent recruitment, development, and retention. Talent Tours, Talent Rebound events and Talent Draft Day incorporate both in-person and virtual formats, resulting in hundreds of connections between local employers, high school, and post-secondary students to promote the benefits of living and working in Sioux Falls.

We will continue to employ these strategies and programs in 2023 and will continue to have success in growing our region. While these are challenging times in growing our workforce, we believe our efforts will have far-reaching effects on the future growth and sustainability of our region.

The message that Sioux Falls and South Dakota are the best place to own a business, raise a family, and be a young professional are becoming clear. In 2021, Sioux Falls welcomed 7,000 new residents. People are choosing to relocate here because of the quality of life that our community offers: great schools, parks, dining and entertainment, and economic opportunity. In 2023, we’ll be sharing that message with new prospects and potential residents.

It has been a pleasure serving as the Chair of the Board during 2022 and I leave this organization in good hands. Thanks to all of you who have made the Foundation the great economic engine that it is. The Board of Directors and leadership team appreciate your support and hope to continue serving you as members of the Foundation. THANK YOU and have a prosperous 2023.

2023 Chairman’s Message

By Steve Kolbeck, Principal Manager, Xcel Energy South Dakota

What a great honor it is to be taking the helm of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation at a time of tremendous change and challenges. As the premier economic development organization in the region, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation has positioned itself to successfully meet those challenges.

Under past leadership, the Foundation has literally paved the way for business and industrial growth in the region by creating the Foundation Park mega site, recruiting thousands of new jobs and dozens of new companies, and creating a workforce recruitment model that is second to none. Past leadership has leveraged the cooperative spirit of Sioux Falls to finance these opportunities, create an aggressive marketing plan and create an environment of success in the region.

I want to thank Kurt Loudenback, Pat Costello, Todd Ernst and Tim McCarthy for their leadership over the past six years and welcome our three new Board members – Scott Wickersham, Raquel Blount and Chris Ekstrum – to the Board. I look forward to working with all of you to continue leading this community.

So what’s ahead in 2023?

  • Completion of grading and infrastructure development within Foundation Park North and Park 8 West including streets, sewers, water, power, and lot development.
  • Construction of the CJ Foods facility and more projects in Foundation Park.
  • Expected sales of 100 more acres in Foundation Park.
  • Full scale operation of Amazon & FedEx in Foundation Park South.
  • Construction of Presidio Manufacturing and the National Guard Readiness facility in Park 8 East.
  • Expansion of several existing companies that are currently in the planning process.
  • Implementation of the Falls Area Development Corporation and redevelopment of targeted areas for workforce housing opportunities.
  • Continuation and expansion of Workforce Initiatives with our State and local partners.
  • Strong marketing to site selectors, brokers, and workforce partners.
  • Opening of the Startup Sioux Falls Center in downtown Sioux Falls.
  • Opening of the Health Sciences Clinical Simulation Center at Southeast Technical College.
  • Continuous efforts to develop a strong quality of life in the region.

The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is proud to be leading these efforts and programs and we sincerely appreciate each one of you for your talents, your business, and your involvement in our community. I look forward to serving you as your Chair. Please continue to be a part of this great organization.

Have a great 2023.

A look back at our fall 2022 groundbreakings

While there’s snow on the ground now, we’re reflecting on some great fall groundbreakings!

For nearly seven decades, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation has hosted groundbreakings and helped organizations in our community commemorate new chapters of growth and success.

Take a look back at the groundbreakings we hosted this fall. Learn about each project and groundbreaking below!

Maguire Iron

Maguire Iron broke ground on a new headquarters in northeast Sioux Falls.

L to R: Brian Cooper, Scott Jones – President, Gene Jones, Jr. – CEO, Troy Werdel, Dan Engelsman, Diep Doan, Jamie Mays, and Mike Farnsworth.

The Docks – Great Hall Properties

Great Hall Properties broke ground on a 200,000 square foot industrial space in northwest Sioux Falls.

L to R: Bob Adams, Kurt Loudenback, Scott Lawrence, Rick Berg – President, Rob Fagnan, Dirk Lenthe, Chris Tyre, Michael Casper, Councilor Pat Starr.

2022 Spirit of Sioux Falls Honoree: Mark Shlanta

The Sioux Falls Development Foundation posthumously honored Mark Shlanta, longtime CEO of SDN Communications, with its ‘Spirit of Sioux Falls’ Award at their 2022 Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 17.

The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to the economic growth and development of Sioux Falls. The award honors the memory of former Development Foundation staff and board members David Birkeland, Angus Anson, and Roger Hainje, who perished along with Governor George Mickelson and other state officials and staff in 1993 as they returned from an economic development mission.

“Mark gave selflessly of himself to the greater cause of improving our community,” Foundation Board Chairman Kurt Loudenback said. “His commitment to economic development has helped to make Sioux Falls a model for public and private partnership in the spirit of the greater good. He was an example for others to put the community ahead of a personal agenda.”

In addition to his work at SDN, Shlanta chaired the Development Foundation board from 2008-2009 and was chair of the Forward Sioux Falls Joint Venture Management Committee from 2011-2016. He also co-chaired two capital campaigns for Forward Sioux Falls and one for the Boy Scouts. He was active in many other areas of the community, including serving on the board of directors for both South Dakota Public Broadcasting and Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

Spirit of Sioux Falls Award 2022: Mark Shlanta

Summit focuses on best practices in workforce development

From hiring to retaining top talent, it is a challenging time to be building your workforce. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation’s annual WIN in Workforce Summit will bring together business leaders and experts for a day focused on workforce strategies that can be put to immediate use.

The WIN in Workforce Summit will be held Wednesday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Human resource professionals and leaders at all levels of an organization will find opportunities to learn from others who are finding ways to create talented teams and take their businesses to new levels of success.

The event will kick off with an inspirational message from Justin Forsett, a former NFL running back turned Shark Tank entrepreneur. Forsett shares his story of going from poverty to peak performance in sports and business.

Additional sessions include panel discussions on attracting new entry-level employees, talent development, talent retention to address employee burnout, and today’s workforce issues, such as hybrid workplaces and change management.

The registration fee is $89 and includes a networking lunch. SHRM members will be eligible for up to nine Personal Development Credits for attending the 2022 WIN in Workforce Summit. Find more information and register online at www.wininworkforce.com.

Sioux Falls Development Foundation welcomes Claire Herbst

The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is pleased to welcome our newest team member – Claire Herbst! Claire joins us as the talent recruitment coordinator.

Claire grew up in Sioux City, IA, and attended the University of South Dakota to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, along with a minor in legal studies in business and a certificate in inclusive leadership. During her college years, she held internships with the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company, as well as First Dakota Title.

Following completion of her degree, Claire began her career at PREMIER Bankcard as an accountant. She then joined the Sioux Falls Development Foundation as the Talent Recruitment Coordinator in September 2022.

In her role, she will be working in collaboration with area businesses and regional education institutions to source, attract, and match talented students with available internship opportunities in the Sioux Falls region.

Outside of her work with SFDF, Claire is a chapter advisor for USD’s chapter of Alpha Phi and is an active member of the Sioux Falls Young Professionals Network.

President’s Report: When Good Plans Come Together

In the summer of 2021, the Development Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce (co-owners of the Zeal building on Southeast Tech’s campus) walked forward discussions with Startup Sioux Falls regarding the organization moving downtown to better “fit” the needs of the region’s entrepreneurial community.

After conversations with the City of Sioux Falls regarding the former Parks and Rec building located next to the Levitt downtown, it was decided the building would be an excellent location for the new model of Startup Sioux Falls. Concurrently, we began having conversations with Southeast Tech about the transition of the Zeal building to a new facility that could assist in training needs for more healthcare professionals. The concept of the Health Sciences Clinical Simulation Center was born.

The development of this concept would allow Southeast Tech to expand their health sciences programming, providing hundreds of new health sciences graduates (including nurses) to help fill the needs of our medical and health sciences community.

Working in partnership with the Development Foundation, the Chamber, the City of Sioux Falls, Startup Sioux Falls, the state legislature, Avera and Sanford, the plan included obtaining a lease agreement with the City for the Parks and Rec building, obtaining funding for the build out of both facilities and obtaining funds from the state legislature for equipment in the new simulation center. In addition, the project needed additional funding from Forward Sioux Falls to make the lease/purchase arrangement of the Zeal building by Southeast Tech possible.

During the winter of 2021-22, the partnership was successful in obtaining a lease from the City for the P&R building, obtaining funding for the buildout of the Zeal building, obtaining funding for the equipment, and gaining a commitment from Forward Sioux Falls for lease payment assistance.

In the spring of 2022, the Sioux Falls School Board approved a lease of the Zeal building, sealing the dream of moving the Startup Sioux Falls Community into a newly renovated facility in downtown Sioux Falls and creating the Health Sciences Clinical Simulation Center at Southeast Technical College.

Design and construction is currently underway at both facilities, with Startup Sioux Falls planning a January opening and the Simulation Center targeting fall of 2023 as their opening date.

Sioux Falls and Forward Sioux Falls are well known for their strategic visions, but even better known for turning those visions into reality. This is a perfect example of organizations coming together for the betterment of the community and the long-term success of all organizations involved. In short…we love it when a plan comes together.

Chairman’s Report: Planning and Progress

By: Kurt Loudenback

Every fall the Sioux Falls Development Foundation Board of Directors takes a half day to review what has been done the past year and what opportunities exist for the upcoming year and beyond. We look at where we’ve been and where we’d like to go as we continue working with our partners to chart sustainable growth in the Sioux Falls region into the future.

2022 has been filled with great success stories including selling and purchasing property. We’re developing Foundation Park North including grading, street and utility construction, and general planning to make those sites build-ready, a proven asset when attracting new investment by prospective employers. The City has played a huge role as well in building out Marion Road to the Renner/Crooks highway, literally paving the way for growth in that region.

All of the land in Sioux Empire Park 8 East is now sold and the grading, infrastructure and street construction of Bahnson Avenue, north of Benson Road, is nearly complete — opening 150+ acres for development in Park 8 West.

Our workforce initiatives are constantly expanding to include more ways to connect our business community with the workforce they need. Our talent initiatives target university and tech school students and alumni within 120 miles of Sioux Falls with programs like Talent Draft, Talent Rebound, Talent Thursdays and INTERN Sioux Falls. High school and middle school students are targeted with Career Connections and STEM programming, while existing employers are invited to participate in our UPSKILL Sioux Falls programming to move people up within their companies. We encourage you to connect with the Development Foundation to take advantage of these programs that will help you attract and retain quality employees.

Our WORK Sioux Falls marketing campaign has allowed us to reach markets in California, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota to attract people looking to make a change by allowing them direct access to Sioux Falls area company job websites via www.siouxfalls.com/work. Over 3,000 direct connections have been made between local employers and potential employees in these markets.

All this success was an outcome of our planning process last fall and will be reviewed for effectiveness and adjustments at our upcoming planning session. As we move into 2023, your Development Foundation board and staff will generate new ideas on business attraction, retention and expansion.

Although the future can’t be predicted, the Foundation can be prepared. We hope you appreciate this work being done by the team and are benefitting from our efforts to improve the economic vitality of the Sioux Falls region. Thank you for being a member and an investor.

Sioux Falls area businesses, across all industry sectors, continue to invest in growth

In the most recent CEO quarterly survey conducted by SiouxFalls.Business, existing industries in the Sioux Falls area reported a strong sentiment about business conditions and future prospects for growth. Over 75% of respondents reported overall conditions at their business as good or excellent and 93% reported the overall business climate in Sioux Falls as good or excellent. It’s no surprise then to see Sioux Falls area businesses continue to expand and make major investments into growing in our community. Here is a brief overview of the expansions underway by a handful of existing Sioux Falls area businesses:

Sanford leads the way with the top building permit in Sioux Falls so far in 2022 and after total buildout the expansion is estimated at $161 million. In June, the organization broke ground on the new 205,000 square-foot Sanford Orthopedic Hospital. This nine-story building will be built to the south of Sanford Children’s Hospital and will help in recruiting top health care talent to the region to serve the needs of our growing population.

CCL Label is a world leader in specialty packaging solutions for the consumer products and healthcare industries. The company initiated multiple expansion projects this year. The first was an $11.9 million greenfield project near Southeast Technical College and the second was a renovation of their existing facility to add additional product lines.

Graco manufactures premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. The company started a more than $15 million expansion when they purchased the former Wells Fargo corporate building at 3401 N. 4th Ave. immediately south of their current location and began construction to connect the two facilities. The renovated Wells Fargo space will provide additional capacity for manufacturing and assembly production.

Scherer is a locally owned grain processing solutions company started in the 1990s. The company has steadily grown alongside the growth of the region and will be the newest tenant in Foundation Park having completed the purchase of 10 acres of land. Construction will begin in the near future on a 120,000 square-foot facility and plans to add 30 new jobs.

Outdoor Gear is a family owned and operated winter apparel manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Sioux Falls. With more than 20 years of success, the company recently expanded in Sioux Empire Development Park VIII purchasing nearly 6 acres of land from the Development Foundation and constructing a $3.6 million facility.

SDN operates more than 50,000 miles of fiber in eight states throughout the region. The company is expanding their data center located in the northwest corner of Sioux Falls at the Mark Shlanta Technology Park. The company is more than doubling the footprint of the hardened facility for data delivery services.

Existing businesses in the Sioux Falls area provide for 80% of our community’s job growth, and the Development Foundation will continue to support businesses in their journey to expand and grow.

Are you looking to connect to additional resources to support your growth? The Sioux Falls Development Foundation can assist you in the following areas:

  • Workforce development: The Development Foundation offers programs and initiatives to help you attract, retain and develop your workforce. Contact Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce development, at 605-274-0475 or deniseg@siouxfalls.com.
  • Business growth and expansion: Whether your business is planning an expansion in the next five years or facing risk factors impacting growth, the Development Foundation can help by discussing existing building space, available land, potential local and state incentives and other resources. Contact Mike Gray, director of business expansion and retention, at 605-274-0471 or mikeg@siouxfalls.com.

Recent groundbreakings

One of our favorite parts about summer is hosting groundbreakings! We love helping organizations in our community embark on these special milestones in their success.

As we close out the summer months, we’re excited to share an update on some recent groundbreakings. If your organization is interested in hosting a groundbreaking, please reach out to Leah Blom at leahb@siouxfalls.com.

Veterans Community Project

Veterans Community Project (VCP) broke ground on a housing community consisting of 25 tiny houses and the VCP Village Center for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

L to R: Jason Bieber, Mayor Paul TenHaken, Steve Kolbeck, Truman Gage, Eric Gage – VCP of Sioux Falls Executive Director, Brian Meyer, Mike Lynch.

Voyage Federal Credit Union

Voyage Federal Credit Union broke ground on their new location, which will be a relocation of their North Branch that they’ve occupied since the late 1980s.

L to R: Alyssa Bainbridge, Mike Gardner, Chris Asche, Emily Westrup, Dennis Olsen, Jeff Eckhoff, Jeff Schmidt – Voyage President and CEO, Dave Patzlaff , Mindy Brouwer, Tom Rothenberger, Tiffany Mutchler, Kurt Loudenback, Gerry Heuer, Samantha Parsons, Scott Lawrence.

Spirit of Sioux Falls Scholarship Winners

The Spirit of Sioux Falls Scholarship was established by the Development Foundation and more than 100 businesses and individuals to honor three men who lost their lives in a plane crash April 19, 1993: David Birkeland, Angus Anson, and Roger Hainje. The Development Foundation representatives were on a trip promoting economic development when their plane crashed. Former Governor George Mickelson and four others also perished in the crash.

The Spirit of Sioux Falls Scholarship benefits college and vocational or technical school students who are pursuing a degree in business. A panel of business leaders from the Sioux Falls area selects the winners.

We are excited to share that two students have been selected for the 2022 Spirit of Sioux Falls Scholarship!

Austin Metzger is a senior at the University of South Dakota – Sioux Falls studying finance. He is from Rock Rapids, Iowa.

Caleb Schneider is a senior at Dakota State University studying business technology and minoring in project management. He is from Crooks, South Dakota.

Among other requirements, students must:

  • Be pursuing a degree in business
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role of business in American society
  • Demonstrate motivation and ability to succeed in their chosen field of study
  • Demonstrate academic excellence and community involvement

Sign up for our newsletter below to stay up to date with the latest SFDF news and info like this scholarship!

Sioux Empire Development Park VIII East sees high demand

Sioux Empire Development Park VIII East is located in the northeast part of Sioux Falls, east of I-229 and south of 60th Street North. The Foundation has seen a flurry of activity over the last couple of months in this industrial park. Some of this activity is due to the supply of and demand for smaller parcels; however, the interest is also tied to the ease of connectivity to Veterans Parkway and I-90.

WF Assets, LLC. acquired 3.46 acres of land in SEDP VIII East. They plan to break ground this summer on a 12,000 square foot contractor’s shop as well as a separate 2,400-square foot office building. They hope to wrap up construction and occupy the building in the spring of 2023.

Crusher Investments Company acquired 5.5 acres of land in SEDP VIII East at the corner of Wilcox and Producer Lane. They will be building a 40,000-square foot industrial facility. They intend to break ground on this project in the summer of 2022 and complete construction by summer 2023.

Northern Properties, LLC. acquired 3.5 acres of land in SEDP VIII East. They plan to build two 20,000-square foot buildings on the site with Phase 1 beginning in the fall of 2022. The initial building will be complete by the summer/fall 2023. They intend to occupy part of the first building and sublease space to interested tenants. They will entertain industrial space as small as 4,000 square feet.

Soukup Construction acquired 1.28 acres of land in SEDP VIII East. This small parcel is adjacent to current land owned by the company.

The last remaining parcel available in SEDP VIII East is 4 acres. If your company has an interest in a parcel this size, reach out to Dean Dziedzic, Vice President of Economic Development, at 605.339.0103 or deand@siouxfalls.com.

Membership support remains strong

The 2022 membership renewal effort is underway, and support remains strong within the community. Our renewed emphasis on talent attraction, retention, and workforce development, in addition to business retention assistance, and property tax and quality job growth resonate with our current members. A number of growing organizations have signed on in support of our economic development and community building efforts, joining the Foundation for the first time.

Membership billing will continue over the next few months as renewal dates come up. We invite you to renew your support of our efforts as we continue to carry out our mission of improving the regional economy. Thanks to your financial support, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation has led the way in creating one of the most vibrant, growing economies in the nation.

Thanks for investing in the economic future of our area.

If your organization is not yet a member, we invite you to contact us. We’ll answer questions and provide the information you need to become a member of our organization.

 

 

 

President’s Report: Partnerships Are Critical for Success

No organization or business can survive without valuable partnerships that help them succeed in accomplishing their goals and objectives. Each of us have those critical partners that provide products, services, consulting, and advice to help us sell, market, manage, and succeed in our business.

The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is no different, and we’d like to give a shout out to some of our critical partners.

City of Sioux Falls – The City of Sioux Falls, including the Mayor, City Council, and staff, are instrumental. They provide guidance, funding, and approvals for a lot of the projects we undertake. Their expertise in infrastructure, incentives, planning/zoning, permitting and resolutions/ordinances help us comply with local laws.

Governor’s Office of Economic Development – GOED provides data and information for our prospects, guidance on funding sources and incentives, permitting assistance, and legislative involvement. The State also coordinates coop advertising and marketing programs to stretch our local dollar and expand our market reach.

Broker Partners – Our broker partners, NAI and Bender Commercial, help market our industrial property, identify local companies looking to expand, and keep us abreast of the latest trends in commercial and industrial real estate development.

Greater Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce – The Chamber allows us to participate in key areas including public policy and advocacy, Leadership Sioux Falls training, the Young Professionals Network, community development, housing and airport improvement efforts, as well as general quality of life programs.

Startup Sioux Falls – SUSF partners with us to build and promote the entrepreneurial community in the Sioux Falls region. By supporting SUSF through the Forward Sioux Falls initiatives, Sioux Falls has become a rising star in the national entrepreneurial scene.

Local School Districts – Leveraging our Career Connections program as well as our STEM initiatives, local school districts play a vital role in engaging students in career exploration, job shadow, apprenticeship and internship opportunities available with local companies. This allows us to keep our kids here and employ them early.

Higher Education – Partnerships with STC, Augustana, USF, SDSU, USD, and DSU have supported our Talent Recruitment Programs as well as STC’s Health Sciences Clinical Simulation Center, the DSU Cyber Campus, the USD Discovery District Bio-Sciences Center and internships from SDSU, Augustana, and USF.

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance – Serving the regional communities outside of Sioux Falls, SMGA provides support and guidance, connecting them to valuable resources they need to capitalize on the growth and success of the region.

There are, of course, many individuals and business leaders that play a critical role in forming our boards and committees; providing valuable guidance and expertise. Without these valued relationships, we could not be where we are today.

On behalf of the Development Foundation Board of Directors and staff, we say thank you to our partners and the individuals who contribute their time, talent, and treasure to our organization. You are all awesome.

Q2 2022 Chairman’s Report

As the second quarter of 2022 comes to a close, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation is excited to provide a quarterly update on our initiatives. Watch this video to hear from SFDF board chair Kurt Loudenback as he shares his history with the Foundation, what he’s excited about for the future, and more!

Chairman’s Report – Kurt Loudenback