By: Kent Cutler, 2025 Sioux Falls Development Foundation Board Chair
A year ago, when I became the Chair of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, I didn’t anticipate the amount of activity we’ve seen. From our efforts in business attraction, retention/expansion, and talent/workforce to our involvement in housing and redevelopment, the Development Foundation continues to lead the way in writing the next chapter of progress in Sioux Falls.
Our success in selling land in Foundation Park to companies like Amazon and Krier & Blain are a testament to the active business environment and the expansion of our tax base that was planned by previous leaders. Indeed, our success has led the Foundation to purchase more land; expanding Foundation Park to the northern edge of our city limits.
Our talent and workforce efforts continue to expose and attract more candidates to Sioux Falls, providing a qualified talent pool for our business community. We are working with our partners at the city to formulate new plans for housing growth and developing a mechanism to aid potential first-time home buyers.
With the Forward Sioux Falls IX campaign in full swing, volunteers and community leaders are raising $18 million to help fund these efforts over the next five years. Continuing our success through the last campaign, Forward Sioux Falls leadership has again targeted the four towers for development – Economic Development, Talent & Workforce Development, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Public Policy & Community Improvement.
While existing programs will continue to address areas mentioned above, new programs including the Community Land Trust, Falls Area Development Corporation, and Special Project Management funding will address many opportunities identified in the feasibility study.
I want to thank all of our Board members for their involvement and expertise during this past year. A special thank you to the three members going off the Board, Ryan Boschee, Kira Kimball, and Clint Ackerman, who have been an integral part of our growth and development over the past six years. Your expertise will be missed.
I also want to welcome our three new Board members – Roger Weber, David Doxtad, and Rob Fagnan for the commitment to serve and engage in moving our organization forward. We are looking forward to utilizing your expertise.
Additionally, a special thank you and job well done to the staff of the Development Foundation. Without their dedication and commitment to carrying out the day-to-day work, this organization would cease to exist. We are proud to have all of them working on behalf of the Foundation.
Sioux Falls is growing and with these efforts we will continue to meet the challenges of a changing community. We hope you will choose to be a part of this ongoing effort and we thank you for your investment.
It’s been a pleasure serving as the Chair of the Board and thank you to all those who have supported our efforts this past year. I look forward to 2026.