By: Kent Cutler, 2025 Sioux Falls Development Foundation Board Chair
As we approach the last quarter of 2025, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation continues to make progress in all areas of our mission. Recent sales in Foundation Park and several “active” prospects, some of whom are expected to close in the last quarter, indicate that while the economy is volatile, Sioux Falls continues to be attractive to new and expanding business. Building activity in 2026 is expected to be brisk as several of these prospects close and break ground. CJ Schwan’s has begun construction along with the second Amazon facility addressing their last-mile distribution system.
With the purchase of additional ground north of Memory Lane, Foundation Park now reaches 258th Street at the I-90/Renner Exit. We are planning grading and additional road construction in the spring. These purchases give us an additional 150 acres to market to prospects and direct access to an additional Interstate interchange.
Fall marks the beginning of our Talent and Workforce Recruitment plan as we begin our work with universities, tech schools and high schools to recruit tomorrow’s workforce to our jobs in the region. Talent Draft begins in September targeting our six universities. Career Fairs also begin this fall exposing University and High School students to potential careers in the region and encouraging them to stay here to work. Career Connections in six of our high schools are exposing high school students to careers and companies they can work for right after graduation. In addition, our Intern Sioux Falls program is targeting over 100 interns for work opportunities in Sioux Falls and our Talent Rebound program is encouraging alumni from our local universities to return home to utilize their skills here.
As we move into fall, the Board will be planning for the future looking to continue our momentum. The new Forward Sioux Falls IX campaign is setting the stage for remarkable growth in the region. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is positioned to assist in that effort to continue building Sioux Falls. We encourage you to invest in Forward Sioux Falls. You are what makes all our progress possible. Thanks for being a part of it.