By: Clark Meyer, 2026 Sioux Falls Development Foundation Board Chair
As we near the halfway point of 2026, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation continues to move forward with grading plans in Foundation Park as more tenants choose to locate in South Dakota’s only mega park. With the 200-acre Smithfield announcement earlier this year and spring building activity in full swing, Foundation Park welcomes Amazon’s last-mile distribution facility, U.S. AutoForce, Krier & Blain, and Lamar, leaving roughly 40 acres south of the railroad tracks available for development.
CJ Schwan’s continues to make great progress on their new processing facility, with plans to open mid-2027. The ground north of CJ Schwan’s is currently being graded in preparation for the Smithfield construction in 2027, with additional prospects looking at remaining lots. Recent reports show that Foundation Park has added millions of dollars to the tax base, benefiting the city, county, and school district as development continues to create taxable property.
As our activity in the park grows, so does our need to attract and retain a talented workforce. Our Intern Sioux Falls, apprenticeship programs, and talent recruitment initiatives continue to improve our talent pipeline along with our tech schools and universities. Our high school programming offers students a path to directly enter the workforce after graduation. With over 400 interns in Sioux Falls this summer, our goal is to show them all Sioux Falls has to offer from a live, work, and play perspective by engaging them in local activities and programs in their non-work hours and also connecting them to the Sioux Falls Young Professionals Network and our non-profit community.
Our work with the new Sanford District is just beginning as we look to establish a structure and a strategic plan to redevelop the site.
Summer is a busy time and a great opportunity to maximize the work we do. We appreciate all the support from our investors and will continue to provide a tangible benefit for your investment.
Thank you for all you do. Have a great summer.