President’s Report: Site Selector Feedback Puts Sioux Falls in A Good Position

By: Bob Mundt, President/CEO

As a long-time member of the National Site Selectors Guild, I was able to join their leadership conference in Nashville recently. The Site Selectors Guild is the only association of the world’s foremost professional site selection consultants. Guild members provide location strategy to corporations across the globe and for every industry, sector, and function. Founded in 2010, the Site Selectors Guild is dedicated to advancing the profession of international corporate site selection by promoting integrity, objectivity, and professional development. Guild membership is the highest standard in the site selection industry.

What I learned in talking to these professionals puts Sioux Falls and South Dakota in a good spot, highlighting several of the major issues influencing corporate site decisions.

• Availability of Industrial Land – Larger markets on the Coasts and in the South are tight for available, affordable, build-ready property, especially in larger tracts. Sioux Falls is positioned with Foundation Park and other available land to attract attention.
• Availability and Costs of Electricity – Hot markets in the South and West are reaching their maximum capacity for electrical power. Data centers and other high-use energy users are clamoring to find new markets for their operations. Sioux Falls and the Midwest are able to meet their energy needs.
• Availability of Water – Again, the availability and cost of water and water reclamation are negatively affecting the Coasts and the South. Manufacturing and processing operations that use water in their production are looking to the Midwest and South Dakota for expansion.
• Taxes and Operational Costs – Companies are looking to low-tax states and states with lower operating costs including transportation, labor, housing, and general quality of life initiatives. Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities check the box on all those.
• Quality of Life/Political Environment – More site selectors and companies are ranking quality of place as a key factor in determining location decisions. Education, political stability, recreational opportunities, cultural options, and quality environmental practices are playing a greater part in relocation decisions. Sioux Falls has these traits as well.

The feedback from over 50 site selectors puts Sioux Falls in a good position to capitalize on these trends. The Development Foundation will continue to market our product to these selectors and the companies they represent. We know we can compete, and we offer more than financial incentives. We offer a quality workforce in a quality environment conducive to more profitable operations and a quality of life for employees that is equal or better than our competitors. What better reason to consider Sioux Falls?