Elevate - July 2020

Volume 1. Issue No. 4

JULY 2020

THE

GOOD STUFFED

CONTRIBUTING TO FOOD TRUCK FUN

TOWN CENTRE SOUTH WELCOMES BARBELLS & BREWS

Let the

Good Times Roll Felix Irving begins a backyard revolution

M O N U M E N T H E A LT H

COVID-19 MEDICAL RESPONSE FUND

The Monument Health Foundation has launched the COVID-19 Medical Response Fund to help with community efforts to fight the outbreak of novel coronavirus. The first $15,000 of community donations to this fund will be matched dollar for dollar.

Visit monument.health/response to make a donation. Donations can also be mailed to the Monument Health Foundation at PO Box 6000, Rapid City, SD 57709.

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JULY 2020 Volume 1. Issue No. 4

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BOX ELDER COMPANY CONTINUES TO ADD JOBS

VRC Metal Systems more than tripled its size since relocating a year ago.

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SAUCE BOSS BEGINS A BACKYARD REVOLUTION

Former airman enjoys time in the kitchen building his Beard-BQ brand.

DISCOVER A DIFFERENT WORLD

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

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TOWN CENTRE SOUTH ATTRACTS BREWERY AND FITNESS CENTER

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CEO NOTE Elevate is a monthly publication produced by Elevate Rapid City. It is the premier business magazine for the Black Hills region telling the stories that make our area unique and vibrant.

PO Box 747 Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.1744 elevaterapidcity.com PRESIDENT & CEO Tom Johnson DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP Mitch Nachtigall DIRECTOR OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTOR RELATIONS Brandis Knudsen

Tom Johnson // Elevate Rapid City CEO

Several months ago, wandering through my first winter farmer’s market here in Rapid City, I noticed a guy with a beard who kept laughing and smiling and laughing some more, despite the decreasing temperature outside. As I came closer, I realized why. It wasn’t the beard that kept the guy warm. It was the BBQ sauce he was selling.

Now, I’m not someone who eats a lot of BBQ. Let’s just say that I’ve spent a good chunk of my time in Rapid City trying to track down some purple kale. So I thought I’d be polite and say “hi” to the guy. I thought it would take about ten seconds and then I would be on my way.

Ten minutes later, I walked out with the BBQ sauce.

Why? Felix Irving. The owner of Beard BQ. The Sauce Boss. A veteran who served his country. The guy with a beard who gave me a sample of BBQ sauce and convinced me that it would taste just fine mixed in with some vegetables.

And since that day, since trusting my gut (literally), I’ve not been disappointed. Felix was right. The BBQ sauce has been great. Even with the purple kale.

Welcome to the July issue of Elevate, where we always trust our gut, or as The Sauce Boss says, “trust your vibe.” This month we trust you’re going to enjoy a little sauce on everything. Our cover story, about Felix Irving and his company, Beard BQ. It’s sure to whet your appetite. Then there’s a second helping of entrepreneurship with the growth story of VRC Systems, located in Box Elder. If the food truck scene is more your thing, then you’ll be hungry for our piece about The Good Stuffed Food Truck, which has been on the Rapid City scene since 2017. No matter what your taste, we’ve got something for you in this issue.

And what about the veggies?

I'll take mine with a little BBQ sauce if you don't mind.

Stay safe and god speed.

EVENTS & TRAINING MANAGER Rachel Day PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR Anna Hays COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Shiloh Francis CREATIVE SERVICES Andy Greenman FINANCE DIRECTOR Dana Borowski FINANCE MANAGER Debbie Leber HR COORDINATOR/ OFFICE MANAGER Liz Highland EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Becky Knox ADMIN & DATA SERVICES COORDINATOR Loni Reichert PUBLISHED BY THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL Matt Tranquill, Publisher PRINTED BY SIMPSON PRINTING Dan Simpson, Printer

ON THE COVER

Felix Irving proudly poses next to his Beard-BQ Sauce products in his kitchen.

Photo by Shiloh Francis

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

COMMENTS JOLLY LANE GREENHOUSE We're lucky to have the nurseries we do around here.

50 years is incredible.

Ty Jurgens

I LOVE Jolly Lane!

Thank you for featuring them!

Heather Hoeye

BLACK HILLS BARBERSHOP What an awesome article, so on point, and intimate as well as informative.

Dom you have such a business sense, I believe what ever you decide to do in life you will be successful.

CELEBRATE FREEDOM WITH

FIREWORKS This year fireworks return to Mt. Rushmore.

A tradition that started in 1998.

July 2

Belle Fourche, Annual Black Hills Roundup

Charles Rencountre

I Love watching people succeed. Truly a great one.

Jeff Markworth

I am so proud of you my sweet Dom Clucas!!! You deserve it!!! Hard work and following the rules pays off! Stay safe...Keep KILLING IT!!!

Lisa Fladen

CONNECT WITH US! Follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/ElevateRapidCity), Instagram (@elevaterapidcity), LinkedIn (/company/elevate-rapid-city) Twitter (@Elevate_RC), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/2ABRByL).

Share your thoughts and help us Elevate Rapid City together!

Just want to send a rant? Email: magazine@elevaterapidcity.com

July 3

Belle Fourche, Annual Black Hills Roundup Mt. Rushmore Sturgis, Fairgrounds

July 4

Custer, Pageant Hill Hot Springs Interior, Frontier Days Rodeo & Fireworks Phillip, Lake Waggoner Piedmont, The Barn Rapid City, Executive Golf Course Rapid City, Black Hills Speedway Rapid City, Post 22 Firecracker Tournament

July 10

Wall, Community Golf Course

For more details contact event organizers.

elevaterapidcity.com

7

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Box Elder's VRC Metal Systems continues to add jobs in former school Story by Tanya Manus, Rapid City Journal // Photos by Andy Greenman

deal. The property is about 10 acres total so we VRC Metal Systems more than tripled the size have room to expand beyond our current building, of its facility and added 20 jobs since relocating so we have plans for additional facilities in the to Box Elder a year ago. future.”

VRC is an Ascent Innovation success story, As VRC’s facility expanded, so did its work force. spending five years in the business incubator In the past year, VRC has grown from about 45 to center — plus renting additional space in Rapid 65 employees and has plans to add more.

City — before moving to the former Vandenberg “We’re still hiring. We have about four positions Elementary School near Ellsworth Air Force Base. open right now,” Hrabe said. “We are continuing to VRC previously occupied 16,000 square feet of expand. We expect about a year space at its two sites. Buying and from now we will be at over 100 putting $6 million in renovations employees.” into the former school allowed VRC provides equipment VRC to expand to 55,000 square feet. Purchasing an existing and services for cold spray building instead of constructing technology – essentially cold welding – and other coatings a new one was a money-saving that, among other uses, are option that meant VRC could effective for airplane parts. Its grow without using as much Rob Hrabe, CEO of VRC Metal capital, CEO Rob Hrabe said. new location near Ellsworth Air Force Base will be a boon for the company. In May, “The building is suitable for everything we’re Sen. Mike Rounds announced Ellsworth Air Force doing right now and we have room to expand,” Base will be the preferred site for the new B-21 Hrabe said. “We build equipment, we design equipment and we do process development for bomber. At least 100 of the B-21 planes, designed

by Northrop Grumman, are being built. customers. … Having the additional space is a big

"We expect about a year from now we will be at over 100 employees.”

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

ready to Grow.

Behind every business and bold move were those who believed it was possible to do more. We’re proud to support and energize our community’s dreams.

Visit blackhillsenergy.com/growing to learn more.

elevaterapidcity.com

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VRC’s proximity “will be an opportunity to get cold spray technology incorporated into the regular maintenance process for B-21s. It’s going to be about five years before actual aircraft arrives, but there will be a lot of facility construction, a need for facility space and space for contractors. A lot of them will be potential customers for us,” Hrabe said.

Hrabe said partnerships with Ascent Innovation and others have been vital to VRC’s growth.

“It was a huge benefit to us — the partnerships we have with local economic development folks, the Small Business Administration, the state economic development folks and the congressional delegation,” Hrabe said. “John Thune has been to our place. Mike Rounds has been helping us with a lot of Department of Defense contract work, as well as Dusty Johnson. It’s been a team effort. I don’t think we would be able to grow at the rate we’re doing without all those folks helping us out.”

The COVID-19 have had some impact on VRC services, Hrabe said.

“One of the things we do is deliver and install equipment at other people’s facilities across the country and we were not able to install any of those systems during the shutdown,” he said. “It didn’t stop us from continuing to expand. It just delayed a lot of our deliveries.”

For more information, go to vrcmetalsystems.com.

"It’s going to be about five years before actual aircraft arrives, but there will be a lot of facility construction, a need for facility space and space for contractors."

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

2019

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT

We’re glad to have you back in West river.

What is it like working for one of the largest employers in the state?

I feel very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to continue my career with Black Hills Energy. The opportunity to work for a publicly traded company, while still getting the benefits of living in Rapid City, have been amazing. The opportunities afforded me and the ability to advance my career within a larger employer have been amazing. The quality of employees at Black Hills Energy pushes me to grow professionally every day. I am beyond blessed to have found a home with them.

CONNECT WITH YPG: rapidcityoungprofessionalsgroup

STACEY DENKE

Accounting Manager // Black Hills Energy Tell us about yourself.

I grew up on a family ranch near Wall.

I never expected to stay around Western South Dakota, but after going to college and working in Sioux Falls for 9 years, I decided to move back in 2016.

I took a job with Black Hills Energy and now currently lead their Corporate Accounting team.

As for outside of work, I have really enjoyed rediscovering the Black Hills – you can usually find me on a hiking trail or at a lake in my kayak in my free time.

I also enjoy connecting with my friends, checking out breweries, reading and taking my two pups to the dog park.

Tell us about your involvement in the Young Professional Group.

When asked what I miss about Sioux Falls, my answer was always that I missed the plethora of young professionals. I had found finding like-minded, younger, individuals in my new community was challenging. Enter YPG of Rapid City. I attended my first gathering in March of 2019 and it was the group I had been searching to find. I have met so many new friends and grown my network exponentially.

I have gotten involved in the Membership and Community Involvement sub-committees and decided, last year, to join the Steering Committee. One of my passions is connecting people. I have loved the opportunity YPG allows me to either connect with new individuals myself or help individuals grow their network or find mentorship opportunities within my network.

What does the Steering Committee have planned?

The Steering Committee is always looking for new and fun ways to offer value for our members! In addition to our monthly social events, we are looking for new and fun ways to get our members involved in the community, grow and develop professionally, and connect with others. To go along with my passion for helping people connect, we’re kicking off a new opportunity called “Coffee Connections."

We want to give our members an opportunity to connect with a leader in the community – whether this leads to an expanded network, a new mentorship relationship or just an enjoyable hour of coffee will be up to our members and the community leader. Look for communication in the near future. If anyone has ideas of how else we can further provide value as a group – let us know!

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

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ADVOCACY

Strengthening Your Voice in the Black Hills Life as a resident of the Black Hills region is not one to be taken for granted. It is an ideal balance of a tight-knit community with an attitude of independence. These combined factors have strongly contributed to the region’s ability to avoid the “boom-and-bust” fate of so many communities. For years the area has flown under the radar as Sioux Falls and surrounding metros have taken the lead in economic growth.

Anna Hays

You have power to influence the future economic development of the Black Hills

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

As the region begins to grow, Elevate Rapid City is committed to leading the state in smart, quality economic development. This is the time to chart the course for a level playing field and advocate for policies and ideas that support the unique way of life in the Black Hills, while also building a runway for advancement.

But what does that look like? What does that mean for you?

When you go to the polls, you are not simply voting for the name you recognize. You’re choosing someone to represent your interests and to make good decisions on your behalf. Elevate also plays a strong role with a full-time lobbyist present throughout each legislative session. This leads to direct relationship-building with policymakers and ensures someone dedicated to your cause is speaking out for bills that may harm the local business community.

Business growth in Rapid City means more jobs and opportunities for students as they graduate and want to stay here. It means more revenue to improve parks and roads, it means more doctors and quality health care. Take tourism for example: The strength of that industry alone means you paid $890 less in state taxes in 2019 due to visitor spending.

Elevate is stepping out from the sideline when it comes the political actions of our state and establishing Rapid City as a community supporting proactive leaders of good policy. But we cannot do this alone. The business community must engage in the process. Elevate relies on the feedback of investors and the business community at large to speak out about resources, ideas, and the struggles they experience in order to drive this change. Having a voice for business directly in Pierre is a powerful tool of both persuasion and protection.

You have power to influence the future economic development of the Black Hills region. Your vote, your voice, and your ideas are needed. If you want to ensure a vibrant community for generations to come, you Get involved: cannot stay on the sidelines. elevaterapidcity.com/advocacy Get engaged with Elevate Rapid City and learn more about the work being done to ensure quality growth for the region.

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ADVOCACY

June 2, 2020

PRIMARY RESULTS United States Senator Mike Rounds Scyller J Borglum

55,700 18,875

United States Representative Dusty Johnson Liz Marty May

56,598 17,755

South Dakota Senate DISTRICT 30 Julie Frye-Mueller George H. Kotti

DISTRICT 31 2,477 2,197

DISTRICT 33 David Johnson Janet Jensen

Timothy R. Johns John E. Teupel

2,020 1,423

DISTRICT 34 2,264 1,807

Jessica Castleberry Kevin Quick

1,442 551

South Dakota Representative DISTRICT 30 Tim R. Goodwin Trish Ladner Florence Thompson Kwinn Neff

DISTRICT 31 3,488 1,438 1,375 1,358

Scott Odenbach Mary Fitzgerald Brandon D. Flanagan Dayle D. Hammock Julie Ann Olson

2,831 2,297 1,620

Mike Derby Jess Olson Jodie Frye

DISTRICT 33 Taffy Howard Phil Jensen Melanie Torno

DISTRICT 34

Watch previous town halls as you prepare for the November 3 election.

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

1,871 1,362 1,226 935 805 2,194 1,899 1,421

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

Sauce

BOSS Begins A

Backyard

n o i t u l o v Re Rapid City in

STORY AND PHOTOS by

Shiloh Francis elevaterapidcity.com

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

SAUCE BOSS

Transitioning from airman to civilian left Felix “Sauce Boss” Irving feeling something was missing. He no longer had his brothers in arms to laugh and work with. There was a lack of a mission.

Looking back on his childhood in Louisiana, food was always at the center of Irving’s life. From his parents to great grandparents, he learned how to cook. “My momma always said her son needed to be able to fend for himself. I was raised to cook and clean and everything in between.” But there was an even deeper lesson there. Irving began to see the way food brings people together.

Becoming the Sauce Boss

With a large group of friends and family in town to celebrate his wedding, Irving found himself with all of the meat ready to cook but no sauce. He turned to Google and discovered he only had half the ingredients to make his own. The solution to his problem? Do what any good New Orleans boy would do: make it up.

“All my friends knew I loved bourbon, and I got a lot of bottles as a gift,” Felix laughed. “I needed to ‘church it up’ so I finished the sauce off with a splash of Bourbon for a blessing.” By the time the weekend was over the newlyweds found themselves with no leftovers and an overwhelming demand to know where he bought the sauce.

All my life I would trust The Vibe and it never failed me.

Trust the Vibe

That weekend sparked an inspiration. “All my life I would trust The Vibe and it never failed me,” he reflected. “I was getting a vibe (and a nudge from my wife) I needed to make the sauce.”

After several weekends of trial and error with his wife Amber, the couple finally settled on the recipe and Beard-BQ sauce was born. As he’d meet people who heard about the sauce through word of mouth, it became clear that this Vibe was paying off. Beard-BQ was more than a weekend success and a few jars for friends.

Felix began selling his sauce at area vendor shows like Kountry Junkin and can now be spotted at the Black Hills Farmers Market in addition to his online sales.

“I just love meeting people,” answered Felix when asked what he enjoyed most about his business. He can be found at his booth talking, laughing and sharing tips, tricks and recipes. “I was able to share tips with one guy who was so excited about his brand new smoker…and the very next show he came back to tell me all about the tips he learned from me!”

Felix found vendor shows to be a great way to get the word out, but the Farmers Market is where he feels at home. “There are local ranchers selling meat and Beard-BQ is the perfect compliment to that…it’s my real tie to the community.”

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

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Local. Small. Everywhere.

Three words to best describe how Felix plans to grow Beard-BQ. The sauces are shipped all over the United States, but he loves being able to support and promote other Rapid City businesses. “The Pool & Spa Center should really be called the Pool and Sauce Center if you ask me!

They sell all sorts of sauce!” Selling locally not only allows him to passionately support local businesses, but once again gives him a tie to the community. Many customers have been in store looking a jar of sauce, only to find themselves speaking with the Sauce Boss himself.

Iriving has been able to grow his sales enough to now be working full-time for himself. This has allowed him to expand marketing efforts to a Podcast and Youtube series where he shares recipes and cooking tips. “People think cooking is hard. I want to show them that it really isn’t.” It’s more than a sauce to him, it’s about starting a revolution.

Life in the Black Hills

Enlisting in the Air Force, Irving quickly found himself in a whole new world. His first assignment was in North Dakota and later to South Korea. “I passed Geography, but I still had to get a map to figure out where the heck North Dakota was!” When at last the day came to learn of his assignment back in the States, the captain delivered the news through a locked door: Felix was being stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

“My captain expected me to be upset, but honestly I loved the people of the Midwest.”

While getting the same friendliness he found in North Dakota, Irving was even more excited to discover everything there was to do in the Black Hills. “I can hike, go shooting or just enjoy a great drive, I love it here!” And he has no plans of leaving.

Hiring Veterans

Long-term, Felix hopes to grow Beard-BQ to a full manufacturing facility in Rapid City. More than anything, he has a heart for hiring Veterans. “People don’t realize that when you leave the military it’s like losing your family,” he reflects. “I want to bring that back.” Whether it’s regular staff barbecues or adventures in the Hills, he believes that while there’s work to be done, it’s not worth doing if you aren’t having fun.

Or as they say in Louisiana: laissez les bon temps rouler ("Lay-say le bon tom roo-lay")…"let the good times roll!”

Revolutionize your next meal.

Find Beard-BQ at these Rapid City stores: Pool & Spa Center  Black Hills Fireplace Staple and Spice  Someone’s in the Kitchen Dakota Seafood  Time Square Liquor

I passed Geography, but I still had to get a map to figure out where the heck North Dakota was!

Bacon wrapped Shrimp

Watch Felix create this great appetizer on the Elevate Rapid City YouTube channel.

elevaterapidcity.com

25

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Commercial development attracts brewery and fitness center

TJ and Angelica Wojtanowicz are hoping to create a sense of community for south Rapid City Story by Shiloh Francis // Photos by Andy Greenman

“Don’t short change your vision.” That’s become the guiding force for Angelica and TJ Wojtanowicz as they create Town Centre South. Located at 4905 5th Street, this commercial development will be more than office suites. The Black Hills Realty brokers are looking to create a central hub and sense of community for south Rapid City.

The four-suite office building is the new home for Black Hills Realty and will be joined by Evolved Gym and Cohort Craft Brewery by their planned grand opening date later this fall. The fresh, different curb appeal instantly catches your eye as you drive by, but the overall vision for this space is so much more.

Family-friendly food truck nights, concerts, and farmers markets; there are very few options off the table for what this development will become. They created the space to be functional with an abundance of parking in anticipation of welcoming the community.

Black Hills Building

TJ and Angelica Wojtanowicz 26

E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

The Rapid City Building Services Division issued 360 permits valued at over $15 million in May. This marks the secondmost building permits for the month of May since 2015.

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“Business owners need to be passionate and show up.”

Angelica and TJ have a passion for small businesses and the growth of Rapid City, which spurred them to partner with Dr. Stephen and Hillary Khachikian and invest in developing Town Centre South.

“People often talk about how they want the cool shops and restaurants to come to Rapid City, but they don’t shop and support them,” Angelica shared. This is in part why they did not let “just any business” come into the development.

They want to partner with businesses that share the community-centered vision. While the public needs to shop and support local businesses, Angelica would also add that it’s up to the owners to create the right atmosphere as well, “business owners need to be passionate and show up.” As someone who owned a boutique in downtown Rapid City for eight years, it’s safe to say she speaks from experience.

This is only the first set of office suites.

Plans are beginning for a second building with the hopes of adding a restaurant and retail. Interested businesses can contact them at tw@bhsdrealty.com or call 605.863.1920.

Black Hills Realty

Black Hills Realty was established in 2017 with a goal to achieve a process that encompassed hard work, integrity, and a client-first mindset. Today, it has grown into a team of like-minded agents, who share the same vision to provide exceptional client service. Black Hills Realty will continue growth this upcoming year in the new space. Offering great service, while still serving client's needs in a boutique style real estate model, client satisfaction is their number one priority.

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Cohort Craft Brewery

Cohort Craft Brewery ethos is based on community, making it a perfect fit for Town Centre South. Most beer will be sold on site through the taproom or from a drive thru window, affectionately named the “brew thru.” Expect the taproom to be warm and inviting, whether you just want a pint, or you want to delve deep into conversation.

Who's filling Town Centre South?

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

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Evolve is a cutting edge facility for optimum health featuring 1-on-1 or group nutrition coaching, group & semi-private strength training programs, and state of the art Red Light Therapy.

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Their certified team of nutrition coaches and personal trainers have helped hundreds of people in Rapid City in just the past year take back their health for good. Evolve gives you the tools, accountability, and community to ensure long term success.

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Let’s get started today, ask me how!

Cyrissa Thompson Treasury Management Specialist

14 Saint Joseph St. Rapid City, SD 605.737.9361

605.342.5587 - northwestpipe.com elevaterapidcity.com

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SMALL BUSINESS

FOOD TRUCK FRENZY

Family lands in Rapid City to get the community stuffed

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Ashley & Jesse Lee, owners of The Good Stuffed Food Truck, want you to get stuffed.

The Cook

The Server

After many years of big city living, Jesse Lee decided he needed a change. Inspired by the food truck scene in Fort Collins, Lee purchased a truck and began stuffing burgers. Six months after his first sale, the Lees decided to relocate.

It’s a family affair with Jesse creating the mouth watering meals while his wife Ashley takes and delivers orders with their son Brayden.

In order to be closer to family in North Dakota, the Lees moved to the Black Hills and began a new chapter in Good Stuffed. They felt Rapid City would be the ideal place to settle.

“We’d always vacationed here and come back to the Black Hills quite a bit so we just figured what a [great] landing spot it would be,” says Jesse.

They saw opportunity in the Black Hills when as few as five trucks covered the region in early 2017.

Their determination and quality made The Good Stuffed standout. Burger lovers have learned where The Good Stuffed sets up during the Central States Fair, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and other annual events.

"Everybody wants a food truck now to be part of their event and we’re glad to see that happen.”

Jess Lee, Co-owner of The Good Stuffed

The Food

If you cannot find the truck, just follow your nose.

The popular Popper Burger is a fresh patty stuffed with bacon and topped with pepperjack cheese, jalapeño cream cheese and raspberry jalapeño jelly made by Deb’s Downhome Delights. A partnership Jesse is proud to have.

“We love using all the local people we can. She does an amazing job making all of our local jellies we use.”

Burgers are not the only draw. Try their grilled cheese, gyros, fresh cut fries or garlic parm tots featuring a homemade garlic aioli that “everyone loves.”

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It takes a local business owner to protect one.

Andrew A Ainslie Ins Agcy Inc Andy A Ainslie, Agent 1839 West Main Street Rapid City, SD 57702 Bus: 605-348-3338

As a small business owner in our community, I understand what it takes to protect your small business. Let me help you get insurance for your business at a great value.

Stop in or give me a call.

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm Florida Insurance Company, Winter Haven, Florida State Farm Lloyds, Richardson, TX 1706444

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

Jesse, Ashley and Brayden Lee

The Good Stuffed served many hungry faces this spring as restaurants closed due to COVID-19. Without being able to eat in public places, customers flocked to food trucks as they were able to operate. But it's not all smooth sailing for the food truck business.

The pandemic has cancelled many summer events that food trucks rely on to stay in the green. They are unable to setup at the weekly Summer Nights series, Hills Alive music festival and many more. Their focus instead will be on selling from local shops like Lost Cabin Beer Co., Box Elder True Value and Family Food Truck Night at Sioux Park every Tuesday – an idea they brought to Rapid City via Fort Collins.

Even with all the challenges, Jesse sees an exciting future for food trucks in Rapid City.

He has full intentions on purchasing a second truck before next summer to accommodate the need for attending multiple events at the same time.

“We don’t have any days available left to book because of the events we’re a part of. We get calls all summer that we have to turn down because we need another truck.

Everybody wants a food truck now to be part of their event and we’re glad to see that happen.”

BBQ Bacon Stuffed Burger with Fries elevaterapidcity.com

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IN THE NEWS

1,033 blood donations and $50,000 donated through community partnership Vitalant (Vye-TAL-ent) surpassed their goal of 1,000 blood donations for the month of May through the ‘Make the Most out the Moment’ partnership.

The partnership between Vitalant, the John T. Vucurevich Foundation (JTVF) and United Way of the Black Hills (UWBH) encouraged blood donations to fulfill the shortage in the Black Hills community due to the impact of COVID-19.

For every 100 scheduled blood donations at Vitalant in Rapid City in the month of May, the JTVF made a donation of $5,000 to the UNITED We Stand COVID-19 Response Fund. As a result of a little over 1,000 blood donations, the JTVF made a generous donation of $50,000 to the UNITED We Stand COVID-19 Response Fund.

John T. Vucurevich Foundation CEO Alan Solano presented a check to United Way Executive Director Jamie Toennies in front of Vitalant’s Rapid City donation center.

“The John T Vucurevich Foundation is thrilled to see our community’s response to the need for blood products especially during these trying times. We are equally as proud of the partnership we formed to make the most of the moment between us, Vitalant and the United Way of the Black Hills” says Solano.

Those interested in scheduling a blood donation may do so by visiting www.vitalant.org.

To learn more about the UNITED We Stand COVID-19 Relief Fund, please visit www.unitedwayblackhills.org/coronavirus-information.

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BA C K P O P U BY DE M A L AR N D!

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

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IN THE NEWS

Black Hills Parks & Forests Liberty Superstores delivers N95 Association Announces Re-Opening masks to first responders Plans for Select Public Land Stores Don and Max Patnoe and staff at Liberty Superstores Black Hills Parks & Forests Association (BHPFA) will open Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument Park stores with guidance from the CDC and their National Park Service partners. Hand sanitizer stations and store rearrangements have been implemented to provide a safe shopping environment for visitors and BHPFA staff. All staff are required to wear facemasks and visitors are highly encouraged to wear masks as well.

The Wind Cave National Park store opened Monday, June 22, 2020 at 8:30 am and be open daily until 4pm.

The visitor center will remain closed and cave tours are suspended due to elevator repairs. Jewel Cave National Monument’s visitor center and store are scheduled to open on Sunday June 28, 2020 at 8:30am and be open daily until 4pm. All exhibits and the new park film will be accessible to the public. Cave tours are suspended until CDC social distancing guidelines are lifted. The Pactola Visitor Center of Black Hills National Forest will remain closed for the season. Forest Service District offices are open by appointment only. For campground information, please visit www.recreation.gov. In addition to the store openings, BHPFA will continue to process online orders at www. blackhillsparks.org.

BHPFA is an official non-profit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Black Hills National Forest, Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands and the National Grasslands Visitor Center.

BHPFA operates 14 retail stores for these five agencies. A portion of store proceeds is provided to the partners for educational materials and programs. The 2020 allocation to partners is $79,300. This significant funding fills gaps left by federal funding shortfalls and allows BHPFA partners to fulfill their critical missions of sustaining and preserving our natural legacies. For more information about Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, check out the website at www. blackhillsparks.org or call 605-745-7020.

Young Professionals Group

Book Club Starting in July!

The first book featured is 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell. Email erin. michelle.jarvis@gmail. com to get a copy. Hurry, only the first ten copies are provided by the YPG. Must sign up by July 3.

delivered 600 N95 masks to the men and women on the front lines protecting Rapid City and Pennington County.

The masks will be shared by Pennington County Sherrif's Office, Rapid City Police and Fire Departments.

Outdoor movie experience in Box Elder on July 24

Box Elder has teamed up with Midco and The Elks Theatre for a special family dinner and movie at 420 Villa Drive. Come and enjoy food trucks, music, games, prizes beginning at 5:00 p.m. The movie will begin at dusk. We encourage folks to bring blankets, chairs, and the whole family.

United Way of the Black Hills awards $30,000 to three grant recipients through UNITED We Stand COVID-19 Relief Fund

United Way of the Black Hills (UWBH) announced three more grant awards to nonprofit organizations in the amount of $30,000; for a total of $190,444 awarded to 26 organizations. To date, grant recipients have reported that 52,586 lives have been impact by the UNITED We Stand COVID-19 Relief Fund. the UNITED We Stand has raised a total of $474,080.42.

United We Stand Relief fund recipients: YMCA Childcare Centers in Rapid City and Custer $20,000 Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Health Board (GPTCHB) - $7,500 MakeSPACE Spearfish Partnership For Arts - $2,500

Question: What do I do with visitation and exchanges of our child(ren) during COVID-19?

Answer: First and foremost, we as a community and Nation will arrive on the other side of this crisis. Try to maintain the visitation schedule as much as possible for the child(ren). Communicate with the other parent about fears without condemnation. If visitation is postponed because there is a risk of exposure to your child(ren), then assure the child(ren) and develop with the child(ren) and other parent a schedule for make-up time. Use video platforms if available. Child(ren) need to know the other parent is OK, too.

Lorie D. Melone 1107 Mt. Rushmore Road, Suite #3A Rapid City, SD 57701 Phone: 605-791-4950 Lorie D. Melone • Family Law Attorney & Certified Mediator

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ASCENT INNOVATION

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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates James Tomich, Brett Trotter, and Josh Hammell created a unique business model here in Rapid City, Endlas.

There aren’t many specialists in the world that do laser materials processing and Endlas is incredibly innovative in their approach. “People in the industry think we are crazy, that what we are doing isn’t real,” says Tomich. Their goal is to always refine their technology, to make products with increasingly longer lifespans. “It’s challenging, what we do is not just solving a simple problem.”

And they are continuing to solve more problems, looking to diversify their business into the consumer products market in the knife world, as well as contracting in the defense industry. Tomich says, “one of the principle approaches guiding us — every situation in industry has similarities to other things we have done. Nothing is ever a panacea solution.”

Learn more at ascent-innovation.com.

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Plastics1 Metals

Sharp Dull

Manual Robotic

Big Bang Theory Friends2

PLC Internet of Things

Fishing Jet Ski3 Forensics4 Psychology

3D Printing Blended Manufacturing5

Local Wine Craft Beer6

Unified Theory Infinitely Complex7

Brad Paisley Daft Punk Undiscovered Matter Dark Matter

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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JULY 2020

James Tomich 1) Plastics are not resilient enough. 2) If you're going to hang out with real scientists and nerds they're more like the people from Friends than Big Bang Theory. 3) I don't like torturing fish. 4) Forensics is more of a technical and procedural approach. 5) Save time and materials with blended manufacturing. 6) Bruce Banner APA by Lost Cabin is my favorite. 7) The deeper you dig the more complex it gets.

That's being accessed across all technologies.

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