Rapid City's Most Wanted

By Elevate Rapid City

More than 60 out-ofstate businesses are currently looking at Rapid City for relocation or expansion. These businesses represent a wide spectrum of industries like manufacturing, technology, construction, and professional services. They also pay bring higher paying jobs and create an avenue for college graduates wanting to stay in the Black Hills region.

As much as these discussions center on infrastructure, taxes, and workforce, they also revolve around quality of life and amenities. The Black Hills are one-of-a-kind. But amenities also mean shopping, dining, and entertainment—opportunities for existing businesses to expand and grow.

More than 2,400 people responded to a recent survey from Elevate Rapid City to understand what kinds of opportunities people wanted most.

Take a look at how the region voted.

DINING

1. Chick-Fil-A

2. Cheesecake Factory

3. Red Robin

View the top 10 dining options at elevaterapidcity.com

Local Opportunities

One of the more notable trends from the survey was the desire for more brunch options and the need for outdoor, pet-friendly options. Be sure to email matt.brunner@ elevaterapidcity.com if your business is looking to expand and wants to know about how Elevate Rapid City can help.

RETAIL

1. Trader Joe’s

2. Costco

3. Hy-Vee

View the top 10 retail options at elevaterapidcity.com

Local Opportunities

Focus groups identified several needs that could be met by local businesses. Children’s clothing stores seemed to be in high demand as Carter’s and OshKosh were both mentioned a notable number of times. There also seems to be a strong gap in professional attire as women and men both stated a need for more options to shop clothing and shoes.

Entertainment and Amenities

When it comes to outdoor recreation, the Black Hills are second-to-none in what is offered. You don’t have to go far to hit the trails, enjoy scenery, or take advantage of national parks. However, it is also clear that in addition to the natural amenities there is a need for some more built entertainment options. Defining entertainment was one of the largest struggles of the survey as generic concepts better describe the gaps as opposed to specific brands. Trends did begin to emerge, however.

People are looking for opportunities to spend an extended amount of time as a group with either friends and/or children and families. This was clear in the comments and as Top Golf and Dave & Buster’s were in the top 3 of the survey. (We’d definitely recommend checking out the new Game On!)

Secondly, Rapid City is wanting more indoor opportunities and ways to be entertained in the winter months – especially with children. An Interactive Children’s Museum was the #1 voted amenity. Zoos/aquariums, indoor playlands, and roller-skating rinks were commonly mentioned. Another common-thread for family-friendly activities was the request for an amusement or water park.

A final common occurrence was the need for more fitness opportunities. From specialty gyms like Orange Theory to an indoor walking track, there is a gap that seems to exist for group fitness and gym access.