Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce Digital Newsletter Q1, 2023

ISSUE 29 l WINTER 2023

Letter From The immediate past President

Farewell from your 2022 Chamber President

Happy 2023! Seems just like yesterday I was announcing that I would be your 2022 Chamber Board of Director President and here we are now gearing up for an exciting 2023 with your new president, Ashlie Matthews with Black Hills Federal Credit Union.

2022 was an amazing year for the Chamber. We had so many volunteers step up this year to help us bring a vision that we had been creating for several years to life. If you haven’t had an opportunity to do so yet, please check out the latest Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce website: www. hartfordsdchamber.org along with downloading our newest APP: #DiscoverHartford. These were both big projects that we are excited about as it will truly allow us to connect our business members with our community supporters and residents. We hope you enjoy them both as much as we all do!

We also had some amazing events: Annual Banquet, #DiscoverHartford Week, Hartford Block Party, Golf Tourney, Trunk or

Treat and Hometown Christmas Breakfast. All of these were a huge success because of our amazing Chamber Committee's Volunteers: Events, Marketing & Ambassadors. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to these events!

As I close on the chapter on being your 2022 President, I want to thank all the Chamber Committees, Chamber Board Members, Chamber Executive Board Members along with our Executive Director, Amy M. Farr. Like I said earlier, 2022 was a wild ride with significant growth and it couldn’t have been possible without all our amazing volunteers!

Please join me in welcoming our incoming President, Ashlie! When you don’t see her working at Black Hills Federal Credit Union, she loves to travel to all the different rodeo events across the Midwest. We are incredibly blessed to have Ashlie leading the HACC for 2023! 

...2022 was a wild ride with significant growth...

your new Hartford chamber president

Hello! I’m Ashlie Matthews, and I’m thrilled to transition from Vice President to President of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce in 2023! For those that don’t know me, allow me to introduce myself. I grew up on my family’s farm in Northeast Nebraska. My time on the farm taught me many lessons, but most of all, anything deserving requires hard work.

I moved to South Dakota in 2015 and have had the pleasure of calling Hartford home for the past two years. I am the Member Service Center Manager at Black Hills Federal Credit Union’s (BHFCU) downtown Sioux Falls location. One thing I love about working at BHFCU is how they support employees’ passions. The credit union was encouraging when I expressed interest in joining the Hartford Chamber of Commerce and supportive as I continue my leadership role. I can always count on BHFCU to support the Hartford

community and my passions.

In my free time, you can regularly find me on the trails around the Hartford area riding my horses, Gray Pants and Jessie – be sure to wave if you see me! My love of horses extends to teaching riding lessons and participating in barrel racing. I also enjoy spending time with two-legged friends, family, and boyfriend, James.

It has been so exciting to witness Hartford’s growth in such a short time! I look forward to continuing that trend of success with you as a community. My ask to you is that you help by being a part of that success! When you see events and activities in the community, participate or volunteer!

I look forward to an exciting and rewarding year serving as your President! 

2023 Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce President

Letter From The President of the Hartford Area Development Foundation

Looking to the future of businesses in Hartford.

Wow, the first quarter of 2023 has flown by. In the last Chamber Newsletter, we at the HADF shared some announcements pertaining to businesses breaking ground celebrated with groundbreakings. First, the HADF is excited that Dairy Queen opened their doors this past January. As this provides another amenity to Hartford residents. Secondly, watching the landscape changing over the past several months as Maple Pass Apartments and Town-homes are being built and are scheduled to open later this year.

We are excited to see them fill up with current and new Hartford residents. Not to mention, Black Tie Components is currently enclosing its steel frame with plans to open this Spring. Located on Western Ave., next to Unity Rd., a new retail center will break ground this Spring and they are actively being marketed. We look forward to seeing these projects complete the building phase and open their doors to offer jobs to Hartford residents while continuing to support the businesses already established in the community.

Hartford Dental celebrates milestones in 2023

T

he team at Hartford Dental is getting ready to mark not one but two major milestones for the practice in 2023.

This June, the clinic will celebrate 30 years of business, and Dr. Kimberly Bork will celebrate her 10-year anniversary with the practice. The family-owned business has seen steady growth over the last three decades and is proud to be an integral part of the Hartford community.

Dr. Bork’s father, Dr. Scott Mattheis, grew up in Parkston and appreciates the small-town atmosphere. After dental school, he served in the U.S. Navy, and then went on to work in Huron and Sioux Falls before the opportunity to purchase the Hartford clinic arose in 1993.

“When he first started, the office was in downtown Hartford, and it was just one doctor, one assistant and one front office staff. Now, 30 years later, we have two doctors, four hygienists, three assistants and three front office staff,” Dr. Bork said.

She emphasizes the clinic’s strong connection between patients and staff as one of the things that makes Hartford Dental stand out from other practices.

“It’s our focus on our patients — we want them to feel like they are our friends and family, and we pride ourselves in having that more personalized approach, really getting to know our patients and spending a good amount of time with them,” she said.

Dr. Bork grew up watching her father build the practice and make those personal connections, and she says she always knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare.

“I think after seeing how much my dad loved what he did here at the clinic, it was really easy to choose dentistry,” she said.

During the three decades Hartford Dental has been in business, and even over the ten years that Dr. Bork has been practicing, much has changed in the world of dentistry. She notes that a lot of practices are digitizing, and in general, they are seeing more technological advancements in the industry. Though changes continue to arise, the clinic maintains its high-quality service and welcoming atmosphere.

Congratulations to Hartford Dental, one of the community’s longest-running businesses, on these exciting milestones! 

Photo by Hartford Dental Clinic

The family owned business reminisces on 30-years.

Central States implements new scheduling in Hartford

C entral States Manufacturing has been an outstanding employer in the Hartford area since 2013, and the company recently made a scheduling change that employees are appreciating.

Brittany Glanzer, Central States’ human resources business partner, explains that shift workers at the company — about 65 percent of the location’s employees — are now set up on a three-days-on, four-days-off schedule.

“It’s a set schedule, and it rotates, so we have a shift that runs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday one week, and then the following week, it runs Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. So, sometimes they are actually getting a five-day weekend,” she said.

Glanzer says employees have been providing positive feedback on the change, with most noting how they appreciate the additional time with family.

“They don’t have to use vacation hours anymore if they want to take a longer family trip over the weekend. They don’t have to request that time off, they can just plan around their schedule,” she said.

“They also have the flexibility to swap shifts, so if some body needs a day off, they can actually swap with somebody else and help each other out that way as well,” she added.

Photo by Central States MFG

The change has been a boon for recruiting in Hartford, helping the company attract employees who are looking for full-time work but want the flexibility to either add a part-time job to their schedule or simply spend more time with family.

In addition to recruitment, Glanzer adds that the shift change has increased efficiency for the company as well, allowing them to ship out a record 5 million pounds of steel in October 2022.

There are still shift positions available in Hartford.

“ We’re always looking for people to join our family,” Glanzer said.

Central States’ employees enjoy a small, close-knit atmosphere, while still receiving the benefits of a larger company, such as:

∙Medical, dental, and vision insurance

∙Flexible spending accounts

∙4 01(k) plan with a 4% company-funded match

∙Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

∙Profit Sharing Bonus

∙Paid time off for vacation and holidays

To view available positions, visit www.centralstatesmfg. com/careers. If you’re interested in joining the team, reach out to Brittany Glanzer today at bglanzer@centralstatesmfg.com. 

Photos by Central States MFG

Sunshine Foods maintains consistent, hometown atmosphere

Keeping grocery shopping local for over 20 years.

Not much has changed around Sunshine Foods in recent years, and as far as we’re concerned, that’s a good thing.

The Goebel family — husband and wife team, Merlin and Sherri, along with their kids, Jared and Casie has been operating the Hartford location since 2001, but their history in the grocery business goes back even further. Merlin started out in the industry almost 50 years ago, working in stores in Luverne, Minnesota and Flandreau, South Dakota.

In the 20+ years that they’ve been running the Hartford store, the community has enjoyed Sunshine’s welcoming atmosphere and consistent service. In today’s world of big-box retailers and even online grocery options, there’s something extra special about the cozy, hometown feel of the local grocery store.

O ver the last decade, Jared and Casie have begun to take on more responsibility in the store, serving as co-managers and allowing Merlin and Sherri to step back from the business a bit.

Though the roles are shifting, the entire Goebel family remains committed to Sunshine and Hartford. Getting to chat with customers and serve the local community are what keep all four of them engaged in the grocery business.

“It’s great to be part of a close-knit team and community,” said Merlin. “We love providing that friendly, hometown feeling that you get when you walk into Sunshine.”

A s a small, family-owned business, the Goebels are

able to make impactful investments in the store that fit the needs of their customers, rather than being tied to the whims of a larger chain store. Whether that’s improving the in-store displays or the parking lot, or ordering products specifically requested by customers, the team at Sunshine aims to please.

Beyond those intentional improvements as time goes on, the Hartford community can expect the same reliability and consistency from their hometown Sunshine Foods. 

Photo by Sunshine Foods Hartford

Images from many events over the years hosted by Sunshine.

Stay safe this winter with Travis Electric

AWe have experienced one of the longer South Dakota winters and Travis Electric wants to remind clients in Hartford and the surrounding areas to practice electrical safety.

We are now in March, but did you know that home fires occur more in winter than in any other season, with half of all home heating fires happening between December and February. According to owner Travis Kuehl, 1 out of every 7 home fires and 1 out of every 5 home fire deaths involve heating equipment, such as fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators and space heaters.

It’s critical to keep these types of heat sources at least three feet away from any flammable items, and ensure that only one heat-producing appliance is plugged into an electrical outlet at a time. Additionally, portable generators should always be kept outside, away from windows and as far from your home as possible.

Throughout the year, but especially during the cold months, ensure you have the proper amount of fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home and garage. Test these alarms periodically — ideally each month. In addition to maintaining these alarms, your home’s fire doors should always remain closed.

If your home requires an extra heat boost, Kuehl recommends using NRTL-listed space heaters per manufacturer’s instructions. First, however, ensure that your home’s electrical system is set up to handle such appliances, as overloaded circuits can that can trip breakers.

Keep

bhfcu.com

Federally Insured by NCUA

An electrician can analyze your home for overloaded wiring and determine whether you need to update your fuse panels or circuit breakers.

When heavy snowfalls and ice occur, it’s important to be aware of the potential hazards caused by these conditions. Large tree branches can fall on electrical lines, disrupting power and creating a shock hazard.

Chilly conditions can also cause issues if your electrical outlets are unsealed or poorly insulated. An electrician can assist with the installation of listed foam gaskets to provide insulation, or assess the problem further.

For these and all other electrical issues, call your friends at Travis Electric to keep your home and family safe this winter. Kuehl and his team appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve Hartford and the surrounding area. 

Photo by Travis Electric

2023 Chamber Officers

Scott Schrader Vice President

Brittany Glanzer Immediate Past President

Amy M. Farr Executive Director

Ashlie Matthews President

Casie Goebel Secretary

Keith Miller Treasurer

Johnn Cressman Director Cressman Sanitation

Rhonda Erickson Director Midco

Nikkie Steffensen Director Doc Nik's Flowers & Gifts

Roxy Whalen Director Women of Today

Bridget Pliska Director First Interstate Bank

Greg Oleson Director Golden West Telecommunications

Lana Snyder Director Hartford Spinal Care

Stacey Sieverding Director Knapp's Landing

2022 CHAMBER AWARDEES

Every year, members of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce nominate members of the community that deserve recognition for their exemplary contributions to their community. At the Chamber's annual banquet, the winners are awarded and recognized by the peers that nominated them. We are grateful to the people who strive to go above and beyond for the community they serve. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: HARTFORD FIRE & RESCUE

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: MARK O'HARA

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: HARTFORD DENTAL CLINIC

Top (L to R}: Craig Wagner, Brittany Glanzer, Doni Rolfson, Ashlie Matthews (Chamber President) & James Buss. Middle (L to R): Brittany Glanzer, Mark O'Hara, & Ashlie Matthews. Bottom (L to R): Cindy Turner, Dr. Kim Bork, Amy Larson (Chamber Marketing Chair), Janelle Heydi-Leuning, & Melissa Krempges

HARTFORD WELCOMES NEW opportunities TO THE COMMUNITY

CENTURY SQUARE PARK – CITY OF HARTFORD (RENOVATION)

Downtown Hartford

Century Square Park was recently renovated by Gavin Gerlach (Eagle Scout). This was an Eagle Scout project. Gavin showed his leadership skills by securing funding for the project as well as working with some volunteers to add a picnic shelter, and an ADA sidewalk. 

HARTFORD DOG PARK – CITY OF HARTFORD (NEW DOG PARK)

Corner of Hwy 38 and Railroad Street

This was a Girl Scout project where Alexa Larson (Girl Scout) and Rachel Long (Girl Scout) spearheaded fundraising efforts to build this much needed dog park for the City of Hartford. 

HARTFORD-HUMBOLDT RIGHT TO LIFE (20TH ANNIVERSARY)

Hartford- Humboldt SD

Hartford-Humboldt Right to Life celebrated their 20th anniversary. 

Left to Right: Craig Wagner, Amy M. Far, Mayor Arden Jones, Gavin Gerlach, Brittany Glanzer, Casie Goebel, Kristen, & Brad Gerlach.

Left to Right: Lisa Ulmer (with scissors), Casie Goebel (Chamber Board Representative), Roxy Whalen (Chamber Ambassador), Amy M. Farr (Chamber Executive Director), & Members of Hartford Humboldt Right to Life.

Left to Right: Troy and Deana Larson, Alexa Larson, Mayor Arden Jones, Rachel Long, Casie Goebel, Brittany Glanzer & Pastor Seth LaBounty.

PAYROLL VAULT (NEW LOCATION)

108 N. Main Ave.

Payroll Vault is your local payroll and workforce management solution located in Hartford, SD. They provide full-service payroll processing, manage the administration of background checks to full Human Resources services and more. 

UNITY RD (NEW BUSINESS)

404 W. Opal Lane

Local entrepreneurs, Adam Jorgensen and B.J. Olson opened Unity Rd. as the first non-tribal, state-licensed medical cannabis establishment in the state of South Dakota. 

BLACK TIE COMPONENTS (NEW BUSINESS)

N.Western Ave.

Black Tie Components is building a 60,000 plus square foot plant and office facility that will provide fully engineered products for building systems to the Midwest region. 

101E.9th(Hwy38&Main)

Hartford,SD•528-6534

Left to Right: Sherri Goebel, B.J. Olson (co-owner with scissors), Adam Jorgensen (co-owner with scissors), Brian Grocott, Amy M. Farr, & Unity Rd. Representatives.

Left to Right: Stacey Sieverding, Jay Soukup, Jeremy Johnson, Mayor Arden Jones, Paula Johnson (owner), Callie Tuschen, Mark Johnson. Christy Menning, & Amy M. Farr.

Left to Right: Councilman Mark Brenneman, Brittany Glanzer, Amy M. Farr, Randy Snyders, Stephanie Groeneweg, Paul Groeneweg, Robbie Veurink (president), Ashley Veurink, Eric Veurink, Jennifer Veurink, Chad Komnick, & Justin Eich.

MAPLE PASS APARTMENTS & TOWNHOMES

Left to Right: Brittany Glanzer, Crew Heier, Hayden Heier, Jackie Heier, Lonnie Heier (owner), Justin Eich & Mayor Arden Jones.

Left to Right: JJ Gall, Mark Anderson, Gretchen Miller, Brittany Glanzer, Mayor Arden Jones, Josh Kruger, Darin Buskohl, Chris Rans, Amy M. Farr & Josh Kattenberg.

Letter from the HACC Director

2022 was an exciting year for the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce. First, I want to start by thanking our business community for sharing your talented staff with the Chamber. Those staff members sit on the Chamber's board of directors and committees. They lead our great chamber year after year and this last year has been no different! With their time, talents and dedication, and the leadership of then President Brittany Glanzer, the Chamber decided to update the Chamber's website and add a new app: Discover Hartford. This new app provides the residents of Hartford

to see Chamber member information on the go. It also played a vital role in this year's burger battle and will again during #DiscoverHartford. If you have not downloaded the Discover Hartford app, NOW is the time! During #Discover Hartford (May 1ST-6TH), participates will submit their trivia answers through the app. Golden Hearts will be hidden all over town during this week. Find a heart and contact the business on the heart for a prize. This is a great time to go to a business that you may not have had the chance to visit yet. Remember to support local by buying locally. 

Amy M. Farr looks back on 2022 and ahead to 2023.

2023 - 1st Quarter Chamber Member Directory