Wall Economic Development Corporation had their annual meeting Wednesday, November 20th.
The meeting was a success with announcement of award winners and speech from Colonel Paul I. Koecher from Elsworth Airforce base and board member elections. Election of 2 board members, one return Lindsy Reagle and new member Stephane Volmer. Colonel Koecher talked about the expansion of the base and incoming B-21 plane. We presented four awards.
The first award, Business development went to Dawn Richer, who created and opened Bin 2 Quinn. She turned old grain bins into 2 story cabins. A senior project for her son turned into a thriving business. Offering Cabins, RV parking and camp sites. Business Retention and expansion went to Kim and Tanner Handcock for Treat U Boutique. Started as clothing boutique they expanded into a new Facility and added beauty services. Kim loves that this space allows for others to purse their dreams and provide services for the people of the Wall Community. Community enhancement went to Stephon Stone, our youngest recipient at 10 years old. For the past three years, this individual has been the heart and hands behind the beautiful flowers that line Main Street, But the impact doesn’t stop with the flowers. This person is always ready to roll up his sleeves, joining community clean-ups to help keep the town looking its best, and a dependable helper at local events, bringing a positive attitude to every task.
And the Final award for Friends of Wall Economic Development Corporation went to 2 people. Heart and soul of Wall these 2 make everything run, have all the knowledge you would need about Wall and its community, always there to lend a hand and do it with a smile. WEDC was proud to present this award to Katie Bruce and Carolynn Anderson. Katie is the executive director for the Wall Chamber of Commerce and Carolynn has been the city financial officer and so much more for over 17 years. WEDC thanks all those who help and support our organization.
Rochan Burrell & Katie Bruce
Kim Handcock – Treat U Boutique; Stephon Stone & Board Member Gina Kraut
Major Mary Williams, Col. Paul I. Koecher, President Dawn Hilgenkamp
Carolynn Anderson, Dawn Richter – Bin To Quinn
Black Hills Surgical Hospital / Orthopedic and Spine Center join Sanford Health
Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center (BHOSC) and Black Hills Surgical Hospital (BHSH), announced today they are joining Sanford Health to expand comprehensive, world-class care to patients in western South Dakota and across the region.
Sanford Health will be the parent organization of the Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center, the Black Hills Surgical Hospital and the group’s associated facilities in Rapid City, South Dakota, and Black Hills Surgery Center in Gillette, Wyoming, including urgent care locations, clinics and ambulatory surgery center. Upon closing, these locations will transition to nonprofit status and begin operating as part of Sanford Health.
Patients will be more easily connected to Sanford Health’s full range of integrated health care, including specialty and subspecialty care, clinical trials, veterans precision medicine and more.
Sanford Health will continue to partner with local independent physician groups to ensure the full health care needs of the community are met for decades to come.
“As a mission-driven nonprofit health system, our sole purpose is to care for the local community, and every dollar we earn is reinvested back into patient care. We are committed to engaging with local stakeholders to ensure we’re meeting community needs today and well into the future,” said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health. “We look forward to establishing a more permanent presence in the region and
continuing to work with others to expand comprehensive health care services to patients in western South Dakota, including Rapid City and the surrounding area.”
“We could not be more excited to welcome this extraordinary team of caregivers to Sanford Health and to growing longstanding partnerships with local independent physician groups to provide the best possible care for our patients when they need it,” added Gassen.
“We sought out a partner who shares our unwavering commitment to exceptional, high-quality care and a vision for bringing innovation and the most advanced medicine to those we serve,” said Lew Papendick, M.D., chair of Black Hills Surgical Hospital, LLP.
“We’re inspired by Sanford Health’s commitment to being the premier rural health system in the United States and excited to help move that forward in western South Dakota and Wyoming on behalf of our patients.”
This partnership builds upon Sanford Health’s long history of providing care in the region, including specialty outreach, AirMed transport and other vital services for Rapid City and western South Dakota.
Sanford Health also operates a specialty reference laboratory in Rapid City and has provided specialty outreach for families in the area for more than two decades. Outreach services include specialty pediatrics, reproductive endocrinology, fertility and genetic counseling and maternal fetal medicine.
Sanford Health also provides long-term care to residents
in the area through the Good Samaritan Society at St. Martin’s Campus, Home Health of the Black Hills, Echo Ridge Campus and New Underwood.
Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center has been western South Dakota’s premier physician-owned orthopedic practice for more than 50 years. Their team of orthopedic surgeons and doctors provide a full continuum of care and innovative technology to support their patients. Black Hills Surgical Hospital is also known for its dedication to delivering exceptional, nationally recognized care in a range of areas, including orthopedics, neurosurgery, rehabilitation, cardiology, pain management, sports medicine, occupational medicine, imaging and urgent care.
The combination is expected to close in the next week. A regional board of community leaders will be established to govern the operations and strategy of the Western SD/ Wyoming region with Dr. Papendick, a longtime physician and community leader serving as chair. Kyle Wiese will serve as regional president and CEO, and local physician leaders will represent the Western SD/ Wyoming market within the Sanford Health organization.
About Sanford Health Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves 1.4 million patients and nearly 200,000 health
plan members across 250,000 square miles. The integrated health system has 45 hospitals, 211 clinic locations, more than 160 Good Samaritan Society senior living centers, 2,900 Sanford physicians and advanced practice providers, 540 active clinical trials, and nine world clinic locations around the globe. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
About Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center Founded in 1976 by orthopedic surgeon David W. Boyer, M.D., Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center has remained the premier orthopedic practice in the region for nearly 50 years. Today, its team of orthopedic surgeons and doctors includes board-certified and fellowshiptrained specialists who provide the highest level of specialty health care in orthopedic surgery and advanced nonsurgical methods to keep the Black Hills community strong.
About Black Hills Surgical Hospital
Since 1997, Black Hills Surgical Hospital has been a regional and national leader in quality health care. Consistently recognized for patient satisfaction, medical excellence and patient safety, Black Hills Surgical Hospital employs nearly 500 highly skilled professionals and offers integrated surgical, imaging, pain management, sports medicine and urgent care services.
WalletHub Name Rapid City
Top
100 Safest Cities in America
Rapid City is among the top 100 safest cities in America according to a recent report released by WalletHub.
WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across 41 key indicators of safety. The data set ranges from traffic fatalities and assaults per capita to the unemployment rate. Rapid City ranked 81 this year. In 2023, Rapid City was #92.
“In Rapid City, we are focused on being a safe place to raise a family, grow a business, and enjoy life,” shared Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun. “As our community grows, we remain focused on responding to that growth by strengthening public safety and supporting law enforcement. It’s great to see our efforts paying off and we remain committed to enforcing the law and prioritizing the safety of our great community.”
Rapid City Police Chief Don Hedrick added, “The safety of our community is our paramount priority. Our officers and staff call this city home and are proud to go to work every day personally invested in the well-being of our community. We will continue to tirelessly strive to keep Rapid City as safe and vibrant as possible for all community members.”
The study accounts for hazard types beyond physical harm. For example, taking out an unaffordable second mortgage, forgoing health insurance or even falling victim to identity theft.
“When people think about safety in a city, their minds probably immediately go to things like the crime rate, auto fatality rate or risk of natural disasters. The safest cities in America protect residents from these threats of bodily harm and property damage, but on top of that, they also help secure people’s financial safety. Financial safety includes things like minimizing the risk of fraud and identity theft, keeping the population employed and insured, and combating homelessness,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst.
Top 5 Safest Cities in the U.S. according to WalletHub were:
1. South Burlington, VT
2. Casper, WY
3. Warwick, RI
4. Burlington, VT
5. Boise, ID
“As we work toward elevating the economy for all, we are proud of the improvements our community has seen,” said Elevate Rapid City President/CEO, Tom Johnson. For the first time this year, Rapid City’s average weekly wages surpassed $1,000. We have partners coming together to address key topics like affordable housing and childcare. A healthy economy is one of many ways we keep our people safe. I am confident that in 2025 we will see Rapid City continue to rise in its rank as a Safest City in America.”
Rapid City, South Dakota – In an effort to expand opportunities for job seekers and address workforce needs, Elevate Rapid City proudly announces the launch of a new micro-credential program: CareerLIFT –Learning for Industry, Future, and Transformation.
CareerLIFT is a free online education platform. It is comprised of courses, resume-building resources, interview preparation and job offer connections to uplift and empower individuals to achieve career success and improve their overall quality of life.
The courses, created in partnership with Western Dakota Technical College, address essential soft skills and knowledge of the healthcare or construction industries. Upon completion, participants are guaranteed a job interview with the respective pathway partner, Scull Construction or Monument Health.
“Healthcare and construction are the highest in-demand industries in our region,” said Reese Niu, workforce planning director for Elevate Rapid City. “These industries not only have a lot of entry-level need, but also offer several pathways of upward mobility to someone in this career field.”
The goal of the program is to create opportunity for individuals who are seeking opportunities to start or advance their careers to achieve economic mobility. A lack of access to education and life events can often result in limited career opportunities both financially and professionally. Through CareerLIFT, the goal is to give people an opportunity to start something new in a field they may not have considered or realized the growth potential.
“I’m excited to introduce a program that creates real opportunities for those in our community who face barriers to employment,” added Niu. “By providing participants with industry knowledge, soft skills, and guaranteed interviews, we’re opening doors to sustainable careers and offering them the tools to achieve economic mobility.”
The guaranteed job interview does not guarantee an offer of employment. However, the soft skills assessment and other resources hope to equip the candidate with skills needed to have a successful job interview.
Two years of development went into CareerLIFT, with financial support of the ACCE Foundation. The goal is to eventually expand the program to additional high-demand industries.
This is a free resource. To access CareerLIFT go to www.careerliftrc.com.
Breathing New Life Into a Black Hills Campground
It all started with a family trip to the Black Hills two years ago. Somewhere between marveling at the iconic Mount Rushmore and taking in the rich history of Deadwood, the Gardiniers, who had traveled from their home in Florida, fell in love with the area.
“I’ve traveled all over the country,” Alex Gardinier explained. “But the Black Hills was one of the few places that I’ve been that the more you see, the more you want to keep exploring.”
With a background in the hospitality industry, Alex and his brother Julian wanted a way to stay connected to the area. They found the perfect opportunity when they found Black Hills Station Campground, a rustic property located in Piedmont, South Dakota.
Perfectly Positioned for Success
Nestled between Rapid City and Sturgis, the campground’s proximity to attractions, dining, and the world-famous annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was key in the Gardiniers’ decision to purchase Black Hills Station. “I love that you have access to everything within 20 minutes,” Alex said. “It makes a great base for those only visiting the area for a few days.” The area is also an outdoor enthusiast’s
dream, boasting nearby hiking trails, fishing streams, and more.
Quick access to services and amenities benefits the Gardiniers as well, who frequently visit the Black Hills to manage the business. “There are challenges when you’re far away,” Alex shared. “When I get to the airport, half an hour later I’m at the campground. It was one of the things that were important to us when deciding to buy the property.”
Investing in Memories
Since purchasing Black Hills Station, the Gardiniers have invested in providing some much-needed love to the worn-down campground. In addition to adding new cabins, the 12’ pool that was once a beloved summer hotspot and which sat for years in disrepair was rebuilt. “We’ve spent a lot to bring it back to its original glory,” Alex said while detailing the campgrounds major renovations over the last two years.
Bar 46 & Casino was also added to the property, offering visitors a lively sports barwhere they can enjoy a cold drink while cheering on their favorite team. By providing a year-long destination for fun, the Gardiniers
hope to become not only a seasonal stop for tourists, but a go-to for locals as well. “Most campgrounds are closed in the winter. Bar 46 allows us to stay open throughout the year and serve a more diverse group of customers,” Alex explained.
Joining a Community on the Rise
With Black Hills Station Campground now a lodging and entertainment destination not only during the Sturgis Rally but year-round, Alex is looking forward to a bright future. “We saw the growth of the area,” he stated. “And there’s so much opportunity beyond those crazy three weeks during the rally.” For the Gardiniers, the journey has become more about just reviving a campground; it has become a way to become part of the community and share the region’s beauty with others. Recently, while at home in Florida, Alex wore a Black Hills t-shirt he bought at a local gift shop. “Three people stopped me to tell me how much they love the Black Hills,” he said with a laugh. “It’s amazing to be connected to such a historically rich and incredible area.”
Deadwood-Lead
Economic Development Corporation announces half a million in federal funding at annual meeting
By Sara Morgan
Black Hills Pioneer Dec 14, 2024
DEADWOOD The Deadwood-Lead Economic Development Corporation (DLEDC) held its annual meeting Thursday, where they presented accomplishments made in 2024.
“I think probably most exciting is that we’ve received half a million dollars this year in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding,” said Emma Garvin, executive director. “$250,000 for our revolving loan fund, that’s actually to start our 11th revolving loan fund. And then there’s $250,000 to start a new micro-loan program. That’s specifically for loans $50,000 and less. That’s really geared more towards startup capital, purchasing equipment, and mild renovations.”
According to the DLEDC website, the corporation established a revolving loan fund with grant money provided by the USDA to fund projects that will create or retain jobs in the Lead, Deadwood, and Central City area. Potential projects that may qualify for the revolving loan funds are listed on the website as: business incubators, facilities and equipment to educate and train rural residents to help economic development, start-up venture costs, business expansion, and technical assistance.
Garvin said that the corporation currently has 11 active revolving loans
with nine clients. She said the corporation has invested $1,643,247 through those loans and has invested $11,957,480 in community businesses since 2003.
Garvin said that she’s tracked 14 new businesses opening in the Lead, Deadwood, and Central City area in 2024.
“That’s just what I can see and people that I’ve talked to,” she said. “I’m sure there are more businesses out there that aren’t on my radar, but I think that’s really tremendous for a small community.”
DLEDC provided location services to eight businesses in 2024, Garvin said.
“We’re very unique in this area,” she said. “We don’t do a lot of business recruitment, necessarily, but I constantly have businesses reaching out that want locations in the area. We also provide business support services, and this year we provided those services to nine entrepreneurs. That’s everything from just brainstorming their ideas on ways they want to expand their business and connecting those businesses, those entrepreneurs, to funding resources. Sometimes it’s even working all the way through a business plan that they’ve never drafted before.”
Bill Rectenwald, owner of Deadwood Tobacco Company, was a guest speaker at the event. Rectenwald said that he
received funds through the DLEDC revolving loan fund and testified that the financial assistance saved his business.
“Deadwood Tobacco ran into a financial situation back in 2022, trying to make a move into a better building and a better atmosphere,” Rectenwald said. “Rising costs on just wood alone crippled me. I was unable to move forward. But this organization, I found, was able to help me out. Not only to do the build out, but it also allowed me to hire one full-time employee on top of that.”
Rectenwald said that DLEDC helped him create a successful website for his building and announced that Deadwood Tobacco Company will be sponsoring a blues festival in Deadwood in 2025.
“It will be the first blues festival, and we have some pretty big headlines,” he said. “But what I really want to do, is Deadwood Tobacco can now give back. We’re going to give musical instruments to the Lead schools and the Deadwood schools.”
For more information about DLEDC and the revolving loan funds, visit their website at deadwoodleadedc.com.
At the annual meeting Thursday, Emma Garvin, left, executive director of the Deadwood-Lead Economic Development Corporation, announced $500,000 in United States Department of Agriculture funding that is available through the corporations revolving loan fund. Pioneer photo by Sara Morgan
SEDC recently had an opportunity to participate in an economic developemnt conversation with soon-to-be Senate Majority Leader John Thune to discuss a wide variety of issues includng workforce development, govrnment deregulation, proper forest mangement, and the regional ecoonomic impacts of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF).
