South Dakota Mines and Wildfire Labs Collaborate to Create Innovation Ecosystem
RAPID CITY, SD (June 27, 2024) — When Todd Gagne and his wife Holly graduated from South Dakota Mines in the ‘90s, both hoped to get jobs in the Black Hills.
That dream didn’t happen.
Todd is now determined to change that for future generations.
“We are really trying to build this community in Rapid City where we keep entrepreneurs and Mines graduates here,” Gagne said. So far, it has been a success thanks in part to a collaboration with his alma mater.
Two years ago, Gagne, and Sioux Falls partner Mike Vetter started Wildfire Labs, an earlystage accelerator that helps entrepreneurs build and launch their software products and prepare to grow rapidly. “We are helping entrepreneurs transform their ideas into successful companies,” Gagne said. “You come in with a business idea, and in six months, we will get you from vision to value to revenue.”
A partnership with Brian Butterfield, a Mines lecturer in electrical engineering and computer science, and his senior capstone design program connects entrepreneurs with the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas of Mines students. Gagne brings together an entrepreneur with a team at Mines; they work on the idea for a few semesters while gaining real-world experience with the hope that one or two of the students will stay with the entrepreneur and build a business.
That is exactly what happened with Signed Up Sports, a new software package created by entrepreneur Jared Tiefenthaler that helps streamline sports camps, and CounSil, LLC, a startup founded by Mines graduate John Barbour, focused on creating a more efficient
system of prioritizing needs and purchases for the military.
Both Tiefenthaler and Barbour are Wildfire Lab entrepreneurs who used Mines capstone design teams to develop their software.
Tiefenthaler said the partnerships helped his company tackle software development and created a talent pipeline.
“I have personally gained value in working with these students simply in the area of development. Learning the organization/ structure that it takes to accomplish a project like this is invaluable,” he said.
The software development was also valuable to Mines students. They gained experience in real-world applications, and one of the team members, Brian Pfeifle, gained a job. Pfeifle, a Mines computer science graduate, is now the
software engineer for Signed Up Sports.
“The most inspiring thing that I find about this type of work is being able to take the skills that I have learned throughout my education and put them toward a real-world problem,” Pfeifle said. “I love the idea that the application we are developing now will be used in the future to make someone’s life easier.”
Barbour has worked closely with Ellsworth Air Force Base leadership, beginning while he was a Mines undergraduate, and is currently in the beta test phase of his software. “We have already demonstrated the application to them, and they have seen it and liked it,” he said. “The big vision is to eventually scale this across the DoD and not just the Air Force.”
Barbour said he would not be where he is today without the resources available through Wildfire Labs, Elevate Rapid City, and South Dakota Mines programs like Innovation Club, Entrepreneur in Residence, and the Hacking for Defense course run by the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), as well as his Mines team of software developers.
“Without Mines leading to NSIN, we would never have had the opportunity to start the company,” Barbour said.
The collaboration kept both Pfeifle and Barbour in Rapid City and is attracting more entrepreneurs to the area.
“It worked out exactly as we thought,” Gagne said. “We are coaching new entrepreneurs while at the same time building an ecosystem in Rapid City that will keep Mines graduates from leaving the state and bringing in new talent because we need both.”
Jared Tiefenthaler, (left), a project sponsor for Signed Up Sports, joins Mines students who helped build the software package for the start-up business, Khushi Patil, Prarthavi Patnekar, and Brian Pfeifle.
Wildfire Labs mentors provide feedback and advice to entrepreneurs.
NEW HOUSING COMMUNITY, HIGHLANDS AT NORMAN RANCH, BREAKS GROUND IN SUMMERSET, SOUTH DAKOTA
Summerset, SD - With a crowd of more than 100 community leaders and citizens looking on, groundbreaking ceremonies were held July 23, for a new housing community to be built on a 300+ acre site on the east side of Summerset. The Highlands at Norman Ranch will be a master-planned affordable housing community that will feature both singlefamily and townhome style houses, according to Kyle Treloar and Megan Kingsbury of Vanocker Development, the Rapid City based firm managing the project.
“One of the unique features of this subdivision is the location,” Treloar said. “It is strategic in its location as it is close to both Rapid City and Sturgis,”
“With housing needs increasing along the I-90 corridor and the expansion of Ellsworth Air Force Base, the development will serve the workforce needs of those areas with convenient drive times and easy access to I-90,” Kingsbury added.
The Highlands at Norman Ranch will have a Scottish theme, reflected in the street names and the floorplans of the homes which will be built by the award-winning builders at TNT Homes & Construction of Rapid City. Well over 100 homesites will be included in the first phase of the project with new home prices beginning in the upper $300,000’s.
“We will feature home designs that range from craftsman style to a more modern style, according to what the home buyer would like,” said Tony Thompson, co-founder of TNT Homes & Construction. “Our goal is to create neighborhoods where each home has its own distinctive style.”
Thompson said the keys to a well-planned community include how the streets are laid out and how the subdivision is platted.
The developers also wanted a community that had city water and sewer connections. The city of Summerset has worked with the project leaders to provide water access and a new wastewater main that will cross under I-90 eastward to the development. The infrastructure component of the project is just under $10,000,000 - the largest private infrastructure project South Dakota has seen in a while.
The Highlands will also feature ample green space, walking paths, and easy access to the Black Hills National Forest and nearby recreation opportunities. Principal financing is provided by Pioneer Bank and several Black Hills investors who see the potential in the project.
“This is definitely a growing area that we began to look at nearly ten years ago,” Thompson said. “To see it coming into being is an amazing thing and it has taken a lot of people and lot of partnerships to make it happen.”
If things go according to plan Vanocker Development and Norman Ranch Subdivision, LLC, along with TNT Homes & Construction say that infrastructure work on the project will begin within the next month with the possibility that the first new homes could be going in during 2025.
For additional information contact info@ highlandsatnormanranch.com or call 605443-3033.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE
GOED is excited to announce the hiring of Alissa Sendelbach, our newest Business Development Representative. She will foster relationships with local businesses and partners to drive ongoing economic growth and retention within South Dakota.
Raised in Sioux Falls, Alissa graduated from USD with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Her experience in recruiting and banking has equipped her with the skills to build strong relationships and serve as a natural connector within the community.
She is rooted in Sioux Falls with her husband, Luke, and their three children - Adalyn, Audrey, & Chase. Please welcome Alissa!
Economic Development Boards Take Action
TIP & TRICKS! ENGAGING COMMUNITY LEADERS
Effectively engaging with community leaders is a crucial aspect of driving economic development. By enlisting the support of these influential individuals, your projects can gain valuable traction and momentum. It is imperative to continually educate, inform, and interact with these leaders in order to secure their involvement. For some quick and practical advice on how to effectively engage with your community, please take a few moments to watch this informative video.
July 10, 2024
PIERRE, SD – The Governor’s Office of Economic Development Board of Economic Development and Economic Development Finance Authority approved two loans, one grant, and authorized four bond resolutions. The projects represent a total capital expenditure of over $236 million and 119 new jobs.
JH Investment in Vermillion was approved for a Revolving Economic Development Initiative (REDI) loan in the amount of $6,750,000. Masaba, Inc. will use the loan to construct a new fabrication facility. They were also approved for a Reinvestment Payment Program grant of up to $315,000.
The Sweat Zone in Aberdeen was approved for an SD Works Loan of $106,172. The loan will be used for building and equipment for the new company.
Four companies were authorized for Livestock Nutrient Management Bonds to construct plants to convert feedlot manure into renewable natural gas. Each company was recognized for receiving an allocation of up to $20 million for which a bond issue will later be requested. The four companies include:
• Brookings Biogas, LLC, Hamlin and Brookings Counties;
• Lakeside Biogas LLC, Roberts County;
• Rovilla RNG, LLC: Five Shots RNG, LLC, Lincoln County;
• and Rovilla RNG, LLC: Moccasin Creek RNG, LLC, Brown County.
DEEP DIVE
AUGUST 28-29, 2024
Save the date and plan to join us in Pierre as we take part in a two-day Deep Dive focused on Land, Building, and Downtown Development.
• How to acquire land
• How to fund the purchase
• What to do with acquired land
• Building demolition
• Interactive case studies
• Much more
GOED would like to formally invite you to attend our annual Deep Dive event – Land, Building, and Downtown Development
During this event you will have hands on learning opportunities to explore the steps and resources available when working on various types of development. From learning how to talk to landowners, optimizing parcels, or gathering community support, you will hear from industry experts across the state. Some confirmed speakers are Dean Dziedzic, Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Steve Watson and Derek Johnson, ISG, and Joe Bartmann, Dakota Resources.
Before our time together ends, we will offer a short time to ‘Practice Your Pitch’ to a panel of experts and learn better ways to address your community’s needs.
Event Details:
Wednesday, August 28th – 9:30 am – 5 pm CT
Thursday, August 29th – 8:30 am – 12 pm CT
Ramkota Convention Center – Pierre, SD
Please use this link to register for the event: https://apps.sd.gov/GE84ConfPay/DeepDiveRegistration.aspx
August 28
Networking/Registration
Welcome Remarks
Land Development Basics – Identification, Diligence, Planning, Building
Break for Lunch - On your own
Planning your Park Development Funding- Panel
BREAK
I Have My Land…What’s Next?
Case Study Breakouts
Depart for the Day
August 29th
Welcome Back
Case Study Reviews
Top Development Challenges
Break
Addressing Downtown Development
Gathering Community Support
Practice My Pitch
Closing Remarks
47-lot housing development breaks ground in Belle Fourche Ridge View Estates plans to alleviate housing shortage
By Sierra Ferguson | Black Hills Pioneer
BELLE FOURCHE — The Belle Fourche Development Corporation busted out the golden shovels for the second time in less than a month, to break ground on a new 47-lot housing development on the north end of Xavier Street, north of Ridge View Street.
The developer, Glen Citrowske, of Mountain View Development LLC., said his company plans to start installing manholes and sewer infrastructure right away.
He said after the roads are paved, construction will begin on a mix of 800-square-foot, 1,5000-square-foot and 2,500-square-foot structures designed to be owner occupied single-family homes.
“They’re going to be quality homes,” Citrowske said. “That’s the word: quality. They’re not going to slapped together. The trim is going to be real trim that’s going to mitered. The countertops are going to be hard surface. The doors are going to be solid. The fixtures and everything are going to be not the highest end, but not the lowest end.”
He said the plan is to have homes for sale by the fall.
Aaron Schere, of Black Hills Energy, said the company is working to get power to the area already.
Pioneer Bank is financing the project, along with the 52-unit development on Sourdough Road which broke ground June 20.
“Getting housing is certainly part and parcel to attracting larger scale employers here. We now have a place for their workforce to reside,”
Dylan Clarkson, the CEO of Pioneer Bank and Trust said. “We love to invest in local communities and this is the best way to do it.”
In 2020, the city of Belle Fourche commissioned a housing study that was adopted in 2021.
That study pointed out a need for housing that Hollie Stalder, the executive director of the Belle Fourche Development Corporation said was exacerbated by the pandemic.
“Our housing study pointed to a definite need in single family, multifamily, different price points, we just need housing,” Stalder said. “The pandemic hit and our housing inventory that was available depleted, and it became even worse if that’s possible. Now, we have these guys come online and choose Belle Fourche to build homes in for our community members is huge.
We are so blessed and thankful that all of this is happening now.” Stalder said Belle Fourche needs housing at diverse price points, and that new developments make a dent in meeting that need.
“We certainly need homes for young families, we’ve all got to start somewhere,” Stalder said.
“We were looking for developers who were willing to address the needs we had for the community, which was almost everything.” She said there are at least two other housing projects set to break ground before the fall.
Ridge View Estates breaks ground on the north side of Xavier Street in Belle Forche. Pioneer photo by Sierra Ferguson.
Rapid City Regional Airport Sets New Record for Passenger Enplanements in First Half of 2024
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) –Rapid City’s Regional Airport set a new record for passengers in the first six months of 2024.
New flights, larger passenger planes and the Black Hills have helped the airport increase its traffic flow.
“I think we’re really seeing a lot of pent up travel demand, you know, from our local customers that are coming in. We really do see people locally who want to fly out and go somewhere else. We’ve been able to add flights and add more options in,” Executive Director Patrick Dame said.
Some of the new destinations include direct flights to Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Orlando.
Rapid City Regional Airport saw nearly 30,000 more passenger enplanements come through in 2024 as compared to 2023, which was about a 20% from the previous year.
Beth Ferrell and her husband took advantage of the direct flights from Charlotte, North Carolina and saved a lot of time.
“Oh it’s wonderful because otherwise like going home, we have to go through Dallas, then Charlotte and then to our home airport, so it’s three stops. Actually we enjoyed that it was a smaller airport and not so busy and congested,” North Carolina resident Ferrell said.
“As we get into the second half of the season we tend to see our numbers tend to generate in July and August of more on the tourists coming in and their travel that they’re bringing to us from that side of things,” Dame said.
The airport suggests those traveling to arrive on site up to two hours before their flight to avoid issues with the busy traveling season.
The Rapid City Regional Airport will be adding direct flights from Houston and San Francisco for this year’s Sturgis Rally as well.
A total of 175,953 passengers boarded flights at RAP, surpassing the previous record of 146,216 set in 2023, marking an impressive 20.3% increase.