SIOUX FALLS
U.S. Census 2024
GoodHire 2022
PAST SUCCESSES
Forward Sioux Falls VIII set ambitious goals to be accomplished between 2021-2026 and we have been committed to bold, measurable results. This is a snapshot of our progress toward those five-year goals.
Efforts in talent and workforce have led to many new residents. Nearly 21,000 people connected to 259 organizations through 309 events with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. The Young Professionals Network serves 900 members and hosted over 200 events to engage this audience.
441 acres have been sold in Sioux Falls Development Foundation Industrial Parks, resulting in 5,300 new jobs, $1.6 billion in new capital investments and $607 million in new property tax revenues.
The story of Sioux Falls is one of unparalleled community success. For over 35 years, the region's economic wins and community achievements have consistently made local and national headlines. With robust job creation in highgrowth, well-paying industries, transformative civic projects that elevate quality of life and a reputation for collaboration, Sioux Falls has become one of America's most prosperous regions.
WalletHub 2024
Policom 2023
CITIES IN AMERICA
WalletHub 2025
Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4 was completed, continuing the legacy of a long-range, community-wide strategic plan that focuses on goals and action items that can be addressed through collaboration in four key areas: Economic Development and Corporate Responsibility, Quality of Life, Social Services and Regional Collaboration.
Sioux Falls was the first stop on Governor Rhoden and Lieutenant Governor Venhuizen’s “Open for Opportunity” tour following the legislative session—a reflection of our advocacy efforts and the strong relationship we hold with elected officials.
FORWARD SIOUX FALLS HISTORY
In 1987, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation launched Forward Sioux Falls. This joint venture empowered business leaders to identify and execute the best economic development strategies. Forward Sioux Falls established a framework to guarantee the resources were in place for the successful execution of this plan.
The business community recognized the plan's potential and fully funded its implementation. Their investment paid off: the first Forward Sioux
Falls plan brought over 6,000 jobs with a total payroll of nearly $100 million* and more than $250 million* in capital investment to the region.
Sioux Falls discovered a winning process. Over the years, Forward Sioux Falls has launched eight transformative plans and campaigns, each consistently exceeding goals and delivering results that shape our community and economy.
Today, Sioux Falls stands proudly among America's top cities for jobs, economic growth and community vitality, earning accolades as a place where opportunity thrives.
CO-CHAIRS
MAYOR PAUL TENHAKEN
City of Sioux Falls
(Honorary co-chair)
ANDY MUNCE
Sanford Health
LAURA MITCHELL
Lawrence & Schiller, Inc.
JASON HERRBOLDT
First Bank & Trust
DAVID FLICEK
Avera Health
For over 35 years, Sioux Falls has experienced significant economic prosperity directly tied to Forward Sioux Falls. This program continues to be a driving force for progress, led by forwardthinking community leaders through collaboration and deliberate economic development efforts. What began as a shared vision has grown into one of the nation’s most respected publicprivate economic development initiatives.
Every five years, Forward Sioux Falls engages business and civic leaders to design a refreshed program of work focused on growth and prosperity. Broad-based input combined with data-driven insights ensure clear objectives and measurable outcomes.
“A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS”
Sioux Falls has amazing leaders who are committed to coming together, placing their competitive differences aside and pursuing ideas that benefit the entire region. Without this collaborative spirit, our city would look much different than it does today. This has been the foundation for Forward Sioux Falls and will be crucial for its success going forward.
Essential to this vision is public-private partnership. Nearly 400 businesses, local government entities and nonprofits contribute to the effort and competitors set aside their differences for the collective benefit of our community, yielding results that consistently exceed expectations. The Sioux Falls community unites through Forward Sioux Falls to provide resources that create economic opportunity and growth for the entire region.
Forward Sioux Falls IX builds upon this legacy of success while embracing new opportunities— investing in strategic infrastructure, addressing workforce challenges, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship and enhancing quality of place.
Together, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and many valued partners are maximizing resources to deliver on the next five-year plan. We’re proud to be part of the team that has developed the next plan. However, execution requires financial resources. We’ve witnessed the value and benefits provided by Forward Sioux Falls— and we proudly invest in it. We ask that you join us in supporting our community by investing in Forward Sioux Falls IX.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Job growth and capital investment bring prosperity to the entire region and remain the key focus areas of Forward Sioux Falls. With rising competition for economic development, new jobs and investment, keeping Sioux Falls top of mind for expanding and relocating companies is more important than ever. Success depends on attracting new opportunities and supporting the continued growth of existing businesses. Strategic marketing, industry research and compelling materials paired with strong relationships with site selectors, real estate professionals, corporate decision-makers and regional and state partners help drive both retention and recruitment. With ongoing focus and relentless effort, Sioux Falls will remain a top contender for business relocations and expansions.
STRATEGIES
Business Retention and Expansion
This initiative engages local industries to identify growth opportunities and address challenges impacting their operations in Sioux Falls. Fostering strong partnerships and providing targeted support will lead to expanded taxable property, job creation and long-term business success.
Focused Industry Outreach
Engage targeted industries, companies, site selectors, national brokers and others to ensure Sioux Falls remains a top destination for business growth and investment. Key initiatives include:
Building partnerships with local commercial and industrial real estate brokers
Generating leads through strategic direct marketing
Showcasing Sioux Falls at trade shows
Strengthening relationships with site selectors
Driving awareness through online recruitment campaigns
Targeting industries such as bioscience, cybersecurity/intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and logistics and distribution
Industrial Park Development
Complete the build-out and sales of Foundation Park I and initiate the development of Foundation Park II. These industrial parks provide Sioux Falls with build-ready land designed to attract continued growth, will increase the tax base and create quality jobs by supporting new and expanding businesses in the region.
Falls Area Redevelopment Corporation
Expand the impact of the Falls Area Redevelopment Corporation by transforming outdated industrial and residential areas. The focus on preparing sites for cleanup and redevelopment will pave the way for revitalized neighborhoods and modern business spaces in the city’s core.
South Dakota Trade
Partner with South Dakota Trade and South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development to enhance the importing and exporting of goods nationally and internationally.
Top: This groundbreaking for Dakota State University’s Applied Research Lab shows just one of many large projects made possible by investments in our community.
Bottom: The Amazon fulfillment center at Foundation Park is a five story building with more than 3 million square feet.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
450 new, 75 qualified and 15 landed leads
400 acres of land sold in Foundation Park I
5 redevelopment projects identified, acquired and started 120 annual retention visits
10-15 trade missions resulting in up to $30 million in sales
15-20 meetings with foreign delegations
15-20 ‘new-to-export’ businesses recruited
TALENT & WORKFORCE
Sioux Falls is nationally recognized as a community with a strong workforce that consistently attracts and retains skilled talent. To maintain and expand our position as a workforce and talent attraction leader, we must continue to focus on building a robust pipeline of locally grown talent from all our education providers, while also attracting the best and brightest to Sioux Falls to live and work. Businesses continue to seek support in attracting a skilled workforce, and by supporting today’s students and cultivating a sense of place and belonging, we can retain talent and foster Sioux Falls’ culture of corporate responsibility.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
60,000 students and employees involved in Talent and Workforce Programs
200 unique employers involved in Talent and Workforce Programs
10 ongoing Talent and Workforce Programs
1,500 apprenticeships/ internships/job shadows
5 targeted workforce marketing campaigns
#4
MOST POPULAR CITY TO MOVE TO United Van Lines 2023
BEST CITY FOR GEN Z WORKERS Site Selection Magazine 2024
Middle school students learn about careers in STEM fields that are poised for growth at Your Future STEM Summer Day Camp.
STRATEGIES
Talent Attraction (External)
Talent Draft Days: Expand opportunities for direct contact between companies and trade and technical schools, community colleges and fouryear institutions within a 150-mile radius of Sioux Falls by immersing them in employment opportunities available in Sioux Falls.
Talent Tours: Connect businesses and students through tours of Sioux Falls area companies, introducing them to high-demand industries and jobs.
Talent Rebound: Expand outreach to alumni of all higher-ed institutions who have moved away from South Dakota and connect them with residents and businesses in Sioux Falls to inspire them to move back.
Online Recruitment: Focus on strategic markets to attract top graduates and recruits in key industries, including bioscience, cybersecurity/intelligence, advanced manufacturing, logistics/distribution and technical trades.
Intern Sioux Falls: Connect businesses with student talent by promoting internship opportunities in Sioux Falls, helping companies attract and retain future employees while showcasing Sioux Falls as a vibrant place to live and work, fostering long-term workforce development.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS (CONT.)
150,000 unique visits and 25,000 employer-card clicks on siouxfalls.com
10 new cross-sector partnerships supporting cradle-to-career workforce development
40% more healthcare-focused graduates entering the workforce
10% more students enrolled in Healthcare Simulation Center programs
25% more construction trades and advanced manufacturing graduates entering the workforce
Talent Retention (Internal)
SDSU Metro Center: Partner with South Dakota State University to support this healthcarefocused hub, offering specialized programs and training to prepare students for careers in healthcare, strengthening Sioux Falls’ talent pipeline.
STC Healthcare and Advanced Manufacturing: Continue expanding Southeast Technical College programs at the Healthcare Simulation Center to meet growing workforce needs. Support Construction Trades and Advanced Manufacturing by investing in cutting-edge equipment, larger workshop and lab spaces, and immersive, hands-on training experiences.
Career Connections: Partner with local businesses from a variety of industry sectors to provide career exploration, mentorship and financial assistance to high-potential, at-risk high school juniors and seniors to access concurrent dual-credit coursework, setting them on a course for skill development and employment.
UPSKILL Sioux Falls: Provide employee training and development in high-demand and hard-tofill occupations.
WIN Summit: Leverage best practices of local companies through the biannual WIN in Workforce Summit.
Your Future STEM: Target regional middle and high school students to engage in career exploration in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Reach Literacy: Support the expansion of the workplace literacy program.
Sioux Falls Thrive: Advance the “cradle to career” initiative using the collective impact model to reduce the number of school-age children who are homeless and left unsupervised during out-of-school hours and provide greater access to food resources.
USF Bridges: Support the University of Sioux Falls English Language Outreach initiative for adults, designed to integrate reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, contributing to a more inclusive and skilled workforce in Sioux Falls.
INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Fostering and promoting a climate that values innovation is essential for a community to remain investable. Sioux Falls has consistently seen success in supporting innovation—from homegrown businesses to community-driven projects that enhance the region—and provides an environment to test business concepts, creating opportunities for high-wage, high-tech, knowledge-based jobs and industries to flourish. Sufficient resources are essential to increase the success rate of new businesses and community-driven models to launch, grow and succeed.
Startup Sioux Falls
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
15 new businesses launched in the Sioux Falls MSA
85 unique businesses using Startup Sioux Falls experience increases in revenue, profits and number of employees
150 homes in the Community Land Trust portfolio
3,000 individuals/families utilizing homebuyer education opportunities
Strengthen this entrepreneurial hub to drive startup growth by providing founders with essential tools, expanding access to resources and fostering a culture of innovation. The presence of incubators, accelerators and a supportive business environment can significantly impact startup activity and this investment will reinforce Sioux Falls as a premier destination for startup success.
Community Land Trust
Develop and implement an innovative Community Land Trust to address housing affordability and support long-term community development. This initiative will ensure perpetual affordability, reinforce neighborhood stability and expand accessible housing options for the workforce, empowering them to live and thrive within the Sioux Falls community. To support these efforts, the Sioux Empire Housing Partnership will collaborate to provide ongoing homeowner education.
Project Management
Collaborate with city and community leaders to advance transformational, capital-intensive community projects. This approach will leverage public/private investments, ensure efficient and timely completion and foster support through consistent public engagement.
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ADVOCACY & COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
A strong business climate depends on advocacy, proactive infrastructure and collaboration with elected officials. Forward Sioux Falls is a leading voice at the local, state and national levels, working to remove barriers and support longterm growth. Community enhancement efforts, like improving air service through the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, are essential to attracting and retaining young professionals and making Sioux Falls a vibrant place to live, work and do business. Forward Sioux Falls continues to be a trusted partner in efforts that strengthen both our economy and quality of life.
Advocacy
Champion pro-business policies, infrastructure improvements and workforce issues like childcare by building strong relationships with elected officials. Develop policy on these issues and engage in one-on-one meetings, attend local, state and federal meetings and collaborate with leaders and lobbyists, especially during the state legislative session.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
10,000 attendees at Young Professional Network events
15% increase in total air passengers
10% increase in freight shipped
3 new non-stop flights
Sioux Falls Young Professionals Network
Empower and connect young professionals (ages 21-39) in greater Sioux Falls through educational programs, networking events, civic engagement opportunities and professional and personal development to attract and retain talent.
Air Service Support
Collaborate with the Sioux Falls Airport Authority to solidify the Sioux Falls Regional Airport as the premier choice for business and leisure travelers. Key efforts will include strategic marketing, attracting additional providers, incentivizing carriers to add new service destinations, supporting expansion initiatives and highlighting the airport’s regional value.
OUTCOMES & ECONOMIC IMPACT
5,000
800-1,000
$3
$700
expenditures $540,219,490 Total jobs 13,860
rate paid (hourly) $40.09 Calculated indirect wage rate paid (hourly) $30.41 Annual deposit potential for area financial institutions $84,447,838
Annual Spending Projections for Target Jobs
BECOME AN INVESTOR
An investment in Forward Sioux Falls is an investment in continued growth and opportunity—one that returns dividends to those who support it. The businesses and individuals who contribute directly impact the region’s economy, workforce expansion and business development.
Since 1987, Forward Sioux Falls has driven unparalleled success and growth. Stakeholder investments have yielded exponential returns, fueling a diverse and thriving economy. Sioux Falls leads the region in economic growth, innovation and opportunity— but we cannot take success for granted.
Now, more than ever, the community must work together to maintain our momentum and create future opportunities for businesses and individuals. Private and public investment have fueled our success and support for the ninth multi-year
program is essential. Complacency is our greatest threat—we owe it to those who came before us and those who will follow to carry the torch.
Your investment, alongside others in the community, keeps Sioux Falls at the forefront of innovation and prosperity.
Together, we will keep moving FORWARD.
