November 2014 Chamber News magazine

Chamber News November 2014

Vol. 50, No. 2

A PUBLICATION OF THE SIOUX FALLS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Growing diversity means growing opportunities

IN THIS ISSUE COVER STORY

Growing diversity means growing opportunities..... 22-27 FEATURES

Feeding South Dakota to expand facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-31 Chamber revamps siouxfallschamber.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 IN EVERY ISSUE: Message from the Chair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Events Calendars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11 Economic Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Noteworthy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Faces & Places. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-21 Community Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Headlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-34 Business Advocacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Convention & Visitors Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Chamber Partner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Using Your Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Member’s Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Business News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41-43 Ribbon Cuttings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45-49 Membership Anniversaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-51 New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Five Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 From the Archives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Chamber News PUBLISHER

Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce CHAMBER NEWS AD SALES

ARGUS LEADER MEDIA For advertising information, call: (605) 331-2348

CHAMBER NEWS LAYOUT/DESIGN JILL BLOM

CHAMBER NEWS EDITOR

AMY SMOLIK For editorial information, call: (605) 336-1620 Chamber News is published monthly by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 1425, 200 N. Phillips Ave., Suite 200 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Advertising and editorial deadlines can be found at SiouxFallsChamber.com under News & Publications.

Postmaster please send address changes to: Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 1425, 200 N. Phillips Ave., Suite 200, Sioux Falls, SD 57101-1425 Phone: (605) 336-1620 • Email: sfacc@siouxfalls.com

CHAMBER MISSION As the leading Sioux Falls area business advocate, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce represents its members by advancing and promoting the economic health and quality of life of the region.

Communicate WITH THE

CHAMBER .com/siouxfallschamber @SFAreaChamber @SFAreaAdvocate

ON THE COVER Pictured is part of the “The World Comes to Whittier” mural at Meldrum Park by artist Dave Loewenstein of Lawrence, Kan. To see the entire mural, turn to the cover story, which starts on page 22.

Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

chambernews.com | Chamber News 3

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Sioux Falls’ strengths are our diverse people and industries We’ve had a great start to our new Chamber year. Thank you to all who joined us in October for the largest Chamber Annual Meeting to celebrate Sioux Falls and listen to the sounds of Chicago at the new Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. It certainly was a night to remember!

At the Chamber’s Board of Directors Retreat in August, I asked our attendees to describe Sioux Falls in one word or phrase. The answers were varied: Visionary. Generous. Giving. Progressive.

Fun. Welcoming. Engaged. Collaborative. The place to be.

DANA DYKHOUSE 2014-15 Chair of the Board

What we have in common is that we all call Sioux Falls home.

Another word used was Diverse. This issue of Chamber News shares more information about our community’s changing demographics and the organizations and events that assist with educating and acclimating our different cultures and those who are new to the area.

Our community is open and welcome to diversity, which perhaps accounts for our continued diversification. The truth is, we are all immigrants from somewhere who came here at some point.

What we have in common is that we all call Sioux Falls home.

What makes Sioux Falls different, what makes us successful — is our people. Our melting pot of cultures and industry strengthens our community and our economy. We all benefit from the diversity of people we are able to do business with, just as we benefit by learning about other cultures.

Educating yourself and others about the different cultures that make up our community is one way. Encouraging inclusion and diversity in all areas of our community is another. Later this month the Sioux Falls Diversity Council, with support from the Chamber and other leading organizations, is hosting the 7th Annual Diversity Conference to share more information about how businesses can better understand different cultures in our community.

No matter where you were born, Sioux Falls is a community where you can realize your dreams.

We are a city of opportunity. Your Chamber of Commerce works diligently to keep our business climate healthy and strong and to ensure those opportunities exist for all people. Your investment in the Chamber supports us in that endeavor.

Yes, Sioux Falls is changing. We continue to develop and expand — just look at the number of ribbon cuttings we celebrate each month, the new members who join the Chamber or the members who celebrate milestone anniversaries. Our business community is healthy and growing because of the Chamber and because of our members. At the end of the day, Sioux Falls is home.

Thank you for your efforts to make it a welcoming place for all.

2014-15 SIOUX FALLS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LEADERSHIP AND STAFF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR DANA DYKHOUSE First PREMIER Bank CHAIR-ELECT PAUL BRUFLAT CNA Surety VICE CHAIR DAVE KAPASKA, D.O.

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center TREASURER J. TYLER HAAHR Metabank IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR KEITH SEVERSON Eide Bailly LLP PRESIDENT/CEO EVAN NOLTE Chamber of Commerce BOARD OF DIRECTORS RANDY BURY Sanford Health RUTH CHRISTOPHERSON Citi JULIE DARRINGTON CenturyLink GARY GASPAR Interstate Office Products JOHN HENKHAUS The Everist Company JAY HUIZENGA KELO-TV DEAN KARSKY Farmers Insurance Group/Karksy Agency BETTY OLDENKAMP Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota DAN RYKHUS Raven Industries TIM STURDEVANT Sturdevant’s Auto Parts ROB TEKOLSTE Sammons Financial Group/ Midland National Life Insurance Co. BOBBI THURY Cutler & Donahoe LLP STEVE VANBUSKIRK VanBuskirk Companies ANITA WETSCH Don Dunham III Real Estate

EX-OFFICIO KENT ALBERTY Sioux Falls School Board DR. PAM HOMAN Superintendent, Sioux Falls Public School System CINDY HEIBERGER Minnehaha County Commission MAYOR MIKE HUETHER City of Sioux Falls JIM SCHMIDT Lincoln County Commission ROBERT WEHDE Sioux Falls Catholic Schools CHAMBER & CVB STAFF EVAN NOLTE President/CEO CLAY BAK CVB Sales Manager THANE BARNIER Web Development & IT Manager MATT BARTHEL CVB First Impressions/Project Manager JOAN BARTLING Finance & Accounting Director JILL BLOM Graphics & Communications Specialist MATTIE BURNHAM CVB Director of Sales SHIRLEY BUSEMAN Receptionist CINDY CHRISTENSEN Agri-Business Division Manager RACHEL CRANE CVB Host City Manager AMY M. FARR Membership Sales & Retention Manager JEFF FEJFAR Web Designer KATE FOLEY Small Business & Leadership Development Manager LAUREN FOSHEIM Young Professionals Network (YPN) Manager

MADDIE GUTIERREZ Public Affairs & Communications Assistant JAY KALTENBACH CVB Services/Resale Manager MARK LEE Public Affairs & Communications Director PAT LUND Membership Development Director MIKE LYNCH Public Affairs & Research Manager BETSY MCCARTY CVB Creative & Communications Manager NICOLE NELSON CVB Sales Manager JILL NIEDRINGHAUS CVB Sales Assistant WENDY NEUHARTH Membership Services Administrative Assistant KRISTA ORSACK CVB Director of Marketing KATHIE PUTHOFF CVB Administrative Assistant TERI SCHMIDT CVB Executive Director SUSAN SEACHRIS Administrative/Accounting Assistant LUCAS SMITH CVB Sales Manager AMY SMOLIK Marketing & Communications Manager ALEXA STEINER CVB Sales Manager VALERIE WILLSON Membership Events Manager CAROLYN WINCHELL Forward Sioux Falls Director of Investor Relations ERIN ZIMMERMAN CVB Sales Manager

chambernews.com | Chamber News 5

EVENT CALENDARS

CHAMBER

VETERANS DAY TUESDAY, NOV. 11

Events Calendar Dates, times and locations are subject to change.

For a current listing of all Chamber events, visit ChamberNews.com, read the weekly edition of QUICKLY, or call (605) 336-1620.

You can register and pay for events online at events.siouxfalls.com.

FEEDING SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY APPEALS CAMPAIGN PRESS CONFERENCE FRIDAY, NOV. 14

which kicked off Nov. 1.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: feedingsouthdakota.org

NOVEMBER MEMBERSHIP

MIXER

TUESDAY, NOV. 25, 2014

program, sponsored in part by the Chamber’s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee. This event is FREE and open to the public.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: afarr@siouxfalls.com or (605) 373-2013

10 a.m.

Feeding South Dakota, 3511 N. 1st Ave. DETAILS: Learn more about Feeding South Dakota’s capital campaign,

FEATURED EVENTS

4:30-7 p.m.

Best Western PLUS Ramkota Exhibit Hall, 3200 W. Maple St.

10:30 a.m.

Lincoln High School, 2900 S. Cliff Ave. DETAILS: Help honor all who have served at the annual Veterans Day

Sponsored by

The November Mixer includes the Holiday Fair, featuring Chamber Members displaying their holiday gift ideas. Booth space is SOLD OUT. COMPLIMENTARY HORS D’OEUVRES • CASH BAR $3 ADMISSION OR USE YOUR MIXER PASS

RSVP to plund@siouxfalls.com or at ChamberNews.com

NOVEMBER MEMBERSHIP MIXER & ANNUAL HOLIDAY FAIR TUESDAY, NOV. 25

4:30-7 p.m.

Best Western PLUS Ramkota Hotel Exhibit Hall, 3200 W. Maple St. DETAILS: Sponsored by Midcontinent Communications, the November Mixer includes the Holiday Fair, featuring Chamber members displaying their holiday gift ideas. Booth space is sold out.

COST: $3 (or use your Mixer Pass) RSVP: plund@siouxfalls.com or (605) 373-2014

DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP MIXER TUESDAY, NOV. 25

5-6:30 p.m.

First Bank & Trust, 110 N. Minnesota Ave. DETAILS: Sponsored by First Bank & Trust.

COST: $3 (or use your Mixer Pass) RSVP: plund@siouxfalls.com or (605) 373-2014

YPN KRINGLE THURSDAY, DEC. 4

7-10 p.m.

Icon Event Hall, 402 N. Main Ave. DETAILS: Socialize with other YPN members at the annual holiday party.

COST: $18, or 2 tickets for $30 RSVP: lfosheim@siouxfalls.com or (605) 373-2009

SAVE THE DATE ...

DETAILS TO COME! Attendees at the October Membership Mixer, sponsored by Brown & Saenger

GOOD MORNING SIOUX FALLS LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7, 2015

Best Western PLUS Ramkota Hotel

BUSINESS SENSE WORKSHOPS TUESDAYS IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY & MARCH

Betty J. Ordal Conference Center, Chamber of Commerce, 200 N. Phillips Ave. Suite 200 MORE INFORMATION: kfoley@siouxfalls.com or (605) 373-2002 chambernews.com | Chamber News 7

Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Young Professionals Network

UPCOMING EVENTS

To RSVP to any of these events, email lfosheim@siouxfalls.com or call (605) 373-2009. Visit SiouxFallsYPN.com for a full list of events.

YPN NIGHT AT WINE & CANVAS THURSDAY, NOV. 6, 2014

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Wine & Canvas, 5031 S. Louise Ave. DETAILS: Join us for YPN night at Wine and

Canvas! Event cost includes your 11x14 canvas and food. Wine and beer will be available for purchase separately. Event is limited to 30 participants and you don’t have to be an artist to join! Pay online or over the phone.

COST: $25, includes supplies and food. Drinks are separate.

Connect WITH THE

YPN

.com/siouxfallsypn @siouxfallsypn Sioux Falls Young Professionals Network

Find us on social media or visit SiouxFallsYPN.com for more information and event listings.

YPN FOCUS WORKSHOP: ESSENTIAL ESTATE PLANNING TIPS FOR YOUNG FAMILIES THURSDAY, NOV. 13, 2014

Noon-1 p.m.

Betty J. Ordal Conference Center, Chamber of Commerce, 200 N. Phillips Ave. Suite 200 DETAILS: Estate planning can be a complex

undertaking, involving complicated documents, numerous tax considerations and difficult personal decisions. This workshop will help provide a better understanding of estate planning and how it pertains to young families. We will analyze the benefits of estate planning, examine important planning tools such as wills and trusts, and discuss how to form your estate plan.

We will also discuss costs associated with estate planning and answer any additional questions.

Presenter Maxx Hickey is an attorney at Swier Law Firm and serves as a key member of the firm’s estate planning practice and business and corporate practice group.

YPN OFF THE CLOCK THURSDAY, NOV. 20, 2014

4-7 p.m.

McNally’s Irish Pub, 6211 S. Old Village Pl. DETAILS: Bring a friend or coworker and join

us for happy hour specials and prize drawings — but you must be present to win. Don’t forget your business cards!

COST: Free to attend, food/beverages on your own.

YPN MORNING BUZZ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Panera Bread, 5117 Louise Ave. DETAILS: Network with other YPN members

over a cup of coffee. Feel free to bring a friend or coworker and don’t forget your business cards. Come for the coffee, stay for the conversation.

COST: Free to attend, coffee/food on your own

COST: $5 to attend, “brown bag” lunch

2014 THE KRINGLE

Dec. 4 • Icon Event Hall • 7-10 p.m.

Tickets: $18, or 2 for $30 Contact Lauren to get your tickets: (605) 373-2009 or email lfosheim@siouxfalls.com

We’ll be collecting food items for Feeding South Dakota.

Please bring your donation to the Kringle on Dec. 4.

Items to bring could include: -Hearty soups (i.e. Campbell’s Chunky) -Tomato products (i.e. diced or crushed tomatoes) -Canned fruit chambernews.com | Chamber News 9

NOVEMBER Events listed here are compiled from SiouxFallsEvents. com and VisitSiouxFallsEvents.com.

SiouxFallsEvents.com is the community’s FREE comprehensive community events calendar. Anyone can post an event happening in the Sioux Falls area. It’s free and it’s a great way to promote your event.

The Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau developed the visitor-related calendar to provide visitors a calendar of events they may be interested in attending.

By combining the two calendars, you can see when there’s going to be a large number of visitors in the community and plan out your weekend.

For more information about visitor-related activities, contact the Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau at (605) 275-6060. Learn more details about any of the following events by logging on or contact the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at (605) 336-1620.

10 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

7

Downtown First Friday

7-8

Sioux Empire Arts & Crafts Show

7-8

Sioux Empire Hoedown

7-16

Of Mice and Men

8

Sioux Falls Craft Beer Expo

12-13

Elf: The Broadway Musical

14-15

Holiday Gift-Tacular

15

Abbey Road—Live Tribute to the Beatles

16

David Tutera: Dream Bigger

18

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

19-23

Once Upon a Mattress

21

Disney Junior Live on Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure

21

Trampled Under Foot

21

Winter Wonderland Kick-off

22-23

South Dakota Symphony presents Handel’s Water Music

22-23

Trains at Christmas

22-30

Winter Wonderland

28

Parade of Lights

29

Photos with Santa

DECEMBER 1-31

Christmas at the Western Mall

1-31

Winter Wonderland

5

Downtown First Friday

5-6

Tonic Sol-fa Holiday Concert

6

Cookies with Santa

6

Eric Church

6-7

Benson’s Flea Market

11-14

Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai

13

Christmas Extravaganza

13

Downtown Holidays

18

The Shoji Tabuchi Christmas Show

20

Downtown Holidays

20

Home Free Holiday Tour

21

Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers

10

South Dakota Symphony presents Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23

13

Sesame Street Live “Let’s Dance!”

15-16

Anything Goes

15-18 & 22-25

SECT presents “Avenue Q”

16

Morgan James

16-17

Downtown Crazy Days

16-18

Greater Sioux Falls Outdoor Show

24

Strauss’ “Don Quixote”

25 Cher 25

Professional Image Wedding Showcase

27-31

Sioux Empire Farm Show

30

Mayor’s Round-Up & Sale of Champions

30

Keigwin + Company

31

Monster X Tour

FEBRUARY

JANUARY 1-11

Winter Wonderland

3-4

Benson’s Flea Market

4

GonnaGetWed Bridal Showcase

10

Christmas with the Animals

1-11

Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour

13-15 & 20-22

SECT Presents “Arsenic and Old Lace”

22

Church Basement Ladies: The Last Potluck Supper

24-25

Sister Act

28

Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman

chambernews.com | Chamber News 11

ECONOMIC INDICATORS Tracking trends in business is just one way that the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is looking out for our members. Sioux Falls is a great place to do business, in part because of its diverse economy. Check here for economic indicators that help show growth and development.

City of Sioux Falls Building Permit Data

Regional Unemployment Rates

JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 2014 2012

6,121 PERMITS

2013

6,175 PERMITS

2014

11,423 PERMITS

AUGUST 2014

Source: City of Sioux Falls

Fargo 2.4%

City of Sioux Falls Total Construction Value JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 2014 $500

Total Construction Value

$475

Rapid City 3.1%

Rochester 3.3%

Sioux Falls 2.9%

Non-Residential Construction Value

$450

Minneapolis/ St. Paul 3.8%

Des Moines 4.0%

Omaha 3.8%

$425 $400 $375 $350

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

$325

Note: figures represent Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), not just city; rates are not seasonally-adjusted

$300 $275

Agriculture Trends

$250

SEPTEMBER 2014 $16

$225 $502.1 million $208.7 million

$200

$454.5 million $188.8 million

$175

$125 $100 $75

$14

(PER BUSHEL) U.S.

$14.20

SOUTH DAKOTA

$13.30

$13

$341.2 million $134.1 million

(IN MILLIONS)

$150

$15

SOYBEANS $14.30

$12.70

$12

$11.20

$11 $10 2012

2013

2014

Source: City of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls Region Housing Overview SEPTEMBER 2014

$10.50

$9 $8 $7 $6

CORN

Source: RASE (Realtor Association of the Sioux Empire)

$5.42

$6.83

$5

New Listings: 446 Days on the Market Until Sale: 94 Median Sales Price: $150,000 Inventory of Homes for Sale: 1,658

(PER BUSHEL) U.S.

$6.89

SOUTH DAKOTA

$5.40

$4 $3 $2

$3.38 $2.84

2012

2013

2014

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

chambernews.com | Chamber News 13

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RESULTS based on your needs.

We combine talent and technology to create a partnership with our customers. Building your brand and turning your business into a success. We provide every digital marketing service out there – and then some.

We strategize. We measure. We create. We innovate. And we do it.

For more information, please contact Kristin Omdahl-Sheriff at 605.977.3943 or ksheriff@argusleader.com

NOTEWORTHY Headlines, accolades and rankings — Sioux Falls is often in the news for our community’s excellent business climate and high quality of life. Look for that information to be shared again here along with other topical quick hits.

Did you know? In the first three weeks the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center was open, SMG and Ovations Food Service popped

1 MILLION KERNELS OF CORN, poured enough beverages for one 8-ounce cup for every resident in Sioux Falls —

South Dakota fared well in the 2013 Gallup Healthways

“STATE OF AMERICAN WELL-BEING INDEX,” ranking NO. 2. The state ranked high for life evaluation, emotional

11,250 GALLONS, and sold about a mile of hot dogs — 5,730 FEET to be exact!

health, work environment and basic access. South Dakota ranked No. 12 in 2012. The Sioux Falls metropolitan area ranked No. 5 among the top small communities and No. 22 overall.

Source: Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

Source: Gallup Healthways

For the second year, Sioux Falls was recognized as

Livability.com released their 2015 ranking of the best small to mid-sized cities in the U.S. Sioux Falls came in at No. 41,

ONE OF AMERICA’S 50 eCITIES by Google. The award recognizes the strongest online business community in each state.

Source: Google

According to movoto.com, Sioux Falls is

ONE OF THE BEST PLACES IN THE MIDWEST to call

home. Movoto.com ranked Sioux Falls No. 9 because of reasonable commute times, low unemployment and cost of living, affordable home and rent prices, in addition to the lowest taxes on the entire list of Midwest cities.

Source: movoto.com

AMONG THE TOP 3 PERCENT OF 2,000 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES in the nation that were ranked.

Source: Livability.com

The Tax Foundation studied the real value of $100 in each state, comparing the value of goods that $100 can buy in each state compared to the national average. Using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and American Community Survey, $100

GOES MUCH FURTHER IN SOUTH DAKOTA — 13 percent further than the national average. And on a metropolitan area level, Midwest metros consistently do well, including Sioux Falls where $100

IS WORTH 7.3 PERCENT MORE.

Source: Tax Foundation

chambernews.com | Chamber News 15

FACES & PLACES

Recognition of Chamber Volunteers

AMY O’CONNOR HOBACK

DAVE STADHEIM RECOM, Inc.

St. Michael Cemetery

JULIE NELSON

DAREN ANDERSON

DAVID JOHNSON

Kleenrite Company

Home Federal Bank

Big D Technology Solutions, Inc.

The Ambassador Team of the Month for September was Team Hoback: Amy O’Connor Hoback, Kleenrite; Dave Stadheim, RECOM; and Dan Johnson, St. Michael Cemetery.

Julie Nelson, Home Federal Bank, was awarded Diplomat of the Month honors for September. Second place honors went to Daren

Our members do more than follow the news. They make the news. Job promotions and hirings. New projects. New partnerships.

Awards. Every day we hear about exciting accomplishments, historic milestones and other positive aspects of our member businesses that deserve to be shared.

DAN JOHNSON

DAKOTACARE

BRENDA EBBINGA Thurman, Comes, Foley & Co., LLP

Anderson, Big D Technology Solutions, Inc., and third place honors went to David Johnson, DAKOTACARE. Brenda Ebbinga, Thurman, Comes, Foley & Co., LLP was the recipient of the Ribbon Cutting Attendance award, and Wendy Bergan, YMCA, won the Reinvestment Award.

WENDY BERGAN YMCA

The Diplomat Team of the Month for September was: Captain Daren Anderson, Big D Technology Solutions, Inc.; David Johnson, DAKOTACARE; Jim Slater, ServiceMaster of Sioux Falls; Kelly Grovijahn, Homewood Suites by Hilton; and Jessica Nelson, Complete Media.

New Faces & Promotions

Good Deeds

Fannella Bergeson joined the Black Inc Events and Advertising team as an Event Coordinator

Dacotah Bank pledged $25,000 to the South Dakota State Fair Foundation for rebuilding one of its main exhibit halls. The foundation has a three-year capital campaign to raise $4 million for a building to replace the 1950s-era Clover Hall. The new space, called the Nordby Exhibit Hall, will have 30,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, as well as classrooms, conference room, performance stage and kitchen. The plan also includes offices for State Fair employees. As of mid-September 2014, the building fund had raised nearly $3.3 million of its $4 million goal.

Donny Freeman is a Solutions Analyst at Century Business Products. Before joining Century Business Products, Freeman worked in the cellular phone industry owned his own business for more than seven years.

16 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

Credit Collections Bureau announced the following promotions: Jennifer Elliot to Collection Associate, Mark Grant to Collection Specialist and Casey Joe to Collection Advisor.

FACES & PLACES

Be Seen

Chamber programs and activities bring members together for networking and learning opportunities. The following photos are just some of the places we caught our Chamber members in the act of promoting their businesses and using their memberships.

1

2

1

Brown & Saenger President Lyle Dabbert poses by his first delivery vehicle — a bicycle — at the October Mixer, which the company hosted. 2 Diplomats Tammy Beintema, JDRF, and Wendy Bergan, YMCA, greet Nathan Stallinga, Dakotabilities, at the October Mixer.

3 Brown & Saenger turned 125 in 2014 and celebrated their Annual Products Show with a ribbon cutting and Membership Mixer.

3 Honors & Awards First Bank & Trust and First PREMIER Bank were named to the 2014 edition of the Top 200 Healthiest Banks in America by DepositAccounts. Both banks received A+ health ratings.

Todd Kolb, GreatLife Malaska, was named the 2014 Teacher of the Year for the Dakota Chapter of the Minnesota PGA; this is the second time Kolb has been recognized by his

fellow PGA members. Kolb played collegiate golf at New Mexico State University before dedicating himself to teaching full-time. He has been a member of the PGA since 1993 and in 2000, opened the Todd Kolb Golf Academy at Willow Run Golf Course.

For the eighth time in a row, O’Gorman High School was named to the National Catholic Education Honor Roll as a 2014

School of Excellence. According to The Cardinal Newman Society, O’Gorman is one of only three schools in the nation to have received the award every year. O’Gorman was one of 71 schools, less than 5 percent of the Catholic high schools in the U.S., to receive the honor.

Faces & Places is great way to use your membership to be seen. This column appears each month in Chamber News and features information about Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce members and volunteers. Submissions may include grand openings, changes in management, moves, expansions, major developments and award recognition. Submit news using the Faces & Places form at ChamberNews.com or email asmolik@siouxfalls.com.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 17

FACES & PLACES

Be Seen

4

5

6 4 The Business Leadership Council and Board of Directors toured Marmen Energy’s Brandon location. 5 New signage is up at the Commerce Center. 6 The YPN’s first Policy & A Pint discussion took on IM 17, Any Willing Provider. From L to R: panelist David Owen, South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Moderator Jonathan Ellis, Argus Leader Media, and panelist Jon Crow, Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital. 7 The Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau staff, along with other businesses, welcomed hunters to South Dakota at the 17th Annual Hunters Celebration Oct. 16-17 at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport. 8 Members of the Chamber’s Sports & Recreation Committee toured the Midco Sports Network studio in Sioux Falls.

7

8 18 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

FACES & PLACES

Be Seen — Annual Meeting Edition

10

9

11

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13

Retiring directors from the Chamber’s Board were recognized at a reception before the show. From L to R: Chamber President/CEO Evan Nolte; Rob Oliver, Augustana College; Ben Graham, Bell, Incorporated; Eric McDonald, DocuTAP; 2013-14 Chair of the Board Keith Severson, Eide Bailly; and 2014-15 Chair of the Board Dana Dykhouse, First PREMIER Bank. 10 Dana Dykhouse recognizes Keith Severson for his year of service chairing the Chamber’s Board of Directors. 11 The Spirit of DeWald Award recognizes a Chamber member for outstanding service to the community and the Chamber.

It was named for longtime Chamber volunteer Bernie DeWald, McKinneyOlson Insurance; the 2014 recipient was Tom VanWyhe. L to R: 2014-15 Chair of the Board Dana Dykhouse, First PREMIER Bank; 2013-14 Chair of the Board Keith Severson, Eide Bailly; Tom VanWyhe; Bernie DeWald, McKinneyOlson Insurance; and Chamber President/CEO Evan Nolte. 12/13 Attendees at the Annual Meeting also enjoyed The Big Mixer, including Sen. John Thune and his wife, Kimberley. chambernews.com | Chamber News 19

FACES & PLACES

Be Seen — Annual Meeting Edition

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The South Dakota State University drumline led attendees from the Sioux Falls Convention Center to the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. 15 2014-15 Chair of the Board Dana Dykhouse shared his thoughts about Sioux Falls’ success with the audience. 16 Approximately 3,600 Chamber members and their guests attended the 108th Annual Meeting.

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16 20 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

FACES & PLACES

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17/18/19

The signature sounds of Chicago entertained attendees for 90 minutes in the recently-opened Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.

20 Following the concert by Chicago, the 108th Annual Meeting also included a post-reception held in the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center foyer.

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chambernews.com | Chamber News 21

Growing diversity means growing opportunities

BY AMY SMOLIK

Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Should you shake someone from another culture’s hand when you first meet them? What do you need to know about someone else’s culture in order to accommodate their cultural requirements in the workplace?

Questions like these, and others, will become more common in workplaces across the region as the area continues to be more diverse.

Information about Sioux Falls’ growing diversity will be shared at the 7th Annual Diversity Conference, which will be held Nov. 19 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

More than 350 people are expected to attend.

“We live in an economy that is global,” said Juan Bonilla, President of the Sioux Falls Diversity Council and a member of the Diversity Conference organizing committee. “We want to open people’s eyes and open doors to all.

We are entering a new era of diversity in our community.”

22 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

The Diversity Conference continues to grow in attendees and in the information shared. This year more than 26 speakers will present at breakout sessions and Maj. Gen. Timothy Reisch, Adjutant General for South Dakota will deliver a keynote address about “Diversity and Inclusion Through the Eyes of a General.” Several of the breakout sessions are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

The all-day conference will be capped off with a 4:30 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the Sioux Falls Diversity Council followed by a Leadership Mixer, which is designed to bring business leaders and conference attendees together for networking.

The annual Diversity Conference is organized by the Sioux Falls Diversity Council, which is made up of members of all parts of the community. This year’s Diversity

COVER STORY

Multi-Cultural Center Youth Programs include:

Kids at the Multi-Cultural Center’s after school program pose for a photo.

Conference is being chaired by Pam Bollinger, Leading Edge Solutions of South Dakota, and Sue Siemonsma, Independent Living Choices.

The Diversity Conference is just one of the events organized by the Sioux Falls Diversity Council. Educational and cultural programs include the Diversity Conference, Juneteenth celebration, Latin American Festival and Native American Festival. The Sioux Falls Diversity Council was created in an effort to sustain and promote activities that build a safe and respectful community for all people.

Natives Count: a math-focused after school program for students from five Sioux Falls elementary schools.

Froggy Reads: a new after-school reading program for English Language Learner (ELL) students from five Sioux Falls elementary schools.

Native Youth Club: focuses on Native American traditions and is open to students of all backgrounds.

Defense/Karate: classes are offered to children ages 5-17 two times per week.

C.A.R.E. Camp (Cultural Appreciation, Respect and Education): a summer day camp designed for students to experience different cultures.

Ethnic Youth Day: celebrates youth and diversity for middle school youth, especially those new to the country.

Multi-Cultural Center Adult Programs include: Driver’s Education for Ethnic Communities assists immigrants and refugee in obtaining a driver’s license.

English Classes are offered twice per week to help students increase their conversational and written language skills.

Spanish Classes are offered on a continuous basis with a focus on conversational Spanish.

The Career Closet assists those in need of clothing for interviews or to begin a new job; donations are from the community.

Educational Presentations offers community-wide educational presentations for cultural and diversity training.

The Council recently established a youth component called the SFDC Youth Initiative Committee. The mission

chambernews.com | Chamber News 23

COVER STORY RACE DISTRIBUTION Sioux Falls One Race 98.2% White 85.5% Black 4.6% American Indian 3.2% Asian 2.3% Other 2.5% 2 or More Races 1.8% Hispanic/Latino Origin (of any race) 4.9% MSA One Race 98.5% White 89.2% Black 3.6% American Indian 2.2% Asian 1.6% Other 1.9% 2 or More Races 1.8% 1.5% Hispanic/Latino Origin (of any race) 3.6% Source: 2012 American Community Survey

A recent ribbon cutting celebrated the name change of the Lutheran Social Service’s Center for New Americans.

is to harness and re-direct the intellectual and athletic capabilities of at-risk youth through education, mentorship, volunteer opportunities and participating in extracurricular activities.

Two other organizations also help with the city’s changing diversity and focus heavily on the community’s future — the children.

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) serves thousands of people of all ages, races and faiths. The organization started its Refugee Resettlement program following World War II. This year the Refugee and Immigration Services program changed its name to Center for New Americans, which recently celebrated the name change with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting.

24 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

COVER STORY The Center for New Americans serves families who have faced tremendous hardships and have overcome extreme obstacles. LSS Refugee and Immigration Programs provide a wide range of services for newcomers. Many of the services are specific to refugees, while other services are also available to immigrants. For more information about the differences between a refugee and an immigrant, see the sidebar.

LSS also provides presentations and diversity training throughout the community.

The Multi-Cultural Center of Sioux Falls was formed in 1997 to help meet the needs of the changing community.

Today the organization is undergoing a strategic plan to help meet its mission: providing experiences and services for all people to learn, celebrate and share through the community’s cultural diversity. The Center is located downtown in the historic Sioux Falls Coliseum building. It offers more than 19 services, often partnering with other organizations like Southeast Tech for driver’s education or education programs that compliment the Sioux Falls Public School District.

SIOUX FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 2014-15 Fall enrollment 23,031 students in K-12th Grade (plus 1,053 in pre-K) Approximately 2,100 students learning English for the first time 2014 Enrollment White population: 68.2% Ethnic diversity: 31.8% Black population: 10.4% Hispanic population: 9% English Language Learners: 2,102 81 spoken languages (and dialects) The ethnic diversity of district enrollmment has grown by 1-2 the last few years.

1991 Enrollment White population: 94.4% Black population: 1.5% Hispanic population: .4%

Some services include interpretation and translation in about 35 languages, legal aid, youth and adult programs and education. The MCC also offers after school care that helps kids keep up in school, particularly for those students for whom English is a second language.

Clients of the MCC usually hear about opportunities

Pictured on pages 22-25 is “The World Comes to Whittier” mural at Meldrum Park by artist Dave Loewenstein of Lawrence, Kan. The mural was completed in the fall of 2013. Loewenstein was selected because of his extensive work in the arts-based community and commitment to community ownership of the design process and product. Assisted by a muralist assistant and apprentice, the process in Sioux Falls included 14 days of community meetings and research, 10 days of design and 32 days of painting, which included the direct participation of more than 250 residents. The mural project provided a forum in which residents could carry out a lively civic dialogue about their own community.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 25

COVER STORY

IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES What is the difference between an immigrant and a refugee?

Immigrant: someone who chooses to leave their home to come to the U.S. Immigrants may come to the U.S. with temporary visas that allow them to remain for a certain period of time or under certain conditions (such as students or tourists), or they may have permission allowing them to remain indefinitely.

Refugee: someone who flees their home because they are afraid for their personal safety; refugees are unable to return to their homes because of persecution.

Refugees arrive with temporary residency and can apply for legal permanent residency after one year in the U.S.; after five years, legal permanent residents may apply for U.S. citizenship.

An estimated 15 million people from around the world have fled their homes because of religious, political and racial persecution.

• Approximately 68,000 refugees came to the U.S. (2012) • 35 to 40 percent of refugees resettled in the U.S. are children • About 400 come to Sioux Falls each year • Most refugees come from Bhutan, Iraq, Democratic Republic of Congo or Somalia Why South Dakota?

In cooperation with the Department of State, national voluntary organization Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service refers refugees to agencies such as Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota. Here, refugees receive resettlement services designed to make their transition to a new land easier.

Refugees may be assisted by family members, churches, organizations and LSS. In the past few years, refugees have come to South Dakota from Bosnia, Kosovo, the Ukraine, the former Soviet Union, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Iraq, Iran and other countries.

LSS Refugee and Immigration Programs serve families who have faced tremendous hardships and have overcome extreme obstacles. They hang on to the hope of finding a safe home. LSS strives to provide that second chance in which people can again feel the fullness of life. LSS Refugee and Immigration Programs provide a wide range of services for newcomers. Many of the services are specific to refugees, while other services are also available to immigrants.

Source: Lutheran Social Services Refugee Resettlement Fact Sheet

26 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

Pictured are some of the staff at the Multi-Cultural Center of Sioux Falls: Executive Director Christy Nicolaisen, Interpreting Services Coordinator Vick Allen and Assistant Director Roxie Kelly.

through word-of-mouth. Part of the strategic plan that the MCC Board of Directors is working on also includes how they can better market their services to the general public.

“We want to confirm that what we’re doing is what people want,” said Christy Nicolaisen, MCC Executive Director. “Does it fit our mission? Do we have the money?

Does it help youth?”

Diversity also played a prominent role in recent community visions like the Sioux Falls Tomorrow 2014 plan funded by the City of Sioux Falls, Forward Sioux Falls, Lincoln County, Minnehaha County, Sioux Empire United Way, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and the Sioux Falls School District.

“We had good discussions on areas where movement needs to happen,” Nicolaisen said about the Sioux Falls Tomorrow process. “Our community has changed so much that we need to be vigilant in meeting those changing needs.”

Nicolaisen believes Sioux Falls is ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities that the city’s growing diversity provides.

“Overall Sioux Falls does a great job of embracing changes,” said Nicolaisen. “Sioux Falls understands that diversity is the future; it’s how Sioux Falls is going to survive.”

2014 SIOUX FALLS DIVERSITY CONFERENCE • NOV. 19, 2014 “Empowering Diversity Today for a Better Tomorrow” Program: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sioux Falls Convention Center Closing & Leadership Mixer: 4:45-6 p.m., Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel Fontenelle Rooms $65 per person (discounts are available for multiple registrants from the same organization) To register, visit sfdiversitycouncil.org or call (605) 261-8939.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) may be available for some professions; they are notated at sfdiversitycouncil.org.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 7:30-8:15 a.m.

Conference Registration & Sponsor/Vendor Check-in 8:15-8:30 a.m.

Honor Guard/Presentation of Colors, Gordon Weston Lodge, Flandreau, S.D. 8:30-8:45 a.m.

Welcome & Introduction (Ballroom A) Juan Bonilla, President of Sioux Falls Diversity Council, & Evan Nolte, President/CEO, Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

8:45-10 a.m.

Keynote Address — “Diversity and Inclusion Through the Eyes of a General” Introduction by Senior Master Sergeant Michael J. Clauson, South Dakota Air National Guard Keynote Speaker Major General Timothy A. Reisch, Adjutant General for South Dakota Reisch will discuss the four dimensions of diversity characteristics identified by the Military Leadership Diversity Commission that should be considered by leaders of all organizations: Demographic Diversity, Cognitive Diversity, Structural Diversity and Global Diversity.

10-10:15 a.m.

Break/Visit Vendor Booths 10:15-11:45 a.m.

Breakout Sessions

“Bullying in the Workplace” Melinda Olson, Prevention Resource Center/VOA (Meeting Room 3) “Welcoming Our Transgender Family & Friends — Opening the Door” Terri Carlson, PFLAG (Meeting Room 6) “Mental Health Issues in the Workplace” Dr. Rajesh Singh, Psychiatrist, Sanford Health (Meeting Room 7) “Did I Really Say That? Unconscious Bias” Diane Maeschen, Sioux Falls VA Medical Center, and Mark Blackburn, Augustana College (Meeting Room 8) “Women Empowerment” Panel Darla Crown & Nilofar Meyer, Active South Dakota National Guard; Dr. Julie Ashworth, Augustana College; Dr. Valerie Hearns, Sanford Health; Paula Johnson, Retired Army Colonel (Meeting Room 9)

“Best Practices in a Diverse Community” Panel IMPRINT Program — Dr. Daniel Obaka, Sioux Falls Diversity Council; Multi-Cultural Center —Christy Nicolaisen, Executive Director; Lutheran Social Services Home Liaison Refuge & Immigrant Program — Deb Worth, Assistant Director; Disability Issues — Vickie Kirkvliet, Independent Living Choices Assistant Director; Sioux Empire Homeless Coalition — Melanie Bliss, Director; Spanish Immersion Program — Tracy Vik, Principal, Sioux Falls School District (Meeting Room 10)

“Native American Culture” Panel Joe Circle Bear, Teri St. Pierre, George Eagleman, Stephanie Altamirano (Meeting Room 6)

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Lunch & Luncheon Speaker “Immigration 101” — An Overview of the U. S. Immigration System in the Light of Core National, Human Rights and Faith-based Values

“Women Empowerment” Panel Darla Crown & Nilofar Meyer, Active South Dakota National Guard; Dr. Julie Ashworth, Augustana College; Dr. Valerie Hearns, Sanford Health; Paula Johnson, Retired Army Colonel (Meeting Room 9)

Introduction by Rev. Jeanette Clark, Presenter Rev. John Guttermann (Ballroom A)

12:45-2:15 p.m.

Breakout Sessions “Bullying in the Workplace” Melinda Olson, Prevention Resource Center/VOA (Meeting Room 3) Racial, Ethnic and Religious Profiling of Immigrant Communities Rev. John Guttermann (Meeting Room 6) “Mental Health Issues in the Workplace” Dr. Rajesh Singh, Psychiatrist, Sanford Health (Meeting Room 7) “Dakota Academy of Performing Arts Plays for Living — Where Does it End?” Sara Crosby, Facilitator & Founder (Meeting Room 8) “Youth Perspectives on Diversity and Overcoming Adversity” Panel Nikko McFadden, John Buay Tut, Alek Bol (South Sudan Youth Association) (Meeting Room 9) “Native American Culture” Panel Joe Circle Bear, Teri St. Pierre, George Eagleman, Stephanie Altamirano (Meeting Room 10)

2:15-2:30 p.m.

Break/Visit Vendor Booths 2:30-4 p.m.

Breakout Sessions “Welcoming our Transgender Family and Friends — Opening the Door” Terri Carlson, PFLAG (Meeting Room 3)

“Understanding the Crisis in South Sudan” Panel Dr. Isaac Gang, Miyong Koun, and The Honorable Reath MouchTang (Meeting Room 7) “Did I Really Say That? Unconscious Bias” Diane Maeschen, Sioux Falls VA Medical Center, and Mark Blackburn, Augustana College (Meeting Room 8)

“Accommodations — Sacred Spaces, Safe Places in the Workplace” Panel Buddhism & Judaism — Jen Wagner, South Dakota Department of Corrections; Christian — Dr. Warren Hoffman, First Baptist Church; Native American Spirituality — Darryl Knight-Schafer, Sanford One Care; Hindu — Chandradhr Dwivedi, SDSU; Muslim — Taneeza Islam, Immigration Attorney (Meeting Room 10)

4-4:15 p.m.

Next Steps —Economic Diversity/Calling Up the Leader in Each of Us! Presenter: Kim Bartling, Creative Consulting/MESO

4:15-4:30 p.m.

Complete Evaluations, Door Prize Registration and Transition to the Sheraton Fontenelle Rooms 4:30-4:45 p.m.

Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for the Sioux Falls Diversity Council, Sheraton Fontenelle Rooms 4:45-6 p.m.

Leadership Mixer, Door Prizes (must be present to win), Hors d’oeuvres, Refreshments & Brief Program: “Leadership Priorities — Embrace Diversity and Promote Inclusion” Introduction by Maddie Gutierrez, Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce; Presenters Juan Bonilla, President, Sioux Falls Diversity Council; Evan Nolte, President/CEO, Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce; and Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Reisch, Adjutant General for South Dakota

chambernews.com | Chamber News 27

BUSINESS ADVOCACY

The Chamber’s Legislative Platform and Policy Statements process At their December meeting, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will consider adopting the 2015 Policy Statements and Legislative Platform that guide our Chamber’s work during the upcoming legislative session. Prior to adoption, a lot of work goes into developing the platform.

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE The Chamber’s advocacy efforts include the development of two important types of guidance — Policy Statements and the Legislative Platform. Both are typically divided into topical sections such as economic development, infrastructure, education, taxes and regulation, etc.

MARK LEE

Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

... both IRC (Issues Research Council) and IMC (Issues Management Council) are studying issues all year long.

Our Policy Statements include language regarding the Chamber’s beliefs or principles that generally guide us. These endure over time and do not necessarily target specific legislative issues. These principles can be, however, put into practice through our annual platform that anticipates specific proposals that may come forward.

For example in the area of infrastructure our Policy Statements say, in part, “Federal, state and local government should maintain a high quality infrastructure network, which provides for development.” This session we know there will be specific road and bridge funding proposals for us to consider. That is how we put our principles into practice as we decide our position on the specific proposals.

The Legislative Platform tends to be more fluid than the Policy Statements and may change each year depending on many factors including what is timely and topical heading into session. The 2014 Policy Statements and platform can be found under the Advocacy tab on the Chamber’s website, www.siouxfallschamber.com.

DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE The Policy Statements and the Platform are both reviewed and considered each fall. Since the Platform deals more with issues of the day, it typically receives the most editorial attention as we move through the process. The Issues Management Council (IMC), with the research and writing assistance of the Issues Research Council (IRC), is responsible for reviewing and developing both documents.

While both IMC and IRC are studying issues all year long, we begin the redevelopment process in August with a review of the prior year’s platform. We continue in September and October with reports and presentations that are focused on specific issues that are likely to become legislative issues. By November, a draft platform will begin emerging and the Policy Statements will be reviewed and edited. The IRC is responsible for administration of the Issues and Advocacy Survey and committees such as Education & Workforce Development and Business Transportation are instrumental in formulating draft questions; the Issues Management Council administers the survey in late November and compiles the results in early December. The survey and the Governor’s budget address, held the first Tuesday in December, will provide two more critical inputs for platform development.

The process culminates with the December IMC meeting when the proposed and updated Policy Statements and Legislative Platform are approved and forwarded to the Board of Directors. The Executive Board reviews them both and makes a recommendation to full Board of Directors.

As you can see, the formation of our legislative platform and policy statements is both a thoughtful and purposeful way to ensure that Chamber members’ business interests continue to be appropriately represented. For more information, contact the Chamber’s Public Affairs & Communications Department: (605) 336-1620.

Mark Lee is the Public Affairs & Communications Director for the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as the full-time lobbyist for the Chamber and Forward Sioux Falls during South Dakota’s legislative session.

28 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

COMMUNITY APPEALS SIOUX FALLS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Community Appeals Scheduled Fund Drives The purpose of the Community Appeals Committee is to qualify and provide orderly scheduling of capital fund drives.

The committee has a responsibility to discourage unnecessary or overlapping drives, to assess funds available in the Sioux Falls business community, and to provide input on realistic drive goals.

Capital fund drive applications will be accepted by the committee until Aug. 1 of any one year and the suggested solicitation amount and time slot for approved drives will be determined and scheduled by the committee no later than February of the following year.

For more information on the Community Appeals Committee, call Mike Lynch at (605) 373-2006 or download an application at SiouxFallsChamber.com under the Programs tab.

FEEDING SOUTH DAKOTA NOV. 1, 2014-MARCH 31, 2015 $1.2 MILLION New location

DAKOTABILITIES APRIL 1-JULY 31, 2015 $1.007 MILLION Renovate and remodel Longfellow school for new/consolidated headquarters

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES APRIL 1-JULY 31, 2016 $1.25 MILLION To build a new “Center for Community Services” to house multiple programs

chambernews.com | Chamber News 29

HEADLINES

Feeding South Dakota to expand facilities in fight against hunger

BY MIKE LYNCH

Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce One might assume that nearly all South Dakota families have enough to eat; however, with an estimated 100,000 South Dakotans considered food insecure, meaning they don’t know when or where their next meal will come from, being hungry is a part of many people’s daily struggle. Add to this a growing population in Sioux Falls, coupled with more citizens finding themselves categorized as working poor, and it becomes much easier to understand the acute situation facing many in the Sioux Falls area and across South Dakota.

Feeding South Dakota is intensifying its effort to end hunger as it launches a capital fundraising campaign. The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Community Appeals Committee has qualified the Feeding South Dakota capital campaign, which has an overall goal of $3 million. $1.2 million of the overall goal is to be raised from the business community through the Chamber’s Community Appeals from Nov. 1, 2014-March 31, 2015.

Campaign officials have scheduled a press conference at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 14 at its headquarters (3511 N. 1st Ave.).

Capital campaign funds will be used toward facility renovation and expansion, which will allow the Sioux Falls Food Pantry and Food Bank locations to be combined. Feeding South Dakota has purchased an adjacent 12,000 sq. ft. building, which will be connected and expanded to accommodate a new freezer/cooler and allow for a 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse addition. The added space will also create better efficiencies as well as foster continued growth in the mobile food pantry services that reach every corner of South Dakota.

Additionally, the expansion will provide a safe and adequate working space for the BackPack and Senior Box programs and will also provide for the acceptance of large quantities of fresh produce and frozen products, which has been limited to this point.

30 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

FEEDING SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY APPEALS CAMPAIGN

Goal: $1.2 million ($3 million overall goal)

Nov. 1, 2014-March 31, 2015 The campaign will expand the Feeding South Dakota facilities to consolidate some programs and expand others, creating efficiencies to better help the organization serve the area.

A press conference about the campaign will be held Nov. 14 at Feeding South Dakota, 3511 N. 1st Ave. For more information, visit feedingsouthdakota.org Feeding South Dakota, affiliated with “Feeding America” and originally established in 1975 by the Sioux Falls Ministerial Association, exists to eliminate hunger in South Dakota.

The organization, partnering with individuals and businesses, distributes approximately 11 million meals each year including 7.5 million pounds of food distributed to more than 320 nonprofit programs in Sioux Falls. As a frame of reference to show the increased demand, when Feeding South Dakota opened a warehouse in Sioux Falls, it distributed 1.8 million pounds of food annually, serving approximately 70 nonprofit programs. Feeding South Dakota has additional locations in Pierre and Rapid City.

The goal is for Feeding South Dakota to reduce the hunger gap in the state by 50 percent, meaning by 2020 nearly 16 million meals will leave the food bank facilities annually in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City. Last year, Feeding South Dakota distributed 10.4 million meals — or about 12.5 million pounds of food.

“I believe that we can end hunger in South Dakota. I also believe that Feeding South Dakota has the people, history, creativity and determination to realize this goal,” said Feeding South Dakota Campaign Chair Dan Murphy, Wells Fargo. “But they need a larger food bank and food pantry to meet the needs of the hungry in our state today.”

Besides the obvious nutritional and sustenance aspect of Feeding South Dakota’s mission, the organization’s benefits extend way beyond the expected.

“This will provide people the nourishment to lift themselves out of the challenging times that they may be facing. But, you see, our effort is not just about providing the people we support food — it is about providing them with the strength they need to take care of their families, or perhaps the elderly. It is about providing them with comfort as they face difficult times. It is about providing them with the knowledge that an entire state is willing to walk alongside them as they work to make life better for themselves and their families,” said Feeding South Dakota Executive Director Matt Gassen.

With the help of Feeding South Dakota ensuring people have food on their tables, children are able to focus on their studies and excel in school; students are able to go to college, graduate, and start their careers; adults are able to care for others, volunteer, and take leadership roles that improve their communities; and, our elderly are able to live healthier, happier lives as they reach their later years.

Those who work for Feeding South Dakota find great personal satisfaction working for such an important cause and the significant impact providing food has upon families.

HEADLINES

“As Feeding South Dakota employees travel across the state and meet with the people they serve, they are incredibly grateful for the support that the people of South Dakota offer to them. When you see a small child in our food pantry who is helping his mother pick out food for dinner, and you see the smile on his face when he finds something on the shelves that he really loves, it warms your heart in ways that are hard to express,” DeGraff said.

Murphy affirms that Feeding South Dakota is an important, integral part of the community.

“The redevelopment of our downtown, for instance, has happened in part because of the contributions they make to enhance the well being of our community. Because of the good work of nonprofits like Feeding South Dakota, our city flourishes. That is why it is important for our community to band together for this campaign,” he said.

For more information and to contribute to the campaign, visit feedingsouthdakota.org or plan to attend the Nov. 14 press conference.

Feeding South Dakota Community Appeals Campaign Chair Dan Murphy, Wells Fargo, (center) sorts food supplies for the Food Bank Program. He has spent many hours volunteering his time in the fight against hunger.

FEEDING SOUTH DAKOTA ORGANIZATIONAL PROGRAMS The BackPack Program provides more than 5,000 weekend food packages to elementary, middle, and high school children in Rapid City, Sioux Falls and their surrounding communities.

This program was designed to fill the hunger gap that exists between Friday and Monday when school is not in session.

The Food Pantry Programs, operating in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, provide more than 90,500 emergency food supplies annually, which provided nearly 1.6 million meals to hungry individuals and families in South Dakota.

The Food Bank Program in Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls is the largest organizational program. These warehouse facilities distribute more than 12.5 million pounds of product to 350 non-profit member agencies each year. The Food Bank Program relies on donated products from various donors and partners, including the Feeding America Network, to distribute to nonprofit agencies in all South Dakota’s 66 counties.

The Mobile Food Pantry Program operates in Pierre and Rapid City and distributes food to hungry individuals and families living in high-need areas. The items distributed by the Mobile Food Pantry Program supplement the work of partner food pantries, shelters, and onsite feeding programs. This program provides more than 428,000 meals each year across the state.

Feeding South Dakota administers two commodity programs for the state of South Dakota: the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). CSFP provides boxes of food monthly to low-income seniors in South Dakota. TEFAP provides food products to emergency feeding programs, such as homeless shelters and food pantries. Both programs carry specific income guidelines that individuals must meet to qualify to receive these foods.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 31

HEADLINES

Chamber launches website redesign

BY THANE BARNIER Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce In a world where technology often gets in the way of human interaction, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce strives to enhance members’ (and future members) ability to stay connected and stay informed. A revamp of siouxfallschamber.com gives users the information they want, allows them to access it from whatever device they prefer and gives a human face to go with that information. Every aspect of the new website is geared toward strengthening the Chamber’s relationships with members and the community.

CHECK OUT THE REVAMPED CHAMBER WEBSITE: siouxfallschamber.com

The Chamber’s website, originally launched in the late 1990s, has continued to evolve over the years to meet members’ needs; the newlyredesigned siouxfallschamber.com addresses changes in both how and why visitors are accessing the site.

Technology is evolving at a rapid pace and so is the way people access the web. Two years ago less than 9 percent of visitors to the Chamber’s website did so via a mobile device.

Today 20 percent of the visitors come via a mobile browser. Screen sizes and resolutions of mobile devices vary widely, making it difficult to ensure that data is displayed the same on every screen. The new website utilizes cutting edge design techniques, allowing the layout to respond to the visitor’s device and change fluidly to offer the best viewing experience for the user, without the need for a separate site designed solely for mobile.

The changes to the website are more than cosmetic. In order to get an accurate picture of how the site was being utilized, the design team used responses and trends from the annual Chamber communications survey, analytics data and talked with frequent users of the site. Findings from the Chamber’s spring 2014 Membership Task Force, which focused on short- and long-term goals of membership

32 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

Pictured are screenshots of the revamped Chamber website, siouxfallschamber.com. The left picture is the new Ambassador Committee page, one of the pages added to better help members connect with volunteers and community leaders. The right image shows the new home page. The site has been designed to be responsive to whatever device the viewer is using.

sales and retention efforts and how best to use communication tools to achieve those goals, were also shared. The content and navigation of the website were reorganized to offer better ease of use, responding to users’ priorities.

There are two distinct user groups: existing Chamber members seeking information about events and services, and prospective members looking for information about joining the Chamber. For existing members, the information has been reorganized, prioritizing items which are most viewed by visitors. For prospective members, a new home page was created just for them that better directs them to most pertinent information to help them make their decision to become a Chamber member — or how to find more information.

The Chamber is about people and relationships, which is a key element to be highlighted throughout the website. The Chamber’s volunteer leaders — Board of Directors, Ambassadors and Diplomats — now have their photos on the site, which helps put a human face to the Chamber as well as recognizes the work these wonderful volunteers put into keeping their Chamber strong.

For more information about the website, visit siouxfallschamber.com or contact the Chamber at (605) 336-1620.

HEADLINES

Discounted training available to Chamber members At a recent meeting of the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development Committee, Southeast Tech’s Training Solutions Institute made a presentation on their extensive non-credit education and training catalog.

During discussion, the committee agreed to dialogue with Training Solutions to see if there was a way to create a win-win solution — discounted training options for Chamber members and enhanced offerings for Training Solutions. After a brief negotiation, an agreement was reached.

Any employee of any Chamber member can take courses through Training Solutions at a 15 percent discount off their list price. There is no minimum number of employees needed to receive this discount — it begins with the first employee. The discount applies to most of Training Solutions’s offerings; the next printed catalog, available near Thanksgiving, will highlight the eligible courses. In return, the Chamber will help promote and communicate the program to its membership.

Training Solutions Institute of Southeast Tech exists to provide workforce and career development opportunities to individuals and organizations in the region. These opportunities are presented in the form of on-going programs, public offerings for the purpose of individual skills development, and customized/ contract training provided to develop skills within an organization. Training is offered in leadership, computer applications, business, medical processes, industrial trades, and many special interests. Continuing education is offered to meet state and federal requirements

Chamber members can now take courses through Training Solutions Institute at a 15 percent discount.

Visit trainingsolutionsinstitute.com for more information for many trades and professions. Customized training can be tailored to meet the needs of individual organizations or groups.

a start in addressing the community’s workforce challenges with the hope that it will blossom into even more opportunities.

This new agreement dovetails with the findings from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development’s recent Workforce Summits.

One of those findings was that employers needmore ways to access and support a workforce with needed skills and competencies. Businesses cannot find enough of the right skills at the right time, and need support from educational institutions, communities, and government to attract and retain workers.

For more information about this agreement, contact Mike Lynch at the Sioux Falls Area Chamber (mlynch@siouxfalls.com) or Roxanna McKenna at Training Solutions Institute (roxanna.mckenna@southeasttech.edu).

If your business or organization is interested in providing a Member-to-Member Discount to other Chamber members, contact Pat Lund at (605) 336-1620.

This new agreement provides new added value to your Chamber membership and members are encouraged to consider the training and educational offerings Training Solutions has available. This new training opportunity is

chambernews.com | Chamber News 33

HEADLINES

State Chamber’s Economic Outlook to focus on workforce development This year’s South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s annual Economic Outlook highlights a topic that has been discussed thoroughly in recent months — workforce development. The Economic Outlook will be held Thursday, Nov. 13 from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

Dr. Ralph Brown will give an update on the state and regional economies and discuss the principles of inflation. A Professor Emeritus of Economics at USD and Chief Advisor to the Governor’s Economic Advisory Council, Brown has presented at previous events; currently he’s with Economic Analysts & Associates in Vermillion. A workforce development panel will discuss issues including filling technical job openings, developing new workforces and ideas for coping with a shortage of workers.

Dr. Paul Harrington, Director of the Center for Labor Markets and Policy at Drexel University in Philadelphia, will lead a workforce

34 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

SOUTH DAKOTA ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Thursday, Nov. 13 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Sioux Falls Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 1 $60 per person, includes lunch Register at sdchamber.biz development discussion. He has authored and co-authored numerous articles, monographs and books and taught a wide variety of courses in economics and public policy. He frequently serves as a featured speaker at conferences on education and workforce development across the nation and is often cited in media reports on labor market and economic activity.

Harrington was also part of the Workforce Summits held around the state this summer by Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

If you missed his presentation at one of the summits, you will have a chance to hear it at this event.

Two individuals will discuss their company’s solutions to workforce issues. Jen Schaefer, PHR, Head of People and Culture at DocuTAP in Sioux Falls, will explain how they recruit and keep workers with technology skills. David Giovannini, Senior Vice President with Molded Fiber Glass Companies in Aberdeen, will discuss his company’s innovative solutions to worker shortages.

Event sponsors include: Avera Health, Sanford Health, First PREMIER Bank, Forward Sioux Falls and U.S. Bank. The cost is $60 per person and includes lunch. Register at sdchamber.biz and click on Economic Outlook Seminar.

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Who doesn’t deserve a weekend getaway to Sioux Falls?

Winter is known for being a slower time for leisure travel nationwide, but new attractions, activities and local cuisine have made Sioux Falls a regional spot for a weekend away.

In its third year of receiving matching funds from the South Department of Tourism for a leisure marketing campaign, the Sioux Falls CVB will seek to lure potential visitors to Sioux Falls through a sweepstakes offer. Research has recently shown that more than 429 million days of vacation time goes unused (U.S. Travel Association 2013). The campaign creative materials will play off that research and communicate a message for people to get away because “they deserve it,” whether it’s with friends, family or a couple’s weekend away.

TERI SCHMIDT

Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau Mission To market the city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota as a one-ofa-kind visitor destination, and to provide premier visitor services, and increase visitor spending in order to enhance economic impact throughout the community.

The Sioux Falls Promise The CVB stands committed to exceeding visitor’s expectations. We will provide superior visitor hospitality in the city best recognized as “The Heart of America.”

For all your convention, meeting and event needs, contact the Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau: (605) 275-6060 or email sfcvb@siouxfalls.com.

The campaign will run November 2014 through February 2015 and targets leisure travelers in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska who would be most likely to plan a trip to Sioux Falls during the winter season.

The geo-targeted campaign will include newspaper inserts and an entirely new approach to digital advertising efforts. Online efforts will include search ads, display ads, retargeting, Facebook campaign, Twitter efforts, high impact pre-roll, direct e-blasts and marketing automation. More than 13 million people will be reached.

Visitors will be directed to the unique landing page VisitSiouxFalls.com/YouDeserveIt where they will have the chance to sign up to win one of three travel packages to Sioux Falls.

The packages will be customized based upon what the winners decide they want to their trip to be. It can be redeemed anytime between Nov. 1, 2015 and Feb. 29, 2016. Hotel partners include the Hilton Garden Inn South, Holiday Inn City Centre and Quality Inn and Suites.

This type of promotion allows the CVB to generate leads in the form of sign-ups to re-market to during the campaign and in the future. After visitors have signed up for the promotion they will have the opportunity to participate in discovering what their “Sioux Falls Personality” is to encourage travel during the promotion time period. They will be able to share their personality on Facebook and then will be retargeted through email marketing automation with a sample itinerary that fits their personality. Additionally, a completely separate marketing effort will target people solely through a Facebook campaign to complete the “Sioux Falls Personality Quiz”. These two directives will increase engagement by allowing people to participate in two different but complimentary ways.

In 2013, the CVB website received 342,266 visits, an increase 54.7 percent over 2012, and more than 66.5 million impressions were gained through digital strategy efforts for the leisure market. Without a doubt, website and digital marketing is the leading trend for people seeking information.

36 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

Keep warm with a new

Sioux Falls

hooded sweatshirt Now available at the Falls Park Visitor Information Center.

Open Nov. 1- 9 and 15 - 16 10am-5pm Open Nov. 21 - Jan. 4, 2015 Mon. - Thurs. 5pm - 9pm, Fri. 5pm - 10pm Sat. 10am - 10pm, Sun. 10am - 9pm 605.367.7430

12th Annual Winter Wonderland Kick-off • Friday, November 21, 2014 • 6:00 PM Falls Park lights up nightly from November 21, 2014 - January 11, 2015 Go to www.VisitSiouxFalls.com/WinterWonderland for more information!

CHAMBER PARTNER

Making improvements in affordable housing The Sioux Empire Housing Partnership (SEHP) was established by Forward Sioux Falls in response to the need for affordable workforce housing in the city and the surrounding service market area. Since its inception in 1997, the Partnership has pioneered several programs and developments that have addressed this ever-present challenge.

JIM SCHMIDT

Sioux Empire Housing Partnership

Affordable workforce housing affects all cultures within our community.

In a partnership arrangement with Avera Health, 56 houses were moved from the Avera campus to create a new housing subdivision called Lacey Park, which rehabbed existing homes and provided single family ownership for families that income qualified for the program. In addition, Valley Green was a development where 49 homes were offered to first-time homebuyers.

Beyond home ownership, the Partnership has pioneered a down payment assistance program and also worked with the state housing authority on developing a method of financing homebuyer education. SEHP is one of the leading providers in the state on counseling first-time homebuyers as they go through the process of acquiring that first home. Several additions have been made to our education offerings, which now include a financial package on credit, debt management and renter education.

The Partnership has extended its services beyond the city of Sioux Falls to include the communities that fall within the MSA area by providing them with the computer hardware and programs that allow for individuals to learn about the availability of real estate property within those communities. This was made possible by grants through Citi.

Recognizing that the needs of the public for education cannot always be met because of individuals having the normal “8 to 5” work schedule, weekend programs were offered. Even with these expanded hours, some individuals were still unable to participate. SEHP pioneered the first homebuyer education that can be taken via Skype, which allows families or individuals from any area, both in and out of the state, to take homebuyer education and avail themselves of this opportunity.

SEHP was a recipient of a neighborhood development grant from Capital One, which focused on the Whittier neighborhood. In working with the leaders of that area it was noted that a heavy concentration of Hispanic residents were located there. It was found that this population had no means of securing homebuyer education directed specifically to this language group.

Through the generosity of our local banks, a special website was designed for the Hispanic homebuyer, complete with a bilingual counselor and a special phone line dedicated to this effort. Through this means, SEHP has established a connection to a valuable population in our community and is proud to say that it has produced new homeowners located throughout the city of Sioux Falls. SEHP has contacted with leadership of the Hispanic community and we have been impressed with their efforts to endorse our programs.

Affordable workforce housing affects all cultures within our community. Currently SEHP is continuing the process of future websites to address other ethnic groups. Addressing the diversity that is within our city has been and will continue to be one of our major objectives as we recognize the need for expanding housing opportunities to all of our residents.

Jim Schmidt is the Executive Director of the Sioux Empire Housing Partnership.

38 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

USING YOUR MEMBERSHIP

New Community Guide available for members Last month approximately 300 volunteers spent time saying thank you to more than 2,000 Chamber members and asking their input about the value of their membership at the 29th Annual Operation Thank You. Operation Thank You is held annually and is sponsored by the Diplomat Committee, which is the servicing arm of the Chamber.

Members received the 2014-15 Sioux Falls Community Guide, with information about all facets of life in Sioux Falls. The book is a great publication to use in recruiting new staff or sharing information about living and doing business here. The Sioux Falls Community Guide contains information about Sioux Falls and is targeted to people considering relocation to Sioux Falls, and also to businesses seeking community information for marketing and expansion

purposes. Under the theme Better Business, Better Life, the publication contains information pertaining to career opportunities, education, housing, healthcare, arts and culture, area attractions and sports and recreation, as well as demographic information relative to living in the Sioux Falls area.

Members also received the Chamber’s Annual Report and their 2014-15 Membership Window Decal. Members had the opportunity to respond to a short electronic or mailed survey regarding the membership benefits they appreciate most.

The electronic survey will remain open until Nov. 14, should you still wish to complete it and share your opinion.

For more information about Operation Thank You or any Chamber membership benefits, call (605) 336-1620.

Community to celebrate Veterans Day Nov. 11 VETERANS DAY CEREMONIES Tuesday, Nov. 11 10:30 a.m.

Lincoln High School, 2900 S. Cliff Ave. Free & open to the public Sponsored by area veterans organizations, including the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Military & Veterans Affairs Committee

The annual Veterans Day celebration in Sioux Falls will feature music and a keynote address from a former Navy SEAL. The public is invited to attend the ceremonies, which will be held at Lincoln High School at 10:30 a.m. on Veterans Day – Tuesday, Nov. 11. Veterans Day is a national holiday designated to honor the many men and women who have served our country, particularly those who lost their lives in that service.

The program includes a Presentation of Colors, Mass Flag Presentation, Performance from the Singing Legionnaires of American Post 15, and a keynote address presented by former Navy SEAL Karl Hernes. Veteran Outstanding Achievement Awards will be presented to four individuals.

For more information about this event or other military and veterans affairs activities organized through the Chamber, call (605) 373-2013.

The Chamber’s Military and Veterans Affairs Committee has been honored for many years to partner with several veterans organizations in sponsoring the local event to pay homage to these individuals.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 39

MEMBER’S VOICE

The pulse of diversity in Sioux Falls Every day, we look into the eyes of our neighbors — calming fears and providing hope. Although many connections are made because of sorrow and crisis, there is joy and celebration: • Through open adoption, a young birth mom once struggling to make a good decision for her unborn child celebrated the first birthday with her child and the adoptive parents.

BETTY OLDENKAMP Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota

Refugee resettlement services are designed to encourage self-sufficiency.

• A couple thinking their 20-year marriage was over celebrated their anniversary, all because they came in for marriage counseling.

• A family on the verge of losing their home learned there was a solution for their financial difficulties through Lutheran Social Services’ Center for Financial Resources.

The people we serve are as unique and diverse as the circumstances that brought them to LSS. However, the most controversial and least understood is our work with refugees. LSS has had its hand on the pulse of diversity in Sioux Falls as early as 1948, when we resettled displaced Europeans as a result of World War II. In the last 65 years, the world has changed and so has the refugee population. In recent years, LSS resettled displaced people from Bhutan and Iraq. More are starting to come from the Congo and Somalia.

The U.S. along with other countries participates in a global humanitarian mission to care for the world’s refugees. The U.S. President determines how many refugees are allowed into our country. Last year that was 68,000; 35 to 40 percent of which were children.

In South Dakota, LSS is the only agency to provide resettlement services. The number of refugees resettled in Sioux Falls remains relatively consistent, approximately 450 each year. LSS provides six core services including community orientation and education, case

management, employment services, English language training, immigration services and interpreter services.

Each week, nearly 400 refugees walk through our doors to attend classes. Some of the classes are tailored for specific jobs, including customer service and food safety.

Last year, LSS helped 376 refugees prepare and successfully maintain employment in Sioux Falls.

Based on federal requirements, refugee resettlement services are designed to encourage self-sufficiency, not long-term dependence. We have eight months from the moment they arrive to get them acclimated and employed. Although they remain eligible for core services for up to five years, refugees do not receive federal cash assistance for their living expenses after eight months.

We acknowledge that refugee resettlement brings challenges. We also believe it brings great value that is difficult to quantify — adults who are eager to work and will accept less desirable jobs; children who acclimate quickly and grow up to be teachers, social workers and doctors; youth who are are exposed to language and culture that prepares them to learn, work and succeed in a global economy; our community, which benefits from a great diversity of cultures and a growing number of ethnic small businesses that enhance our landscape.

As LSS approaches its 100th Anniversary of providing multiple and diverse services and responding to the changing needs of Sioux Falls, I find it comforting to reflect on our mission — strengthening individuals, families and communities. We believe it is God’s love that compels us to serve and to value all people. Our core values —to be compassionate, appreciative, respectful, ethical and strategic — are grounded by our faith in God. They will guide our hands and feet, our hearts and words as we serve our neighbors as God intended.

Betty Oldenkamp is the President/CEO of Lutheran Social Services South Dakota.

40 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

Fall Membership Drive seeks to add 80 new members

BY AMY M. FARR

Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce annual Fall Membership Drive is currently underway and runs through Nov. 14. More than 90 volunteers, led by the Chamber’s Ambassador Committee, are identifying future members, making contacts and selling the benefits of Chamber membership.

If you are not already a member of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, now is a great time to join. Investing in the Chamber and community has many tangible benefits, including: a free listing on siouxfallschamber.com and on the Chamber’s app, networking and educational opportunities for members and their staff and free or discounted marketing opportunities with local TV, newspaper and radio partners.

There are many non-tangible benefits as well. The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading business advocacy group.

The Chamber covers all meetings of the Sioux Falls School Board, Sioux Falls City Council and Minnehaha County, and has a full-time lobbyist in Pierre for the legislative session. Chamber staff are a great resource for information about government activities at all levels.

Being informed is another key benefit. Members and their employees can receive all of the Chamber’s electronic communications,

ANNUAL FALL MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Now through Nov. 14 Refer a potential member to the Chamber or an Ambassador (see names and contact information at siouxfallschamber.com) some of which detail news and issues while others focus on Chamber events and activities. The Chamber recognizes that benefits of membership are essential to the growth and success of the business climate in Sioux Falls, which is why networking and educational opportunities are held year-round.

Volunteers working on the three-week membership drive will recruit new businesses and organizations that want to become a part of the unified business voice in the Sioux Falls area. The Chamber hopes to welcome more than 80 new members.

For more information about the Chamber, visit siouxfallschamber. com. To pass on a membership lead, contact an Ambassador (their names and contact information can be found at siouxfallschamber. com) or the Chamber office at (605) 336-1620.

Live Well Sioux Falls plans community forum to discuss food Join Live Well Sioux Falls for an interactive, informative afternoon focused on how residents can better learn how to Live Well and Eat Well. The public is invited to hear about how healthy food systems create healthy communities in a discussion featuring Sharon Thornberry, Community Food Systems Manager for the Oregon Food Bank. It will be held Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 1-5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn City Centre.

While Sioux Falls enjoys a strong economy and high quality of life, the percentage of people consuming a healthy number of servings of fruits and vegetables has declined.

Limited access to nutritious foods and relatively easier access to less nutritious foods may be linked to poor diets and obesity, particularly in youth. Building stronger community food systems results in healthier individuals, food economies and communities.

Thornberry is an advocate for community food systems, rural communities and anti-hunger work. She grew up on farms in Iowa and North Carolina, was active in 4-H and Girl Scouts and was one of the first female members of Future Farmers of America. Her experience includes food service, retail grocery, living as a homeless mom with two small children, coordinating a food pantry and serving on the Oregon Hunger Task Force. She has worked for Oregon Food Bank for the past 15 years focusing on rural food systems and is

LIVE WELL SIOUX FALLS Wednesday, Nov. 12 • 1-5 p.m.

Holiday Inn City Centre, 100 W. 8th St. Free & open to the public Featuring Sharon Thornberry, Community Food Systems Manager for the Oregon Food Bank FREE Event, but registration is required.

Email livewell@siouxfalls.org or call (605) 367-8286.

the creator of “FEAST,” the nationally recognized community food systems organizing program.

Live Well Sioux Falls is a community-based initiative designed to help improve the health and well-being of Sioux Falls residents by collaborating on projects to address health needs. This program is a component of the Healthy Communities Grant that Live Well Sioux Falls received earlier this year from The Wellmark Foundation to further improve nutrition efforts in Sioux Falls. The goal is to use this community forum as a way to begin a community nutrition assessment and to help direct the work of the Sioux Falls Food Council, which is a collaboration between Live Well Sioux Falls and SDSU Extension to address issues related to food in the area. chambernews.com | Chamber News 41

BUSINESS NEWS

Development Foundation celebrates 60 years of service Nov. 20 annual meeting to be held at Hilton Garden Inn Downtown The Sioux Falls Development Foundation will celebrate 60 years of service to the Sioux Falls area at its annual meeting Thursday, Nov. 20, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., with a brief business meeting beginning at 5:15 p.m.

This year’s meeting will be held in the Revir Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown. The event will include the distribution of this year’s annual report of economic development activity throughout the Sioux Falls area.

The meeting, which is free and open to the public, provides an opportunity for business leaders and community residents to receive an update on economic growth and enhancement during 2014 in a relaxed,

42 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

SIOUX FALLS DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING informal setting. An important part of the agenda is the presentation of the Spirit of Sioux Falls Award, given annually to a person who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and commitment to the economic development of our area.

The gala event features complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, plus a chance to network with other business and community leaders.

Thursday, Nov. 20 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Hilton Garden Inn Downtown 201 E. 8th St.

Visitor Industry Updates FESTIVAL OF BANDS BRINGS MIDWEST TO SIOUX FALLS The 27th Annual Festival of Bands was held Oct. 4 in Sioux Falls. This annual event is hosted and staffed by the band parents and band directors of Sioux Falls Lincoln, O’Gorman, Roosevelt and Washington high schools. The Festival of Bands was created by community leaders and the Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Approximately 30 bands participated in this year’s parade and band festival. The Waseca Minnesota High School Marching Band won the grand champion sweepstakes award during the band festival and the Tea Area High School Marching Band won the People’s Choice award during the morning parade.

Thank you to the 2014 People’s Choice Award Judges: Bryan Ahlers, Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls South; Kylee Breems, Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History; Charity McKnight, Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel; and Alexa Steiner, Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau. Thank you to all committee members and volunteers for their hard work for putting on this exceptional event.

CVB ATTENDS SMALL MARKET MEETINGS CONFERENCE CVB Director of Sales Mattie Burnham and Sales Manager Alexa Steiner traveled to Mesa, Ariz., to attend the 5th Annual Small Market Meetings Conference (SMMC) Sept. 28-30. The Sioux Falls CVB hosted this event in Sioux Falls last year, drawing more than 220 attendees to Sioux Falls for the two and a half day conference.

The CVB received an overwhelming positive response and continues to hear good feedback into this year’s event.

SMMC is the only show dedicated to the growing small market meeting niche in the travel industry. The conference is a reverse tradeshow, set up with the planners in booths and suppliers moving from appointment to appointment to meet with them. The CVB conducted 25 pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments and staffed a sponsorship booth to showcase Sioux Falls banners and hand out Sioux Falls materials. The pre-scheduled appointments resulted in two RFPs and a number of leads to prospect and follow up with.

2016 HANDBELL CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN SIOUX FALLS Sioux Falls will host the Region VII Handbell Ringers Convention for the Handbell Musicians of America, to be held June 15-19, 2016, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Sioux Falls Arena with the Sheraton as the headquarter hotel. This musical group consists of 400 members from Manitoba, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin who will converge for a handbell ringing extravaganza. The 2014 biannual convention was held in LaCrosse, Wis. Activities will include a showcase choir featuring the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble and conductor John Behnke, with tickets available for $10 at the Sioux Falls Arena. In addition, Region VII will play a free public concert at the Sioux Falls Arena as the closing performance to the 2016 convention. The group is also hoping to play the National Anthem at a Sioux Falls Canaries game.

Festival of Bands judges included Bryan Ahlers, Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls South; Kylee Breems, Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History; and Charity McKnight, Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel.

CVB ATTENDS OLYMPIC SPORTS LINK FOR FIRST TIME The U.S. Olympic Committee put on the 7th Annual Olympic SportsLink Sept. 24-25 in downtown Chicago. The Olympic SportsLink brings together national governing bodies (NGBs) and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), sports commissions and cities to discuss hosting U.S. Olympic Team Trials and other NGB Championship events. This offers the chance to sit down with NGBs to discuss hosting an existing event and/or a new program or development event.

Mattie Burnham, Sioux Falls CVB Director of Sales, and Wes Hall, Executive Director at the Sioux Falls Sports Authority attended for the first time this year. Each pre-registered for networking sessions to sit down with NGBs and discuss Sioux Falls. A number of opportunities surfaced and both parties will continue to work the leads generated.

CVB SALES TEAM ATTENDS DMAI SALES ACADEMY II The Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) attended the DMAI Sales Academy II in New Orleans Nov. 3-4. Sales Managers Clay Bak, Nicole Nelson, Lucas Smith, Alexa Steiner and Erin Zimmerman attended the two-day sales training. The five CVB sales managers previously attended the DMAI Sales Academy I in Washington, D.C. earlier this year during Destinations Week in February.

The Sioux Falls CVB was among other CVB and DMO representatives from around the country. The collaboration of individuals and bureaus at the academy generated diverse discussions on industry related topics. Sales Academy II differs from Sales Academy I as Sales Academy II focused on individual sales skills during the sessions. The best practices exchange was more strategic and focused to meet the unique ventures and intentions of DMOs and CVBs in relation to industry meeting planners and stakeholders.

Sales Academy II covered topics such as advancing and closing the sale, leveraging and building relationships with clients, advanced prospecting discussions and commitment to change and personal sales profiles. chambernews.com | Chamber News 43

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Ribbon Cuttings

The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce holds ribbon cutting ceremonies for members to celebrate joining the Chamber, milestone anniversaries, grand openings, expansions or remodelings. Ribbon cutting ceremonies are organized free of charge for members and are held Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The public and all Chamber members are invited to share in the celebration. Call (605) 336-1620 for more information or to schedule your event.

Groundbreaking ceremonies are coordinated by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. Call (605) 339-0103 for more information or to schedule your event.

Asera Care Hospice

528 N. SYCAMORE AVE. aseracare.com Asera Care Hospice is one of the nation’s premier providers of hospice and palliative care.

L to R: Crystal Myrmoe, Julie Nelson, Shauna Welker, Larry Ayres, Sarah Sachen (executive director), Liz Lloyd, Karen Noonan and Dawn Hurney.

Auto Finance Super Center

2223 W. 12TH ST. yougetautocredit.com Auto Finance Super Center specializes in assisting their customers rebuild and re-establish their credit. L to R: Dan Johnson, Lynda Billars, Ryan Mullen, Amy O’Connor Hoback, Bryan Mesch, Greg Jamison, Bob Mullen (owner), Brenda Hoefs, Debra Peterson and Traci Kovar.

Avaya

avaya.com Avaya is a unified communications company that provides video conferencing, data and telephone solutions to small, medium and large businesses. L to R: Suzie Folkerts, Carrie Dragt, Don Rasmussen, Anita Wetsch, Kendra Karczewski (territory account manager), Heather Kittelson and Corey Weide.

Avera Medical Group Internal Medicine Women’s

116 W. 69TH ST. avera.org Avera Medical Group Internal Medicine Women’s offers care that focuses on women’s unique helath needs. L to R: Jen Hiller, David Johnson, Liz Lloyd, Virginia Lemme, Dr. Janell Powell, Mary Dressing, Julie Darrington, Amy O’Connor Hoback, Mark Vortherms (assistant vice president, specialty clinics) and Megan Myers. chambernews.com | Chamber News 45

RIBBON CUTTINGS Boen & Associates, Inc.

224 E. HOLLY BLVD., BRANDON boenassociates.com Boen & Associates, Inc. opened a second location in Brandon, S.D., and provides a wealth of risk management solutions, employee health benefits and personal insurance. L to R: Jennifer Luitjens, Tim Sturdevant, Amy O’Connor Hoback, Corey Weide, Jason Owan (CEO), Bill Rezac, Kim Cerwick and Jake Edwards.

Brown & Saenger

1409 N. C AVE. brown-saenger.com Brown & Saenger celebrated 125 years in business. L to R: Mike Severson, Corey Weide, Dean Buckneberg, Paula Kruetzfeldt, Dana Dykhouse, Joyce Dabbert, Lyle Dabbert (president), Matt Sage, Julie Nelson, Mike Townsend, and Russ Heins.

Catholic United Financial

catholicunitedfinancial.org Catholic United Financial is a fraternal benefits society that has been based in St. Paul, Minn., since 1878. L to R: Kelly Grovijahn, Brenda Ebbinga, Dan Doyle, David Schonhardt (sales representative), Paul Bruflat, Amy O’Connor Hoback, Liz Lloyd and Jessica Nelson.

Costello Property ManagementChasing Willows Apartments

4800 E. 54TH ST. costelloco.com Costello Property Management-Chasing Willows Apartments is a development that provides safe and affordable housing for the people in the Sioux Falls area. L to R: Mayor Mike Huether, Joan Franken, Mark Lauseng, Liz Lloyd, Tom Costello (general partner, Costello companies), Andrew P. DeCoux, Ruth Christopherson, Karen Noonan and Amy O’Connor Hoback.

Cornerstone Private Asset Trust Company

5700 S. REMINGTON PL. cornerstonetrust.net Cornerstone Private Asset Trust Company works with clients to help them implement their estate planning goals and to transition wealth from one generation to the next; they opened a new office in Quoin Financial Bank. L to R: Tom Peterka, Jay Soukup, Garrett Wilson, Janel Cole, Amy O’Connor Hoback, Jerry Peterka, Anthony Botticella (executive vice president/managing director), Jason R. Sundberg, Garry Peterka, Lynda Billars and Chad Halbue.

46 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

RIBBON CUTTINGS Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP

206 W. 14TH ST. dehs.com Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP celebrated their 75th anniversary in the historic Moe Hospital building that has been recently renovated. L to R: Thomas Frankman (managing partner), Stefanie Engebretson, Lexie Jacobsen, P. Daniel Donohue, Nathan Stallinga, Ed Evans (partner), Dean Karsky, Amy O’Connor Hoback, Tiffany M. Miller, Jean Bender and Mayor Mike Huether.

Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

1201 N. WEST AVE. dennysanfordpremiercenter.com The Denny Sanford PREMIER Center is a stateof-the-art multipurpose facility that opened in September 2014 — on time and on budget. L to R: (back row) Dana Dykhouse, Tracy Turbak, Terry Torkildson, Mike Cooper, Evan Nolte, Darrin Smith and Dean Karsky, (front row) Mark Cotter, Karen Leonard, Jim Entenman, Mayor Mike Huther and Kendra Siemensma.

Electric Construction Company

3413 N. POTSDAM AVE. electriccontructionfsd.com Electric Construction Company has been serving the Sioux Falls area since 1906 and commemorated their new building. L to R: Julie Nelson, Karen Noonan, Duane Mergen (president), Jay Soderquist, Damon Dykstra, Amy O’Connor Hoback and Liz Lloyd.

Insurance Specialty Group and Aces 5024 S. BUR OAK PL. #117 insspecialtygroup.com Insurance Specialty Group and Aces provides business insurance to include certified work comp advisors and accounting and human resources solutions. L to R: Shelly Harms, Nancy Weber-Sweere, Karen Noonan, Jessica Nelson, Renae Eidenshink (CEO), Amy O’Connor Hoback and Sandi Anderson.

McCrossan Boys Ranch

47135 260TH ST. mccrossan.org McCrossan Boys Ranch is excited to celebrate the opening of their new indoor riding arena. L to R: Lynda Billars, Marcy Versteeg, Myron and Joan VanBuskirk, Brian Roegiers (executive director), Kristi Masterson, Liz Lloyd, Christie Aberson and Troy Geis.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 47

RIBBON CUTTINGS Montgomery’s Furniture Gallery, Inc. 1725 W. 41ST ST. montgomerysfurniture.com Montgomery’s Furniture celebrated their 126th year quest to offer their customers more selection, service and fashion as well as quality. L to R: Matt Reichert, Jay Soukup, Amy O’Connor Hoback, Julie Nelson, Julie Darrington, Giselle Sinclair, Neala and Lauren Sinclair, Kyan Sinclair, Eric Sinclair, Clark Sinclair (CEO), Matt Sinclair, Connie Sinclair and Nita Flagtwet.

Right at Home

601 S. CLIFF AVE. ahsesd.com Right at Home celebrated their one-year anniversary in providing caregivers for your loved ones. L to R: Laurie Bruggeman, Garrett Wilson, Larry Ayres, Daren Anderson, Tony Mau (co-owner), Kari Mau (co-owner), Lynda Billars, Liz Lloyd and Ceil Mau.

Sam’s Club Hearing Center

3201 S. LOUISE AVE. samsclub.com Sam’s Club Hearing Center offers affordable healthcare by offering optical, pharmacy and now hearing. L to R: Ariel Even, Glo Cunningham, Isis Miller, Lynda Billars, Corey Weide, Reid Sutton (hearing specialist), Nathan Stallinga, Scott Marquess, Nancy Van Otterloo, Heather Uecker and Jamie Touley.

Skinner Financial Services

2913 E. 57TH ST. skinnerfinancial.net Skinner Financial Services works with their clients to protect the people they love with life insurance and plan for their financial futures.

L to R: Claire Skinner, Karen Noonan, Pamela Lindmeyer, Nathan Stallinga, Jeff Skinner (director), Betty Oldenkamp, Lori Skinner, Reggie Kuipers, Corey Weide and Alida Skinner.

Sunflower Photography

400 N. MAIN AVE. #204 sunflower-photo.com Sunflower Photography specializes in photography for weddings, engagements, boudoir and much more along with the addition of their boutique, Fia Rose. L to R: Dave Skancke, Anita Wetsch, Liz Lloyd, Sophia Bankowski, Julie Nelson, Karen Bankowski (owner), Jay Soukup, Mike Bankowski, Shelly Munson and Barb Skancke.

48 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

RIBBON CUTTINGS Tote-Ally Gorgeous Boutique

5005 S. WESTERN AVE. # 150 toteallygorgeous.com Tote-Ally Gorgeous Boutique serves the Sioux Empire area with the latest in fashion. Mary Jo Vance and Heidi Schiebout purchased Tote-Ally Gorgeous Boutique in July 2014. L to R: Lisa Haensel, Liz Lloyd, Stefanie Engebretson, Jason Schiebout, Heidi Schiebout (co-owner), Steve VanBuskirk, Mary Jo Vance (co-owner), Matt Sage, Dave Vance, Nancy Weber-Sweere and Kat Stevens.

Groundbreakings Community Indoor Tennis CenterHuether Family MATCH POINTE

SANFORD SPORTS COMPLEX playthepointe.com Sioux Falls’ new 50,000 sq. ft. community indoor tennis center is located at the Sanford Sports Complex. L to R: Cindy Huether, Kylie Huether, Mayor Mike Huether, Bill Townsend, Tom Simmons, Jerry Nachtigal, Darrin Smith and Paul Bruflat.

The Bluffs at Willow Run

8000 E. HWY. 42 joingreatlife.com The Bluffs at Willow Run will consist of 181 luxury apartment units connected to the new Club House at Willow Run Golf Course. L to R: Mark Aspaas, Dana Dykhouse, Craig Lloyd, Tom Walsh, Sr., Mike Cooper, Tom Simmons and Dave Hanten.

Sunset Villas

W. 26th Street & Marion Road Sunset Villas is an $11 million project that will have a total of 120 units comprised of four 26-plex villas and two eight-plex apartment buildings. L to R: Paul Bruflat, Jason Herrboldt, Chris Carlson, Adam Kniffen, Jim Dunham, Mayor Mike Huether, Ryan Rients, Linda Dunham, Scott Erickson and Scott Lawrence.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 49

MEMBERSHIP

Member Anniversaries 40 YEARS National American University national.edu

Congratulations to the following members who are celebrating their milestone membership anniversaries this month. They are part of a continued commitment to our community through their investment in the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about Chamber membership, contact (605) 336-1620 or sfacc@siouxfalls.com. Find a complete Membership Directory online at SiouxFallsChamber.com or on your smartphone using the Chamber’s app — search “Sioux Falls Chamber” in the Google Play or iTunes stores.

Division of Rehabilitation Services dhs.sd.gov/drs

Empire Bowl

empirebowlsd.com

30 YEARS

Hegg Town & Country Realtors hegg.com

Klockers Mattress World klockersmattressworld.com

Dougherty & Company LLC

First Rate Excavate, Inc. firstrateexcavate.com

Law Motors

doughertymarkets.com

Hillman Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Fulda Electric Service, Inc.

Map Properties, Ltd.

Keystone Treatment Outreach Center

fuldaelectric.com

keystonetreatment.com

Heartland Glass Co.

Lambert Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Sioux Falls Tennis Association

lambertheating.com

sfta.net

O’Connor Company

Syverson Tile & Stone, Inc.

oconnorco.com

syversontile.com

Sayre Associates, Inc.

Tri-State Wholesale Flooring, Inc.

lawmotors.com

Rochester Armored Car Co., Inc. rochesterarmoredcar.com

Sioux Empire Safety Village safetyvillage.org

Sioux Falls Music Co. siouxfallsmusic.com

The Handy Ones

sayreassociates.com

tsf.com

United Rentals

Stockwell Engineers, Inc.

15 YEARS

Veritiv Corporation

stockwellengineers.com

25 YEARS South Dakota Safety Council southdakotasafetycouncil.org

20 YEARS Alternative Back Care Clinic, P.C. drpaulbunkers.com

Country Inn & Suites

countryinns.com/siouxfallssd_central

Dakota Golf Mgmt. Inc. dba Elmwood/ Prairie Green/Kuehn Park Golf Courses dakotagolf.com

Dale Carnegie Training nesd.dalecarnegie.com

1st Financial Bank USA 1fbusa.com

unisourcelink.com

X-Freight/X-Linx, Inc./X-Trux, Inc. xfreight.net

Airway Service, Inc. airwayautoservice.com

Cherry Creek Grill and Banquet Room CherryCreek-Grill.com

Cornerstone Financial Solutions gordonwollman.com

Dakota Fluid Power, Inc. dakotafluidpower.com

Dakota Land Surveying & Engineering, Inc. Financial Benefits Company fbcjf.com

GF Electric

50 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

unitedrentals.com

10 YEARS Cactus Hills Country Homes Dust-Tex Service, Inc. DUST-TEXSERVICE.com

Electro Watchman Inc. electrowatchman.com

Excel Achievement Center excelachievement.com

Golden Dragon

goldendragonsiouxfalls.com

MEMBERSHIP

Honey Baked Ham Specialty Foods & Cafe

Midstates Utility Trailer Sales/ Transport Refrigeration

Park Ridge Shoes & Shoe Repair

Next2New Auto Sales

20/20 Eye Candy

State Farm Insurance-Jason Ahrendt

Porter Apple Company

Beef O’Brady’s

honeybakedsf.com

parkridgeshoes.com

jasonahrendt.com

Weber Bros. Excavating, Inc.

5 YEARS Beck Associates, LLC Breadsmith

breadsmithsd.com

Chameleon Hair Design mychameleonhairdesign.com

Dollar Loan Center dontbebroke.com

Farmers Insurance GroupScott Newman Agency scottnewmaninsurance.com

Grille 26

grille26.com

Heartland Funeral Home heartlandfunerals.com

Hidden Paradise Kennels hiddenparadisepets.com

Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls South siouxfalls.hgi.com

Legacy Aviation, Inc.

transportrefrig.com

next2newauto.com

Queen City Concierge queencityconcierge.com

Rookies Sports Grill and Bar rookiessiouxfalls.com

Salon Sollievo

mysalonsollievo.com

South Dakota State Democratic Party

First-year members who reinvested during their September anniversary month: 2020eyecandy.com

beefobradys.com

Comfort Inn & Suites

siouxfallscomfortinnandsuites.com

Covenant Property Management, LLC covenantpropertyllc.com

First State Agency fsa-insurance.com

sddp.org

Journey Associates LLC

Stan & Ollie’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Julie Prairie Photography

Studio 26 Salon & Spa

mystudio26salonandspa.com

TAB Systems, Inc. tabsystemsinc.com

journeyassociatesllc.com

julieprairie.com

Krohmer Plumbing, Inc. krohmerplumbing.com

Right at Home rahsesd.com

Spare Key sparekey.org

THERATIME, Inc. theratime.com

Walls by Waldner, Inc. wallsbywaldner.com

Worthington Ag Parts worthingtonagparts.com

questaviationse.com

Lloyd Residential Group KW lloydcompanies.com

chambernews.com | Chamber News 51

MEMBERSHIP

New Members

New members are printed in each issue of Chamber News. Following is a list of businesses or individuals who have invested in the greater community by joining the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

An online Membership Directory can be found at SiouxFallsChamber.com or by using the Chamber’s App, available in the iTunes and Google Play stores. Want to become a member? Call (605) 336-1620.

A Perfect 10 Nail & Beauty Bar

EAPC Architects Engineers

Salon Canada Lytle, (605) 275-1515 2312 W. 69th St. #140, 57108 aperfect10nailbar.com

Architects, Engineers, Planners Lori Bakken, (701) 775-3008 3100 DeMers Ave., Grand Forks, ND 58201 eapc.net

Aflac-Monica Kinner Affiliate-Insurance Monica Kinner, (605) 360-9692 3500 S. Phillips Ave. #101, 57105 aflac.com

All City Pet Care East

Fernson Brewing Company, LLC Brewers Blake Thompson, (605) 359-9205 1400 E. Robur Dr., 57104 fernson.com

Keller Williams Realty Sioux Falls-Regan Laughlin

Property Solutions of America, LLC

Affiliate-Real Estate Regan Laughlin, (605) 212-8431 5915 S. Remington Pl., 57108 siouxfallspropertiessearch.com

Real Estate Development Ken Frear, (605) 595-3535 1800 S. Alpine Ave. #1, 57110 propertysolutionsofamerica.com

Kerolona, Inc.

The Re:Balance Center

Inventions Ken Frear, (605) 789-3888 1800 S. Alpine Ave. #2, 57110 kerolona.com

Wellness Center Shelli Ybarra, (605) 275-0001 6301 S. Minnesota Ave., 57108 rebalancesf.com

The Kory Davis Experience

Red Arbor Tattoos & Fine Art Tattooing Cory & Tawni Claussen, (605) 610-1340 6232 S. Pinnacle Place #204, 57108 redarborllc.com

Veterinarians Paul Nantke, DVM, (605) 371-2100 1920 S. Sycamore Ave., 57110 allcitypetcareeast.com

Fierro LLC dba Fiero Pizza Restaurants Jennifer Kelly, (605) 338-0505 212 S. Phillips Ave., 57104

Real Estate Kory Davis, (605) 275-2620 6001 S. Sharon Ave. #5, 57108 korydavis.com

Artisan 57

Flash of Orange

M4 Roofing & Gutters

Laser Center Max Haggar, (605) 371-7057 3101 W. 57th St., 57108 artisan-57.com

Avaya Communications Kendra Karczewski, (720) 475-3889 326 E. 8th St. #201, 57103 avaya.com

birdseye productions Aerial Video & Photography Justin Quigley, (605) 360-2494 2413 S. Lillian Ave., 57106 birdseyepro.net

Brennan Rock & Roll Academy Associate Member Christine Meyer, (605) 274-7625 900 W. 11th St., 57104 brennanrockandrollacademy.org

Brinks Web Solutions Internet Web Site Design/Development Phil Brinks, (605) 299-2588 7434 S. Louise Ave. #202, 57108 brinksweb.com

Dakota Pointe Apartments, LLC Apartments Randy Brenner, (605) 370-4764 3220 S. Western Ave., 57105 yourrentalsolution.com

Jewelry Jeanette Moore, (605) 359-5509 etsy.com/shop/flashoforange

Flyboy Donuts Bakery/Coffee Shop Ben Duenwald, (605) 331-5259 5005 S. Western Ave., Ste. 190, 57108 flyboydonuts.com

Hegg RealtorsMarcus Walgrave Affiliate-Real Estate Marcus A. Walgrave (605) 496-9872 1000 E. 41st St., 57105 marcuswalgrave.com

Hegg Realtors-Sonya Herbert Affiliate-Real Estate Sonya Herbert, (605) 951-2405 1000 E. 41st St., 57105 sherbert.hegg.com

Hegg Realtors-Steve Natz Affiliate-Real Estate Steve Natz, (605) 728-9196 1000 E. 41st St., 57105

High Plains Technology Computer Solutions Brad Mendel, (605) 782-2190 5708 S. Remington Pl., 57108 hplains.com

52 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

Roofing Contractors Ellee Spawn, (605) 370-6688 1000 E. Benson Rd., 57104 m4roofing.com

Midwest Respiratory and Rehab Health Care Equipment & Supply Nick Cone, (877) 592-2435 1215 E. 17th St., Fremont, NE 68025 midwestrespiratory.com

Mrs. Clean Cleaning Service Shukri Ibrahim, (605) 521-4658 mrscleansiouxfalls.com

Mutual of OmahaAmanda Nielsen Affiliate-Insurance Amanda Nielsen, (605) 675-9329 3904 W. Technology Cir., Ste. 103, 57104 mutualofomaha.com/agent/ amandanielsen

National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Associate Member Sarah Barsness, (651) 636-7300 1970 Oakcrest Ave. #208, St. Paul, MN 55113 kidney.org

Prairie Tickets, Inc. Entertainment Brian Opp, (605) 228-0314 prairietickets.com

The Rush Bars & Lounges Alan Grey, (605) 338-7335 2701 W. 41st St., Ste. B, 57105 attherush.com

Siouxbelly, LLC dba Potbelly Sandwich Shop Restaurants Paul V. Goldammer 101 N. Phillips Ave., Ste. 402, 57105 potbelly.com

South Dakota Home Talk Real Estate Marcus A. Walgrave, (605) 496-9872 1000 E. 41st St., 57105 marcuswalgrave.com

Steel Toe Systems Computer Services Matthew Walters, (612) 584-1155 716 N. Helen Ave., 57104 steeltoesystems.com

Vintage Occasions Limo Service Limousine Service Brad and Joy Schroeder, (605) 679-6471

W. 12th Pourhouse and Kitchen Restaurants-Bar Jason Walz, (605) 274-9099 5213 W. 12th St., 57106

FIVE QUESTIONS

Five questions is a monthly feature on a Chamber volunteer, Chamber member or staff member.

Want to be featured here? Call (605) 336-1620.

Five questions with Dan Doyle Dan Doyle is a partner with Cutler & Donahoe Law Firm. In addition to serving as the 2014-15 Chair of the Young Professionals Network Steering Committee, Doyle is a graduate of Leadership Sioux Falls-25 and is actively involved in other community organizations like the Knights of Columbus, Sioux Empire United Way, Coop Natural Foods and the Sioux Falls Arts Council.

DESCRIBE SIOUX FALLS IN THREE WORDS. Emerging metropolitan community.

WHAT IS ONE OF SIOUX FALLS’ BEST-KEPT SECRETS?

DAN DOYLE

Its emerging food scene would have been my prior response, but now that it has been in the New York Times, it is hard to call it a secret. So, I would instead say our parks and recreation system. Although it gets adequate recognition, I still think it is wildly underappreciated.

Cutler & Donahoe, LLP

WHAT HAVE YOU OR YOUR EMPLOYER GAINED FROM BEING A CHAMBER MEMBER? As a firm, the Chamber has provided us with opportunities to tell our story and introduce our great people. In addition, it has allowed members of our firm an opportunity to gain leadership experience through groups like the YPN, Leadership Sioux Falls, the Board of Directors and the Chamber’s various committees.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SIOUX FALLS? My favorite thing about Sioux Falls is its communal feel. Not only do we have great neighborhoods and employment centers, but I know that if I wanted to call on somebody in City Hall or the head of a major company in town, it would be possible.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED? (Paraphrasing) You do not know everything and there will always be somebody that knows more than you do; work with them and ask for their input and advice. — My father upon the commencement of my first internship.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 53

FROM THE ARCHIVES

As a membership organization with a history spanning more than a century, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has influenced progress across the community in a number of ways throughout the decades.

Sweet beginnings for Sioux Falls candy company Fenn Bros. was started in Sioux Falls in 1898 by Henry and James Fenn. It originally started out as a soda pop company, but also sold lager beer and hard candy as well. The company was located at 114128 E. 10th St. in downtown Sioux Falls. Today, that space is home to a parking lot.

The company had several decades of growth and success. In the late 1940s, the company trademarked and started producing their famous Walnut Crush, Butter Brickle and Big Bogie candy bars. In the early 1950s, the company purchased a location in Los Angeles.

In the 1960s, a dairy was added, which marked the company’s first venture in dealing directly with the public.

54 Chamber News | NOVEMBER 2014

Due to increased shipping and distribution costs, outdated buildings and equipment, the decision to sell the company was made in the late 1960s. The ice cream and dairy divisions were sold to Marigold Foods and the rest was sold to George Fox products in Kansas City, Mo. The candy trademarks and formulas were sold to Heath, who tried to continue to make the candy but was unable to because of the costs involved. Eventually Hershey bought out Heath.

Today the only remnants of Fenn’s are its Bits of Brickle Toffee bits, which Hershey produces.

Information and photo submitted by Daren Anderson, Big D Technology Solutions, Inc. For more information about Fenn’s visit facebook.com/fennsremembered.