Fulfill Your Dream Career in Brookings, SD!

Fulfill Your Dream Career in

www.BrookingsEDC.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS Brookings...Bring Your Dreams Career Opportunities Housing Health Care Education Child Care Lifestyle Retire in Brookings Arts and Entertainment Parks and Recreation Athletics Shopping, Dining & Services Stats and Fun Facts about Brookings Hunting and Fishing Things To Do Relocation Guide

www.BrookingsEDC.com

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Brookings... Bring Your Dreams Bring your opera glasses, too... ...and your love of the arts, museums, DI sports, your bicycle, your appetite, your spirituality... because we have all of the benefits of a much larger city wrapped in a peaceful package called Brookings.

A new nature park, a children’s museum, a thriving downtown and a diverse employment base all contributed to the city of Brookings being ranked No. 5 on Livability.com’s list of best small towns in America.* Did we mention that it’s safe here, too? Safer than 99.5% of the cities in the U.S.!**

*July 2013 **areavibes.com

easier s i g n i a “Liv here’s t d n a here, festyle i l g n i relax e like.”--Jeff Rief that w EO

C Pres. & Mfg. Larson

Rave Reviews Our state-of-theart Performing Arts Center features a beautiful 1,000-seat concert hall featuring custom adjustable acoustics.

We’ve welcomed internationally-acclaimed performers such as Sir James Galway, Rhythmic Circus, Patti Lupone, Aaron Neville, and The Five Browns.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Yeah, that’s in our wheelhouse!

Career Opportunities

T

he Brookings economy is a diverse combination of national and international manufacturers, highly successful entrepreneurs, education, services, and retailers.

Not surprisingly, career opportunities abound in Brookings! General skilled or professional career opportunities are available in multiple industry types.

Key Employers/Industries SDSU Daktronics 3M Larson Mfg. Rural Technologies, Inc. • Counterpart, Inc. • • • • •

On the horizon is the opening of Bel Brands’ Mini Babybel manufacturing facility in Brookings.

More than 250 people are expected to be hired in Phase I of the plant’s operation.

• Animal & Human Health • Agricultural Technology • Renewable Energy • Engineered Technology

“In B ro have s okings...we atisfyi ng car and ca ee n still be goo rs paren ts.” d --Vane Execu ssa Merhib tive D Boys irect & Gir ls Clu or b Brook of ings

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Housing

O

wning a home in Brookings means living in a secure, affordable city where the cost of living is below the national average. The choice of housing is as varied as the neighborhoods.

A new home in a quiet subdivision, a beautifully restored older home on a tree-lined street, a country setting, a home on the lake, senior living options...it’s all here for you.

Relaxing Golf Course Living

Exquisite Historic Homes

Recreation-friendly Developments

Apartment Living at its Finest

Enchanting Bungalows

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Health Care Brookings is home to a number of exceptional health care providers that offer quality care and compassion.

Brookings Health System is a non-profit, city-owned health system that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, surgery, home health, and extended care services. BHS offers residents in our community the best of both worlds: the one-on-one, patient-centered care of a rural hospital combined with the state-of-the-art technology and advanced care techniques of a larger facility.

Teams of highly skilled physicians provide expert services at Avera Brookings Medical Group and Sanford Health Brookings Clinic. Both are primary care clinics and, between them, feature physicians who practice in the areas of family medicine, ear, nose and throat, internal medicine, OB/GYN, orthopedics, pediatrics, surgery, telemedicine, mammography, and cardiology. In addition, the Orthopedic Institute offers general orthopedics, joint replacement, foot and ankle, pediatrics, and physical medicine.

For our senior population, numerous options are available, including independent living, assisted living, and long term care in beautiful skilled nursing facilities.

A wide range of natural health practitioners can also be found in the Brookings area.

““I’v e much lived in la my do rger cities c ; the be tor here is s had.” t I’ve ever --Dea

n Swe

dlund

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Education Our s tu are in dents th every e paper d outsta ay for their n demic ding acaa achie nd athletic veme nts!

Brookings High School

B

efore deciding where to locate, you want to know that you’re moving to a community with the right educational system for your family. It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make when choosing a city, and we understand that. In Brookings, our educational system -- from Pre-K, to two elementary schools, an intermediate school, a high school, and a land-grant university -- is award-winning and advanced.

Early Education The system begins with Pre-K education for children in public, faithbased, or private settings.

Brookings Public Schools Brookings Public Schools have a reputation for outstanding, progressive education. A gifted program, music, arts, and athletic programs, and AP and dual credit courses are some of the features of the Brookings public school system. More than 80% of this year’s 175 seniors took the ACT and scored the highest in Class AA average in the state and considerably higher than the national average.

Home School Parents/guardians who wish to provide alternative instruction for their children have plenty of support in the Brookings community. Two homeschooling groups offer assistance to those with an interest in home education.

Mickelson Middle School

Camelot Intermediate School

Medary Elementary School

Hillcrest Elementary School

South Dakota State University SDSU is the state’s largest university, with an enrollment of 12,554. It offers 175 fields of study with 69 majors and 67 minors.

Community college classes and adult education are also offered in Brookings.

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Child Care

The balance between working and raising children is a challenge, though it’s one that can be made easier by finding quality child care. You can breathe a little easier knowing that numerous child care options are available in Brookings.

Many of the child care centers and some home day cares are staffed in part by SDSU students who are majoring in or have graduated from the Early Childhood Education program or the Nursing program at South Dakota State University.

ULC Child Development Center children pose with South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard.

The United Living Community Child Development Center is open to children ages four weeks to six years. Open enrollment includes children with special needs, before/after-school care, drop-in care and respite care.

Peace Lutheran Early Childhood Center is open to children ages four weeks to five years. They recently expanded into a larger facility.

Bright Beginnings Early Stages is also a licensed child care center and preschool that provides fun and creative activities.

A database of licensed and unlicensed home child care providers is available through the Family Resource Network.

Several programs are offered through the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings, such as a full-day preschool and junior kindergarten program. In addition, they provide after school and summer programs for 1st grade through teens for a membership fee of $20/ year per child.

This cool guy proves that it’s always bright at Bright Beginnings Early Stages child care center.

Ride ‘em cowboy! Jake, one of ULC’s resident canines, has learned the value of patience.

Linking arms and having fun in front of the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings.

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Lifestyle Brookings Summer Arts Festival

“Broo ki swells ngs’ popula ti to abo during ut 80, on 0 0 A weeke rts Festiva 0 nd. It l ’s craz and fu y... n!”

--Jenn

ifer Jo hns Exec. on Brook Di ings A rea CV r.

B

Schade Winery is the Brookings area’s only vineyard and winery.

Their goal is to produce wines made solely from South Dakota products. Kick back and relax with a glass of strawberry rhubarb, honey, or Dakota Red wine.

There’s always something to do in Brookings, whether it’s Thursday night’s Music on Main or July’s annual Brookings Summer Arts Festival, the largest in the state. More than 200 artists grace Pioneer Park with original skilled and handcrafted works of art. Gourmet food booths, entertainment, a lively children’s area, and historic and antique booths round out the popular two-day festival.

When you need to get away for a while, there are cool, refreshing lakes!

Getting a tee time is a breeze, and you can play golf at your own pace!

S.D.’s Healthiest County!

Brookings County is one of the healthiest in the state, with 92% of the population in good or excellent health. You can breathe easier knowing there’s also a lower rate of smoking than the state average!*

8% of Brookings’ population bike or walk to work. That’s double the South Dakota average and more than quadruple the U.S. average!

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Retire in Brookings

BEST STATE IN THE U.S. in which to retire!

South Dakota ranks first in Bankrate.com’s “10 Best States for Retirement” --Lowest crime rate in the country --Low tax burden (7.6% of income) --High life expectancy --Ranks second in U.S. on Wellbeing Index --No state income tax

Enjoy a Doc Severinsen concert one night and a Division I Jackrabbit basketball game the next! That’s simply the nature of Brookings!

Like lectures? We have them! Like art activities? Check! You name it, we have it -- all in Brookings, South Dakota!

“We never gave a thought to retiring somewhere else.

Everything we need is right here.”

--Frank Kurtenbach Brookings is SAFER than 99.5% of the cities in the U.S.!

The chart above demonstrates the crime index in Brookings (red) compared to the United States (green).

Exceptional healthcare is at your doorstep. A high quality hospital and two medical clinics are just minutes away.

RECREATION

Our spectacular four seasons are not only breathtaking, they’re fun! Golf in the summer, bike in the fall, snowshoe in the winter, and fish in the spring.

Sources: Bankrate.com, Livability.com, areavibes.com, Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index 2013

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Arts & Entertainment The arts community is active and vibrant in Brookings! The Municipal Band and CommUniversity Orchestra draw huge crowds when they perform.

The SDSU Music Department presents more than 90 concerts each year, most of which are free, and Woodbine Productions brings in world-renowned musicians such as the Moscow Symphony and John Tesh. The Brookings Chamber Music Society sponsors four concerts each year and the Swiftel Center hosts musical acts like Kenny Rogers and events like circuses and rodeos.

Popular seasonal events include the Brookings Summer Arts Festival, Car Festival, and Festival of Lights Parade.

Theatre fans will enjoy Brookings Community Theatre, SDSU Theatre, and Prairie Repertory Theatre, as well as quality high school productions.

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Parks and Recreation The City of Brookings maintains

500 acres of city parks

and Brookings County is home to

FOUR

GOLF COURSES More than Dakota Nature Park (above) is a beautiful new 125 acre development. The area is open to public use for such activities as fishing, bird-watching, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing, ice-skating, canoeing / kayaking and picnics.

It also includes a Nature Center and paved trails.

The S.D. Outdoor Adventure Center (right) is a private/public partnership that focuses on education and indoor competitive shooting sports.

Each year the Brookings Parks and Recreation Department rents approximately 550 garden plots to Brookings residents.

Plots are available for annual and perennial planting.

8

miles

of paved bike paths wind through the tree-covered parks and streets of Brookings.

Hillcrest Aquatic Center, Larson Ice Center, Disc Golf, and Campgrounds are some of the facilities and activities offered in Brookings.

Also available are: Youth - baseball / softball, swimming, tennis, golf, basketball, horsemanship, soccer, ice hockey. Adult baseball/ softball, swimming, golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, ice skating, open gyms.

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Athletics

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ne of our favorite spectator sports in Brookings is watching the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits! There’s nothing like Division I athletics and the Jacks are among the best student athletes in all of their sports. See for yourself on a crisp Fall Saturday by joining the throngs of tailgaters as they prepare to cheer on the home team!

You would be hard-pressed to find as many sports as are offered in Brookings - whether to watch or participate! Football, basketball, wrestling, tennis, cross-country, track, volleyball, competitive spirit, soccer, swimming, golf, hockey, equestrian - you name it Brookings has a school or club team ready to compete!

Hockey has grown by leaps and bounds in the Brookings area.

Not only are the Brookings Rangers a winning team, the Brookings Blizzard recently made Brookings their home.

They are a Junior A team in the NAHL Central Division.

The Brookings Bobcat teams also receive strong support from the community.

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Shopping, Dining & Services

nd ya s a e g is city to n i m h ryt nt fro iness e v e “E veni y bus t nd con coun ” dlu e . d g w an ppin tS rrie sho Ha

Enjoy a good sale, locally-crafted beer, sushi, freshly-cut flowers or any of Brookings’ many other shopping, dining, retail and service businesses.

You’ll find a unique, local shopping atmosphere in Brookings’ historic downtown as well as its many lifestyle centers.

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We have just the right mix of national retailers and boutique shopping! People come from miles around to shop our quaint stores and antique malls.

Are you hungry for Greek, Italian, or Mexican? Or maybe you’re in the mood for tender, smoky BBQ. We also have a shop with the best hamburgers on the planet, according to some...plus we have fine dining, sports bars and grills, and more.

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Stats and Fun Facts about Brookings 91% regularly eat dinner with their families.

More than 1/3 of Brookings’ residents volunteer and 70% do favors for their neighbors.

Five o’clock is lovingly called “Rush Minute” on Brookings streets.

Education of population 25 years+:

•High school or higher: 93.3% •Bachelor’s degree or higher: 44.5% •Graduate or professional degree: 16.1%

Travel time to work (total per day):

Minneapolis: 53 minutes Brookings: 26 minutes YOU HAVE 27 MINUTES A DAY or 3 WEEKS A YEAR EXTRA TIME!

Etcetera:

•Population: 22,056 •State income tax: 0% •Average property taxes: $2080/yr.

•Cost of living: 3.4% lower than U.S. avg.

•Safer than 99.5% of the cities in the U.S.

Plus...

You have more PURCHASING POWER here! After salary, cost of living, and taxes paid, your occupation likely has more purchasing power in Brookings than elsewhere. Here’s an example for a physician’s assistant:

State South Dakota California Massachusetts Minnesota New York Wisconsin

Median Gross Pay $87,160.00 $102,310.00 $92,020.00 $94,630.00 $94,710.00 $92,980.00

Take Home Pay $66,848.75 $70,491.16 $65,727.20 $66,396.40 $66,752.79 $65,151.79

Purchasing Power $71,040.12 $53,892.33 $46,981.56 $61,026.10 $45,011.99 $64,570.65

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Hunting and Fishing

163,041 South Dakota In 2012

HUNTERS harvested

1,428,873

“Sout h ant hu Dakota’s ph nting easex is seco nd to perience none a draws nd h aroun unters from d the w o --Den rld.”

South

PHEASANTS

nis Dakot Daugaard a Gov ernor

Many of those were in Brookings County!

Come and bag your limit!

Reel in the BIG one

at one of the many popular fishing lakes in the Brookings region. Fish for walleye and other prime species to take home and fry! And the best thing?

Our season never ends!

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Things to do Museums, Galleries, Visitor Centers & Performance Venues!

Commune with Nature!

Stop and Smell the Flowers!

“We a r with t e impresse d h facilit e excellent ie variet s and the y do.� of things t o --Gar

y Van

Be Active!

Be Creative!

Riper

Be a Car Lover!

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Click below to download the Brookings Relocation Guide

For more information, contact:

Brookings Economic Development Corporation 414 Main Avenue Brookings, SD 57006 605.697.8103 BEDC@brookingsedc.com www.brookingsedc.com