campaign cabinet - forward sioux...

Bill BakerThe First National Bank in Sioux Falls

Cathy ClarkWells Fargo Bank

campaign cabinet

advance division

pacesetter division

leadership division

community division

Tom EveristThe Everist Company

Mike HuetherSioux Falls Mayor

Steve KirbyBluestem Capital Company, LLC

Kelby KrabbenhoftSanford Health

Dan LetellierSioux Falls

Regional Airport Authority

Fred SluneckaAvera Health

Barb StorkMidwest Provisions, Inc.

Dave RozenboomU.S. Bank

Rob TeKolsteSammons Financial

Group/Midland National Life Insurance Company

Ben GrahamBell, Inc.

Mark MickelsonMickelson & Co.

Jack HopkinsCorTrust Bank

Carl RappADP

Dave FleckSioux Falls

Construction Co.

Keith SeversonEide Bailly LLP

Michael Bender Bender Commercial Real Estate Services

Cathy Clark Wells Fargo Bank

Dana Dykhouse First PREMIER Bank

Jack Hopkins CorTrust Bank

Mark Mickelson Mickelson & Company

Rob Oliver Augustana College

Dave Rozenboom U.S. Bank

Keith Severson Eide Bailly LLP

Mark Shlanta, Chair SDN Communications

W. Tom Simmons Midcontinent Communications

Fred Slunecka Avera Health

Barb Stork Midwest Provisions, Inc.

joint venture management committee

Michael BenderBender Commercial Real Estate Services

joint venture management committee

Our time is Now

Twenty-five years ago, community leaders recognized the need to aggressively promote

Sioux Falls as a great place to do business. The economy was rocky and community leaders asked:

what must be done today to ensure Sioux Falls’ vitality tomorrow?

The answer was Forward Sioux Falls, a new economic development and marketing program to promote continued growth in the Sioux Falls area. And since 1987, five successful Forward Sioux Falls programs have accelerated our community’s economic expan-sion.

Fast-forward a quarter century and Sioux Falls is again at a crossroads. Standing on the shoulders of those who came before, today’s community leaders have also seen the need to be proac-tive in shaping our future. Through the Future Sioux Falls (2010) strategic planning process, Sioux Falls developed a blueprint for achieving sustained growth and success.

Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016 leverages that plan and contains a strategic set of initiatives to assist new and existing business, market our community and foster emerging industries. This program is the business community’s economic development plan to meet our challenges, capture opportunities and ensure that future generations enjoy the quality of life that is repeatedly recognized as one of our region’s greatest strengths.

One thing we’ve learned is that we must always adapt and diversify — and this new Forward Sioux Falls program reflects that fact. The following pages share information about our plans to build on past successes and achieve new goals.

Forward Sioux Falls is about more than investing dollars. It brings the broader community together behind a defined set of goals to shape our future. This is our legacy. Our time is now. Join us.

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Dana Dykhouse First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER BankcardForward Sioux Falls 2011-2016 Campaign Co-chair

Mark ShlantaSDN CommunicationsForward Sioux Falls 2011-2016 Campaign Co-chair

What is Forward Sioux Falls?

It’s the proven and successful joint venture economic development program of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. Forward Sioux Falls started in 1987 and since then has raised nearly $24 million in five campaigns to enhance economic development efforts.

Business Retention, Expansion & AttractionThe Goal: To facilitate the expansion of existing companies and actively target and recruit new businesses to the Sioux Falls MSA, resulting inmore jobs, higher income and increased tax base.

Quality Growth & Advocacy The Goal: To advocate for the policies, infrastructure and amenities necessary to ensure the Sioux Falls MSA grows effectively and sustainably.

Research, Technology & EntrepreneurshipThe Goal: To maximize the economic impact of high growth businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators in the Sioux Falls MSA.

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National Marketing & Public Relations

The Goal: To aggressively promote the Sioux Falls area as a competi-tive location for business and talent to both external and internal

audiences and elevate Sioux Falls’ presence in the national market.

Campaign goal:

$11.2 million

Management & Communication

The Goal: To manage the Forward Sioux Falls program in a fiscally responsible manner by being accountable to inves-

tors and keeping them informed of the activities and out-comes of the program initiatives.

WorkforceThe Goal: To leverage and expand existing resources to create a skilled workforce pipeline for the area’s diverse

business sectors and to optimize the resources from the Sioux Falls MSA public and private school systems to two- and

four-year degree programs and beyond.

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It is now time to strategically expand and focus marketing on selected in-dustries that create higher-value jobs in our targeted industries. Actively seeking out these companies will require new marketing techniques as well as a new marketing message, complimenting our affordability and high value.

Existing Business Retention and Expansion We will focus efforts to grow the Sioux Falls area economy — by growing our own businesses and companies.

New Business Attraction and Recruitment Leadership will add marketing to high-value, targeted industries while

retaining those established, proven strategies of business park develop-ment and geographically-targeted marketing promotions.

Successful core programs established in previous Forward Sioux Falls programs will continue, including support for our importing and ex-porting companies through the South Dakota International Port. The Port’s Customs Office allows freight and passengers to clear customs in Sioux Falls rather than in another state. Education and support to our com-panies will increase their competitive-ness in a global marketplace.

Business Retention, Attraction & Expansion

In Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016, we will:

Conduct visits and respond to the needs of key busi-nesses in targeted indus-tries; establish a formal business and retention and expansion (BRE) program with consistent visitation and outreach to existing businesses, supporting their growth and expansion and leveraging their networks to generate new business industrial prospects

Positively influence business prospects and economic de-velopment decision-makers by hosting prospects and consultants in Sioux Falls to familiarize them with our community and operational advantages, work with the Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Gov-ernor’s Office of Economic Development to promote economic development op-portunities in the Sioux Falls area to key visitor groups

Direct recruitment and focus resources on targeted indus-tries of Medical Services & Research Science, Corporate & Data Services, Renewable Energy Technologies, and Warehousing & Distribution through marketing missions and trade shows and gener-ate leads through telephone contact with companies in the targeted sectors

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Quality Growth & Advocacy

Through the efforts of local government and community and business leadership, the Sioux Falls MSA continues to steadily grow. Sound planning in both the public and private sectors will enable our region to maintain its dynamic quality of life and business climate that have fueled its strong growth.

Advocacy for BusinessIn Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016, we will advocate for favorable and realistic policy positions on local, state and federal legisla-tion. We will act as a catalyst for favorable outcomes for the business and profes-sional community. Lobbying and research efforts will expand to promote Sioux Falls’ positive business climate at all government

levels. We will continue efforts to promote projects and issues that enhance economic development, as well as other federal legis-lative issues.

InfrastructureBuilding on our future requires maintaining and enhancing our infrastructure. We will work to retain our business-friendly processes and policies to facilitate eco-nomic growth.

Affordable HousingThrough the efforts of the Sioux Empire Housing Partnership (SEHP), more resi-dents are able to become homeowners and become educated about the homebuying process.

In Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016, we will:Actively lobby at the federal level for economic development issues, such as securing the future of the South Dakota Air National Guard base, contin-ued funding for the Lewis & Clark Regional Water Project, and continued support for the EROS Data Center, etc.

Work in coalition with local, state and federal govern-ments to secure adequate funding for major Sioux Falls area infrastructure projects

Work with the Sioux Falls Airport Authority to develop a plan and strategy to further enhance air services at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport

Support the Sioux Empire Housing Partnership’s efforts to provide more affordable housing opportuni-ties, build and sell two governor’s houses annually, and facilitate the homebuyer education and foreclo-sure mediation programs


Research, Technology & Entrepreneurship

South Dakota Technology Business CenterCharged with assisting technology, entrepreneurs, the SDTBC has, in six years of operation, helped its client companies to create more than 339 new jobs with an average annual sal-ary exceeding $70,000. Along with its normal operating activities, SDTBC staff will facilitate and support the Research, Technology & Entrepre-neurship activities in Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016.

Culture of EntrepreneurshipForward Sioux Falls 2011-2016 will link, enhance or launch new activities increasing the creation and success of new high-impact ventures. State, federal and private grant funding will be aggressively pursued to maximize this investment impact.

Start-up and Early-Stage CapitalFrom South Dakota Innovation Partners to recently established angel and venture capital funds, the Sioux Falls area has a burgeoning equity investment community. Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016 will assist in the expansion of these resources and address funding gaps to ensure innovative technologies and compa-nies are matched with the necessary capital resources.

Research and Development Infrastructure Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016 will target investments and activities to strengthen private sector innovation and lay the foundation for increased industry-focused, university research activities.

Early-stage businesses that leverage innovation create high-skill, high-wage employment opportunities. These com-panies and jobs are critical to advancing our economy and to retaining and attracting talent. The Sioux Falls area has a number of key assets, including the South Dakota Technology Business Center and the Graduate Education and Ap-plied Research (GEAR) Center, supporting enterprise creation and research.

FSF connects and builds upon these assets and activities to create an ecosystem that maximizes the impact of research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the Sioux Falls area economy.

In Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016,

we will:Graduate an additional 10 companies from the SDTBC and create an additional 150 new high-wage jobs

Launch five new businesses annually through a Technology Acceleration Program

Partner with the Enterprise Institute to build Innovation Expo into a nationally-recognized innovation and entrepreneurship event

Support a student idea competition to increase Giant Vision participation

Increase available seed and early-stage capital and help 10 SDTBC clients secure equity investments

Assist in planning and establishing a Univer-sity Center Research Park

Facilitate the development of post-sec-ondary programs to support private sector research

Complete the fit-up and expansion of the Graduate Education and Applied Research (GEAR) Center


National Marketing & Public Relations

WorkforceTalent Retention & Recruitment

The most influential voices for growing the workforce are often our own residents who have experienced success in our region with job opportunities and our excellent quality of life. Forward Sioux Falls

will continue to utilize current residents as well as alumni from area educational institutions. Target industry occupations identified in

the Future Sioux Falls strategic plan will be a focus when monitor-ing growth in our workforce.

Culture of LearningA key indicator of a community’s value to expanding and prospec-

tive businesses is the educational attainment of its labor force. Attracting current and future residents to our area’s educational

resources and increasing business’s commitment to education qual-ity at every level will energize our economy and give Sioux Falls an advantage in attracting and retaining talent and growing job oppor-

tunities in our businesses and industries.

It is time to elevate the quality of our talented workforce by maximizing the capacity of our public and private higher education

partners in the Sioux Falls area. We will support these partners as they identify ways to more effectively serve local adults seeking to

complete their degree(s) or receive advanced career training.

Branding can play a major role in moving a community from good to great. The most effective communities have a brand strategy that is much more than just a logo and a tagline. In order to make community branding work, everyone needs to speak in a consistent voice about the commu-nity. Emphasizing Sioux Falls’ advantages through a stronger, more cohesive market-ing and branding effort was one of the top recommendations from the Future Sioux Falls economic development strate-

gic plan. Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016 will elevate Sioux Falls at the national level by concentrating our marketing efforts. The end result will be sharing the advan-tages of living, learning, working and play-ing in Sioux Falls that is woven into other Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016 initiatives.

Unified Brand and Marketing Sioux FallsWorking with community and business organizations, Forward Sioux Falls will

research and develop a branding mes-sage that resonates with local residents and businesses and can also be used to sell Sioux Falls. Successful implementa-tion and marketing of Sioux Falls will help promote Sioux Falls at the national, regional and local levels. This initiative will support all facets of Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016, enhancing economic devel-opment efforts, showcasing our quality of life and bringing more people to our community.


we will:

Launch new recruitment efforts utilizing new images and messages created through the National Marketing & Public Relations initiative and expand use of social media marketing to in-crease the quality and quantity of the workforce

Leverage area higher education resources to positively impact the variety and flexibility of graduate programs that accommodate the needs of working adults and parents in the Sioux Falls area

Train 50 career-focused ambassadors to assist with alumni-related efforts and facilitate 200 post-secondary internships and 2,000 high school career shadows

Network to maintain direct and online contacts with the 45,000 post-secondary students within a 150-mile radius of Sioux Falls

Increase adult student enrollment in the Sioux Falls metro area from 10,000 to 12,500

Establish a Sioux Falls Area Education Council


we will:

Elevate Sioux Falls’ presence in a national market by utilizing national media to share the benefits of living, visiting and doing business in Sioux Falls

Optimize external marketing, attraction and public relations efforts and leverage dynamic marketing tools, social media and new technologies to effectively convey the Sioux Falls area message

Leverage community and governmental organizations to help this concept succeed by serving as its ambassadors and utiliz-ing their constituencies to spread the message and sell Sioux Falls as a high-value location

Enhance business recruitment marketing efforts by working with area employers to help them sell the community as they are selling their companies

forwardsiouxfalls.com


Management & CommunicationForward Sioux Falls will continue to be managed in a fis-cally responsible manner to stay accountable to investors and keep them informed of activities and outcomes of the program initiatives.

Forward Sioux Falls programs are managed by the staff members of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Sioux Falls Development Foundation. Annual audits verify that pledges and investments are handled correctly and responsibly. Investor communications are consistent and serve to inform and to monitor the Forward Sioux

Falls investments made by individuals and Sioux Falls area businesses.

Investments in Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016 may be deductible as business expenses. Please consult your tax advisor for deductibility of your investment. Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016 is a joint venture partnership of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, both of which are tax exempt organizations under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Service code.

Provide regular printed and electronic updates on Forward Sioux Falls activities and accomplishments and conduct periodic Report to Investor briefings

Brand the Forward Sioux Falls program throughout the community and recognize investors

Leverage finances by researching and applying for grants consistent with the Forward Sioux Falls mission and approved programs

In Forward Sioux Falls 2011-2016, we will:


PO Box 907 • Sioux Falls, SD • 57101-0907 • 605.373.2008 • fax 605.336.6499 • www.forwardsiouxfalls.com

campaign cabinet - forward sioux...

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