Current Program
Forward Sioux Falls has a long legacy of augmenting programs to lift up our area’s economy. Since 1987, we’ve raised over $68 million in support of game-changing initiatives in the region like Foundation park, Sioux Empire Housing Partnership, USD Discovery District, Startup Sioux Falls and the Strategic Workforce Action Agenda. But that’s just the beginning.
The 2021-2026 program focuses on five strategic initiatives to generate impact and ROI for the area.
Workforce
This campaign initiative includes adding programs like a Housing Fund to address accessible housing needs, promoting the Young Professionals Network and working with K-12 and post-secondary institutions to actively draft and retain talent in our area. It also includes Career Connections for high school career exploration, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation’s WIN Summit and advancing Sioux Falls THRIVE to help provide a collective impact to at-risk kids.
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Business Retention, Expansion & Attraction
Forward Sioux Falls will continue to connect with existing businesses to understand and help them respond to their needs, engage targeted industries and international trade programs that utilize the South Dakota Small Business Development Center, GOED and US Department of Commerce to market to potential companies for importing and exporting goods.
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Innovation & Entrepreneurship
We’ll continue to fund the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship and USD’s Discovery District, targeting bioscience firms and start-ups. We’ll also provide seed funding for a visionary new Cyber/IT campus in Sioux Falls by partnering with Dakota State University. Forward Sioux Falls is preparing the community for the future of technology.
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Business Advocacy, Airport & Quality of Place Enhancement
To continue to put diversity and inclusion on the forefront of the agenda, Forward Sioux Falls is helping establish the Innovation Center of Excellence within the Chamber of Commerce. Also through the Chamber, Forward Sioux Falls will provide funding to represent the business community through lobbying efforts, forge relationships with elected officials and continue to market the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, expand routes, increase air service and bring in new business travelers from around the US.
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Program Management & Administration
Through this campaign, we’ll also provide incremental resources to the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to ensure strategies become action. Program management also includes volunteering efforts and coordination, events and meetings, brand marketing and investor relations.
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Brittany Hanson
Program Director
For more than 30 years, Sioux Falls visionaries have banded together to attract businesses and create jobs in their home community through Forward Sioux Falls. A unique joint venture between the Chamber of Commerce and the Development Foundation, Forward Sioux Falls has been integral to the continued growth and quality of life in this city.
Dennis Daugaard
Former governor of South Dakota
Projected Outcomes and Goals
Prior to each campaign, we set goals for what we hope to achieve in the Sioux Falls area. In addition to setting goals, we project outcomes for each of our strategies.
Business Retention, Expansion and Attraction
4,500 new direct jobs at above median wage, $500 million new capital investments, $250 million new property tax revenues, 300+ acres land sold and developed, 300 existing companies assisted and 30 foreign trade relationships formed.
Impact
Talent and Workforce Development
1,000 new housing units from the housing fund, 25,000 new residents, 12 ongoing talent/workforce recruitment programs, 350 post-secondary recruitment partners and 1,000 apprenticeships/internships/job shadows.
Impact
Marketing
35+ site selector/broker events, 75+ company hostings, 30,000 direct workforce contacts and 250,000 electronic workforce exposures.
Impact