Volume 1. Issue No. 2
MAY 2020
BUSINESS CHAMPIONS MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS PIVOTING TO MEET GLOBAL DEMANDS
Rapid City To Go
Taylor Whittle finds success in marketing her bakery during city closures
M O N U M E N T H E A LT H
COVID-19 MEDICAL RESPONSE FUND
The Monument Health Foundation has launched the COVID-19 Medical Response Fund to help with community efforts to fight the outbreak of novel coronavirus. The first $15,000 of community donations to this fund will be matched dollar for dollar. Visit monument.health/response to make a donation. Donations can also be mailed to the Monument Health Foundation at PO Box 6000, Rapid City, SD 57709.
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EVERY GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
May 2020
Volume 1. Issue No. 2
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TRAINING ON CAMERA
Free training for the community as working from home becomes your normal.
BRIGHTEN UP MOM'S DAY
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STAY STRONG SOUTH DAKOTA
As COVID-19 eliminates interactions, businesses find new ways to gain customers.
Plan ahead and get your mother that perfect gift this May. We've listed a few local gifts to get you started on page 18. Other ideas can be found on the Rapid City to Go Facebook Group. Mother's Day is May 10.
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y MAY 2020
30
ADVOCATING FOR SMALL BUSINESS Lawmakers continue to support the local business community.
A message to Class of 2020
GRADUATION
Dear Seniors, You have worked hard for the past 13 years on the journey to earn your high school diploma. We are living in unprecedented times, and none of us could have predicted that the school year as we knew it would come to such an abrupt halt. This was not how the end of your K-12 experience was supposed to go – you deserve to enjoy all of the typical final high school experiences. I am so very sad that this is your reality. While this is not the conclusion that any of us had hoped for, this is a defining moment that will not soon be forgotten. I am sure you will learn lessons from this difficult situation that you will carry with you for years to come. Thank you for sacrificing many of the major ‘rite of passage’ moments to help the world heal. Class of 2020, you will be remembered as the class that faced and overcame diversity. As you prepare for the next phase of your lives, I hope this crisis has instilled a deeper appreciation for the friendships and relationships that you have developed in your school years with us. I hope you never forget the way so many people worked together to beat this pandemic and perhaps most importantly, I hope you have the opportunity to reflect on all you have accomplished. Your families are proud of you, your teachers are proud of you, and I am proud of you. I am looking forward to celebrating your many accomplishments later this spring or summer! Sincerely, Dr. Lori J. Simon Superintendent
It takes a local business owner to protect one.
Andrew A Ainslie Ins Agcy Inc Andy A Ainslie, Agent 1839 West Main Street Rapid City, SD 57702 Bus: 605-348-3338
As a small business owner in our community, I understand what it takes to protect your small business. Let me help you get insurance for your business at a great value. Stop in or give me a call.
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CEO NOTE
The old stoics were on to something.
Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Zeno— each subscribed to a philosophy that remind us of how unpredictable the world can be, how to be steadfast in the face of misfortune, and how, at the end of the day, we can only control two things: 1. Our thoughts. 2. Our actions. And that’s really it. Tom Johnson // Elevate Rapid City CEO It’s not that much more complicated. Aurelius was a Roman Emperor, perhaps the wisest in history. Epictetus was born a slave. Zeno was shipwrecked and left for dead. But each of them knew that the journey and the challenge was the destination. Aurelius once wrote: “Love the hand that fate deals you and play it as your own, for what could be more fitting?” Right now, in this moment, these words have never been truer. We are all called to be our best in this time crisis. Our friends, our families, our neighbors—they need us to take Aurelius’ words into our hearts and face this crisis head on as if it were our destiny, because it is. The time for looking back will come. But that time is not now. Now is the time for seeing the obstacle as the way. In this issue of Elevate, you are going to read about the people in our community who have done just that. Sweet Secrets Bakery went from a sit-down café to offering kits for families to make their own cupcakes and cookies. Our non-profit organizations are continually collaborating to discuss needs and address them as quickly as possible. Manufacturers have reworked their operations to come alongside the community and help where they can. Elevate Rapid City also continues to do its part: • Free online trainings and virtual town hall discussions • An Emergency Bridge Loan program to help our businesses with more than $200,000 and 15 local businesses • Created partnership advertising to help our businesses amplify their open status: » Gift Card Database » Daily ads in the Rapid City Journal » #RapidCityToGo Social Media Campaign • Donated $25,000 to UNITED We Stand Covid-19 Community Response Fund • Established Rapid City to Go (with more than 12,000 people) These men and women, and others on the front lines of this crisis—the nurses, the health care workers, the essential service employees—they are working hard. They are facing the challenge. They are leading the change. Thankfully, these just happen to be the core values of Elevate Rapid City. Let’s all of us, then, be stoics together. Be safe and Godspeed.
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y MAY 2020
Elevate Rapid City is a new and innovative approach to economic and community development for Rapid Cityand the Black Hills region.
PO Box 747 Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.1744 elevaterapidcity.com Email comments to: magazine@elevaterapidcity.com PRESIDENT & CEO Tom Johnson PRESIDENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Linda Rabe DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP Mitch Nachtigall DIRECTOR OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTOR RELATIONS Brandis Knudsen EVENTS & TRAINING MANAGER Rachel Day PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR Anna Hays COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Shiloh Francis CREATIVE SERVICES Andy Greenman FINANCE DIRECTOR Dana Borowski FINANCE MANAGER Debbie Leber HR COORDINATOR/ OFFICE MANAGER Liz Highland EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Becky Knox ADMIN/DATA SPECIALIST Loni Reichert Published by the Rapid City Journal Matt Tranquill, Publisher Printed by Simpson Printing Dan Simpson, Printer
ON THE COVER
Taylor Whittle, Owner of Sweet Secrets Bakery, smiles before indulging in a French macaron. Photo by Andy Greenman
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VIRTUAL TRAINING
Learning in the clouds Change is inevitable. What worked a
month ago, doesn’t work for the crisis we are currently experiencing. With the daily changes happening in response to COVID-19, families, educators and businesses have been challenged to think outside the box and find solutions to problems that arise. Elevate Rapid City’s mission is to elevate the region for everyone. Anticipating the obstacles the Rapid City community was going to face, the Elevate team brainstormed how the mission could be accomplished in a socially distant environment. Networking events and seminars were off the table. The organization wanted to continue to be a resource to the community. As a result, Elevate launched an entire series of free, virtual training webinars. These webinars were able to answer questions such as:
>
How do I apply for the SBA loan? Is my business eligible to apply?
How do I stay active during this time? What are some helpful nutritional tips?
My kids are driving me crazy – how do I stay mentally sane and help my kids? In addition to these free trainings, Elevate also continued its role of connecting the community with public officials. Virtual Town Hall events were streamed live on Facebook with community health leaders, Congressman Dusty Johnson, Senator Thune and Secretary of State Steve Barnett. All webinar recordings are available for free on the Elevate Rapid City Youtube channel. New topics and presenters are continually being added. You can learn more and register online at elevaterapidcity. com Elevate Rapid City did what it does best: Faced the Challenge. The team assessed the situation, the constantly moving parts, the key areas people had questions about and found presenters to address the those concerns and questions. Businesses investing in Elevate is a key component to allowing the organization to operate and serve the community. These free trainings are only a glimpse into how Elevate is working hard to elevate the region for all.
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y MAY 2020
How do I market my business during this time?
What are some tips for working from home?
How can teams work efficiently while working remotely?
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y MAY 2020
VIRTUAL TRAINING
Professional training at your fingertips A list of past virtual trainings can be viewed on the Elevate Rapid City YouTube channel.
Week of March 30
Financial Aid for Small Businesses
Pam Selberg, Senior Area Manager, U.S. Small Business Administration
Employer Support for Employees During Crisis Situations
Tracy Palecek, Licensed Professional Counselor & Training Specialist at Palecek Therapy and Consulting LLC
Looking Beyond the Crisis: Re-Strategizing for after COVID-19 Evergreen Media
Awakening the Zombie: How to effectively work from home Evergreen Media
Marketing Panel Evergreen Media
Content Creation: Standing Out As Everyone Goes Digital
Ashley Smith, Owner, Social Jargn
Email Marketing to Existing Customers has Big Returns!
Jason Silver, Project Manager, Dot Marketing
Employer Health Insurance: What You Need to Know
Matt Berger, Representative for Life, Health, Disability and Investment Products, Western Dakota Insurors
How to Effectively Support Your Team for Remote Work Dr. Rachel MK Headley, CEO, Rose Group Intl.
Balancing Accountability & Empathy Through Crisis
Week of April 6
Work at Home, Workout at Home, Eat at Home Oh My! Samantha Linhart, CPT, XPS and Morgan Foster, CSCS, XPS, PN-1 EXOS - Monument Health
Tips for Working from Home Matthew Klinger, Owner, TelNetPC
Bunker Labs Rapid City: What Now? Tom Johnson, CEO, Elevate Rapid City
Succession Planning: Preparing Future Leadership Meg Manke, COO & Head of Training, Rose Group Int’l
GOED Disaster Relief Sub Fund – SB192 Matthew Brunner, Business Development Representative, Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED)
Project Management Basics Dr. Rachel MK Headley, CEO, Rose Group Int’l
Peaceful and Productive (Sort Of)
Tracy Palecek, Licensed Professional Counselor & Training Specialist at Palecek Therapy and Consulting LLC
Week of April 13
Week of April 20
The Good and Bad of Chaos Tolerance
Defining Your Target Audience
Demonstrating HR Agility During a Crisis
Tax Relief provided by the CARES Act
Behaviors, Attitudes, and Actions of a High-Five Culture
Project Management Basics - Part II
Meg Manke, COO & Head of Training, Rose Group Int’l
Nick Stroot, SHRM – SCP, SPHR, City of Rapid City HR Director
Ashley Smith, Owner, Social Jargn
Greg Miner, Senior Manager, and Brady Larsen, Manager, Ketel Thorstenson, LLP
Dr. Rachel MK Headley, CEO, Rose Group Int’l
Dr. Rachel MK Headley, CEO, Rose Group Int’l
COVID-19: Do You Have the Cash Flow to Survive?
Understanding Your Electric Bill + Energy Efficiency
Tom Johnson, CEO, Elevate Rapid City
Silver Linings
Tracy Palecek, Licensed Professional Counselor & Training Specialist at Palecek Therapy and Consulting LLC
Home Organizational Hacks with Black Hills Untangled Becky Knox, Owner of Black Hills Untangled
Robert Raker, Manager of Communications and Public Relations, West River Electric Association
Parenting & Working Remotely
Meg Manke, COO & Head of Training and Dr. Rachel MK Headley, CEO, Rose Group Int’l
Planning for Life Andy Bartling, Financial Representative, Modern Woodmen of America
Zoom 101
Julie Erickson, TIE Learning Specialist
Personal Brand Ashley Smith, Owner, Social Jargn
Maximize Your Local Search Performance Using This Free Tool Jason Silver, Project Manager, Dot Marketing
Adaptation: The Housing Market Now and Looking Ahead
Cheyenne McGriff, REMAX Results and Trevor Madsen, Unify Home Lending
View these trainings on the Elevate Rapid City YouTube channel.
Meg Manke, COO & Head of Training, Rose Group Intl.
elevaterapidcity.com
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y MAY 2020
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YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Growing up in rural South Dakota, did you have dreams of living in Rapid City? Actually, yes! I think Rapid City was always in the plans for me. I have an aunt and uncle in town, plus my parents are only a couple hours away. After living in Aberdeen for college and then Vermillion for law school, it is nice being close to my family again.
LAURA HODSON
ATTORNEY // BANGS MCCULLEN, LAW FIRM
Tell us about yourself. I grew up on a ranch with my three brothers near Martin, SD where my parents raised Red Angus cattle. I worked in the hayfield every summer through college. When I was a senior in high school I decided I wanted to be a criminal attorney. After my first year of law school, I realized criminal was not going to be my niche! In 2017 I interned at Bangs McCullen and enjoyed working with their transactional team. From then on I have been interested in the business/estate world. I work with an amazing group of people who let me constantly bug them with questions, which makes my job that much more fun! What can we find you doing outside of work? If I’m not at work or doing DIY projects at my house, you’ll find me running on the bike path, playing volleyball in the Rapid City rec. leagues, going to YPG events, or tasting wine at Firehouse Wine Cellars.
Why did you choose to join the Young Professional Group (YPG)? I didn’t know many people when I moved here and wanted to get involved in the community. On Facebook I saw a college friend of mine, Kelli Kabrud, was President of YPG. It had probably been 4 or 5 years since we had last spoken, but it seemed like a great opportunity to reconnect with Kelli and meet new people in the area. Being a member has given me the opportunity to connect with a wide variety of people, both socially and professionally! What is your role on the YPG? I am co-chair of the Events Committee with Jake Sasse. Together we plan the monthly socials with the help of our amazing committee members! What events are on the horizon? Just before COVID-19, we had finished our 2020 events planning and were working on 2021. If your business is interested in hosting in 2021, please let me know! Our May social is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 at Austad's, but we are asking all members to be sure to follow the emails and Facebook page for any changes in plans or cancellations. I continue to stay optimistic that our social calendars will return to normal soon! ◆
GET CONNECTED: :rapidcityoungprofessionalsgroup Stay up-to-date with upcoming events and connect with other young professionals from the area. elevaterapidcity.com
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Elevate Rapid City Bridges the Gap “We feel confident that as a small business we will fully be able to weather through this pandemic and continue our business operations on the other side of this unprecedented time." - Matt Klinger
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y MAY 2020
The average small business has about 27 days of cash as a buffer during an emergency.
Restaurants have even less, on average around 16 days. Think about what this means for a moment. On average, during a crisis, most businesses in this country will be unable to go a month without additional revenues or other sources of money. This was the reason Elevate Rapid City created the Emergency Bridge Loan program. No matter what the federal government did or did not do, no matter what the State did or did not do, it wasn’t going to be fast enough. The program, which allows for up to $15,000 in interest-free dollars for up to 120 days, isn’t just a bridge. It’s a lifeline. And sometimes it can mean the difference between a business closing for good or keeping itself alive. Since its launch in April the program has seen everything from telecommunications to manufacturing to restaurants receive loans. Dollars were able to get out the door quickly — sometimes in as little as 36 hours. The state and SBA are now here with millions and millions of dollars. They are now getting those dollars out on the street. But those dollars wouldn’t have mattered to many Rapid City businesses without the lifeline provide by the Elevate Rapid City Emergency Bridge Loan program. In another few months Elevate will know the true impact of the funds and have more stories to tell. It’s clear the program is making a difference. Just ask Matt Klinger, owner of TelNetPC. Klinger started the company two years ago in Rapid City. As a newer business they faced a challenge of not having a large cash reserve with the pandemic began. TelNetPC was the first company to apply and received funds through the program within a couple days. As a result, they have been able to comfortably continue business operations into the next month. “[These funds] allowed us to buy and invest funds on a slower more methodical timeframe instead of having to rush into important decisions because of our limited resources," said owner Matt Klinger. “This was only made possible because of the swift and generous actions of Elevate’s Bridge Fund. We feel confident that as a small business we will fully be able to weather through this pandemic and continue our business operations on the other side of this unprecedented time.” ◆
ready to Grow. Behind every business and bold move were those who believed it was possible to do more. We’re proud to support and energize our community’s dreams. Visit blackhillsenergy.com/growing to learn more.
elevaterapidcity.com
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Lead deli shop opens with bigger plans Jim Holland // Rapid City Journal
The March 28 debut of Big Trout Delicatessen wasn’t quite the curtain-raiser owner Marty Venburg envisioned.
Marty Venburg holds a dish of ice cream at his new business, Big Trout Deli of Lead which opened for curbside service and delivery on March 28.
“You can go get a hamburger anywhere in this town, but you can’t get deli sandwiches or buy deli meats anywhere. That’s kind of why I opened it." - Marty Venburg
The deli is open 10:30 a.m. - 7 p.m., seven days a week. Call 605-920-0465, see his Facebook page or log on to bigtroutdeli. square.site for more information.
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y MAY 2020
But as soft openings go, business wasn’t bad either, Venburg said. “We did fairly well,” he said. Sales of his specialty sandwiches, ice cream and deli meats and cheeses are limited to curbside pickup and delivery as long as social distancing guidelines are in place eliminating public gatherings to help quell the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. In spite of the limitation on use of his dine-in seating, business hasn't been brisk, but steady enough to be encouraging, Venburg said. “I wouldn’t say we’re a barn burner yet. People seem to be excited about it,” he said. Big Trout Deli is located at 403 W. Main St., in a building that had been owned since 1934 by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge in Lead. Venburg said a corporate opportunity allowed him to purchase the building, with plans for more than the street-level deli. Work is continuing on a seven-room bed-andbreakfast that Venburg hopes to be ready to accept guests as early as May 1. The deli menu features specialty brisket and pork tenderloin sandwiches with chips and cole slaw; individual one-meat, one-cheese or two-meat, twocheese sandwiches and seven flavors of ice cream. Venburg also offer bulk deli meats and cheese, featuring turkey, ham and roast beef, and more than a dozen varieties of Dimock cheese from eastern South Dakota. He decided to go with the neighborhood delicatessen model after noting a proliferation of delis while living on the East Coast for 20 years. “You can go get a hamburger anywhere in this town, but you can’t get deli sandwiches or buy deli meats anywhere. That’s kind of why I opened it,” he said. Venburg is back on Main Street with the deli, after losing his lease on a fly-fishing and military surplus shop at 209 West Main. He also operates a small trucking company in Lead. Originally from Manhattan, Kan., Venburg moved to western South Dakota to work in the feed business in Sturgis and Spearfish. He returned to the Black Hills in 2011 after moving with his wife to the East Coast, where he trained race horses. Big Trout Deli pays homage to Venburg’s love of fly fishing, borne of many hours plying Black Hills streams for wily trout. Eventually he plans to reopen a fly-fishing outfitter’s shop in the rear of the deli. “I loved the fly-fishing in the Hills. I always came back to it,” Venburg said. ◆
Question: What do I do with visitation and exchanges of our child(ren) during COVID-19? Answer: First and foremost, we as a community and Nation will arrive on the other side of this crisis. Try to maintain the visitation schedule as much as possible for the child(ren). Communicate with the other parent about fears without condemnation. If visitation is postponed because there is a risk of exposure to your child(ren), then assure the child(ren) and develop with the child(ren) and other parent a schedule for make-up time. Use video platforms if available. Child(ren) need to know the other parent is OK, too.
Lorie D. Melone 1107 Mt. Rushmore Road, Suite #3A Rapid City, SD 57701 Phone: 605-791-4950 Lorie D. Melone • Family Law Attorney & Certified Mediator
Have a business story that should be told? Let us know: magazine@elevaterapidcity.com
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Mother’s Day Show your love, from a distance.
Needing to be apart is a difficult part of the COVID-19. This is even more difficult when big celebrations like birthdays or Mother’s Day are coming up. Fortunately, Rapid City is still open for business and they are ready to help you make a mother’s day! Here are a few quick ideas. For more you can check out Rapid City to Go on Facebook, or call up your traditional favorite business to see how they are still serving during this time.
Chetoers MOM!
Utilize the curbside pick-up option and grab a bottle or two of mom’s favorite wine from Firehouse Wine Cellars! 605.716.9463
Fresh Blooms: Victoria’s Garden
Call Victoria’s Garden to put together a collection of bright blooms that’s certain to brighten the day of any mother in your life. You can even video chat to pick out the perfect colors. They offer curbside pickup and no contact delivery. 605.348.2035
Good Eats: Gold Bison Grill
Get the famous Holiday Inn Mother’s Day Brunch…to go! Order by May 1. You can see specials other restaurants are offering in the Rapid City to Go Facebook Group! 605.399.7043
Sweet Treats: Mostly Chocolates
Chocolate covered strawberries. Truffles. Carmel corn. Earn some brownie points with mom by gifting a treat from Mostly Chocolates! 605.341.2264
Gift Cards Galore!
Let them pick our their own gift when you buy mom a gift card to her favorite Black Hills business! You can view a collection of businesses at bit.ly/shoprapidcitycards
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y MAY 2020
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STAY STRONG SOUTH DAKOTA
Businesses make adjustments to brighten up the dark days of the coronavirus pandemic.
By Mallory Bader and Andy Greenman
Taylor Whittle, co-owner of Sweet Secrets Bakery, has used resources like Rapid City To Go to grow her customer base as sit down dining areas remain temporarily closed.
STAY STRONG
"I’ve never gotten so many likes on a social media post before." - Taylor Whittle
Businesses like Taylor's post daily specials and offerings in the Rapid City to Go group. Join and support local businesses at facebook.com/groups/rapidcitytogo.
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y MAY 2020
It’s no secret these are trying times for small businesses like Sweet Secrets Bakery. With the COVID-19 outbreak forcing people to stay home, business owners have had to quickly pivot in hopes of weathering this crisis.
Co-owner Taylor Whittle knew she would have to shift her business model when the city council voted to temporarily close sit down dining areas due to the coronavirus. But what she did not anticipate was how the Rapid City community would rally to support their local businesses with these unexpected changes. Sweet Secrets Bakery typically has an open kitchen area where people can browse the pastry selections and ample seating for them to enjoy their treats. Since this was no longer an option, Whittle looked to her mom to brainstorm new and innovative ideas to help keep the business thriving. “My mom is my inspiration for my creativity,” Whittle says. They decided to begin creating “to-go kits” as a new offering for families who have more time at home during the pandemic. These kits consist of six unfrosted cupcakes or cookies, a bag of icing, and sprinkles which people can decorate together at home. Other new offerings included selling frozen dough for families to bake at home as desired, as well as offering delivery through a partnership with Food Dudes and no contact curbside pickup at the store. She even created special “support local” themed cookies with inspirational sayings such as “Stay Strong South Dakota.” These new offerings are all on top of continuing to make their special orders and most popular items like the lemon almond ricotta cake and the French macarons. This agility in the face of a crisis has allowed her business to continue to thrive despite the uncertainty in life right now. One tool that has allowed her to promote her business has been the Rapid City To Go Facebook group, which was created by Elevate Rapid City to share and promote local businesses. “It’s been incredibly cool,” Whittle says. “I got invited by a few of my local business buddies and I’ve never gotten so many likes on a social media post before. It has really helped share information, with other local businesses and the people in Rapid.” Through her posts on the page, she has gained more followers on her own business page and has many new customers messaging her for questions about special orders. Sweet Secrets is just hoping to continue to bake delicious treats and wait to see what happens through this pandemic. They have applied for a grant to keep employees at a full 40 hour week, but are continuing to come up with new and innovative ways to serve their customers. Whittle says that being a small business owner in Rapid City is difficult but the challenge is what she loves. “I’ve met so many cool people here, other local business owners. It’s amazing.”
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STAY STRONG The food industry isn’t the only one that has had to get creative during this time. Tim Johnson at Howard Johnson Inn & Suites Downtown is one of several hotels in the area that have begun offering “office for a day” rates.
“The office for a day was inspired as I am working a lot more from home right now,” said Johnson. “My kids are also at home, and there are so many other distractions of things that need to be done around the house, the mail man or the dog barking. All of these distractions take away from getting your job done and work just doesn't stop or slow down because you do and it continues to pile up.” The distractions can also make it hard to get bigger, more important projects done. To help - Tim Johnson provide peace and quiet and a break from the distractions, people can book an “office for the day.” The hotel rooms already had a work desk and ergonomic chair, so now it was a matter of giving the right rate and letting people know it is available. “We also have a great wireless network that was built and strengthened when Rapid City hosted the ICPC. IBM computers rented our hotel and had certain requirements that had to be met.” ◆
"We also have a great wireless network."
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y MAY 2020
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BUSINESSES PIVOT
Standing up to the challenge Businesses pivot to meet global demands
This prototype mask, printed at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, includes a space for a filter that can be inserted and disposed of after use. This first prototype is leading to new designs that can be mass produced to meet the huge need for masks in the healthcare community. Photo provided
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology School may no longer be in session, but some students, faculty and staff are still hard at work across campus. Members of the South Dakota Mines community have set aside their own projects and are now working to aid the COVID-19 response. This includes research and development into the manufacture, reuse and sterilization of personal protective equipment, such as face masks. Teams of researchers are also working on the manufacture of medical equipment and medical supplies such as hand sanitizer. Others are working on a computer model to help predict the number of COVID-19 cases that might occur in any given community. All of these projects are addressing needs identified by collaborators at Monument Health and other statewide healthcare facilities. “Many of the challenges posed by COVID-19 are immense. Some of the hurdles our community and nation are facing seem insurmountable. I commend our staff and faculty for the long hours of work they are putting in, alongside so many members of the local community, in the attempt to tackle these challenges. Though the solutions we need may take time, I’ve never been prouder to be a Hardrocker,” says Mines President Jim Rankin.
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BUSINESSES PIVOT
Best GEN Modular Best Gen Modular is a manufacturer of commerce modular structures. In late March the organization unveiled a fully-finished modular hospital design to help providers meet critical care needs. The design offers customizable and scalable structures including negative pressure HVAC system and FRP panels for easy cleaning.
B&T Manufacturing B&T Manufacturing was able to create a design and make it into a physical structure in less than a week. What was this structure you ask? An urgent care facility to be shipped to Wisconsin to create more room for patients during the pandemic. The group is now able to help the medical community and produce these structures in approximately four days’ time.
Badlands Distillery The owners retooled their distillery from bourbon whiskey and spirits to producing hand sanitizer. In addition to shipping to commercial stores statewide, shipments have also been donated to local nursing homes, banks and to local government offices to help anyone in need of hand sanitizer.
CAW Industries CAW usually produces a water additive catalyst that stimulates biological functions. With a donation of ethanol from Redfield Energy they have been able to produce about 2,000 bottles of hand sanitizer to sell. CAW will be making an extra thousand bottles to donate to Rapid City organizations including first responders.
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South Dakota Primary Election
VOTE
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic it is more crucial now than ever to consider our social responsibilities and processes. Please reflect on your vote before the June 2 primary election and consider voting through an absentee ballot.
State Legislature Candidate
Elevate Rapid City strongly encourages using the absentee voting system to submit your vote. The process is simple and does not take a lot of time. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website (sdsos.gov) for more information, or review these simple steps to acquire your absentee ballot: 1. Print out the application form from Secretary of State website at https://sdsos.gov/ 2. Fill it in. Be sure to sign in the signature box. Check the box that says you are attaching a copy of your photo ID. 3. Take a picture of your photo ID using whatever equipment you have (scanner, printer-scanner, smartphone camera), and print that out to include with your application. If you do not have a printer at home, visit a UPS Store, Office Depot or the Rapid City Public Library. 4. Put it all in an envelope, and address to your county auditor. Pennington and Meade County Auditor addresses are below: Pennington County Auditor 130 Kansas City Street, #230 Rapid City, SD 57701 Meade County Auditor 1300 Sherman Street Sturgis, SD 57785 5. Mail it through regular mail. There is no option to submit these applications online. They must be submitted via regular mail or in person. Of course, you can take your photo ID to your county auditor office in person and complete the process there. The Auditor will put a ballot in the mail to you two weeks before the election (and immediately for requests received after that). You must then return it to the auditor by Election Day, either mailed or dropped off.
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Virtual Townhalls via Zoom Webinar
MAY 4 // District 30
3:00 p.m. House of Representatives Candidates 4:15 p.m. Senate Candidates
MAY 6 // District 32
3:00 p.m. House of Representatives Candidates 4:15 p.m. Senate Candidates
MAY 8 // District 33
3:00 p.m. House of Representatives Candidates 4:15 p.m. Senate Candidates
MAY 11 // District 34
3:00 p.m. House of Representatives Candidates 4:15 p.m. Senate Candidates
MAY 13 // District 35
3:00 p.m. House of Representatives Candidates 4:15 p.m. Senate Candidates
Visit ElevateRapidCity.com to register for free. Register for your district’s virtual townhall to get to know the candidates running for the South Dakota State House of Representatives or the South Dakota State Senate. Register now for free via ElevateRapidCity.com for your chance to hear the platform of your candidates and the opportunity to submit your questions.
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BUSINESS CHAMPIONS
g in t a c o v d a s e o d t Wha for the business ? n a e m y it n u m m o c Elevate Rapid City recognized seven Rapid City Area legislators for their work supporting our business community during the 2020 Legislative Session.
The Elevate Business Champion and Business Advocate designations recognize local lawmakers who supported policies that advance a healthy business environment for Rapid City. The 2020 Legislative Session was marked by several key successes, including legislation to broaden our workforce, invest in innovation, and make the state more competitive by adding new tools for businesses to grow — none of which would have been possible without the work of the legislators recognized below.
SEN. JESSICA CASTLEBERRY District 35 // Owner, Little Nest Preschool LLC PRO-BUSINESS SCORE 100
“Advocating for the business community in Rapid City is something I’ve been passionate about for over a decade. I’ve operated my own business for the past ten years, promoted local businesses and their owners, and collaborated with organizations such as Elevate, South Dakota CEO, and Women’s Network of Rapid City. I am so proud to have the opportunity to support our workforce and future economic growth as a legislator in 2020.”
SEN. HELENE DUHAMEL District 32 // Sheriff's Office, Business Owner PRO-BUSINESS SCORE 100
“I am proud of Rapid City and its business community. A healthy local business climate provides jobs and a good quality of life for all of us lucky enough to call this place home, as well as our many visitors who shop and vacation here. As your Senator, I commit to advocating for an economic environment that ensures a strong, competitive platform for local businesses, as well as a desirable market for businesses looking to expand in our region.”
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REP. MICHAEL DIEDRICH District 34 // Attorney PRO-BUSINESS SCORE 100
“As the son of a business owner, it is in my DNA to advocate, assist and protect the interests of our business community. Economic growth, opportunities for future generations, and development of community leaders and volunteers are all driven by our business community. Collaboration with Elevate results in effective strategy and advocacy to enhance our community now and for generations to come.”
REP. JESS OLSON District 34 // Owner, Stay Graceful Inc. (Home Health Care) PRO-BUSINESS SCORE 100
“As an advocate for small business, I want to help create jobs, unleash creativity, and build a stronger community. From starting my own business in Rapid City, I know what it’s like to handle these responsibilities, and more importantly, face the same challenges as you. That’s why my decisions as your Representative come from personal experience and listening to my neighbors. I’m proud to support all of our small businesses here and across the state.“
SEN. JEFF PARTRIDGE District 34 // Financial Advisor PRO-BUSINESS SCORE 100
“Economic Development requires that politicians work in duality: get government out of the way when necessary and in the way when a jump-start is needed. We all must work together to make our tomorrow better than today. We need a new generation of pro-growth leaders to take our community to the next level.”
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BUSINESS ADVOCATES
PRO-BUSINESS SCORE 88
PRO-BUSINESS SCORE 86
REP. DAVID JOHNSON
REP. SCYLLER BORGLUM
District 33 Tree Nurseryman, Arborist, Commercial Pilot
District 32 Engineer
“Business advocacy involves the “Four Ts” (tourism, trees, transportation and technology). Tourism is our region’s top priority, but is a nonentity without a healthy, sustainable and wellmanaged national forest. Rapid City’s Regional Airport and aviation commerce are critical to our economic superiority. Business expansion in our area simply will not happen without a bustling aviation hub. Finally, we must attract and retain technological expertise from SDSM&T, encouraging youthful talent in influencing and formulating public economic policy.”
"To me, advocating for the Rapid City business community means advocating for everyday South Dakotans. Our businesses and our economy impact people throughout West River and across the state: families, churches, business owners, entrepreneurs, students, ranchers, farmers, and first responders. South Dakotans travel to Rapid City to do business. We serve the people. Our business community is the fabric that binds everyday South Dakotans together. All of the different threads make for a beautiful and hardy piece of our greater South Dakota community."
VOTE JUNE 2
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Greg Ketel
MKT-1952G-A
Financial Advisor
edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
740 Sheridan Lake Rd Suite C Rapid City, SD 57702-2498 605-342-0037
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RAPID CITY RUSH
Team Spirit As many Rush fans are aware, the ECHL regular season was cancelled on March 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Rapid City Rush remaining home games wouldn’t be played, the organization knew the Rapid City community needed their support more than ever. The Rush reached out to Rapid City Area Schools to see how they could help brighten students’ days. They have been overwhelmed with requests for Nugget’s participation in Zoom classroom calls and teacher parades. “We love every opportunity to connect with the community, especially during this time, and the excitement from students when Nugget steps in a shot during a video call never gets old! These are just two of the ways the Rush can help bring the community together and spread cheer throughout this time, and we are appreciative for the opportunity to do so,” said the Rush. Valley View Elementary 4th Grade Teacher Roxanne Evans: "We were the first class to Zoom with Nugget and the children really enjoyed seeing him. It was also our first Zoom meeting as a class and I had advertised it as "having a special guest.” As a first class meeting it was a fantastic ice breaker and really made the meeting start on a positive, light-hearted note during this stressful time." ◆
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Creative Solutions. Proven Service. RAPID CITY OFFICE
S I O U X
Jordan Burbach, AIA, LEED Green Associate Principal Architect
Kristine Bjerke, AIA, NCIDQ, LEED AP Architect / Interior Designer
Jeremy Altman, AIA, LEED AP BD+C Architect
F A L L S
R A P I D
C I T Y
www.architectureinc.com
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United We Stand
Open for business
The flood of 1972. Storm Atlas. And every adversity in between. There’s one thing they all have in common: Rapid City doesn’t just survive. It comes together and it eventually thrives. COVID-19 brought challenges no one could have seen. A risk of medical supply shortages. Businesses facing closure in response to social distancing. Parents working from home while simultaneously home schooling children. On the surface, things looked pretty grim. That is, until our community did what we do best: we began to face the challenge together. Businesses found innovative ways to continue serving the community. And Elevate Rapid City came alongside these businesses to help spread the word, Rapid City is still open for business. Businesses that once thrived around the concept of people coming together had to pivot and find ways to continue serving customers. People got creative. Partnerships were formed. Rapid City is getting through this, together.
UNITED We Stand
United Way of the Black Hills used $100,000 to establish the UNITED We Stand COVID-19 Relief Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial assistance to 501(c)3 nonprofit agencies serving the increasing demand for services and resources such as: food, financial assistance, shelter, and other basic needs. Black Hills Energy and Elevate Rapid City each contributed $25,000 for a 2-for-1 corporate match.
Making Space for Generosity
Monument Health received so much support and generosity from Rapid City citizens. People had supplies they wanted to donate. The problem? How to find a way to create a safe means of donating, sorting and storing those supplies. That’s when Elevate Rapid City connected Monument with Dakota Warehouse as a solution. People and businesses now have a safe place to quickly drop off items like gloves and masks. Roy Drake, leading
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Dakota Warehouse’s effort had this to say: “During these uncertain times, the health and safety of our community is everyone's priority. Dakota Warehouse wanted to be able to help our community in any way we could. We are glad to be able to provide Monument Health with the necessary storage of critical medical supplies that will aid in keeping our local population safe.” And it certainly has.
Collaboration is Key
The community response to COVID -19 has also demonstrated how the public sector, private sector, and philanthropy are connected and collaborative in the Rapid City Region. Businesses like the Colonial House help with meals for the YMCA and WAVI. Hospitality partners like LIV Hospitality, ChrisBro Hospitality and others have stepped up to provide hotel/motel rooms for healthcare workers, first responders, and displaced families. “Our nonprofit organizations and funders are consistently sharing information and working together to maximize the impact of our donated dollars. We’ve seen this connectedness for the past few years with our Collective Impact work. Rapid City is living up to the title, “the most caring community,” Liz Hamburg, Black Hills Area Community Foundation How is this collaboration happening? Twice a week over 30 area non-profit and government agencies come together in a Zoom meeting. They discuss pressing needs and work together to solve the problems. “Our community can be proud of the work and dedication shown by each of our non-profits,” said Alan Solano, President and CEO of the John T Vucurevich Foundation.
Elevating the Business Community
Elevate Rapid City also realized the potential impact COVID-19 was going to have on the local economy. Businesses were going to need help in order to keep people working and doors open. That’s why Elevate established Rapid City to Go. This Facebook community of more than 12,000 has become a platform for businesses to share how they are open and offering their products and services in a “to go” world.
Businesses have been able to apply for support through the SBA, although the program was experiencing some hiccups getting off the ground. . For some, this gap could have meant the difference between closing and staying afloat. Elevate stepped in again, this time to fill that gap through the creation of an Emergency Bridge Loan program. Area businesses were able to apply for short-term, interest free loans of up to $15,000 to help them get by while they waited for SBA funds to come in. From application to check-in-hand the process took around 48 hours.
Getting through this, together
These are only a few examples of how organizations have come together to face the challenge of COVID-19. It’s the individuals inside these organizations and throughout Rapid City, however, who are making the biggest difference. Maintaining social distancing is not easy, but the public is doing its best to ensure those working on the frontlines can do so safely. People are also showing a strong, almost tireless commitment to shopping and eating locally, utilizing Rapid City to Go, in the face of this crisis This has amazed our local business owners. “When we had to shut down our dining room, which is where we make most of our profit, I thought we would never make it. The response of my regular customers, new customers, friends and family, this is overwhelming. So I want to thank you, thank you, thank you for everyone’s support,” said Stacey Livermont with Piesano’s Pacchia. Our local media is also doing their part to keep the community informed, not just about the facts of COVID-19, but also by telling the stories of the strength of the people who live here.. The media has truly been and incredible community partner throughout.. A special thank you goes out to those on the front lines. Rapid City has an amazing medical community that continues to provide timely information to community leaders so we know when to open back up. Grocery stores continue to keep our community safely fed. These times are not easy. But we are confident Rapid City will come out of this stronger than ever before. Together.
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Shop, Eat, Support Local!
Show us how you are supporting Rapid City businesses!
RAPID CITY
Post a photo on social media and use #RapidCityToGo and visit NewsCenter1.tv. Winners will be chosen weekly starting April 28 through May 31. This contest brought to you by NewsCenter1 Media Group and Elevate Rapid City.
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