AWARDSBUSINESSINAUGURAL
2 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST Keep going with Monument Health as your partner. Monument Health wants to keep all of our area athletes going higher, faster and farther To prep our athletes and provide the best care to our communities, we’re offering free sports physicals. Call your local clinic to schedule an appointment or stop into one of our Urgent Care locations throughout the hills. Sports physicals are available FREE OF CHARGE in all of our clinics and urgent care locations www.monument.health
3 elevaterapidcity.com REFINANCE We can help.YOUR DEBT Offer is subject to credit approval and rate may vary based on creditworthiness. Terms and conditions subject to change without notice; please contact us at 605.718.1818 or 800.482.2428 for details. bhfcu.com Elevate(7.375x10.125_pg3)07/30/2022_WeCanHelp.indd 1 7/19/22 12:03 PM
We couldn’t agree more. Throughout the year, we’re so busy getting things done and tackling the critical issue of the day, we sometimes forget to enjoy the things—both large and small—that are already happening. As a community, workforce, innovation, economic development organization, and chamber of commerce, it’s not only our mission to celebrate these successes. It’s in our DNA.
PresidentJohnson,&CEO
4 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST
The thinking is that you can’t change the past and you can’t control the future. So, live in the present moment and soak it all in. Do it enough and you’ve found the secret to happiness, perhaps the secret to the meaning of life itself.
Welcome to this issue of Elevate, where we focus on our breath, stay grounded, and celebrate those businesses that are making a difference in the community. From diversity to innovation, from culture to growth, we’re featuring the stories of the winners of this year’s Elevate Business Awards. It was one heck of a party, everyone dressed to the nine, but most importantly, everyone walked away with an appreciation for those businesses in Rapid City that went the extra mile providing a great service or product, elevating the region for everyone, and making this the place people want to be. Stay safe and God-speed.
PRESIDENT & CEO Tom Johnson ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Matt Brunner MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Shiloh Francis PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR Anna Hays WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & TALENT ATTRACTION DIRECTOR Samantha McGrath INNOVATION ENTREPRENEURSHIPANDDIRECTOR Mitch Nachtigall EVENTS & TRAINING MANAGER Rachel Nelson BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION MANAGER Larissa Hespen ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT & PROPERTY MANAGER Loni Reichert PUBLIC POLICY MANAGER Garth Wadsworth OFFICE MANAGER & HR COORDINATOR Liz Highland HOUSING COORDINATOR Laura Jones INVESTOR ENGAGEMENT MANAGER Becky Knox INVESTOR RELATIONS MANAGER Jason Wittenberg EXECUTIVEASSISTANTADMINISTRATIVE Ashley Simonson Elevate is a monthly publication produced by Elevate Rapid City. It is the premier business magazine for the Black Hills region telling the stories that make our area unique and vibrant. PO Box 747, Rapid City, SD 57709 elevaterapidcity.com605.343.1744 DESIGN AND LAYOUT Bailey Sadowsky, Shadow Sky Creative Co. PUBLISHED BY THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL Ben Rogers, ben.rogers@lee.netPresident ADVERTISING Eddie Hebron, 605.394.8356 ehebron@amplifieddigitalagency.com PRINTED BY SIMPSONS PRINTING HECKSUCCESSCELEBRATINGISONEOFAPARTY
Tom
The great philosophers from the 1970s, Kool and the Gang, said it this way: “Let’s all celebrate and have a good time.”
Perhaps you’ve heard. Mindfulness is the new black. Whether it’s meditation, yoga, or simply enjoying each bite of a turkey sandwich, it’s all the rage to live in the present moment.
August 19-27 CENTRAL STATES FAIR centralstatesfair.com August 20 GOLDEN HOUR LIVE FEAT. NAPPY ROOTS FREE concert at Main Street Square. Nappy Roots has been a best-selling hip-hop group since 2002 and feature hits like “Good Day” and “Awnaw.” ghlnappyrootsmainstreetsquare.org/ &
NATIONALPARKS CONNECT WITH US @ELEVATERAPIDCITY “From furry friends to fast cars, you never know what you’ll experience at an Elevate Mixer! Join us at the next one on August 9." #elevaterapidcity Tag your social media posts with #elevaterapidcity for your chance to be featured in the next magazine! NAPPYMOONLITSUMMERNIGHTSMOVIESROOTSJason Reuter
Sarah Carlson 2022 Emcees
Celebrate the Great American Outdoors Act with free admission to our National Parks! Enter Badlands National Park and Devil’s Tower for free. August 4, 11, 18, 25 SUMMER NIGHTS Summer Nights is a weekly concert series that runs Thurs. evenings from Memorial Day to Labor Day. FREE event for all ages. rapidcitysummernights.com
The sky's the limit for the future of the Rally. Soaring into our next chapter we’re adorning a new badge, to immortalize our heritage: the Black Hills, Freedom, and Motorcycles. Ride along with us as we throttle-up for 2022. The Ride. The Roar. The Rally.™ sturgismotorcyclerally.com
August 15 MOONLIT MOVIES: MOANA The Elks Theatre and Main Street Square present Moonlit Movies! Free and open to the public, with films starting at sundown. Bring the kids and the lawn chairs/ blankets, and experience these outdoor films in the heart of downtown Rapid mainstreetsquare.orgCity!
5 elevaterapidcity.com EVENTS August 4 NATIONAL FEE-FREEENTRANCEPARKDAY
August 5-14 82ND MOTORCYCLESTURGISRALLY
6 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST QDOBA8 Strives to create an inclusive workplace. BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI COLE-TAC32 Business move to Rapid City pays off. BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI Volume 3 // Issue No. 8 AUGUST 2022 JESSEPHOTOSAWARDSBYBROWN NELSON DESIGN-BUILD | CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SD | 605-342-3787 | RCSCONST.COM GENERAL CONTRA 1314 FOUNTAIN PLAZA DRIVE, RAPID CITY 605-342-378 Pennington County Crisis Stabilization Unit Solid foundations for a brighter future. 13 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION 16 BEAUTIFICATION AWARD 17 YOUNG PROFESSIONAL BEST PLACE TO WORK 18 SMALL BUSINESS 22 GRANITE AWARD 25 LARGE BUSINESS 26 EXPANSION AWARD 28 GEORGE AWARD 31 NON-PROFIT 38 EMERGING BUSINESS
Non-profits,
innovative companies
inaugural ELEVATEBUSINESSAWARDS small startups, large, – City made up of who work hard each
these Rapid
businesses are
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and every day to elevate the region for all. The Elevate Annual Business Awards were established to recognize those that go above and beyond. Learn more about this year’s winners – and keep an eye out to nominate and celebrate the 2023 winners!
people
8 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST 8 Everyone BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI // PHOTOS BY SHILOH FRANCIS Qdoba strives to workemployee-centeredinclusivecreateenvironment a workplacefor
10 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST Mark is a dishwasher at the Qdoba Mexican Eats’ Baken Park location. Qdoba hires several workers from Black Hills Works, a nonprofit organization that provides support and services to adults with disabilities, including Mark. “We have always tried to be a place for anybody to work at,” said Stew Mehlhaff, operating partner for the Rapid City Qdobas. “We don’t care who you are or where you come from. You can come in with green hair or red hair as long as you are a hard worker…our goal is just to do what we do best and serve a great product with great customer service and a clean restaurant.”Stewsaidit is his staff that makes that possible.Elevate Rapid City recently honored Qdoba with the Diversity and Inclusion award during its first business award celebration.Qdobatruly values their employees and works with them in all aspects of their MARK DOERING LOVES HIS JOB–AND IT’S NOT BECAUSE OF THE FREE BURRITOS AND DR. PEPPER. ALTHOUGH, HE DOES LOVE THAT TOO. HE LOVES HIS SUPERVISORS JEREMY AND ANDREW. HE LOVES THAT HIS COWORKERS VISITED HIM AT THE HOSPITAL WHEN HE HAD KNEE SURGERY. HE LOVES THAT HE IS TREATED JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. AND MOST OF ALL, MARK LOVES THAT HE IS PART OF A FAMILY.
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Black Hills Works and BH Services, Inc. are equal opportunit y employers and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identit y, sexual orientation, national origin, disabilit y status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law
Benefits, include generous paid time of f, health/vision/dental/life insurance, 401k match, and more! careers. B lack H ills Works. o rg
12 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST 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. ©389203_22 Aug ready to grow. 605.593.8322 1c all 2 build .c om It’s more than a building. launch pad. It’s your Launch your next idea in the perfect place.
13 elevaterapidcity.com qdoba qdobaqdoba DIVERSITYINCLUSION & &
14 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST - BUILT ON SERVICE605.342.5587 - northwestpipe.com Proudly serving the Black Hills for 67 years and counting! BUILT TO LAST "We don’t care who you are or where you come from…our goal is just to do what we do best and serve a great product with great restaurant.”servicecustomerandaclean - STEW MEHLHAFF
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WE WANT TO INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS. • Business Loans and Lines of Credit • Commercial Real Estate Loans • Business Checking • Cash Management Ser vices By Phone: 605-399-2265 In Person: 311 Omaha St in Rapid City Online: www.bankwest-sd.bank Member FDIC. All loans subject to credit approval In order for your business to grow, you must have access to affordable capital and cash management strategies. BankWest understands. And, we have money to lend.
lives, listens to their struggles and helps them achieve success, Stew said. “One of the coolest things that I have experienced in my 43 years in the business is when an employee comes up to me and says they bought a car or house. That is so gratifying.”Asidefrom an inclusive environment, Qdoba offers flexible scheduling, paid time off, competitive wages, and recently implemented mental health counseling for all employees.
Qdoba’s focus on creating an employeecentered workplace makes workers feel valued and motivates them to achieve both personal and professional goals, Stew said. “I really found my flow here. At first it was a struggle; I am a teenager. But I realized these people actually care. They gave me the flexibility that I need, and if I wanted to move up, they would help me get there. And that’s what happened.”
Hight has been an employee at Qdoba since she was a sophomore in high school. She just graduated this past May and has worked her way up to shift manager at the Rushmore Crossing location. “It is so nice to have flexibility with a job, and they really work on putting the employee in an area where they will thrive.”
The company pays for four visits to the Christian Life Ministries for any employee who may need it. The idea came from a manager retreat. “My managing team came up to me and part of our discussion was the mental health of our employees. That was a whole different ball game that I didn’t realize.”Afewemployees have already used the added service. It is all about taking care of your employees, StewSummersaid.
16 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST
After a summer hailstorm pummeled the Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown in 2020, substantial repairs were imminent. The team had a decision to make. Do they patch things up and keep things as they were? Or do they use this disaster as an opportunity, and reimagine what this beloved hotel could become? They chose the latter, and seeing their imagination come to life has dramatically changed the fifth street corridor. The dramatic changes to the façade include a fresh color palette, a new roofline to give the hotel a more contemporary look and feel, and energyefficient windows. The Summit Arena at The Monument draws visitors from across the country. The new look of the Holiday Inn (in addition to their rockstar team), enhances the experience for both visitors and locals alike.
HOLIDAY INN RAPID CITY DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION AWARD
BLACK HILLS ENERGY PLACE WORKTO
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With a comprehensive benefits package, career growth and advancement efforts, and connection opportunities, Black Hills Energy is an ideal place for young professionals to start and grow their careers. Retaining employees and promoting from within is crucial in a time where help wanted signs can be found in every window. Black Hills Energy knows its diverse and talented workforce is the lifeblood of the organization. Their success in developing a talented workforce begins with college intern placements that often result in full-time employment. They offer an Education Assistance Program and College Partnerships Program to provide avenues for employees to receive their degree at a discounted and/or accelerated rate. Lastly, as they progress in their careers, a Management Essentials and Leading People Program equips new leaders to effectively manage people, processes, and performance. The proof is in the people: 43% of their employees are young professionals (under 40).
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
BEST
18 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST UNIFY HOME LENDING SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Unify Home Lending does more than help people buy a home in the community, they are an active part of making the community a better Asplace.the only mortgage lender incorporated in South Dakota, the Rapid City-owned company prides itself in more than its awardwinning success. They are dedicated to Unifyemployee-ownerEstablishedmuchHopeYMCA,Children’sMealsforyouthinvolvement.communityFromcoachingsportstovolunteeringorganizationssuchasonWheels,BlackHillsHomeSociety,Zonta,ToysforTots,Center,Mission22,andmore.withonein2018,isquicklyoutgrowing its status as a small business with 24 local employees to date. Unify Home Lending provides expert consultation and financing on residences, second homes, and investment properties. They aim to provide transparent, honest, timely service topped with quality lending products to all their clients. UNIFY
Marshall M McKusick (1879 1950) was a professor at the USD School of Law beginning in 1902 He was named dean of the Law School in 1911 where he served for nearly five decades Each year, in honor and celebration of Marshall McKusick’s dedication and service to the legal community in South Dakota, the University of South Dakota Student Bar Association recognizes an outstanding member of the South Dakota Bar for their contribution to the profession The 2022 Marshall M McKusick Award, presented during the 90th Annual Meeting of the State Bar of South Dakota, was awarded to Patrick G Goetzinger Friday, June 24th at 11:30 AM
Congratulations PATRICK G GOETZINGER The McKusick Award is given annually to an outstanding member of the South Dakota Bar for contributions to the legal profession The Student Bar Association selects the recipient from nominations by members of the South Dakota Bar 506 6th Street Rapid City SD 57701 | 605 342 1078
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Patrick G Goetzinger is a partner at Gunderson Palmer Nelson Ashmore LLP, leading the firm’s Estate Planning and Business Law Group Pat serves on the American Bar Association Board of Governors; is past President of the South Dakota State Bar Association, and the South Dakota Bar Foundation; a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (South Dakota State Chair); and a Fellow in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers He is listed among the Best Lawyers in America, Great Plains Super Lawyers, Chambers USA’s High Net Worth 2018 rankings, and America's leading Lawyers for Business in the categories of Corporate/Commercial Law and Real Estate Law, and Private Wealth Law Pat’s desire to give back to his profession and the state is demonstrated by being the founder of Project Rural Practice, an initiative to restock rural main streets with attorneys and improve access to justice in rural areas
in momentthe 20
22 ranite AWARDAWARDG
ranite BLACK HILLS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
The Granite Award was established by the Chamber of Commerce to be given to a business that is stable and solid as “granite” which is an asset to the area and a pillar of our community. Black Hills Federal Credit Union is not afraid of a challenge. They’ve proven that repeatedly over their 81 years of service. In 2012, they merged with a failing credit union in Eagle Butte to ensure low-cost financial services remained available to people in the Cheyenne River Reservation, that same year, the credit union lent a hand to help Lakota Federal Credit Union open its doors in Kyle. In 2015, the credit union created groundbreaking television commercials, narrated in the Lakota language, to help bridge the cultural gap, and send a clear message of inclusion to Native Americans – displaying leadership in advancing cultural relations in our region. With strong support from management and its volunteer board of directors, Credit Union employees are committed to serving the community as well. Employees participate in more than 50 community service projects each year. They started a School Supply Drive that collects over 100,000 school supplies each year, providing thousands of low-income students an equal opportunity to Blacksucceed.HillsFederal Credit Union strives for excellence in everything they do. Their mission statement “We improve lives”, is known by all 350 employees. They attribute their success to their employees who have a passion for service and believe in their mission, which drives the smallest to the largest of decisions.
We would like to welcome retired Superintendent Don Kirkegaard to our team as an Education Specialist!
23 elevaterapidcity.com CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. PROVEN SERVICE. SI OUX F ALLS RAPID CI T Y www.archit ect ureinc.com
24 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST
25 elevaterapidcity.com vRC SYSTEMSMETALvRC LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR VRC Metal Systems is growingSystems500thanemployeescompanybelievesharemarketthesprayinternationally-knownancoldproviderleadingcoldsprayequipmentwitha35%marketglobally.It’shardtothatsuchasuccessfulwassimplytwoinagarageless10yearsago.Inc.recognizedVRCMetalasoneofthefastestprivatecompanies in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2020 they were named South Dakota Small Business of the Year. VRC has over 20 active contracts with the Department of Defense and Department of Energy. They have grown from a small manufacturer to a fullservice cold spray provider offering R&D development,processautomation integration, training, onsite and regional support in addition to thekeepingcompanyandVirginia,operationsallowedSystemsThemanufacturing.equipmentfastsuccessVRCMetalhasseenhasthemtoexpandtoMassachusetts,NorthDakota,Washington,buttheiscommittedtoitsheadquartersinBlackHills.
26 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST
BUSINESS EXPANSION OF THE YEAR Phase Technologies is going head-to-head with billion-dollar, multinational companies like GE, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, and Yaskawa. These companies have more than 40 years of experience on the Rapid City-based power electronics manufacturer, but they aren’t letting that stop them. Since its founding in 1999 Phase Technologies has had four locations, the most recent expansion to 222 Disk Drive is seven times the size of their previous location. Quickly filling the 225,000 square foot facility, they have grown their staff from 64 to 139 in 2021 alone. Behind those numbers is the real investment to community and growth. Average wages have increased 23%. Their fiveyear growth plan is expected to add 350 additional full-time jobs to Rapid City bringing the full-time employee count north of 500 personnel. Additionally, they plan to roll out five new product lines within the next year to challenge their competitors at their core business.
Phase Phase Technologies
27 elevaterapidcity.com Stronger. Better. Faster. Fiber. Move forward into tomorrow and a seamlessly connected smart world. With our fiber internet, we’re bringing you a stronger connection with better reliability and faster speeds that keep up with you and your devices all day, every day. Midco.com/FiberForward
G Since 1981 the Chamber, now Elevate Rapid City, has presented its George Award recognizing an outstanding community leader that has gone above and beyond throughout their life to bring about positive change and impact on the Rapid City Community. “They didn’t just wait to let ‘George’ do it, they did it themselves.” This phrase was coined in regard to George Weedman back in 1979, who worked for Black Hills Power and Light, and spent 30 years on the Ag committee – through the years you would hear the phrase often that “George will do it” and he did! Julio “Mutch” Usera graduated from Central High School in 1973 and went to work for Black Hills Power and Light Company as an apprentice appliance serviceman. While working there he also received his degree from Black Hills State University. Over the course of his 48 years with the company he held several roles, but spent most of his time in Public Relations, Economic Development, and engaged at a leadership level on several community projects including leading the Saving Ellsworth Communication Team when the base was on the BRAC list, chairing the Central States Fair and Black Hills Stock Show through the COVID pandemic and creating a strategic plan to operate safely, chairing Destination Rapid City board and helping develop a 5-year strategic plan that will take the organization to the next level of Mutchsuccess.has also been involved with Western Dakota Tech taskforce, Rapid City Lions Club, the YMCA, United Way, Elevate Rapid City, Club for Boys, Black Hills Vision, South Dakota Voices for Children and on the list goes. As the saying goes, “He didn’t just let George do it!” In this spare time, he and his wife, Charlene, own and operate a martial arts school located in Uptown Rapid. It has been a lifestyle for his entire family for over 51 years. In fact, all his children hold Black Belts in Jujitsu. Mutch has a Black Belt in several martial arts.
JULIO "MUTCH" USERA
MutchMarketing.hasbeen
28 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST
George AWARDAWARD
30 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST REACH YOUR GOALS, On campus • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing • Standard Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing • RN to B.S.N. Online or hybrid • Master of Science in Nursing • Postgraduate certificate • Doctor of Nursing Practice WWW.SDSTATE.EDU/NURSING ABERDEEN BROOKINGS RAPID CITY SIOUX FALLS ONLINE We of fer flexible options to streamline your degree. YOUR WAY. d TE.EDU/NURSING ALLS Scan Me
If there is an issue the community is facing, there’s a good chance Black Hills Area Community Foundation is taking a leading role to solve it. From animal welfare to affordable housing and food security, they facilitate conversations and create solutions all in the hope of making the Black Hills a place that is thriving and vibrant, now and for generations to come. In 2021 they distributed more than $2.6 million in grants. Their work touches nearly every area of social good for the Rapid City area. As they continue to operate as one of the fastest-growing community foundations in the nation, our region will continue to see their positive impact.
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NON-PROFIT
BLACK HILLS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE YEAR NON-PROFIT
33 elevaterapidcity.com beginnings BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI // PHOTOS BY SHILOH FRANCIS New paystomovedecisioncouple’sHampshiretobusinessRapidCityoff NEW
edwardjones.com Member
Jennifer says, "My husband Wade and I have three kids a daughter in college and a son and daughter in high school. I enjoy motorcycle rides with my husband, reading, thrifting, and playing with my dog, Daisy, a boxer. I love living in the Black Hills there are so many exciting things to do here! I believe in the Helpline Center's mission in creating connections and am excited to be a part of this wonderful organization." 381-0208Owen
Rick
34 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST The Helpline Center is excited to announce our new Black Hills Program Coordinator, Jennifer Pavlicek. She will provide that essential link between the Black Hills' wonderful nonprofit organizations and the amazing volunteers who serve them. Jennifer may be reached by calling 605-274-1429 or by email at jennifer.pavlicek@helplinecenter.org Visit volunteer.helplinecenter.org to learn more about the Helpline Center's Volunteer Connections program.
The decision was not an easy one – pack up your family, including some horses, and your business and relocate thousands of miles away. And while that decision came with some struggles, Dustin and Liene Coleman said life couldn’t be better.
The couple who started ColeTAC, LLC, a tactical accessory manufacturing company, out of their New Hampshire home in 2015, said after just one year in Rapid City they have expanded both their team and production. “July 19 of last year was our first day of production (in Rapid City),” said Dustin. “It has been great. We knew it would be tough, but by January of this year we already had more people here than what we had in New Hampshire after 6 years. And by May we had more production happening out of this facility then out of New Hampshire.” The Colemans have added a full-time engineer and two interns from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, a project manager, marketing director, and several local Native American quilters and beaders whose meticulous attention to detail have been a huge asset to the sewing Cole-TACteam. was also just honored with the 2022 Elevate Rapid City Emerging Business Award. “I was shocked,” Dustin said of the award. “It was an emotional event for us. This last year we have poured so much into making this happen and the award kind of validated that we are doing OK, and people are noticing that work we are doing here. That is a big reason why we like Rapid City is that community feel.”
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The couple began thinking about relocating several years ago. They loved their home in Unity, New Hampshire, a small town of 1,100, but knew they needed a larger community to grow their business. They went back and forth for years, but with the help of Elevate Rapid City’s DevelopmentEconomicDirector Matt Brunner and the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development they finally said yes to moving their lives from the East Coast to South Dakota.
36 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST A South Dakota Mines degree offers a great return on investment *DATA BASED ON OUTCOMES FOR 2021 GRADUATES sdsmt.edu CAREER PLACEMENT IN THEIR FIELD $68,685 AVERAGE STARTING SALARY GRADUATES WORK/ ATTEND GRAD SCHOOL IN SOUTH DAKOTA 97% 43% 312 Main St., Rapid City, SD 57701 605.389.3838 • w w w.imageall.com Clothing And Fashion Corporate Apparel And Embroidery Corporate apparel is our business
While the headquarters for Cole-TAC is in Rapid City, the couple maintains their initial manufacturing facility in New Hampshire along with one in Latvia, the home country of Liene, which produces everything for the European market. Cole-TAC started off as a hobby business in the spare room of the couple’s home. Liene sewed the first suppressor cover after one that Dustin purchased at a hefty price fell apart the first use. “I asked her to fix it and after finding out how much I spent on it she basically commented that she could have made something much better and for less.” So, she did. She made one for Dustin and then for several of his buddies. “It was so well received that we said maybe we should start a website,” Liene Thesaid.business that started in the spare bedroom grew to the basement then to the garage and eventually the hobby turned into a full-time business. The goal when they started was to simply make enough to take a yearly family trip to TheyLatvia.have achieved that goal and more. “I would never have thought that we would end up at this level. We had one little home sewing machine in the spare bedroom, now we have 90 industrial Dustinmachines.”and Liene are excited for the future growth of their business and their new community that will help them achieve those goals.
Strengthening your image is our passion
38 ELEVATE • 2022AUGUST COLE-TAC EMERGING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR “That is a big reason why we like Rapid City is feel.communitythat” - DUSTIN COLEMAN
39 elevaterapidcity.com 866 -991-9722 MyB l uepea k.com/busi ness/home We’ve l ove d wo r k i n g w i t h B l u e pea ktm fo r ove r a d ec a d e , w i t h t h e i r re l i a b l e i nte r n et a n d fa s t- c l a s s c u s to m e r s e r v i c e . I t h a s b ee n a g rea t p a rt n e r s h i p a n d we l o o k fo r wa rd to wo r k i n g w i t h t h e m fo r yea r s to c o m e! ” C h ri s G ro s s , V P/G M of KOTA Te r ri tor y a n d K E V N B l a c k H i l l s F ox B us i n e s s - C l as s I n t e r n e t Se r v i c es R E LIA B L E . FA S T. C O N N E CT E D . *Ava i l a b l e to n ew b u s i n es s cu sto m e rs i n se r vi cea b l e a rea s . Pri ces exc l u d e a p p l i ca b l e taxes , fees , su rc h a rg es , n etwo rk a cces s fees , cost recove r y fees , a n d ot h e r a p p l i ca b l e c h a rg es su c h a s eq u i p m e nt , i n sta l l ati o n , a n d se r vi ce ca l l c h a rg es Adve rti sed i nte rn et s peed i s b a sed o n a wi red co n n ecti o n a n d i s n ot g u a ra nteed . Fo r m o re i nfo rm ati o n see o u r Te rm s a n d C o n d iti o n s at MyB l u e pea k /b u s i n es s/ho m e.co m . C o nt ra ct fo r se r vi ce req u i red . Call or click to find the services that meet your needs! “
ELEVATE RAPID CITY BOX 747 RAPID CITY, SD 57709 USStandardPostage PAID Rapid City SD Permit No. 618
