Elevate Magazine - July 2023 - Rapid City South Dakota

HONORING THE BUSINESSES THAT MAKE RAPID CITY THE PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO BE

SECOND ANNUAL

Business Awards

ORTHOPE AK RUN

SEPTEMBER 30 , 2023

SHORT COURSE

2.5 miles

750 feet of ascension

LONG COURSE

7 miles

2,250 feet of ascension

FOR FULL DETAILS VISIT: monument.health/orthopeakrun

Presented by Monument Health and Terry Peak

Life changing…

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE PURSUING A NURSING CAREER!

West River AHEC's Rural Health Works program has funding assistance available for LPN and RN students enrolled at Western Dakota Technical College! This program is designed to help those who are underemployed or unemployed as they upskill into a nursing career and fill critical need jobs in western SD. If you are planning to start nursing coursework at WDT soon, apply now! Scholarship recipients may also be eligible for a $1000 stipend!

Commitment to Community

As I strode up to the podium on the night of June 13th to present at our annual Elevate Business Awards event, I remember thinking, whatever you do, don’t screw this up. As I left the stage ten minutes later, with the bulk of the event remaining, I knew there was simply no way that could happen.

That’s because the Rapid City business community and the men and women that make up these businesses are one amazing group. Their commitment to the community, their commitment to community service, and their commitment to serving their customers is unmatched, unfettered, and unbound. I knew all we had to do was get them up on stage, let them tell their stories, and the room would be brighter than the sun.

Welcome to this issue of Elevate, where we look at last month’s Business Awards winners. From the traditional awards like The George and The Granite, to our relatively new awards like Small and Large Business of the Year, we’ll give you an inside look at the businesses that are making a difference, whether it’s through making their workplace friendly to young professionals or showing grit and determination in the face of adversity.

There’s a little something for everyone in this issue. I was lucky enough to present the Distinguished Public Service Award to Senator Mike Diedrich, a mentor and friend to hundreds of people in the Black Hills. To say that I was both honored and humbled by the experience is an understatement. Senator Diedrich is the kind of person every young leader hopes to be. He’s certainly the kind of person you wish every politician, both near and wide, would emulate. Mike’s commitment to civic discourse and advancing causes essential to the Black Hills, everything from preventing human trafficking to healthcare access to low-moderate income people, is unmatched. I am so proud to have Mike serve as the award’s inaugural winner.

Stay safe and God-speed.

Tom

Tom Johnson, President & CEO

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 605.343.1744

elevaterapidcity.com

PRESIDENT & CEO

Tom Johnson

SENIOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR

Taylor Davis

SENIOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Shiloh Francis

SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Lori Frederick

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Liz Highland

EVENTS & MARKETING DIRECTOR

Rachel Nelson

PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR

Garth Wadsworth

HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Laura Jones

INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANAGER

Dillon Matuska

WORKFORCE & SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER

Reese Niu

ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT & PROPERTY MANAGER

Loni Reichert

BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION MANAGER

Kallie Ruland

VISUAL CONTENT MANAGER

Maggie Jean Wince

INVESTOR RELATIONS MANAGER

Jason Wittenberg

DIGITAL CONTENT COORDINATOR

Sydney Riendeau

EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Ashley Simonson

DESIGN AND LAYOUT

Maggie Jean Wince

PUBLISHED BY THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL

Ben Rogers, President

ben.rogers@lee.net

ADVERTISING

Kelly Kanaan 605.394.8472

Jaimie Mohler 605.8302326

Tom Eltgroth 320-583-284

Business Awards

The Elevate Business Awards celebrate the people and businesses that make Rapid City the place people want to be. From startups to expansions, non-profits and everything in between, these organizations are made up of people who work hard each and every day.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Selecting the winners for the Elevate Business awards begins with a nomination window. In March, businesses were nominated for award categories. In April, those businesses were asked to fill out an application sharing more information about their accomplishments. An anonymous, independent panel of judges then reviewed and ranked the applications. The decision process is left in the hands of the judges, with no influence from Elevate Rapid City staff, to ensure a fair and objective process.

Beautification Award pg. 10

Business Expansion Award pg. 13

Distinguished

Public Service Award pg. 14

Diversity & Inclusion Award pg. 16

George Award pg. 20

Granite Award pg. 22

Large Business of the Year Award pg. 24

Small Business of the Year Award pg. 25

Emerging Business Award pg. 28

Non-Profit of the Year Award pg. 30

Young Professionals Best Place to Work Award pg. 32

PHOTOS BY KENE PHOTOGRAPHY

HAPPENINGS AROUND THE REGION

JULY 7 | 5-8PM

DOWNTOWN ART WALKS

www.rapidcityartscouncil.org/ artnightdowntown.html

JULY 8-9

NATIVE POP: PEOPLE OF THE PLAINS

www.mainstreetsquare.org/ nativepop

JULY 7-8

BLACK HILLS PRIDE FESTIVAL

www.bhcfe.org/resources/ bhpride

JULY 13 | 9AM-1PM

STRIDER BIKES DISCOVERY RIDE AT STORYBOOK ISLAND

www.allkidsbike.org/

JULY 15-16

37TH ANNUAL HILLS ALIVE https://hillsalive.com/

JULY 8

3RD ANNUAL MISSION 22 CAR SHOW

www.facebook.com/ events/693209495942244

JULY 14-16

SPEARFISH FESTIVAL IN THE PARK

www.matthewsopera.com/event/ festival-in-the-park-4/2023-07-15/

JULY 29

ROWAN GRACE LIVE IN CONCERT

www.thebox.live/event/thebox-presents-rowan-gracelive-in-concert/

NELL'S GOURMET TO GO BEAUTIFICATION AWARD

The two buildings Nell's Gourmet to Go occupies have been given new life and beauty through the efforts of Marinell Simpson. August of 2018, Nell’s Gourmet To Go purchased their first location on Mount Rushmore Road. The exterior was refreshed with new black and white striped awnings, colorful signage, and hanging cafe lights. A new entrance with steps and railing and a long-standing eyesore of a sign and the chain-link fence were removed. Vegetation was added to the front of the building, providing a welcoming atmosphere for customers.

April of 2021 the second location was purchased on Jackson Boulevard and it has been entirely rebuilt from the inside out. The exterior was significantly improved with fresh paint, new windows, their signature black and white awnings, and landscaping.

Their efforts demonstrate the importance of investing in and preserving the character of existing buildings in the community.

In October of 2022, Rapid City Medical Center purchased the former Premier Mortgage building a half-block away from their flagship clinic on Mount Rushmore Road. The purchase of this building provided an additional 25,000 square feet that they can repurpose for medical care. This will allow them to streamline ancillary services such as radiology and laboratory at a cost savings, without eliminating any jobs. Within the past 18 months, they have added seven new physicians and two new specialties. They will add three new physicians and one subspeciality this year.

Rapid City Medical Center has contributed significantly to the Rapid City community. They provide living wages to over 480 families, generous community support through charitable giving and sponsorship opportunities, and volunteerism. They also provide competition for healthcare services, encouraging all local medical professionals to excel within their profession and provide choice in healthcare for the region.

Rapid City Medical Center's commitment to the community and their patients is unwavering. Their expansion is a testament to their dedication.

BUSINESS EXPANSION AWARD

RAPID CITY MEDICAL CENTER

DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD MIKE DIEDRICH

2023 marked the first year of the Distinguished Public Service Award. The award was established to recognize and honor an individual who has worked in the public sector to bring positive change to his or her community at the state or local level. They have devoted much of their lives to serving others, professionally and privately. Mike Diedrich has spent his entire professional life advancing important initiatives for the Rapid City community, the State of South Dakota, and beyond. A man with seemingly limitless energy, grit, and dedication, Mike recently championed a Human Trafficking bill through the South Dakota legislature focused on protecting South Dakotans. The bill was recognized and awarded by the United Nations as an exemplary standard of civil protection and human trafficking regulation. South Dakota is healthier, happier, more active, better protected, has better quality of life and quality healthcare because of Senator Diedrich’s lifelong public service.

Mike has served as the Special Counsel for Rapid City, and has twice served in the South Dakota legislature. First in the SD Senate 1987-1991, SD State Representative in 2017, and most recently elected SD Senator in 2021.

He has been a champion for identifying an issue and creating practical solutions. He sponsored a legislative bill to provide immediate statewide licensure reciprocity for the licensed professional spouses of Ellsworth Air Force Base airman avoiding an 18-month delay in obtaining licensure in South Dakota. Licensed healthcare professionals can contribute to the economy almost immediately upon moving to South Dakota due to this legislation, which has positively impacted the quality of life for our Ellsworth Airforce Base families, employers in the region and served as a pivotal strategy to winning the B21 program.

FORK REAL COMMUNITY CAFÉ

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD

Fork Real Cafe is a community cafe that believes everyone deserves access to healthy meals, regardless of their means. They use a pay-whatyou-can model to make this a reality, improving food security and reducing hunger in our community. This unique business model reflects their unwavering commitment to being a valuesdriven, positive force in society, making room for everyone to succeed.

Their goal is to create an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. They embrace differences and seek common ground to meet their mission. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion, which promotes open dialogue and new ideas. When having lunch together, they prioritize listening, two-way communication, acting on good ideas, and adding value to all ideas. These strategies lead to great customer service, personal development, and employee retention.

Fork Real Cafe's employee-relations philosophy prioritizes trust and minimizes the fear of failure. They empower their workforce to handle new responsibilities while maintaining open and honest conversations. They understand that mistakes are part of the learning process and encourage their team to take risks. By being transparent about the process of trying new things, and showcasing the steps required to make progress, they create a true learning environment where others feel more confident when taking risks.

Their leaders are examples for others to follow. They showcase the benefits of working as a team through daily team huddles, monthly breakfast meetings, and personal recognition. In the words of David Pearcy, “we create an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work because it’s the right thing to do.”

A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

June 13, 2023

JIM WHITE GEORGE AWARD

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!

Jim White graduated from Helena Senior High in 1972 and, shortly after, joined the United States Army that fall. As a newly minted UH-1H Huey helicopter mechanic, Jim was brought back to Montana in the spring of 1973, where he served in the Montana National Guard for the next six years. Shortly after enrolling at the University of Montana, Jim and his good friend Barry Shaw decided college was not for them, leading them on their new adventure of providing music to people. This duo built a sound system they leased to a bar and successfully assisted people with buying stereo systems. Additionally, they played foosball most nights, which was a key deciding factor in moving to Rapid City.

Tired of working jobs involving manual labor, Jim and Barry decided to open a retail stereo store and began touring 10 states around the country looking for the best spot.

Rapid City was nearly the last location they visited but had some of the best foosball players they encountered. Sound Pro, Jim and Barry’s retail stereo store, originally named Sound West, opened in December of 1976, launching their careers.

According to Jim, Barry was the brain of Sound Pro, making Jim the default face of the company and leading him towards his involvement in the community. Having been a Chamber Board member for 10 years, Jim believes it is easy to say yes when asked for help because of his enjoyment in working with others to improve the community.

Jim has achieved many more accomplishments throughout his lifetime. He served as Chairman of the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee and was the Honorary Wing Commander at Ellsworth Air Force Base from 2007 to 2012. Jim previously served as the President for the WellFully Board and the Black Hills Works Board. He acted as the Capital Campaign Co-Chair of Wellspring Rapid City and is a fivetime Big Brother for the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of the Black Hills.

He served on the Board at Youth and Family Services and, over the last 35 years, has purchased and donated grocery carts full of food at Christmas time to YFS. Finally, Jim was a member of LRC Class of 2010 (a program now known as Elevate Leadership Institute), which put on Movies Under the Stars every Monday evening for nine summers.

Jim says all his accomplishments were possible due to being part of an amazing community. He also credits his wife of nearly 46 years, Kathy, for their accomplishments together, along with their children, grandchildren, and their wonderful community of friends.

GRANITE AWARD SECURITY FIRST BANK

Founded in northwest Nebraska in 1898, Security First Bank and its holding company, Stockmens Financial Corporation moved their corporate headquarters from Rushville, Nebraska to Rapid City in 1999, seeking a larger and more diverse workforce for their growing financial services company.

Wanting to join Rapid City’s resurgent downtown corridor, in early 2003 Security First Bank purchased and then tore down an abandoned building on the corner of 5th and Quincy, replacing it with a branch bank and corporate headquarters office building that opened for business in January 2004. Later in 2004, the bank opened another branch bank on the corner of Sheridan Lake Road and Catron Boulevard. In both locations, the bank invested heavily in landscaping and public art, with the objective of helping to beautify the city.

In 2006, Security First relocated their IT, finance and other back-office operations functions from Nebraska to Rapid City, nearly doubling their local workforce. This expansion required more office space, and Security First opened a branch bank to accompany the newly-formed operations center in a building on Samco Road.

Security First’s owners and leadership team strongly encourage community involvement and investment in each of the company’s 20 markets. In Rapid City, the bank and staff have contributed nearly $1 million dollars to local non-profit and economic development organizations, and employees have been actively involved in the Rapid City and greater Black Hills communities through board service, organizational leadership and other volunteer efforts.

2023 marks Security First Bank’s 125th year in business. They are proud to employ more than 60 people in Rapid City, and are honored to serve thousands of customers, including those who visit from our legacy communities in northwest Nebraska and Bennett and Oglala Lakota Counties. Their recently-completed corporate headquarters at Buffalo Crossing cements their long-term commitment to Rapid City and the Black Hills region. They look forward to growing together with the community.

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.

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

RESPEC, a 100% employee-owned engineering consulting company, has emerged from its humble beginnings to become a leading provider of engineering and technology solutions. Founded in 1969 by five professors from South Dakota Mines, RESPEC has experienced steady growth and expanded its operations to 29 offices across the country and serves clients across the United States and globally.

They have expanded their workforce and operations while remaining deeply rooted in the Black Hills region. The ongoing $8-million expansion project exemplifies their commitment to the growth and success of their employee-owners and their dedication to Rapid City.

RESPEC is involved in over 20 organizations and initiatives. They invest in local causes, scholarships, and industry advancements, with a specific emphasis on supporting their home, Rapid City. By actively participating in community initiatives, RESPEC fosters well-rounded professionals who understand and address the social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by their communities.

The philosophy of empowering employee-owners is a fundamental aspect of RESPEC's approach. They provide comprehensive training and development programs, ensuring the personal and professional growth of their workforce. RESPEC upholds transparency and inclusivity by offering stock ownership incentives, involving employee-owners in decision-making processes, and promoting a culture that embraces diversity.

Black Hills Tire is a trusted full-service automotive repair and tire garage that prioritizes top-notch service and honest consultation. As the largest independent dealer of Michelin Tires in the Black Hills, they provide maintenance and repair services for American, Asian, and European cars and pickups. Guided by their principles of customer-focused service and creating a workplace their employees are proud of, Black Hills Tire has achieved remarkable growth since its establishment in 2018. The success of Black Hills Tire can be attributed to their incredible staff and loyal customer base. In just one year, they expanded from 4 employees and $1 million in revenue to 15 employees and $3.2 million in 2022, with projections reaching $4 million in 2023. However, their focus extends beyond numbers. They value community involvement and support, evident through initiatives like their Day of Giving, where they provide car repairs to those in need.

Their commitment to the community also resonates with their employees, who take great pride in being part of something greater than themselves. Furthermore, Black Hills Tire aims to address industry challenges by prioritizing exceptional employee relations. By hiring great people and offering training and support, they foster a teamdriven atmosphere that contributes to their high employee retention rate. They created camp DRIVE, to offer hands-on experience to help kids discover their passion and work with Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA to introduce young women to the automotive industry.

With their exceptional service, community engagement, employee satisfaction, and commitment to addressing industry issues, Black Hills Tire continues to have an impact on the automotive industry and the Rapid City community.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

BUILDING C OMMUNITY B Y DESIGN

A vibr ant communit y br ings people together, which is the core philosophy behind T SP ’s people-focused design. Our multidisciplinar y team has exper tise in a wide var iet y of areas, allowing us to guide your projec t with deep exper ience, thoughtful insight, and a pas sion for creating commercial , municipal , cultur al , and lifest yle spaces that are both func tional and fantastic To discover more, visit :

C on tinuing t o P r o vide C r ea tiv e S olutions and P r o v en S er vic e in E duc a tion

Design

EMERGING BUSINESS AWARD

BUILT RIGHT ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION

Founded three years ago by Andrew Hoover and Jake Hofer, Built Right Roofing & Construction currently has 14 employees and is always hiring top talent. While most roofing companies rely exclusively on 1099 employees due to seasonal work, Built Right’s in-house model allows them to control the customer experience better and maintain consistency. Their employees are hired year-round, which can be a high overhead to maintain when you can only work 9 months out of the year. To maintain cash flow and provide work for their employees during the winter, they build custom homes.

To ensure they provide the best service to their customers, Built Right has developed over 200 written standard procedures, covering everything from dealing with insurance companies to letting neighbors know about excessive noise. Weekly meetings and KPI reports enforce, measure, and control these items. Built Right’s commitment to excellence, innovation, community, and their employees has earned them an excellent reputation and a loyal customer base since their emergence into the business world in 2020.

NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR AWARD

BLACK HILLS BADGES FOR HOPE

The mission of Black Hills Badges for Hope is to promote positive interactions between first responders and youth in the community. Through their scholarship program, they bridge the gap and foster relationships between these two groups.

Furthermore, the organization extends to outreach and support for first responders, ensuring their wellbeing is a priority. From small gestures to financial assistance, they express gratitude for their service and dedication.

One of the highlights of their work is the annual Christmas Shopping event, where first responders and children interact, share smiles, and create memorable experiences. Families and first responders who participate in the event have shared stories highlighting the positive impact it has on their lives. Not only does it bring hope to families, but it also alleviates anxiety, especially during the holiday season.

Black Hills Badges for Hope’s guiding principle is to bring hope to the community, which is conveyed through positivity. They believe that families and youth are the future of the community and therefore they invest in them. The organization partners with like-minded businesses, organizations, and volunteers who also share the values of bringing hope and supporting youth in the community.

HDR

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BEST PLACE TO WORK AWARD

HDR is a leading provider of engineering, environmental, construction, and public relations consulting services. Their Rapid City office is home to a team of technical professionals and support staff who collaborate with clients ranging from municipalities to state and federal agencies. Guided by its core values, HDR is committed to excellence, collaboration, and making a positive impact.

Through comprehensive benefits, a supportive and inclusive culture, and opportunities for growth, HDR provides an environment where young professionals can thrive and contribute to the company's success. HDR offers benefits include generous PTO, profit sharing, health insurance, tuition reimbursement, and more, demonstrating their commitment to attracting and supporting young professionals. With a culture that promotes work-life balance and flexibility, employees can work remotely as needed. Opportunities for advancement are abundant, with transfers between offices facilitated and relocation benefits provided. They have several company and employee betterment committees, most led by young professionals.

Beyond their professional endeavors, HDR is deeply committed to giving back to the community. Through charitable giving, volunteerism, and community leadership, they make a positive impact and support causes that matter. By actively engaging in community initiatives, HDR demonstrates their dedication to building a better future.