December 2020 Chamber News

Chamber News December 2020

Annual Guide to

Sioux Falls area

legislators

Vol. 56, No. 3

YOU DON’T NEED AN ILLNESS TO NEED A DOCTOR. Regular wellness visits with a primary care physician or provider at Sanford Health can lead to better overall health. Better health care starts with a provider who’s a familiar face. Someone who actually knows you and understands your concerns and your goals.

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019024-01171 11/20

In this issue Feature

Annual guide to Sioux Falls area legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20-25

Chamber News Publisher

Top stories Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce 2021 Legislative Platform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-28 Take the Safer Sioux Falls pledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 In this issue Message from the Chair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Event Calendars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9 Economic Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Faces & Places. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-18 Community Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Business Advocacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-31 Headlines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-33 Member Voice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Ribbon Cuttings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37-38 Member Anniversaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Five Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Chamber News Ad Sales

For advertising information, call Steven Herman at (605) 373-2013 or email chambernews@siouxfalls.com

Chamber News Layout/Design Jill Blom

Chamber News Editor Jennie Doyen

For editorial information, call: (605) 336-1620 Chamber News is published by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, 200 N. Phillips Ave., Suite 200, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Postmaster please send address changes to: Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce 200 N. Phillips Ave., Suite 200, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Phone: (605) 336-1620 • Email: gsfcc@siouxfalls.com

Chamber Mission As the leading Sioux Falls area business advocate, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce represents its members by advancing and promoting the economic health and quality of life of the region.

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR VISIT siouxfallschamber.com /siouxfallschamber

ON THE COVER

The Capitol Rotunda in Pierre, South Dakota.

Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce @GreaterSFCC @SF_Advocate siouxfallschamber

Read online or find archived issues: issuu.com/siouxfallschamber

Thank you to the following members for supporting the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce by being premium sponsors of the Chamber News magazine.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 3

Your networking needs are one of a kind, not one of exactly the same.

Midco.com/Enterprise

Internet. Networking. Data Center. Phone.

Message from the Chair

Message from the Chair The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization. This means that our members are both the reason for our existence and the purpose for which we perform.

Accordingly, Chamber members lift up and support each other; together we can achieve more than one could on their own.

Dan Doyle

2020-21 Chair of the Board

Serving your businesses and helping you find success is an important part of what the Chamber does. Our programing and services are intended to help you develop and improve your business. We provide training and development in order to educate and mold the next generation of business and community leaders. As advocates, we will represent and speak out on behalf of the business community at all levels of government to ensure we have the best environment to enable business success.

Our membership roster has businesses of all sizes and industries. It might not seem like a large corporation would have much in common with the mom-and-pop retailer, but each of them is looking to attain and sustain success in their industry. In a community like Sioux Falls, it takes all kinds of businesses. Large or small. Traditional or unique.

Let’s keep The best way to succeed in this community is to all help each other. A key way to do this is to our dollars shop locally. Let’s keep our dollars here in Sioux Falls, where they’re more likely to be reinvested here in over and over. As members of the Chamber, I implore you to patronize other Chamber members.

Sioux Falls!

You can find a directory of Chamber member businesses on the Chamber’s website at siouxfallschamber.com.

Chamber members are often the folks doing extra and going beyond for the community. Its Chamber members that are donating semi-annually to Community Appeals capital campaigns, improving our quality of life; contributing to Forward Sioux Falls, continuing to push our community to new heights; and sacrificing their time, talent and treasure for the benefit of the amazing non-profit entities in Sioux Falls serving our children, vulnerable adults and people in crisis.

Many businesses have taken the Safer Sioux Falls pledge and are doing everything they can to maintain a safe shopping environment for you. In addition, many local retailers have online shopping with delivery or curbside pickup options.

I like the impact I can have by spending my dollars with other Chamber members. I encourage you to shop locally as often as possible, but this season is a good reminder of the impact you can have by choosing to spend your dollars locally – and with other Chamber members!

2020-21 GREATER SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LEADERSHIP AND STAFF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair Dan Doyle, Cutler Law Firm, LLP Chair-Elect Alex Ramirez, USA Media TV Vice Chair Paul Hanson, Sanford Health Treasurer Scott Lawrence, Lawrence & Schiller, Inc. Immediate Past Chair Bobbi Thury, Legacy Law Firm, P.C. Chamber President & CEO Jeff Griffin BOARD OF DIRECTORS Miles Beacom, PREMIER Bankcard Kim Burma, Midco Martin DesLauriers, UBS Financial Services, Inc. Tamien Dysart, Think 3D Solutions Natalie Eisenberg, Click Rain, Inc. Kayla Eitreim, Junior Achievement of South Dakota David Flicek, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center Pam Homan, Augustana University Chris Houwman, Malloy Angela Lammers, Cetera Services Valerie Loudenback, Grand Prairie Foods Tolcha Mesele, Smithfield Foods Nathan Stallinga, DakotAbilities Tony Venhuizen, Office of Governor Kristi Noem

EX-OFFICIO Jean Bender, Minnehaha County Commission Kyle Groos, Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools Derrick Karsky, Farmers Insurance Group - Karsky Agency Cynthia Mickelson, Sioux Falls School Board Jay Rasmussen, Journey Group Companies Jim Schmidt, Lincoln County Commission Dr. Jane Stavem, Sioux Falls Public School System Mayor Paul TenHaken, City of Sioux Falls CHAMBER & ESF STAFF Jeff Griffin, President & CEO Diane Balk, Accounting Manager Matt Barthel, ESF Communications Manager Joan Bartling, Finance & Accounting Director Justin Bentaas, Public Affairs & Research Manager Jill Blom, Graphics & Communications Manager Patrick Daschel, ESF Sales Manager Anna Derry, ESF Sales Manager Erin DeWitt, ESF Sales Manager Jennie Doyen, Marketing & Communications Director Jami Gates, Membership Director

Becky Griebel, First Impressions/Administrative Assistant Melea Harris, ESF Host City Manager Elizabeth Heidinger, Membership Services Specialist Steven Herman, Membership Development Manager Mary Hublou, ESF First Impressions Manager/Project Assistant Kayla Huizing, Young Professionals Network Manager Jay Kaltenbach, ESF Services/Resale Manager Pat Lund, Membership Engagement Manager Mike Lynch, Forward Sioux Falls Director of Investor Relations Jill Niedringhaus, ESF Sales Manager Krista Orsack, ESF Director of Marketing Debra Owen, Public Policy Director Kathie Puthoff, ESF Administrative Assistant Holly Rader, Agribusiness & Professional Development Director Emily Schaffer, ESF Creative Development Manager Teri Schmidt, ESF Executive Director Teresa Schreier, Public Affairs & Communications Assistant Susan Seachris, Administrative/Accounting Assistant Jackie Wentworth, ESF Sales Manager

chambernews.com | Chamber News 5

Calendars

CHAMBER and YPN

Events Calendar

Dates, times and locations are subject to change. For a current listing of all Chamber events, visit siouxfallschamber.com, read the weekly edition of Quickly, or call (605) 336-1620. You can register and pay for events online at siouxfallschamber.com.

For a current listing of all YPN events, visit siouxfallsypn.com.

YPN Focus Workshop: Google Analytics Wednesday, Dec. 2 Noon – 1 p.m.

Zoom

DETAILS: Through the power of analytics, marketers gain insight into how website users are interacting with their organization’s brand. But first, you have to know how to use the tools. Taylor Lopour, Blend Interactive, will give YPN members a crash course on Google Analytics in this YPN Focus Workshop.

COST: Free

A virtual networking event Tuesday, Dec. 8

SPONSORED BY:

4-5 p.m.

DETAILS: Join us online for a virtual mixer. Participants will break out into small groups for conversation, so your “mute” button won’t be needed at this event. December’s Unmuted is hosted by Pinnacle Productions. It is free to attend, but you must register in advance to receive the link to join.

REGISTER: siouxfallschamber.com

YPN: A Seat at the Table with Dan Doyle Tuesday, Dec. 1 Noon – 1 p.m.

Online & In Person 200 N. Phillips Ave., Suite 200

DETAILS: Get to know Dan Doyle at the December’s A Seat at the Table. Dan is a YPN Member who has been practicing at Cutler Law Firm his entire career. He is also the current Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors. Attend in person or via Zoom. A Seat at the Table is reserved for YPN Members only.

COST: Free

Good Morning Sioux Falls Thursday, January 7, 2021 7:30 a.m.

Virtual event

DETAILS: The annual Good Morning Sioux Falls Legislative Breakfast is going virtual. Join us online for a conversation with local state legislators about their goals and expectations for the upcoming session.

Sioux Empire Livestock Show Tuesday, Jan. 26 – Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds Expo Building 100 N. Lyon Blvd.

DETAILS: Celebrate the impact of agriculture on the Sioux Empire! Livestock shows and sales take place throughout the week and commercial exhibits are open on Wednesday and Thursday the week of the Show. Volunteer your time or come out to see the region’s best market and purebred livestock.

For more information, visit siouxempirelivestockshow.com.

Mayor’s Round-Up and Sale of Champions Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 Expo Building (north side) W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds 100 N. Lyon Blvd.

DETAILS: Join area business leaders in supporting agriculture by participating in this auction of the best market livestock from the Sioux Empire Livestock Show. The evening includes a dinner and a silent auction to fund scholarships for students. Social distancing and other safety precautions will be in place.

RSVP: hrader@siouxfalls.com

6 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

She matters.

Wealth management isn’t about the money you have. It’s about taking care of the things that matter. Whether it’s her education, a family vacation, a new business or retirement, doing it right takes planning. Managing wealth does not have to be overwhelming. Just talk to us. Ask us your questions, big or small. We’ll listen. And then we’ll help you get to where you want to go, because it matters.

SNBSD.com

Collaboration

you can bank on.

DECEMBER

This calendar is a sampling of local events, concerts, fundraisers, seminars and more compiled from siouxfallsevents.com and experiencesiouxfalls.com/events. Visit these websites for a complete listing of events happening in the Sioux Falls area, or for more details on the events listed here.

3

Comedy for a Cause at Hilton Garden Inn Downtown

3

SD Symphony Orchestra: Sacred Sounds of Christmas

3-4

The Good Night Theatre Collective presents: A Gift-Wrapped Cabaret

4-5

Twilight Flights at Strawbale Winery

5

Breakfast with Santa at Great Plains Zoo

5

Snowflake Festival at the Washington Pavilion

5

Homebuyer Express Part 1&2

6

A Prairie Christmas - On Stage at the Washington Pavilion

7

Big Sioux River Water Summit at Sioux Falls Convention Center

Raise Your Expectations

10-12 CU Mortgage Direct Dakota Showcase All events are subject to change.

11-12 Twilight Flights at Strawbale Winery Please check the online events 12 Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Fargo Force calendars for the most recent updates.

Jennifer Johnson 12-13

Christmas with the Symphony: ‘Tis the Season!

13

Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Lincoln Stars

Vice President 13 Branch Manager 15 NMLS 470758

(605) 444-4058

8 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Here Come The Mummies at The District Homebuyer Express Part 1

ID 405612

17-20

Twilight Flights at Strawbale Winery

23

SD Symphony Orchestra: Glorious Mendelssohn and Strauss

17-20

24th Annual Christmas at the Cathedral

26-30

Sioux Empire Livestock Show

18

Christmas with Lorie Line at Washington Pavilion

27-29

Sioux Falls Farm Show

19

Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Waterloo Black Hawks

30

Ice Fish Fest at Catfish Bay

19

Men’s Basketball: Gonzaga vs. Iowa

19

Santa Festival at the Washington Pavilion

19

Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers

22

Homebuyer Express Part 2

26

New Year’s Festival at the Washington Pavilion

26

Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Fargo Force

31

Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Fargo Force

JANUARY

FEBRUARY 5-6

Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Tri-City Storm

6

Frost: A Silver Key Gala for the Boys & Girls Club

6-14

Sioux Falls Winter Carnival

11

America: 50th Anniversary Tour at the Washington Pavilion

11-13

The Good Night Theatre Collective presents: Reality Wives

12

Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Lincoln Stars

13

SD Symphony Orchestra: Valentine Romance

8

Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos at Orpheum Theater

26-28

Sioux Empire Home Show

8-9

Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Waterloo Black Hawks

27

SD Symphony Orchestra: Bridging Cultures

8-10

Frosty Frolics

27-28

Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Omaha Lancers

15

Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Sioux City Musketeers

21-22

The Good Night Theatre Collective presents: A Royal Cabaret

chambernews.com | Chamber News 9

20-21 WINNER

YOUR sweet little moments PLACE.

Make Your Place a Showplace SIOUX FALLS: 804 S. Minnesota Ave. | 335.9600 HARRISBURG: 420 N. Cliff Ave. | 3 miles south of 69th | 362.7220

ShowplaceDesignCenter.com

Economic Indicators

Tracking trends in business is just one way that the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce is looking out for our members. Sioux Falls is a great place to do business, in part because of its diverse economy. Check here for economic indicators that help show growth and development.

City of Sioux Falls Building Permit Data

Regional Unemployment Rates

October 2020

September 2020

CUMULATIVE YEAR TO DATE

6,140 permits

2018

6,619 permits

2019

BISMARCK

3.1%

6,360 permits

2020 0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

FARGO

3.0%

8000

MINNEAPOLIS/ ST. PAUL

Source: City of Sioux Falls

5.9%

RAPID CITY

4.2%

City of Sioux Falls Total Construction Value

SIOUX FALLS

October 2020

ROCHESTER

4.2%

3.4%

CEDAR RAPIDS

CUMULATIVE YEAR TO DATE

5.5%

800 OMAHA

3.8%

700

DES MOINES

4.7%

LINCOLN

3.2%

600

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Note: figures represent Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), not just city; rates are not seasonally-adjusted

500

Agriculture Trends September 2020

400

10 $693.3 million $308.2 million

300

$9.24

$701.3 million $262.8 million

$8.66

200

0

8

(IN MILLIONS)

100

$8.99

$8.35

$573.2 million $204.7 million

$8.13 $7.83

Soybeans 2019

2018

Source: City of Sioux Falls

Total Construction Value

2020

(per bushel) U.S. South Dakota

6

New Non-Residential Construction Value

Corn

(per bushel) U.S. South Dakota

Sioux Falls Region Housing Overview October 2020

4

New Listings: 446 Days on the Market Until Sale: 80 Median Sales Price: $239,900 Inventory of Homes for Sale: 1,121 Source: RASE (Realtor Association of the Sioux Empire)

$3.80

$3.57

$3.41

$3.12

$3.03

$2.82

2

eptember August S 2019 2020

September

2020

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

chambernews.com | Chamber News 11

Faces & Places

Faces & Places Our members do more than follow the news. They make the news. Job promotions and hirings. New projects. New partnerships.

Awards. Every day we hear about exciting accomplishments, historic milestones and other positive aspects of our member businesses that deserve to be shared. Submit news to jdoyen@siouxfalls.com.

Joey Rotert

Sioux Falls Federal Credit Union

Angie Wahl

J. Wahl Home Inspection

Kristin HoefertRedlinger

Mark Lee

Carol Woltjer

April Meyerink

Northwestern Mutual

Family Visitation Center

Reliabank

Pam Olinger

ELO CPAs & Advisors

Black Hills Federal Credit Union

Recognition of Chamber Volunteers The Ambassador Committee promotes the Chamber and assists in bringing new members into the organization. The Diplomat Committee works to maintain membership strength in the Chamber and provide outstanding customer service to members.

Their volunteer service helps to keep the Chamber strong.

Featured ambassadors and diplomats this month are: Joey Rotert, Sioux Falls Federal Credit Union, six years as an ambassador; Kristin Hoefert-Redlinger, Northwestern

Mutual, four years as an ambassador; Mark Lee, Reliabank, two years as a diplomat; Pam Olinger, ELO CPAs & Advisors, one year as a diplomat; Angie Wahl, J. Wahl Home Inspection, 10 years as a diplomat; and Carol Woltjer, Family Visitation Center, one year as a diplomat.

The Ace Award is given monthly to one ambassador in recognition of their sales efforts.

April Meyerink, Black Hills Federal Credit Union, was the October Ace Award winner.

Professional portraits of Chamber volunteers are courtesy Chad Phillips Photography, chadphillipsphotography.com.

12 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

New Faces & Promotions Reid Vander Veen and Mark Millage recently joined the corporate team at Furniture Mart USA, the nation’s 35th largest furniture retailer based in Sioux Falls. Vander Veen is the Director of Marketing, leading the team responsible for driving sales across all media platforms on behalf of four divisions: Furniture Mart, Ashley HomeStore, Unclaimed Freight and Carpet One. Vander Veen has a background in sales and marketing across a wide range of industries including agriculture, home goods, technology and education. He holds a master’s degree in Marketing, and teaches graduate-level marketing and sales courses at the University of Sioux Falls. Millage is Director of Community Relations. He is responsible for forging new relationships within local retail communities, executing media engagement strategies and leading philanthropic efforts to support charitable causes across the upper Midwest. Millage most recently served as

Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Dakota State University, where he led its Foundation and Marketing/Communications.

He is a past president of Kilian Community College and former news director at KELO-TV in Sioux Falls.

KELOLAND Media Group welcomed veteran news anchor Tom Hanson back to local television. Hanson will anchor Midday in KELOLAND and KELOLAND News at 5 and will also report for the station. Hanson has more than 30 years of news anchoring experience and has earned numerous awards for his work. Awards include the Tom Brokaw award, Upper Midwest Emmys Silver Circle, Edward R. Murrow award and many others.

Travis Fossing is now the co-anchor for KELOLAND This Morning. Fossing has spent more than 13 years as sports director for KELOLAND Media Group, and has won

Honors & Awards The Sioux Falls location of Smithfield Foods, Inc. was recognized by The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI) for their efforts in driving improved performance through sustainability and going beyond environmental compliance. The Sioux Falls facility was a third-place honoree in the Program category of ProFood World’s annual Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards. It was recognized for its water reduction efforts, which resulted in reducing the need for city water in the facility by roughly 5.15 million gallons per year.

First PREMIER Bank was honored by American Banker magazine as one of its “Best Banks to Work For.” This is the sixth consecutive year First PREMIER has made the list, which judges financial institutions on corporate culture, employee benefits, financial and physical wellness programs, and workplace atmosphere. As part of its 2020 ranking, the

Associated Press Sportscaster of the Year three times. Fossing has covered a Super Bowl, NCAA Tournaments, an Iditarod and thousands of college and high school games.

Attorney Stefan Szwarc has joined Goosmann Law Firm in their Sioux Falls location. As an estate planning and business attorney, Szwarc helps clients succeed by analyzing their problems to develop a strategy and guiding them to an effective solution.

In addition to his law practice, Szwarc has three years of experience working as a wealth advisor and financial planner, which supplements his knowledge and understanding of estate planning. His areas of practice include trust and estate planning, business law and real estate. Szwarc received his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Augustana University.

Good Deeds publication also asked each financial institution how they kept their employees safe and engaged during the ongoing pandemic. First PREMIER Bank has 370 employees.

Insight Marketing Design earned seven MarCom awards in six categories including website, television commercials, online video, magazine ads, illustration and identity materials. Insight’s winning entries included three Platinum MarComs, two Gold MarComs, and an Honorable Mention. The MarCom Awards is the largest creative competition in the world.

Each year it receives over 6,000 entries that are judged by creative industry leaders.

Black Hills Federal Credit Union made a $500 donation to Pizza Ranch for the 12 Days of Pizza. The contribution will help feed area families in need over the school holiday break this year. The 12 Days of Pizza bridges the gap in a dependable food source for kids over the two-week holiday break. Selected families receive Pizza Ranch coupons for one free pizza or one free 8-piece chicken meal each day for 12 days.

The Sioux Falls Business Resource Network recognized Candlewood Suites Sioux Falls; Fleet Farm; Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort; Holiday Inn City Centre; and McDonald’s (East 26th St.) with Disability Friendly Recognition Program awards.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 13

Faces & Places

Be Seen

1 1 Chamber Ambassadors and volunteer Chamber Builders formed

teams and set recruitment goals as part of a Fall Membership Drive.

Close to 50 volunteers participated in the effort to increase chamber membership. 2 Cindi Johnson and Andrea Carstensen visit with Denham McDermott about his new membership in the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.

2

14 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Happy Holidays from the

This year and every year, we are grateful to be part of the Sioux Falls community.

We wish you a joyful holiday season and a healthy, happy new year.

Faces & Places

Be Seen 3-7 The Chamber’s Annual Veterans Day

ceremony was held Wednesday, November 11 at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance. The large venue allowed for attendees to maintain social distance and the program was also livestreamed to hundreds of viewers. Organized by the Chamber’s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, the program recognizes those who have served our country. Brigadier General Michael Oster of the South Dakota Army National Guard delivered the keynote address.

3

4 5 6 16 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

7 Photo courtesy Pinnacle Productions.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 17

Faces & Places

Be Seen

8 Vikor Teleconstruction founder and CEO

8

Craig Snyder was the featured guest at the most recent YPN A Seat at the Table event.

Young Professionals Network members had the opportunity to learn from and ask questions of Snyder in a small group environment.

Attendees participated both in person and online. 9 YPN members met at The Clean Bean for coffee and networking in November.

9

18 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Community Appeals

GREATER SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Community Appeals Scheduled Fund Drives The purpose of the Community Appeals Committee is to qualify and provide orderly scheduling of capital fund drives to the business community.

By vetting capital fund drives, the objective of Community Appeals is to affirm the project is a sound community investment and worthy of donor consideration.

It is the intent of the Chamber to encourage every business to carefully consider such requests. However, we also acknowledge that many businesses have limited resources for capital fund drives, both in an ability to properly evaluate them and a sufficient budget to contribute. Our Community Appeals process is intended

to provide our members with assurance that a Community Appeals campaign is worthy of investment.

The Chamber will continue to closely monitor the economic environment and how it may further impact the viability of future campaigns; therefore, modifications to the Community Appeals campaign calendar may occur.

For more information on the Community Appeals Committee, call Mike Lynch at (605) 373-2008.

FORWARD SIOUX FALLS FEB. 1, 2021–JUNE 30, 2021

To provide programs that result in an improved economy and quality of life for those in our region.

SIOUX FALLS SKATEPARK ASSOCIATION NOV. 1, 2021–MARCH 31, 2022

To create a high-quality, multi-purpose, concrete skatepark/plaza in the core of Sioux Falls at Nelson Park. Once built, the skatepark will become part of the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department.

THE FURNITURE MISSION OF SOUTH DAKOTA APRIL 1, 2022-JULY 31, 2022

To build a new and larger Furniture Mission facility on the Empower Sioux Falls Campus (previously the School for the Deaf Campus).

The Coverage You Want.

The Commitment You Need.

Business | Home | Health | Life We all need insurance to protect our homes and businesses. You also need the support of professionals who stand by your side— sweating the small stuff so you don’t have to.

Fischer, Rounds & Associates combines the coverage you want with the commitment you need. That’s at Your Service. At Your Side.

Call Us in Sioux Falls Phone: 605-336-4444 Toll Free: 877-789-3773

2300 W. 49th St. Sioux Falls, SD 57105 FischerRounds.com

Offices also in Mitchell, Pierre, Watertown and Rapid City

Offices also in Mitchell, Pierre, Watertown and Rapid City chambernews.com | Chamber News 19

Annual Guide to

Sioux Falls area legislators Advocacy is a valuable component of your Chamber membership. Decisions made by elected officials frequently and directly affect the way business is conducted. The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce seeks to be the voice of business during each South Dakota legislative session.

The Chamber’s annual guide to area legislators is one element that helps fulfill our objective to provide Chamber members with essential information pertaining to the legislative session. This guide features legislators representing Sioux Falls area districts, which include Districts 6, 9-16 and 25.

To help you stay informed about issues and activity, the Chamber hosts a number of events during the legislative session. Please refer to the complete legislative calendar on page 29.

For more information about issues during the legislative session, read the weekly Bill Tracker (available via email or online at siouxfallschamber.com under the Advocacy tab), subscribe to the Chamber Advocate email, follow @SF_Advocate on Twitter or contact a member of the Chamber’s Public Affairs team at (605) 336-1620.

2020 Sioux Falls Champion 2020 Sioux Falls Supporter Newly-elected legislator 20 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Following each legislative session, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce issues a Legislative Scorecard reporting how local legislators voted on issues of importance to the business community. Legislators who cast votes matching the Chamber’s position 100% of the time are recognized as Sioux Falls Champions.

Those voting with the Chamber more than 80% of the time are recognized as Sioux Falls Supporters.

Newly elected legislators as such; they have no record on which to base a score.

Cover Story

District 6

District 9

Sen. Herman Otten

Sen. Wayne Steinhauer

Republican 27543 468th Ave. Lennox, SD 57039 (605) 941-1770 herman.otten@sdlegislative.gov Term: 1st Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Legislator did not respond.

Republican 26581 East Shore Place Hartford, SD 57033 (605) 359-6298 senatorsteinhauer@gmail.com Term: 2nd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Rep. Ernie Otten Republican 46787 273rd St. Tea, SD 57064 (605) 368-5716 ernie.otten@gmail.com Term: 1st Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: COVID-19 has once again shown us when people were forced to work at home and children having to do distance learning that one of the biggest challenges SD faces will be connecting the entire state to reliable broadband and bringing back the economy to pre-pandemic levels.

Rep. Aaron Aylward Republican 609 Kent St. Harrisburg, SD 57032 (605) 203-1061 alywarddistrict6@gmail.com Term: 1st Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: My main focus for the 2021 legislative session is more individual liberty for constituents, and cutting back barriers that prevent people from starting up a business or getting into a certain industry. There’s also a need to focus on infrastructure issues throughout the state.

Answer: Two key areas are providing counties more fiscal flexibility in the funding of law enforcement, judicial expenses, diversion programs, EMS and other first responders. Also, there is a need for regional integrated healthcare planning activities that lead to a long-term vision for healthcare delivery. This visioning is best done by those that will own the solutions rather than a “one size fits all solution” from Pierre.

Rep. Bethany Soye Republican P.O. Box 84124 Sioux Falls, SD 57118 (605) 610-8467 votebethanysoye@gmail.com Term: 1st Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: My top priority for the upcoming session is to represent my constituents well by being willing to listen and learn.

Rep. Rhonda Milstead Republican 46273 Park Place Hartford, SD 57033 (605) 376-3149 rhonda.milstead@sdlegislature.gov Term: 2nd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Volunteer fire departments and EMS services will be on my radar this session. They are a unique group of public servants who volunteer their time, energy, dollars and even families to serve their communities.

South Dakota would be in a tough place without them and it may be time we stepped up to keep them viable.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 21

District 10

District 11

Sen. Maggie Sutton

Sen. Jim Stalzer

Republican 408 N. Linwood Court Sioux Falls, SD 57103 (605) 929-1592 margaret.sutton@sdlegislature.gov Term: 2nd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Republican 5909 W. Bristol Drive Sioux Falls, SD 57106 (605) 838-0354 jim.stalzer@sdlegislature.gov Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Putting in place the guidelines for medical and recreational marijuana, how are we going to regulate.

Rethinking our past strategies, and create a favorable environment for business growth and innovation, this will require imagination and experience. Identifying and managing risks in areas of our mental health challenges, education requirements for our children, broadband, legal compliances, etc.

Answer: First, maintaining our low tax and pro-business environment. Then ensuring the CAREs Act money and $100 Million one-time money are spent for the benefit of all of SD. Helping businesses survive the pandemic and enhancing rural broadband need to be priorities in this effort.

Rep. Doug Barthel Republican 8713 E. Palametto St. Sioux Falls, SD 57110 (605) 312-7055 doug.barthel@sdlegislature.gov Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: I don’t come into this session with a big agenda. 2020 has been a year like no other and I am certain we will spend a lot of time with related issues.

Working towards an agreeable budget is always a top priority.

Rep. Steven Haugaard Republican 47629 258th St. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605) 334-1121 steven.haugaard@sdlegislature.gov Term: 4th Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: My top priority will be to help new legislators in any way I can to ensure they become effective in their new role. I will also want to see that our state agencies have policies reflecting long-term goals that can survive challenges such as we experienced this year.

22 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Rep. Chris Karr Republican 7412 W. Luke Drive Sioux Falls, SD 57106 (605) 695-0391 chris.karr@sdlegislature.gov Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Legislator did not respond.

Rep. Mark Willadsen Republican 7712 W. Benelli Circle Sioux Falls, SD 57106 (605) 361-6104 mark.willadsen@sdlegislature.gov Term: 4th Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Legislator did not respond.

Cover Story

District 12 Sen. Blake Curd

District 13 Sen. Jack Kolbeck

Republican 38 S. Riverview Heights Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (605) 331-5890

Republican 1124 E. Plum Creek Road Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (605) 332-6490

blake.curd@sdlegislature.gov Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

jack.kolbeck@sdlegislature.gov Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Legislator did not respond.

Answer: If I am again assigned to appropriations, my priority would be to see that the one-time money in the budget be used to the best benefit for the people of South Dakota. I also would like to address the reduction in the .5% sales tax increase that went into effect in 2015 that was passed in the original bill.

Rep. Greg Jamison Republican 6300 S. Grand Prairie Dr. Sioux Falls, SD 57108 (605) 310-1930 greg@jamisoncompany.com Term: 2nd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Keeping government limited and transparent.

A limited state government that is small and nimble helps avoid unnecessary tax burdens when revenues are short, plus, it gives us the ability to move quickly to serve the public better. Transparency in government builds trust with the public and provides for confidence in our government.

Rep. Arch Beal Republican 4001 W. 74th St. Sioux Falls, SD 57108 (605) 336-3034 arch.beal@sdlegislature.gov Term: 4th Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Legislator did not respond. * This race was within the margins to qualify for a recount. At the time of publication, a recount had not been requested.

Rep. Richard Thomason Republican 4304 S. Pinecone Place Sioux Falls, SD 57105 605-521-4449 richardforsd13@gmail.com Term: 1st Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance the economic opportunities for South Dakotans and make sure our students are set up for success in life.

Rep. Sue Peterson Republican 6405 S. Killarney Circle Sioux Falls, SD 57108 (605) 371-1668 sue.peterson@sdlegislature.gov Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Included among the challenges the legislature will face are ensuring personal freedom and accountability while protecting the health, safety and economy of South Dakota amid COVID-19, as well as addressing the regulation required by Amendment A and IM 26 related to sports betting and the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 23

District 14 Sen. Larry Zikmund Republican 2405 E. 52nd St. Sioux Falls, SD 57103 (605) 373-0975 lzikmund@sio.midco.net Term: 1st Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Other than some issues related to education, veterans and the budget, we have had several task force and committee meetings concerning mental health issues. One of these has been the PTSD Mental Health Task Force For First Responders we need to address for our people in South Dakota.

Rep. Erin Healy Democrat 1509 S. Frederick Drive Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (605) 212-9597 erin.healy@sdlegislature.gov Term: 2nd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: I’ll focus on legislation that solves our state’s problems and continue to push for policies that improve the quality of life for all South Dakotans. A few 2021 policy priorities include: access to mental health care, investing in early childhood education, and creating a more equitable environment for people with disabilities.

Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt Republican 905 S. Cloudas Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57103 (605) 391-4378 taylorraerehfeldt@gmail.com Term: 1st Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: My number one priority is to learn and add value by contributing to my areas of expertise. As a healthcare leader, I am excited to offer my perspective and knowledge base. My legislative priorities surround healthcare, education, business, and family.

24 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

District 15 Sen. Reynold Nesiba Democrat 802 S. Willow Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605) 371-6311 reynold.nesiba@sdlegislature.gov Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Education is economic development! By working together, we can increase access to pre-K education for working families, live up to our 2016 legislative promises on increasing teacher pay for K-12 education, and make our technical institutes and public universities more accessible, accountable, and responsive to workforce development needs.

Rep. Jamie Smith Democrat 512 N. Euclid Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605) 339-3583 jamie@hegg.com Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: Legislator did not respond.

Rep. Linda Duba Democrat 421 N. Phillips Ave., Apt. 309 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605) 610-6590 linda.duba@sdlegislature.gov Term: 2nd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: We need to fund regional mental health solutions through: regional mental health centers, expand virtual crisis care capabilities, expand mental health telehealth in schools, and expand the Text4Hope program.

Cover Story

District 16

District 25

Sen. Jim Bolin

Sen. Marsha Symens

Republican 403 W. 11th St. Canton, SD 57013 (605) 261-9669 jwbolin@gmail.com

Republican 1407 Oak Creek Road Dell Rapids, SD 57022 (605) 428-3323 marsha.symens@sdlegislature.gov

Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Term: 1st Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: My top priority will be deciding how to use the extra one-time money the state will likely have due to good economic activity. I favor using it to pay down or eliminate any debt the state has and perhaps helping tech schools with new equipment.

Answer: Legislator did not respond.

Rep. David Anderson Republican 29177 477th Ave. Hudson, SD 57034 (605) 310-1645 david.anderson@sdlegislature.gov Term: 4th Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: One of my priorities will be to continue to support and expand our friendly business climate. I am specifically interested in the bio-processing initiative started last year with SD School of Mines and SDSU. These efforts will help our agriculture and timber industries and create excellent education and job opportunities for our kids.

Rep. Kevin Jensen Republican 27808 484th Ave. Canton, SD 57013 (605) 987-4296 kevin.jensen@sdlegislature.gov Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Rep. Jon Hansen Republican 47484 Dells Drive Dell Rapids, SD 57022 (605) 610-8063 jon.hansen@sdlegislature.gov Term: 2nd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: When it comes to business and industry, this session I’d like to focus on reducing regulatory burdens and ensuring that we keep South Dakota taxes low so that our state becomes an even more attractive place to operate a business.

Rep. Tom Pischke Republican 503 E. 12th St. Dell Rapids, SD 57022 (605) 999-2948 tom.pischke@sdlegislature.gov Term: 3rd Besides issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, what is your top priority for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session?

Answer: My top priority is protecting the Constitutional Rights of the citizens of South Dakota.

Answer: My top priority for 2021 is to find ways to deal with the marijuana laws so our state does not become a destination for drug users and dealers as we have seen happen in other states. The drug cartels thrive in those environments.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 25

Business Advocacy

Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce 2021 Legislative Platform In order to develop its legislative platform, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce (Chamber), through its Issues Management Council, conducts research, hears presentations and surveys its members about issues affecting business. These efforts, combined with actively following and monitoring legislative activity, guide our efforts toward developing the legislative platform. The Issues Management Council makes platform recommendations to the Board of Directors who is the final policy decision making body for the Chamber.

Economic Development The Chamber supports economic development and the Building South Dakota Fund along with the Governor’s legislation passed in 2018 that simplified the funding mechanism. The Chamber supports workforce focused programs, addressing infrastructure and revolving fund loans, workforce education and housing, and grants to offset certain taxes for qualifying projects. We will continue to monitor the use and impact of these programs and we will closely analyze any legislation that impacts these programs and other economic development efforts in our state.

Tax Increment Financing

South Dakota has limited programs, when compared to other states, to help compete for and leverage business growth and development. One such program that is locally controlled and administered is tax increment financing (TIF) which can be vital to a project happening, re-locating or moving forward in South Dakota. The Chamber supports the appropriate use of TIFs for projects when it is needed to address blight, build infrastructure, encourage workforce housing expansion, promote economic development and/or make public improvements. Further, we support local decision-making in the administration of TIFs.

Transportation Infrastructure

The Chamber recognizes that a safe, efficient and responsive transportation infrastructure is critical to economic development and commerce in Sioux Falls and throughout South Dakota. The Chamber supports the evaluation of our highway and bridge systems on an ongoing basis. Funding, including local flexibilities, should be carefully reviewed before new funding is considered. We encourage local county effort for match funding prior to seeking state funds for the 96th legislative session.

Business Climate

The Chamber believes our economy is best served by allowing free and open competition in the marketplace in an environment that encourages business development and expansion. Laws that preclude or give advantage to one business structure or arrangement over another ultimately lessen competition and reduce our area's attractiveness as a business location. Barriers to business investment and capital formation impede growth and economic diversification.

Appropriate rules and regulations may be required for a viable free market, but government intrusion should not inhibit or restrict business unnecessarily.

26 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

The Chamber opposes unnecessary intrusions into employer/ employee relationships. We support voluntary agreements between management and the workforce establishing compensation, benefits, hours and working conditions.

Workforce Housing

The Chamber supports expanding workforce housing for workforce development, retention and recruitment that is accessible for low and moderate income individuals.

Drivers License Exams

The Chamber believes a component of workforce development is ensuring employees are able to get to work. With an increasingly diverse population, the Chamber supports legislation to examine or implement drivers’ license testing in languages other than English and Spanish. South Dakota should consider implementing additional multi-language tests to strengthen our workforce development efforts.

The State Budget

The Chamber supports a balanced budget even if it means difficult decisions. Balancing the budget can be done in many ways and the Chamber supports creative solutions in addressing this issue. We continue to see no need for an income tax or major tax increases.

Education and Workforce Development

The future of Sioux Falls and South Dakota depends on educating our citizens and developing our workforce to remain competitive on a regional, national and international scale. It is vital to foster an educational system that works in tandem with the business community and government to address and support workforce development initiatives. Quality education is essential for the business community to attract new employers and employees and to educate a growingly diverse workforce.

To support our state’s citizens and to meet our workforce development needs, the Chamber supports the allocation of public monies to ensure funds for an equitable, effective and efficient system of pre-K12, technical schools and higher education.

Pre-K: The Chamber encourages and supports funding for Pre-K education for all children in South Dakota, including a state-wide study related to Pre-K. K-12 Funding: The Chamber supports efforts to maintain and increase teacher pay and would oppose efforts to rollback past funding levels. Further, we encourage the School Finance Accountability Board and the Legislature to ensure that in the future school districts are held accountable for meeting teacher pay and cash balance targets. We will

follow all proposals affecting K-12 funding closely and consider the impact on our members and area schools. We support the findings of the 2018 Teacher Compensation Review Board and allowing the current five-year plan within the formula to be completed prior to the consideration of additional changes to the formula.

K-12 Efficiency: The Chamber fully understands the challenges of operating a K-12 system in a largely rural state that is sparsely populated. For their well-being and the well-being of our state, children throughout South Dakota must be assured a quality education as our Constitution outlines. Still, we encourage organizational changes to improve efficiency and permit reinvestment into core priorities like teacher salaries and educational programming. We recognize that some districts that are sparsely populated need additional resources per student to ensure a quality education. However, some districts choose to remain small and additional financial subsidies in those instances should be critically reviewed. We encourage the use of technology-based instruction to enhance access to master teachers and course topics that are not available in our smaller districts. We discourage school districts from utilizing recruitment and busing to lure and transport students from one district to another. If at all possible, school districts should not be financially incented to recruit students. In short, efficiency and organizational decisions need to be made to reflect changing demographics and to meet the needs of our K-12 learners.

Technical Colleges: As demand for a technically-skilled workforce continues to grow, South Dakota’s technical colleges require the ability to respond programmatically to that demand and the funding for workforce-related programs. Costs continue to rise particularly in regard to serving students in high-cost program areas. The Chamber urges tuition costs for students be lowered to be competitive with surrounding states. The Chamber supports increased investment in the workforce of tomorrow, which is critical for continued economic development. The Chamber also supports continuing progress to enhance local control of our state’s technical institutes to ensure they best serve South Dakota.

Higher Education: The Chamber acknowledges that a highly educated populace is critically important to many individual businesses and to competitively position our community for future economic development. In order to retain our students, the Chamber encourages the expansion of scholarship funding. This includes, but is not limited to, need-based scholarships along with the Build Dakota Scholarship and South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship. We support adequate funding for the Regental system and encourage consideration for funding options for the USD Community College for Sioux Falls to address tuition and service inequalities and new mission opportunities. Further, we encourage more local governance and input into the Community College to better align its programs with the needs of residents and the business community.

Legislative Platform continued on page 28

Happy Holidays Scott Den Boer

Paul Lems

Evan Ingebrigtson

Megan Winterboer

Leon Eich

www.cornerstonebanks.net | 605-305-3400 chambernews.com | Chamber News 27

Business Advocacy

Legislative Platform continued from page 27

Initiative and Referendum

Local Government

The Chamber believes that South Dakota’s longstanding tradition of allowing direct citizen access to the ballot through the initiative and referendum processes should remain. However, South Dakota finds itself in the position of allowing very broad access and relatively low signature requirements making our state an easy target for special interests who want to test issues. We would encourage an ongoing review of the rules and requirements surrounding constitutional and statutory ballot measures and support changes that address problems while preserving our tradition of access.

County Funding: The Chamber is concerned about resources available to counties to address behavioral and mental health, criminal justice costs, and infrastructure needs. We believe alignment with collaborative partnerships and improved funding will benefit the counties.

City Sales Tax for Infrastructure: The Chamber has consistently supported a proposal to permit municipalities to impose a sales tax for infrastructure purposes, provided there is an affirmative vote of the municipality’s residents and the tax is tied to specific projects for a set period of time. We believe this type of local control proposal is the best way to determine the need for such a tax and measure the willingness of local citizens to impose a tax in their community.

Health Care

The Chamber recognizes the role the non-profit community plays in providing essential services to our most vulnerable citizens and supports appropriate funding for them. We strongly encourage the state’s reimbursement rates to align with providers true costs associated with those essential services.

The Chamber acknowledges the important role of its medical institutions, especially in the current pandemic, and will give additional weight to their recommendations for public health safety.

Diversity and Inclusivity

The Chamber recognizes the growing diversity of our state’s population and we embrace the opportunities that this diversity provides for a culturally and talent-rich community. We will work with residents, our partners, community and state agencies and elected officials to develop efforts to engage and include all individuals in our state who seek to work side-by-side with us to grow our economy. As we work to meet the workforce expectations evident today and predicted well into the future, legal immigration and refugee resettlement are proven and important strategies. We will also resist initiatives which inappropriately sanction or discriminate against individuals or groups.

Property and Business Owner Rights

Each sessions legislation is introduced that put business and property owners at odds with gun advocates. The Chamber supports the right to gun ownership and the traditions of hunting and outdoor life so prominent in South Dakota. However, we have also maintained that property and business owners have the right to restrict gun possession on their property if they choose. The Chamber will continue to support the rights of property and business owners to restrict gun possession on their property.

Tourism/Visitor Industry

The Chamber supports funding mechanisms for the visitor/tourism industry as it continues to be an important and vital part of greater Sioux Falls and the South Dakota economy. Funding mechanisms include, but are not limited to, the Business Improvement District (BID) tax and the tourism tax.

28 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Agribusiness Industry

Agriculture has been the primary economic driver in our state since 1889. The Chamber supports legislation that enhances agribusiness in South Dakota, including the expansion of traditional agricultural products, services, and technologies.

Sports Wagering

The Chamber supports efforts by the legislature to permit the origin of sports gaming to occur within physical establishments located throughout the state which hold a video lottery license.

Cannabis

The Chamber supports efforts by the legislature and regulatory bodies to craft regulations and procedures that take into consideration and give weight to local ownership and control when awarding licenses for cultivation, production, distribution, and sales of cannabis.

Environment

The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce places a high priority on safeguarding and conserving both the quality and quantity of our area's natural amenities. Government, in partnership with business, should share responsibility in conserving, enhancing and protecting our water quality, air quality and land. Landowners and sportsmen should work together to ease conflicts in land access and game management issues, to preserve the economic and quality of life benefits from outdoor recreation. Given the substantial public and private investments to develop the river greenway, and the potential to develop a first-class amenity in our community, strategies seeking to improve the water quality in the Big Sioux and its tributaries should be identified and implemented.

2021 Legislative Calendar Good Morning Sioux Falls Thursday, January 7, 2021 7:30 a.m.

Virtual event

DETAILS: The annual Good Morning Sioux Falls Legislative Breakfast is going virtual. Join us online for a conversation with local state legislators about their goals and expectations for the upcoming session.

Legislative Coffees Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 (Districts 6, 9 and 13) Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021 (Districts 10, 12 and 14) Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 (Districts 11, 15 and 25) 10—11:45 a.m.

Location to be announced

DETAILS: Legislative Coffees are an opportunity to interact with your local legislators by asking them questions regarding current legislation. Legislators from each district representing the Sioux Falls area are invited.

Good Morning Sioux Falls

COST: Free

Sioux Falls Day at the Legislature Wednesday, February 17, 2021 All day Pierre, SD

DETAILS: Join fellow Chamber members in Pierre to show support for issues affecting the Sioux Falls area business community. Take advantage of direct access to your elected officials and make a difference on key legislation.

RSVP: tschreier@siouxfalls.com or (605) 373-2050

Business Day at the Legislature Wednesday, February 17, 2021 DETAILS: Sponsored by the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Legislative Coffee

Key Legislative Session Dates Tuesday, January 12, 2021—Session Begins Thursday, February 25, 2021—Crossover Day Thursday, March 11, 2021—Session Ends Monday, March 29, 2021—Veto Day

Sioux Falls Day at the Legislature 2020

chambernews.com | Chamber News 29

Business Advocacy

Implementing the voter-approved ballot measures At the general election on November 3, South Dakota voters approved all three measures on this year’s ballot: two legalizing marijuana and one legalizing sports betting. What’s next?

Voters approved both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana and authorized the city of Deadwood to engage in sports wagering. With a statewide voter turnout of 73.88%, or 427,524 ballots cast, the numbers indicate the 2020 general election had strong voter turnout.

Debra Owen

Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce

Of the three ballot measures, the largest number of votes were cast for medical marijuana, which received 417,226 total votes. The next highest number of total votes cast was for recreational marijuana, which received 415,721 total votes. The ballot measure with the least amount of votes cast was sports wagering in Deadwood, which received a total of 409,795 votes.

Here are the elections results:

All three of the ballot measures will become law on July 1, 2021.

Constitutional Amendment A: An amendment to the South Dakota Constitution to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana: and to require the legislature to pass laws regarding hemp as well as laws ensuring access to marijuana for medical use.

• Yes votes = 54% • No votes = 46% Constitutional Amendment B: An amendment to the South Dakota Constitution authorizing the legislature to allow sports wagering in Deadwood.

• Yes votes = 58% • No votes = 42% Initiated Measure 26: An initiated measure to legalize marijuana for medical use.

• Yes votes = 70% • No votes = 30% All three of the ballot measures will become law on July 1, 2021. This is because in 2017, South Dakota legislature postponed the effective date for ballot measures to July 1 of the ensuing year. They did this to allow adequate time for elected officials to prepare for the possible impacts of any change in law.

In the meantime, the 96th Legislative Session will convene. Legislators can make changes to current laws and to any proposed state laws that were on the November ballot. However, the legislature cannot change the South Dakota Constitution.

First, let us begin with Initiated Measure 26, which will legalize medical marijuana. IM-26 included 95 sections of law that covered 26 pages. Because the new laws are lengthy and there are questions about how the new statutes would harmonize/relate with current state law, it is foreseeable that the legislature will make some changes to the medical marijuana law.

In the weeks following the passage of IM-26, some members of the legislature have publicly spoken about repealing or significantly reducing the use of medical marijuana. These discussions will continue over the next few months. Once the legislative session begins on January 12, South Dakotans will know more about the number of bills and the scope of the proposed laws regarding medical marijuana.

30 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Second, let us discuss Constitutional Amendment B (CA-B) which legalizes sports betting. Any games of chance in South Dakota must first be authorized as an exception to the prohibition of games of chance within our state Constitution. Once the voters approved of sports wagering in CA-B, the next step will be to develop a framework for the regulation of sports betting within state laws.

The last step will include the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, which will propose specific administrative rules and submit them to the Legislative Rules Committee for review. Through conversations with advocates of CA-B, we understand they hope to get all of this accomplished in time to allow South Dakotans to place their sports wagers starting July 1, 2021.

Lastly, let us discuss Constitutional Amendment A (CA-A), which legalized recreational marijuana in South Dakota for individuals who are 21 years of age and older. It is worth noting that South Dakota is the first state in the nation to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana at the same time. It is also important to note, that the only way the state constitution can be changed is through a vote of the people. However, there has been discussions in local media about entities bringing a legal challenge to CA-A to prohibit it from becoming law. At the time of this writing, there has not been a filing to challenge the legality of CA-A. Democracy is messy, but there seems to be no better alternative. As your advocate in Pierre, we will continue to watch the development of all legislation, including bills that relate to the 2020 November election. You will find the weekly report within the Public Policy’s weekly newsletter called Chamber Advocate. If you are not receiving Chamber Advocate but would like to, please send me a note at dowen@siouxfalls.com.

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chambernews.com | Chamber News 31

Headlines

Record number of women elected to state legislature The 2020 general election ushered in several changes to our legislature and to our state. The South Dakota legislature has been governed by the Republican party for most of our state’s history. November’s election increased the number of Republicans legislators to 32-3 in the Senate and 62-8 in the House of Representative. The previous highwater mark was in 1953 of where the numbers were 35-0 in the Senate and House of Representatives 73-2.

Our legislature is more than two-thirds partisan – but that is not a surprise for most who make South Dakota their home.

The bigger story this year is the increase in number of female legislators. When the 96th Legislation Session begins on January 12, 2021, there will be 30 female legislators representing 21 South Dakota districts in Pierre. The previous high-water mark for female legislators was 26 women in the early 1990s. Of the 30 female legislators, nine will be serving their first term.

32 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Female legislators for the 2021 legislative session D1 – Jennifer Healy Keintz (D)

D24 – Mary Duvall (R)

D1 – Tamara St. John (R)

D25 – Marsha Symens (R)

D2 – Lana Greenfield (R)

D26B – Rebecca Reimer (R)

D5 – Nancy York (R)

D27 – Red Dawn Foster (D)

D8 – Marli Weise (R)

D27 – Liz May (R)

D9 – Rhonda Milstead (R)

D27 – Peri Pourier (D)

D9 – Bethany Soye (R)

D30 – Julie Frye-Mueller (R)

D10 – Margaret Sutton (R)

D30 - Trish Ladner (R)

D13 – Sue Peterson (R)

D31 – Mary Fitzgerald (R)

D14 – Erin Healy (D)

D32 – Becky Drury (R)

D14 – Taylor Rae Rehfeldt (R)

D32 – Helene Duhamel (R)

D15 – Linda Duba (D)

D33 – Taffy Howard (R)

D17 – Sydney Davis (R)

D34 – Jess Olson (R)

D18 – Jean Hunhoff (R)*

D35 – Jessica Castleberry (R)

D21 – Erin Tobin (R)

D35 – Tina Mulally (R)

*Representative Hunhoff is the longest serving female legislator in state history.

Take the Safer Sioux Falls pledge Local businesses are invited to make a public commitment to practice COVID-19 mitigation efforts in their workplaces by taking the Safer Sioux Falls pledge. Safer Sioux Falls is an initiative organized by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, the City of Sioux Falls and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to help make Sioux Falls a safer city for all residents and visitors.

The Safer Sioux Falls pledge is a commitment to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community by following COVID-19 mitigation efforts recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These include the use of face masks, availability of hand sanitizer, cleaning protocols and other recommended measures.

Businesses and organizations are encouraged to read the guidelines and sign the pledge at siouxfalls.org/pledge. All businesses that sign the pledge will gain access to printable graphics identifying their business as having taken the Safer Sioux Falls pledge. Businesses that have taken the pledge will also be listed in an online directory.

“We strongly encourage all businesses to practice the CDC recommendations for COVID-19 mitigation in their workplaces,” said Chamber President & CEO Jeff Griffin. “By taking the Safer Sioux Falls pledge, you are making a public commitment to your employees and customers that you are doing your part to keep our businesses safe and open.”

Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken said, “As we enter the holiday season and winter months, it will be critical for everyone to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our city. It’s important that our business community send a firm message by pledging to follow these mitigation practices. This is a collective effort, and I’m counting on everyone to do their part.”

The Safer Sioux Falls Pledge includes the following measures for businesses and employees: • Customers and employees wear face coverings • Hand sanitizer is available for use by customers • Employees wash hands frequently and follow CDC standards of cleaning and sanitation • People practice social distancing (6 feet apart or more) when possible

• Employees are trained on COVID-19 safety procedures • Employees are encouraged to get a flu shot The online directory of those that have taken the pledge will be a resource for consumers who wish to patronize businesses that have committed to COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

“The online directory is one way we can celebrate and promote those businesses that make the public commitment,” said Griffin. “We know there is demand from consumers for this type of information, and the Safer Sioux Falls pledge list will be another avenue for businesses to get their name in front of potential customers.”

Businesses can sign the Safer Sioux Falls pledge and consumers can see a list of those who have pledged at siouxfalls.org/pledge.

• Employees stay home if they are feeling sick

chambernews.com | Chamber News 33

PREMIUM SPONSORED CONTENT

An Inside Look: Midco’s Network Operations Center

By Otis Priester, Midco® Director of Network Operations

Picture your average day. You wake up, get ready, drink coffee and fire up your laptop. Once you’re logged in, you read emails. You make calls and join video conference calls. You IM with your colleagues. Your internet and phone services just work.

Little did you know, your connection underwent maintenance yesterday. Not because it was broken, but because we identified that your local node – or network distribution point – was only performing at 70%.

That’s what my team does at Midco. As Director of Network Operations, my team is responsible for monitoring our 10,200 miles of fiber network 24/7 from Midco’s own Network Operations Center (NOC). We not only make sure your internet just works – we make sure that it performs at its optimum level.

Protecting a fiber-optic network We monitor 30,000 network elements across five states and routinely complete scheduled maintenances to ensure uptime and optimal network performance. Let’s just say that my days rarely look the same. We have a lot of moving parts, but our team thrives on being agile – and prides itself on having the following superpowers: • Hyper awareness: a sixth sense for danger • Enhanced wits: a nimble and adaptive attitude • Precognition: an ability to (try to) predict the future

Taking a proactive approach Our team proactively monitors online traffic patterns and continually refines the Midco Fiber Network’s capacity. The network is widely dispersed and designed to handle 20% above capacity peak usage times – meaning it’s always ready to handle emails, data transfers and video conference calls, whether you’re at your business or working from home.

We also use automated integrations to monitor both our customer care system and our network services – so we can cross-reference between what we’re seeing, and our customers are chatting about.

These systems also help us identify where our network is showing low quality of experience scores – or what we call Q scores. To give you a frame of reference, a Q score in the 30s or 40s, for instance, will cause delays getting onto Google or make your video calls cut in and out. Most of our nodes actually operate in the 90s, with overall node health rated at a 98.5% – meaning it’s unlikely that you’ll ever feel a normal delay. If and when you do experience downtime or slow connections, it’s more likely caused by: • Peak Utilization: This happens when a node is close to hitting capacity. To combat this, Midco proactively schedules node splits. We move customers to a new node and remap the route to provide a clearer connection.

• Node Flapping: Our dashboards will show us when nodes are flapping (or bouncing), which means their connections are maintaining, then cutting out, but then coming back on again. When this happens, a technician will resolve the issue.

Building In redundancy So, what happens when an outage does occur? First, we’re notified through multiple channels – alerts from our systems, dashboards and emails. Within seconds, customers with redundant fiber are switched over to their secondary workload to provide minimal interruption.

Then, we determine if there are high-impact, enterprise network customers in its path, specifically healthcare providers, financial institutions or government entities. We’ll contact those customers directly and confirm that their redundant connection is working.

Cue problem-solving mode. Is it a commercial power outage? Is it located where there are many network transports? We’re searching for the “common upstream,” as I like to call it. This is when we test, test and test again to resolve the issue.

Monitoring network partnerships Midco partners with more than 40 other providers across the country to extend our reach – and we have the unique responsibility of working directly with other NOC teams to identify potential issues on their end. The NOC-to-NOC relationship allows us to work together to build, test, tear down and build again together – eventually pinpointing exact causes of an issue, even if they’re outside our own network.

Secure connectivity backed by a local provider Take advantage of Midco’s vast, privately-owned fiber network.

With service level agreements, dedicated support and 24/7 monitoring by our Network Operations Center, you can count on us to keep you connected.

Contact us to learn more at Midco.com/Business/Contact.

Member Voice

Every business needs an advocate Who is your advocate?

It might seem like a strange question for a business, but it’s a question with elevated attention today. So, why not ask it? One hard-working business advocate may not be obvious to us, but the Chamber, with support from Forward Sioux Falls, has advocated for businesses like yours and mine for almost 33 years. While there are many reasons to invest in Forward Sioux Falls, advocacy is certainly high on the list.

Paul Bruflat CNA Surety

Few companies have the time, resources and talent to effectively protect their interests at a local, state and national level.

Few companies have the time, resources and talent to effectively protect their interests at a local, state and national level. Policy decisions are important for a healthy business climate, and our combined support of Forward Sioux Falls enables us to have an influential presence when policy decisions count. Through Forward Sioux Falls and the Greater Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, our collective voice is heard in Sioux Falls, in Pierre and in Washington, D.C. We achieve this through active, in-person lobbying, frequent dialogue with our Congressional delegation and an annual D.C. Fly-in. Together, we have a collective voice that is not ignored!

To understand the impact we can have, consider this advocacy effort: South Dakota will soon allow a Spanish language driver’s license exam. As many businesses struggle to meet their workforce needs, qualified drivers are not able to retain employment because they struggle to understand questions written in English and are therefore not able to pass the driver’s exam.

South Dakota was one of three states left that did not allow a written driver’s exam in Spanish.

What seemed like an easy solution to employers (offer the written test in Spanish!) was not, at first, obvious to our state legislature. Our fight for this change actually started in 2018. It culminated during the 2020 legislative session, when strategic lobbying and advocacy finally convinced our South Dakota legislators to support Senate Bill 70. The importance of this legislation to workforce development is undeniable. With Governor Noem’s approving swipeof-a-pen, a Spanish version written exam will be available in January 2021, and with it, we are convinced more qualified people will participate in our workforce.

A strong business advocate is so much more than an effective lobbyist. A strong business advocate supports projects and programs that differentiate the greater Sioux Falls region as a welcoming community and a desirable place to live, work and do business. If you don’t know the story of Foundation Park, please know Forward Sioux Falls played a significant, pivotal role in its creation. Foundation Park is the State’s first industrial development mega site, and it is just north of Sioux Falls! Managed and marketed by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, several tenants have moved and expanded to the site, creating jobs and significant economic impact to the region. And soon, it will be home to a large Amazon distribution center, providing a significant catalyst for growth to the area.

In early 2021, we will have the opportunity to renew our investment in the next Forward Sioux Falls campaign. Some of you may consider investing for the very first time. Please know that support for Forward Sioux Falls is smart for your business. When we combine our resources, our voice is louder. Most importantly, we know we have an advocate that values our business as much as we do.

Paul Bruflat is Vice President of Commercial Surety at CNA Surety. He is a former Chair of the Board for the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, served on the campaign cabinet for the seventh Forward Sioux Falls campaign and is currently serving on the campaign cabinet for the upcoming campaign.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 35

Ribbon Cuttings

Ribbon Cuttings

The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce holds ribbon cutting ceremonies for members to celebrate joining the Chamber, milestone anniversaries, expansions or remodelings. The public and all Chamber members are invited to share in the celebration. Call (605) 336-1620 for more information or to schedule your event.

Groundbreaking ceremonies are coordinated by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. Call (605) 339-0103 for more information or to schedule your event.

CBD Centers of Sioux Falls

5005 S. Western Ave., Suite 160 thecbdcenters.com CBD Centers of Sioux Falls are here to help and educate people with their needs including stress, anxiety, pain, sleep, focus and attention. They celebrated a new store in Sioux Falls. L to R: Matt Little, Lynda Billars, Rick Noonan, Jennifer Huisenga, Troy Huisenga (owner), Justin Zandstra, Amy O’ConnorHoback and Cody Blair.

NEW MEMBER

Dreamfest Midwest

dreamfestmidwest.com Dreamfest Midwest celebrated their auditionbased music festival, which took place on Nov. 13, 2020. L to R: Kim Haiar, Jay Rasmussen, Denham McDermott (founder), Dan Doyle, Cindy Johnson and Destinie Marshall.

NEW MEMBER

Hyatt Place Sioux Falls

4935 W. Lake Shore Blvd. hyatt.com Hyatt Place opened their first hotel in the state of South Dakota at Lake Lorraine in Sioux Falls.

L to R: Ali Ramsley, Jay Rasmussen, Nichelle Lund, Andrea Carstensen, Brenda Schmidt (president), Lynda Billars, Tom Morris, Natalie Eisenberg and Jeff Eliason.

NEW MEMBER

LifeSong Monuments

5422 E. Arrowhead Pkwy. lifesongmonuments.com LifeSong Monuments is a monument company founded in the Black Hills. They celebrated their first Sioux Falls location.

L to R: Jen Peterson, Josh Muckenhirn, Sarah Lamar, Jay Rasmussen, Trevor Ryan (general manager), Nathan Stallinga, Dawn Olmstead, Brad Nelson and Jackie Nygaard.

NEW LOCATION

chambernews.com | Chamber News 37

Ribbon Cuttings

Short Staffed Inc.

NEW LOCATION/REMODEL

900 E. 10th St. shortstaffedusa.com Short Staffed Inc. celebrated an official dedication of their newly remodeled location. L to R: Jason Grieve, Jenna Jones, Dawn Marshall, Sara Adams, Braiden Seibold, Jessica Hinojosa, Dino DePerno, Barb Burson, Jay Rasmussen, Reed Burson (owner), Valerie Loudenback, Paula Burson, Reeder Burson, Nichelle Lund, Dawn Olmstead, Emily Burson and Carla Martinez.

Tru Massage Therapy

7640 S. Louise Ave. trumassage.com Tru Massage Therapy has a new office on South Louise Avenue with an improved layout and expanding staff. L to R: Chantelle McKee, Mike Hauck, Kylie Kilmer, Debra Peterson, James Gaspar, Danielle Schwantes (owner), Jay Rasmussen, Heather Wilde, Bobbi Thury, Cara Deist and Jennifer Syverson.

NEW MEMBER

38 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Share your message with the business community Advertise in Chamber News Chamber News is a direct business-tobusiness publication that reaches the decision-makers in Sioux Falls area businesses. It is mailed directly to more than 5,000 Chamber members and distributed free at select locations around Sioux Falls.

Promote your business in Chamber News.

Contact Steven Herman at (605) 373-2013 or chambernews@siouxfalls.com.

Membership

Member Anniversaries Founding Member

Josten Concrete Products Co., Inc. Concrete Member since 1918

45 Years

Crossroads Book & Music, Inc. Religious Organizations crossroadsbook.com

Congratulations to the following members who are celebrating their milestone membership anniversaries this month. They are part of a continued commitment to our community through their investment in the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about Chamber membership, contact (605) 336-1620 or gsfcc@siouxfalls.com. Find a complete Membership Directory online at siouxfallschamber.com.

40 Years

20 Years

First Year Reinvestors Promotional Products bigfrog.com/siouxfalls

Citi

South Dakota State University Foundation

Banks citi.com

Associate Member sdstatefoundation.org

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

15 Years

Investing morganstanley.com

Nielsen Insurance Services, Inc.

Noddle Companies Real Estate-Developer noddlecompanies.com

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More Bloom Room Boutique Clothing & Shoes bloomroomboutique.com

Case, Sandy

Insurance & Benefits nielseninsuranceservices.com

10 Years

Associate Member

School Bus, Inc.

Contractors sealprospaving.com

Medical Services & Supplies medcor.com

Bus Transportation sbicharters.com

Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Dental Care & Orthodontics siouxlandoralsurgery.com

35 Years

Wild Water West Waterpark

SealPros, Inc.

Medcor, Inc.

5 Years

Moda Stone 69th St.

Baird

Financial Planning howardgroupofbaird.com

Edward Jones-Financial Adviser: Brett Travica

Recreation & Amusement wildwaterwest.com

Auto Sales edwardjones.com

30 Years

Escape 605 Axe Throwing and Escape Rooms

Pankratz & Associates

Government Relations/Public Affairs

Recreation & Amusement escape605.com

25 Years

Reliabank Mortgage

The American Legion Sioux Falls Post 15 Associate Member siouxfallslegion.org

Swift Contractors, Inc. Contractors swiftconinc.com

40 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Mortgage Lending reliabank.com

Building & Remodeling moda-stone.com

South Dakota State University Education-Post Secondary sdstate.edu

WS Construction

Contractors wsconstructionmanagement.com

New Members

New members are printed in each issue of Chamber News. Following is a list of businesses or individuals who have invested in the greater community by joining the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. An online Membership Directory can be found at siouxfallschamber.com. Want to become a member? Call (605) 336-1620.

Brandon Valley Journal

JL Drywall LLC

Mini Critters Pet Village

The CBD Centers of Sioux Falls

Keller Williams Realty Sioux Falls Cole Martens

Mustang Disaster CleanUp

Affiliate-Real Estate Cole Martens, (605) 290-5000 colemartens.kw.com

Cleaning Services Devon Comp, (605) 370-1990 27283 SD Highway 115, Harrisburg, SD 57032 mustangdisastercleanup.com

Lisa Aust Photos

Northwestern Mutual - Jessica Rozell

Artists & Photographers Lisa Aust, (605) 940-5773 lisa-aust.com

Affiliate-Insurance Jessica Rozell, (605) 595-5457 2307 W. 57th St., Suite 200, 57108

Mary Chilton Chapter, NSDAR & Foundation

Northwestern Mutual - Lizzie Stewart

Associate Member Jill Meier, (605) 582-9999 1404 E. Cedar St., Brandon, SD 57005 brandonvalleyjournal.com

Specialty Retail Troy Huisenga, (605) 271-0929 5005 S. Western Ave., 57108 thecbdcenters.com

Central Plains Bat Removal Pest Control Lexi Hossle, (605) 351-5718 centralplainsbatremoval.com

Dreamfest Midwest

Associate Member Denham McDermott, (303) 250-8051 dreamfestmidwest.com

Hartford AmericInn

Hotels & Motels Stephanie Minckler, (605) 528-5000 1031 Diamond Circle, Hartford, SD 57033 www.wyndhamhotels.com/americinn/hartford-southdakota/americ-inn-hotel-and-suites-hartford-SD/ overview

Contractors Jessica Lopez, (605) 400-1544 27051 Sunset Blvd., Unit 4, 57106 jldrywallsd.com

Associate Member Katherine Tarrell, (605) 271-2594 520 S. 1st Ave., 57104 marychilton.sdsdar.org/dar-marychiltonfoundation.org

Pets Ryan Oaks, (605) 361-0006 3509 W. 49th St., 57106 minicritters.com

Affiliate-Insurance Lizzie Stewart, (605) 361-9788 2307 W. 57th St., 57108 lizzie.stewart@nm.com

SHOP LOCAL

Find a list of Chamber member retailers in the Member Directory at siouxfallschamber.com. chambernews.com | Chamber News 41

Five Questions

Five questions is a monthly feature on a Chamber volunteer, Chamber member or staff member. Want to be featured here? Call (605) 336-1620.

Five questions with Kelly Donovan Kelly Donovan is an entrepreneur and the owner of Bloom Room Boutique, a women’s boutique she started in 2017. Bloom Room, which is located at The Cascade on North Phillips Avenue, sells women’s clothing, personalized jewelry, home décor and gifts. A proud cheerleader for Sioux Falls, Kelly enjoys supporting local businesses and says her personal strategy for holiday shopping is to shop local and get it all done in a single day. Kelly and her husband Jason have three children: MeKenzie, Maggie and Zaxston.

Why does your company choose to invest in a Chamber membership?

The Chamber offers wonderful resources for businesses and many opportunities for networking with other businesses who invest in the community.

What is one of Sioux Falls best-kept secrets?

Sculpture Walk! Promoting our local South Dakota artists and talent is wonderful.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Kelly Donovan

Bloom Room Boutique

Five Questions Retail & Restaurant Series

Chamber News has decided to shine a spotlight on a couple industries that have been hard hit by the pandemic – the retail and restaurant industries.

In the next several issues, our Five Questions segment will feature the owner of a local restaurant or retail store. With each personal profile, you’ll also find information about their business and products. Plus each Five Questions subject will be asked to ‘share the love’ by telling us about their favorite small businesses to support!.

42 Chamber News | DECEMBER 2020

Life is about managing expectations – most of all your own.

What is your favorite cold-weather activity?

I have two favorites. First is curling up with our three dogs, my favorite cup of tea and reading a good book. Second is traveling somewhere tropical.

Make a prediction…what changes do you expect to see in our community in the next 5 years?

Due to challenges and changes related to the pandemic, more people are choosing to move to the Midwest. I believe more businesses will be launched here or move here in the next five years!

BONUS QUESTION! What are some of your favorite local businesses to support?

I can’t pick one favorite! Now more than ever, we as a community need to support all our local businesses. This will keep our beautiful city alive and flourishing.