June 2020 Chamber News by Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce

Chamber News June 2020

Vol. 55, No. 8

A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Trends in REMOTE WORK

In this issue Feature

Trends in remote work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20-25

Chamber News Publisher

Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce

Top stories 2020 Legislative Scorecard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27 Spark Sioux Falls launched. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 In this issue Message from the Chair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Event Calendars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9 Economic Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Faces & Places. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-18 Community Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Headlines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28-31

Chamber News Ad Sales

For advertising information, call Steven Herman at (605) 351-1960 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

Business Sense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 34

Chamber Mission

Ribbon Cuttings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

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.

New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Member Anniversaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-39 Five Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 From the Archive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Communicate WITH THE

CHAMBER

.com/siouxfallschamber @GreaterSFCC @SF_Advocate Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce 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

Message from the Chair

Message from the Chair We are part of a historic pandemic and many lives have been tragically lost. We have also experienced lost moments of embracing loved ones, loss in business, and the loss of normalcy. As I write this, our business community is conscientiously moving toward re-opening. Restaurants are inviting patrons to dine-in, retailers are unlocking their front doors and some office workers are preparing to return to their office buildings. We are doing so with a heightened awareness of the importance of following CDC guidelines for health and safety, and of our responsibility and duty to protect each other.

Bobbi Thury 2019-20 Chair of the Board

In a world that seems full of the word can’t, the Chamber is focusing on can.

In a world that seems full of the word can’t, the Chamber is focusing on can. The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, along with partner organizations, is digging in with the launch of “Spark Sioux Falls.” This initiative will work diligently to reignite a robust economy and maintain our high quality of life in the region. Working together we will serve as a catalyst for quicker economic recovery, while being purposeful in shaping our future and embracing next-generation opportunities. Many of us have utilized the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help us through these unprecedented times. The IRS recently indicated there will be no deduction for PPP loan expenditures, which results in PPP loan forgiveness producing taxable consequences for our businesses. Upon learning of this, the Chamber quickly advanced advocacy efforts to curtail this tax ramification. At the time of this writing, Senator Thune is set to co-sponsor legislation that will fix this problem and has support from Senator Rounds and Representative Johnson. The Chamber’s can attitude and efforts should result in tremendous tax savings for our businesses at a critical time for all of us. Just like your business, the Chamber has reinvented how business is done. Chamber Mixers are now virtual networking events. We had an unbelievable turnout, but if you missed our last one, mark your calendar for the next one! The Chamber has also moved Business Sense Workshops online. Maybe we can’t shake hands anymore, but we can still come together to enhance our business relationships, take this time to work on our business instead of just in it, and build our opportunities. In this historic time, we will be the authors of how our future is written. Rest assured that the Chamber is looking at what can be done today with an eye to innovation and shaping our future. We have an opportunity to come out of this pandemic with others wanting to move here and start their business here. And for those of us already here, to flourish even more in the greater Sioux Falls region. Your membership and commitment shape and enable this. Thank you for your support of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. Your commitment truly makes a difference. Proud to be a Chamber member,

2019-20 GREATER SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LEADERSHIP AND STAFF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair Bobbi Thury, Legacy Law Firm, P.C. Chair-Elect Dan Doyle, Cutler Law Firm Vice Chair Alex Ramirez, USA Media TV Treasurer Paul Hanson, Sanford Health Immediate Past Chair Tim Sturdevant, Sturdevant’s Auto Parts Chamber President & CEO Jeff Griffin

EX-OFFICIO Jean Bender, Minnehaha County Commission Kyle Groos, Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools Dr. Brian Maher, Sioux Falls Public School System Cynthia Mickelson, Sioux Falls School Board Jim Schmidt, Lincoln County Commission Mayor Paul TenHaken, City of Sioux Falls

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Miles Beacom, PREMIER Bankcard Tom Biegler, Regency Hotel Management Martin DesLauriers, UBS Financial Services, Inc. Natalie Eisenberg, Click Rain, Inc. David Flicek, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center Pam Homan, Augustana University Chris Houwman, Malloy Randy Knecht, Journey Group Angela Lammers, Cetera Services Scott Lawrence, Lawrence & Schiller, Inc. Valerie Loudenback, Grand Prairie Foods Karla Santi, Blend Interactive Claire Santos, Zoup! and Wingstop Tony Venhuizen, Office of the Governor

CHAMBER & ESF STAFF Jeff Griffin, President & CEO Diane Balk, Accounting Manager Thane Barnier, Web Development & IT Manager Matt Barthel, ESF Communications Manager Joan Bartling, Finance & Accounting Director Justin Bentaas, Public Affairs & Research Manager Jill Blom, Graphics & Communications Manager Rachel Crane, ESF Host City Manager Patrick Daschel, ESF Sales Manager Erin DeWitt, ESF Sales Manager Jennie Doyen, Marketing & Communications Director Anna Eliason, ESF Sales Manager

Jeff Fejfar, Web Designer Jami Gates, Membership Director Elizabeth Heidinger, First Impressions/Administrative Assistant Mary Hublou, ESF First Impressions Manager/Project Assistant Kayla Huizing, Young Professionals Network Manager Jay Kaltenbach, ESF Services/Resale Manager Alexandra LeBlanc, ESF Sales Director 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 Valerie Willson, Membership Events Manager

chambernews.com | Chamber News 5

Calendars

CHAMBER

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.

Save the Date Ag Appreciation Day Wednesday, Aug. 5 11 a.m.–1 p.m. W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds 100 N. Lyon Blvd.

DETAILS: Celebrate the agriculture industry and enjoy lunch with the agriculturalists that make feeding the world their lifestyle at the Chamber’s annual Ag Appreciation Day at the Sioux Empire Fair.

Tuesday, June 9 4 – 5 p.m. When thrown a curveball, Chamber members adjust. We can’t network in person right now, so join us online to catch up with colleagues and form new connections. Bring your own drink!

VIRTUAL

Leadership Sioux Falls Graduation Thursday, Sept. 3 5:30–8:30 p.m. Holiday Inn City Centre 100 W. 8th St.

DETAILS: The 34th class of Leadership Sioux Falls will celebrate their graduation with a social hour, dinner and keynote speech from former Governor Dennis Daugaard.

Friday, June 19 • 9-10 a.m. Start your day by forming a new connection! Meet other Chamber members online during our virtual Morning Mingle.

Cybersecurity Conference Wednesday, Sept. 30 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Sioux Falls Convention Center 1201 N. West Ave.

DETAILS: Businesses of every size need a cybersecurity plan. Learn from experts in the cybersecurity field what you can be doing to protect your business at the 2020 Sioux Falls Cybersecurity Conference.

114 Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20 th

Sioux Falls Convention Center 1201 N. West Ave. More details to come.

6 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

BUSINESS SENSE

WORKSHOPS

Business Sense Workshops will be held online every Tuesday at 11 a.m. during the month of June. The workshops are free for Chamber member employees, but advance registration is required. Visit siouxfallschamber.com for details and to register.

Collaboration

you can bank on. JUNE

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.

The Struts at The District

Summer Porch Series begins at Strawbale Winery

Greatest Show on H2O season opening

Spring Open House at Wilde Prairie Winery

Moonlight Movies series begins

Sangria Sundays begin at Strawbale Winery

Wagon Wheel: Darius Rucker at W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds

13-14

Spring Parade of Homes

Sunday in the Vineyard at Wilde Prairie Winery

Sun Pour 2020 at BronzeAge Art Casting Raise Your The Expectations

20-21 Spring Parade of Homes All events are subject to change. 24 McCrossan Golf Classic Please check the online events 26 Tracy Lawrence at The District calendars for the most recent updates. Jennifer Johnson 26

Vice President 27 Branch Manager NMLS 470758

Evening in the Vineyard at Wilde Prairie Winery Falls Art Market at BronzeAge Art Casting

(605) 444-4058

ID 405612

Collaboration

you can bank on.

Raise Your Expectations Jennifer Johnson Vice President Branch Manager NMLS 470758

(605) 444-4058 8 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

ID 405612

JULY 3

East Bank Block Party at 8th & Railroad Center

9-12

SECT Presents: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

10-12

PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge Championship at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

SuFu Circuit Relay

27th Annual Hot Summer Nites at W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds

16-19

SECT Presents: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Art & Wine Walk in downtown Sioux Falls

17-18

Summer Crazy Days in downtown Sioux Falls

Downtown Loft Tour

Hy-Vee Day at the Zoo

19 20 24-25 25 25 25

Air Supply - The Lost in Love Experience at the Washington Pavilion

An Evening with Leo Kotke

31 - Aug 8

81st Annual Sioux Empire Fair at W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds

AUGUST 3

Big & Rich at W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds

Cody Johnson at W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds

Old Dominion at W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds

7-9

Great Plains Balloon Race

East Bank Block Party at 8th & Railroad Center

605 Summer Classic

Impractical Jokers at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

9-10

Evening For The Kids and Orion Classic Golf Benefit for Children’s Home Society

Drive-By Truckers at The District

14-15

SECT Youth presents: The Tale of Snow White

SECT Youth presents: Disney’s Aladdin Jr.

8th Annual Riverfest

Folk Off & Rib Challenge at Strawbale Winery

21-22

DAPA Presents: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr.

Nyberg’s Ace 3rd Annual Hot Classics Night

605 Made Night Market

Familyfest at W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds

Great Plains Cheese & Ice Cream Festival at Strawbale Winery

Sioux Falls Marathon

chambernews.com | Chamber News 9

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) 351-1960 or chambernews@siouxfalls.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

April 2020

March 2020

CUMULATIVE YEAR TO DATE

1,607 permits

2018

1,668 permits

2019

BISMARCK

2.9%

1,599 permits

2020 0

500

1000

1500

FARGO

2.7%

2000

MINNEAPOLIS/ ST. PAUL

Source: City of Sioux Falls

3.4%

RAPID CITY

3.6%

City of Sioux Falls Total Construction Value April 2020

SIOUX FALLS

ROCHESTER

3.4%

3.1%

CEDAR RAPIDS

CUMULATIVE YEAR TO DATE

4.2%

250 OMAHA

DES MOINES

4.4%

3.6%

LINCOLN

3.8%

200

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

150

Agriculture Trends March 2020 10

$224.9 million $109.1 million

100

$207.1 million $91.6 million

$8.52

$158.7 million $44.7 million

(IN MILLIONS)

$8.10

$8.59

$8.26

$8.46

$8.13

Soybeans 2019

2018 Source: City of Sioux Falls

Total Construction Value

2020

(per bushel) U.S. South Dakota

Corn

New Non-Residential Construction Value

Sioux Falls Region Housing Overview April 2020

New Listings: 584 Days on the Market Until Sale: 87 Median Sales Price: $228,600 Inventory of Homes for Sale: 1,453 Source: RASE (Realtor Association of the Sioux Empire)

(per bushel) U.S. South Dakota

$3.61

$3.34

$3.78

$3.52

$3.68

$3.42

March February

2019

2020

March

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.

Mark Luke

Danette Tobin

Gita Hendricks

Brad Nelson

Marshall Selberg

Corey Weide

Mark Luke Companies

Keller Williams Realty

Dakota News Now

Van Buskirk Companies

MG & Assoc./Yoli BB

Jennifer Hoesing EmBe

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Recognition of Chamber Volunteers Featured ambassadors and diplomats this month are: Mark Luke, Mark Luke Companies, 12 years as an ambassador; Danette Tobin, Dakota News Now, first year ambassador; Gita Hendricks, MG & Assoc. / YOLI BB, 12 years as a diplomat; Jennifer Hoesing, EmBe, first-year diplomat; Brad Nelson, Keller Williams Realty, four years as a

diplomat; and Marshall Selberg, Van Buskirk Companies, 12 years as a diplomat. The Ace Award is given monthly to one ambassador in recognition of their sales efforts. Corey Weide, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, was the April Ace Award winner.

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

12 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

New Faces & Promotions The First National Bank in Sioux Falls has promoted two employees. Bryant Henderson was promoted to wealth advisor and officer. He previously served as a client service associate with the wealth management team. Justin Zandstra was promoted to business banker and officer. After three years as a credit analyst, he will now work with business banking customers at the Benson Road branch. Tim Kenyon joined Houston Engineering, Inc.’s (HEI) Sioux Falls team as a senior hydrogeologist. With more than 35 years of experience, Kenyon will lead HEI’s hydrogeology and waste management services. He earned his geology and geological engineering degrees from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Expansions

Secure Enterprise Asset Management, Inc. (SEAM), a leading provider of data destruction, IT remarketing and electronics recycling, has moved to a larger building in Sioux Falls. The new building, at approximately 23,000 square feet, nearly doubles the size of SEAM’s previous facility. The expansion allows for new document shredding equipment, strategic process improvements and an upgrade asset tracking system.

Good Deeds

The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation awarded $100,000 in grants to 49 educators in the Sioux Falls School District. The 32 grants will be used to purchase creative and hands-on learning materials, impacting students in 25 buildings. The grants were made possible through individual and business donations.

Honors & Awards The Leading Producers Round Table (LPRT) of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) announced that Dawn Knutson, Midwest Employee Benefits, has qualified to receive the association’s prestigious Soaring Eagle Award. This is the highest honor given by LPRT to recognize NAHU members who have achieved the greatest success in demonstrating exceptional professional knowledge and outstanding client service. Insight Marketing Design received six Service Industry Awards for four agency clients, including three Gold, one Silver and two Merit Awards. The creative competition review entries from more than 600 advertising agencies and 82 institutions. Insight was awarded in the categories of television production, website development and collateral design. Insight Marketing Design received Horizon Interactive Awards for digital marketing work produced for four clinets. The Horizon Interactive Awards is an international competition that receives entries from all 50 states and over 40 countries. It recognizes interactive work including websites, online advertising and videos. The Midco® Aquatic Center has officially been LEED certified, a globally recognized symbol of excellence in green building. LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED certiﬁcation ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions and healthier environments where people live, work, learn, play and worship. The Midco Aquatic Center is one of the first aquatic-only centers in the nation to achieve LEED status. The Helpline Center and Citi recognized three local high school seniors for their outstanding leadership and volunteerism. Annabelle Klosterman, Lighthouse Academy;

Harry Heiberger, Brandon Valley High School; and Kaela Wierenga, Washington High School each will receive a $1,000 scholarship award. These individuals exemplify the heart for outstanding community service and have completed more than 100 hours of service in the past year. KELOLAND Media Group has earned two regional Edward R. Murrow awards. The Radio Television Digital News Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Murrow set as a standard for the profession of electronic journalism. KELOLAND was honored for its continuing coverage of the 2019 farm crisis and for its website KELOLAND.com. Chris DeSchepper, a Client Advocate for Marsh and McLennan Agency in Sioux Falls, was the recipient of the Region V 2020 Insurance Professional of the Year from the International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP). Lawyers from Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith LLP in Sioux Falls, SD have again been ranked Tier One by Chambers USA. In South Dakota, rankings are given in five categories. The following is a roster of ranked Davenport Evans lawyers in each area of practice. In Corporate/Commercial: Jonathan P. Brown, P. Daniel Donohue, Keith A. Gauer, Charles D. Gullickson, Douglas J. Hajek, Robert E. Hayes, Dixie K. Hieb and Terry N. Prendergast. In Corporate/Commercial: Bankruptcy/Restructuring: Keith A. Gauer and Robert E. Hayes. In Labor & Employment: Jean H. Bender. In Litigation: General Commercial: Eric C. Schulte and Mitchell A. Peterson. In Real Estate: Jonathan P. Brown, P. Daniel Donohue and Robert E. Hayes.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 13

Faces & Places

Be Seen — Throwback Edition The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way members network, learn and engage with Chamber programs. Since we cannot gather in person right now, we decided to create a special edition of Be Seen featuring “Throwback” photos from Chamber events in the last 20 years. Enjoy the trip down memory lane!

1 Chamber members and volunteers received a tour of the future Denny Sanford PREMIER Center during its construction in 2013. 2 Sioux Falls Day at the Legislature is held annually in February. For several years, a portion of the day’s events included Chamber members serving ice cream floats to legislators and others in the Capitol Rotunda. Here, 2004 Sioux Falls Day participants pose with their ice cream gear. 3 Volunteers showing off the Membership Directory and Community Guide at the 2004 Operation Thank You.

14 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

4 4 Current and former Diplomats gathered to

reminisce and celebrate at the Diplomats 25th Anniversary Reunion in 2007. 5 One of the longest ribbons ever used at a Chamber Ribbon Cutting was for the City of Sioux Falls in the spring of 2009. Merchants and supporters lined Phillips Avenue for blocks holding the ribbon for the ceremony, which marked the completion of major street work downtown. 6 Hundreds of young professionals gathered for the launch party of the Young Professionals Network in the spring of 2010.

6 chambernews.com | Chamber News 15

Faces & Places

Be Seen — Throwback Edition

7 Current and former Ambassadors gathered to remi-

9 16 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

nisce and celebrate at the Ambassadors 50th Anniversary Reunion in August of 2016. 8 The fifth Forward Sioux Falls campaign announced that it reached its pledge goal in the Spring of 2007, raising more than $10.2 million. 9 Volunteers served a free meal to local farmers and ag supporters at the 2013 Ag Appreciation Day at the Sioux Empire Fair.

10 A golf tournament was one of the first events

organized by YPN during its launch year in 2010. 11 Operation Thank You volunteers pose for a group photo with the sponsors banner at Operation Thank You in 2009.

SERVICE MATTERS

In banking, as in life, we think treating people well matters. That’s why we get to know you and listen for opportunities to meet needs, make life more convenient, or simply brighten your day. It all matters.

SNBSD.com

Member FDIC

chambernews.com | Chamber News 17

Faces & Places

Be Seen — Throwback Edition

12 12 In the summer of 2012, Chamber board members and

volunteer leadership participated in a tour and visioning presentation on the land that would eventually become Good Earth State Park at Blood Run. 13 YPN members celebrate at the first annual YPN Holiday party – the Kringle – in 2010. 14 Chamber volunteers enjoy socializing at a year-end wrap party in 2010.

14 18 Chamber News | JUNE 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. For more information on the Community Appeals Committee, call Mike Lynch at (605) 373-2008.

MCCROSSAN BOYS RANCH CAMPAIGN POSTPONED

Out of respect to the business community during these months of health and economic uncertainty, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and McCrossan Boys Ranch have jointly agreed to postpone McCrossan’s Community Appeals campaign period, which was originally set for April 1-July 31, 2020. The McCrossan’s campaign is now scheduled to take place Nov. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. The Chamber will continue to closely monitor the economic environment and how it may further impact the viability of future campaigns; therefore, additional modifications to the Community Appeals campaign calendar may become necessary.

FORWARD SIOUX FALLS NOV. 1, 2020–MARCH 31, 2021

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

ACTIVE GENERATIONS APRIL 1, 2021–JULY 31, 2021

To build a new facility to accommodate the organization’s growing client base and expansive programming opportunities.

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.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 19

Cover Story

Trends in REMOTE WORK

By Rebekah Tuchscherer for the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce

In the weeks after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in mid-March, many Sioux Falls employees transitioned their work spaces from office buildings around the city to their home offices and kitchen tables. An estimated 16 million knowledge workers, or employees that work with data, analyze information or think creatively, have been working from home since late March as businesses do their best to flatten the curve, according to a recent survey by Slack. That number amounts to about a quarter of all knowledge workers in the U.S., and the number continues to grow as more and more employees opt to stay home.

20 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

Prior to the pandemic, 7 million people were already working remotely according to a study done this year by Global Workplace Analytics. However, local employers can’t help but look to a post-COVID world, as many continue to have daily conversations about what a transition back to the office — whether that be in the near or distant future — might look like for their employees. Some leaders anticipate a full transition back to how operations looked prepandemic, while others anticipate more flexibility as their workers have grown more comfortable working 100% remotely.

files — including AutoCAD, Revit and Bluebeam programs for design — are easily transferable to anywhere with a WiFi signal. While the technology was originally helpful for logs at construction and design sites, it has now been a major contributor in the transition to working from home, according to Doxtad. ISG also uses standard digital communication software, including Microsoft Teams, Office 365, OneNote and OneDrive for greater flexibility. “Instead of reviewing a set of plans with clients inperson, we’ve helped them outline how they can leverage technology to review our sets of plans, so we can keep progress moving forward on design, development, and eventually into construction,” Doxtad said. Other businesses have also leaned into technology for effective communication between teams and clients. For example, Meta Financial Group has leaned more heavily on Microsoft Teams, a communication and collaboration platform that has video, chat and file storage capabilities, while Sammons Financial Group has used GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar to more effectively communicate with their teams remotely.

Technology allows for a seamless transition home For David Doxtad, president at I+S Group (ISG) and his 17 Sioux Falls-based employees, transitioning home meant hauling dual monitors and setups from their downtown location in the Lumber Exchange Building to their residential homes to continue their full-service engineering, architecture and design work.

Meta Financial Group has also provided their previously in-office workers with a monthly work-fromhome reimbursement to cover any costs associated with greater home technology, whether that include a boost to internet bandwidth, WiFi speed or a more extensive phone plan.

ISG has ten physical office spaces, and its Sioux Falls location just celebrated two years in the area. However, Doxtad said that even pre-pandemic some employees worked remotely full-time with projects spanning 42 states. For the past five years, ISG has operated in a virtual machine, or VM space, based out of their headquarters in Mankato, Minnesota. These VM spaces make it easy to move from place to place, as the computers and their

An estimated 56% of jobs could be performed at least partially from home, while an estimate 37% of jobs could be performed entirely from home.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 21

“It allows for more connectivity with one another to have video calls and see one another than we might have otherwise had,” Jessica Jones, a member of Meta Financial Group’s post-COVID task force said. Uses like these of digital communication programs have skyrocketed nationally amid lockdowns, stay-athome orders and work-from-home options. For example, Zoom, a cloud-based peer-to-peer software, ballooned from 10 million to 200 million users in March. Comparatively, Microsoft Teams had 44 million at the time, while Slack had about 12 million users.

More jobs moving home In 2018, about five million employees, or less than four percent of the U.S. workforce, worked from home according to a Global Workplace Analytics analysis of American Community Service data. Work-from-home options have grown substantially according to the analysis, increasing be almost 200% since 2005. For Sammons Financial Group, 25% of their global workforce worked remotely prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, setting them up to effectively transition the majority of their employee base from office desks to their homes according to Rachelle Tieszen, Vice President of Total Rewards and HR Business Partner.

Currently, only about five percent of Sammons Financial Group’s 1,400 employees in the upper Midwest are considered essential and work in-office. “Our call center works in phone queues,” Tieszen said. “That’s been fully operational in our remote working environment. Since we transitioned to telework, [we’ve had] a greater focus on e-delivery and the use of technology to process business and pass applications back and forth.”

Tips to support remote employees Employees working remotely need to be equipped with the proper technology solutions and supported with appropriate policies and practices.

22 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

•

Give workers autonomy

•

Understand that trust matters

•

Set clear expectations for individuals

•

Clearly define team goals

•

Communicate the company vision and strategy

Cover Story

Thirty-seven percent of jobs in the United States could be performed entirely at home, according to a study released this past April by the Becker Friedman Institute. Remote jobs based in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties account for about 0.6% of those total jobs and contribute similar percentages compared to many counties in the eastern half of the United States and along both coasts. The study notes that most jobs in finance, corporate management, professional and scientific services could be plausibly performed at home, whereas few jobs in agriculture, hotels, restaurants or retail could feasibly be done remotely.

According to a 2017 Gallup poll, flexibility is one of the highest ranked work-related benefits for Millennials — higher than both student loan and tuition reimbursement.

Jones with Meta Financial says the company’s work arrangements are driven by business and individual needs, meaning the business can provide a range of options for employees from fully in-office to 100% remote for their roughly 1,000 employees — about half of which work in the Sioux Falls area. Prior to the pandemic, about 13% of Meta Financial’s total employees were considered remote.

What do office jobs look like post-COVID? Industry leaders anticipate a range of methods for returning to the office after the pandemic. Some are planning staggered returns, with employees returning in waves based on their individual risk levels, while others are clustering employees on teams to better trace and identify infections if they do happen.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 23

Benefits of remote work options

Some companies aren’t planning a return to the office for their workers, period. Locally, companies are analyzing their post-COVID plans daily, prioritizing the health and safety of their employees. “Since we’ve embraced technology in advance, we can come back in as needed and roll back as people are comfortable,” ISG’s Doxtad said. “How the office in Minnesota is being treated is significantly different than how it’s being treated in Iowa. Each one is going to have to roll back in a different fashion.” Meta Financial and Sammons Financial Group have also expressed similar strategies to ISG. While both plan to return the majority of their employees to the office, they don’t intend to rush the transition, especially with strong advances in their digital communications platforms that have made working remotely on teams seamless and proved beneficial for business continuity.

“Our best estimate is that 25-30% of the workforce will be workingfrom-home multiple days a week by the end of 2021.” Kate Lister, President of Global Workplace Analytics

24 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

•

Increased employee retention

•

Increased productivity

•

Higher employee morale

•

Operational cost savings

Doxtad expects more flexibility for ISG employees moving forward, especially for those with family obligations or those who may need the occasional few hours to work from home. “I don’t think we’ll have a significant amount of folks — if any — that will say “hey, I don’t want to come back into the office,” Doxtad said of Sioux Falls’s ISG employees. “So many folks see the value of comradery, mentorship and communication that’s different when you’re sitting in the same office.”

Cover Story

77% of the workforce say they want to work from home, at least partially, after COVID-19. Global Work-from-Home Experience Survey, conducted March 30-April 24, 2020

Industry experts have also noted that flexible working allows businesses to expand their talent pools, retain greater numbers of employees year over year, and improve overall work-life balance. According to a 2017 Gallup poll, flexibility is one of the highest ranked work-related benefits for Millennials — higher than both student loan and tuition reimbursement. Additionally, it has been found that employees with more flexible work arrangements tend to be more productive and have higher morale than those who don’t, according to the International Workplace Group.

Finding community despite crisis

ISG has hosted similar events to maintain comradery and mentorship despite the pandemic, including regular 4:30 p.m. conference calls and cocktails. Most recently, Tieszen hosted a Kelly Clarksoninspired “Zoom Around the Room” with her team, a game where people rush to find specified objects in their home to win the game. “We’re really intentional about our culture,” Tieszen said of Sammons Financial Group. “That culture is best when people are engaged and working closely. Having that face-to-face interaction really enables effective collaboration.”

Sense of belonging for office employees can vary greatly for individuals, as some jump at the opportunity to live and work alongside their family members around the clock, while others prefer the comradery that inoffice positions allow. Tieszen said that Sammons Financial Group has done its best to ensure regular, daily interaction between teams with daily huddles. Some, she said, have hosted video-based happy hours at the end of the day or even scheduled virtual break rooms throughout the workday, where employees can relax and interact with others, even if there isn’t a water cooler.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 25

Business Advocacy

2020 Legislative Scorecard A key piece of the Chamber’s annual Legislative Report is the Legislative Scorecard. The Scorecard tracks how all 30 of the Sioux Falls area representatives voted on issues the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce took a position on during the previous session. These votes were related to measures important to the Sioux Falls business community that aligned with the legislative platform set by the Chamber’s Issues Management Council (IMC) and Board of Directors.

Scorecard Key Opposed Chamber’s position Supported Chamber’s position

Lawmakers were given a “Sioux Falls Community Champion” designation if they voted with the Chamber on 100% of the bills on this scorecard and a “Sioux Falls Supporter” designation if they voted in line with the Chamber on more than 80% of the bills.

Did not vote*

The full 2020 Legislative Scorecard includes how legislators voted on 33 bills. The version presented here is a summary version of the 2020 Scorecard, showing only the 10 bills that were of highest priority to the Chamber. The Champion and Supporter designations are based on the scores from the full scorecard. The complete 2020 Scorecard, along with the 2020 Legislative Report, can be found at siouxfallschamber.com under the Advocacy tab.

Supporter

Community Champion

SUMMARY OF KEY BILLS HB 1008

Industrial Hemp: legalizes industrial hemp and provides the four guardrails that Governor Noem required.

HB 1057

Criminalizing Transgender Procedures: sought to criminalize doctors for providing medically necessary care for transgender youth.

HB 1100

SDSU/School of Mines bio-processing building: provides the seed money of $1M for the design and development of a new bioprocessing facility to be located in Brookings, South Dakota, with collaboration from other state schools.

HB 1235

SB 70

Driver’s license exams in Spanish: a workforce development bill that provides the driver’s license application, the study manual and the written test will be printed in Spanish.

SB 72

Dakota Promise Scholarship: would have established the Dakota’s promise scholarship program.

SB 144

Restricting Dual Credit Program: would have barred any student from participating in the dual credit program if they failed the course or withdrew from the course after the deadline.

Immunizations: provided that no child entering a public or nonpublic school in South Dakota would be required to receive any immunization or medical procedure for enrollment or entry.

SB 157

SB 40

SB 170

USD Allied Health Facility: provided for a forty-five-thousand-foot Allied Health Facility at USD. The state contribution for the project is $5M.

26 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

Gov’s bill to streamline county zoning: was a Governor’s bill to streamline the county permitting process for land development. K-12 School Funding Bill: addressed school state-aid funding and had the support of the Governor’s team and education advocates across the state.

Name (District)

2020

Rep. David Anderson (16)

100%

Rep. Doug Barthel (10)

100%

Rep. Arch Beal (12)

85%

Sen. Jim Bolin (16)

96%

Sen. Blake Curd (12)

96%

Rep. Linda Duba (15)

96%

Rep. Jon Hansen (25)

88%

Rep. Steve Haugaard (10)

56%

Rep. Erin Healy (14)

97%

Rep. Kevin Jensen (16)

75%

Rep. Chris Karr (11)

78%

Sen. Jack Kolbeck (13)

92%

Sen. Kris Langer (25)

92%

Rep. Isaac Latterell (6)

54%

Rep. Rhonda Milstead (9)

79%

Sen. Reynold Nesiba (15)

96%

Rep. Herman Otten (6)

89%

Sen. Ernie Otten (6)

85%

Rep. Sue Peterson (13)

74%

Rep. Tom Pischke (25)

48%

Rep. Michael Saba (9)

100%

Rep. Jamie Smith (15)

96%

Sen. Deb Soholt (14)

100%

Sen. Jim Stalzer (11)

88%

Rep. Manny Steele (12)

54%

Sen. Wayne Steinhauer (9)

96%

Rep. Kelly Sullivan (13)

96%

Sen. Maggie Sutton (10)

88%

Rep. Mark Willadsen (11)

96%

Rep. Larry Zikmund (14)

96%

Notes: *If an elected official did not vote on an issue, the issue is not counted when tabulating the annual score. **The Chamber opposed the language in SB 144 as initially introduced. When SB 144 was hog housed the Chamber supported the new intent of the bill.

chambernews.com | Chamber News 27

Headlines

Applications available for Community Appeals scheduling Applications for Community Appeals scheduling consideration are now open and will be accepted until Aug. 1, 2020. The next available campaign cycles are November 2022 thru March 2023 and April-July 2023. The online application can be found at siouxfallschamber.com under the Programs tab. Organizations seek to capitalize on the strong reputation of the Chamber to maximize their fundraising activities. Eligible organizations include those with a social (non-profit) or educational emphasis (accredited, post-secondary). 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. Required data to complete the application include identification of the governing board, description of campaign purpose and community benefit, percentage breakdown of anticipated areas of solicitation, historical information, feasibility study summary and audited financials, just to name a few.

28â&#x20AC;&#x201A;Chamber Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;|â&#x20AC;&#x201A;JUNE 2020

If an organization meets the application criteria, its representatives will be given an opportunity to present before the full Community Appeals Committee to further explain the fund drive and financial plan. By year-end, the committee will meet to discuss the merit of each applicant and ultimately vote to consider scheduling up to two campaigns. Once a campaign is scheduled, the Chamber assists the organization and its capital campaign in several ways including serving as a liaison to keep Chamber members informed, providing a list of Chamber members, helping to organize a kick-off event, publishing a feature story in Chamber News at the beginning and end of the campaign and promoting the campaign in each issue of Chamber News. If your organization meets the criteria for Community Appeals scheduling consideration, please consider completing the application. For more information, contact Mike Lynch at (605) 373-2008.

Spark Sioux Falls launched Collaborative initiative seeks to reignite the regional economy A new initiative launched in May will support the long-term community and regional recovery from the impacts of the COVID19 pandemic. Spark Sioux Falls is supported by Forward Sioux Falls and was initiated by the City of Sioux Falls, Downtown Sioux Falls, Experience Sioux Falls, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to spark the economic engine of the region. Spark Sioux Falls is engaging business leaders to share insights, identify challenges and build actionable strategies to restore the local economy. Three task forces, guided by a steering committee, will address specific industries and sectors, working to identify and help craft solutions that can assist the economy and labor force in Sioux Falls and surrounding counties to emerge from the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. The three task forces are focused on:

Spark Sioux Falls Scope of Work • Engage and listen to the community regarding the challenges people and businesses are facing as they navigate the new environment • Develop recommendations for how the City of Sioux Falls and the business community can pivot to refocus, rebuild and re-energize our economy • Provide residents with a long-term vision for a healthy and stable economic and civic environment

Spark Sioux Falls Steering Committee Tom Biegler, Regency Hotel Management

1. Reviving local business, retail, restaurants and bars

DeAnn Echols, The Great Outdoor Store

2. Recharging the hospitality, tourism and arts sectors

Natalie Eisenberg, Click Rain, Inc.

3. Assessing key industry clusters

Dan Gies, The Empire Mall

a. Banking/financial

Frank Gurnick, Dakota Alliance Soccer Club

b. Medical/health care/biotech

Paul Hegg, Hegg Companies, Inc.

c. Technology & information services

Chris Houwman, Malloy

d. General manufacturing

John T. Meyer, Lemonly

A Steering Committee will build upon task force findings to shape a plan for future economic resiliency. Spark Sioux Falls is a long-term initiative. Businesses with immediate support needs for operating through the ongoing pandemic should access the SOAR program, which is offered by the City of Sioux Falls. SOAR information can be found at siouxfalls.org/covid19/business.

Tony Nour, First PREMIER Bank Alex Ramirez, USA Media TV Jay Rasmussen, Journey Group Darrin Smith, Washington Pavilion

Organizational Leadership Mayor Paul TenHaken, City of Sioux Falls Joe Batcheller, Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. Jesse Fonkert, LCEDA/MCEDA Jeff Griffin, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Thomas Lee, Sioux Falls Sports Authority Mike Lynch, Forward Sioux Falls Bob Mundt, Sioux Falls Development Foundation Teri Schmidt, Experience Sioux Falls

chambernews.com | Chamber News 29

Headlines

Community Appeal campaign for Glory House Apartments Total raised: $1.1 million

The new Glory House Apartment building provides safe and affordable workforce housing in close proximity to the Glory House.

Glory House completes Community Appeal campaign

Phase 1 of Glory House Apartments is now open By Mike Lynch Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce

For the growing number of our population who have struggled with the gripping effects of incarceration or addiction, finding a road to recovery and reentry into society is typically a steep path, which can seldom be done alone. The Glory House exists to empower people for this journey. For over 50 years, the Glory House has provided a variety of services, including case management and counseling, and recently opened Phase 1 of Glory House Apartments to the public. This new housing option provides safe, sober and affordable workforce housing to members of the community who need a supportive setting with proximity to services like those provided by Glory House. The two-phase project has been made possible thanks in large part to a Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Community Appeals campaign that that ended March 31, 2020 and raised over $1.1 million. Board Chair Eric Gulden said that the amount raised is a bright spot in a tough time, crediting all the staff and volunteers that worked hard to make contacts. “A big thank you to our campaign Co-Chairs Kent Alberty, Greg Sands and Jim Schmidt who provided great leadership and credibility to the campaign,” said Gulden. “Given our history of fundraising, this was a fantastic outcome and has opened a lot of doors for a future donor base that can support the mission for years to come.” 30 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

In a unique display of benevolence, one large contribution to the campaign came from a former client of Glory House who is now the owner of a large and successful business that is a “second-chance employer.” The campaign had two major themes: human compassion for persons who have traumatic backgrounds and need a second chance, and pragmatic benefits like workforce development, tax savings and community safety. As clients of the justice system receive the counseling and support they need, it interrupts the revolving door of release, re-offense and re-incarceration and ends their being a financial burden; conversely, they become taxpayers themselves. “Family stability, community safety, taxpayer savings and workforce development are all enhanced by the construction of Glory House Apartments,” stated Dave Johnson, president of Glory House. “Supportive housing, with counseling and case management services available next door at Glory House can help these tenants to continue their recovery and be productive citizens of our community.” The housing project aligns very well with Glory House’s goals to provide an extra safety net for vulnerable persons who need additional support to maintain their sobriety and succeed in life. Whether they were enrolled in a Glory House program or came from elsewhere in the community, they can earn the self-respect that comes with paying their own rent on a place that is clean and safe. For some residents, it is the first time they have a place to call “home.”

The Glory House staff and volunteers are grateful for the support from members of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. Glory House Development Coordinator Allan Saugstad said that it is widely understood that the Chamber has a rigorous process for approval, which gave the campaign immediate credibility. “The Chamber’s help was paramount in scheduling and publicizing our groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting for Phase 1, supporting our campaign kick-off, providing contact information for Chamber members and sending our introductory letter to all Chamber members,” Saugstad said. “Chamber board and staff also gave timely, practical guidance beginning well before the campaign and during each step in the process. We were delighted to learn that some businesses budget for these campaigns each year, and a few had even written out their check before our volunteer arrived!” Campaign Co-Chair Kent Alberty said that acquiring affordable, safe, drug and alcohol-free housing is one of the last hurdles to cross for anyone who is transitioning back into the community. “Jobs and transportation are available in the Sioux Falls area, and the addition of these housing units helps to complete the circle of support for people in recovery.”

The interior of one of the apartments in the new Glory House Apartment building.

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 31

Business Sense

Supporting a healthy workplace According to the New York Post, 80% of employees would not feel safe returning to work upon re-opening. Organizations can implement best practices to ensure their employees feel safe when returning to the workplace. Developing a COVID-19 preparedness plan is key to having proper measures in place while setting the stage for workplace health and wellness. From protective shields and temperature checks, to touch-free restrooms and social distancing signage, welcome to the next way of working, let’s get started!

• How will social distancing and cleaning guidelines be communicated? Many buildings have already added signage indicating that it has been properly cleaning and sanitized. This is just one of many ways to instill trust and make occupants feel comfortable when entering your workplace. You should also include informational signage to direct the flow of traffic, educate on hygiene etiquette, and maintain social distance. There are many ways to do this from custom decals, to freestanding whiteboard signs and floor mats with 6-foot distance symbols. Kelly Link

Innovative Office Solutions

Categorizing your workplace into zones will help prioritize areas of focus: • High traffic, high touch: Reception areas, restrooms, breakrooms • Medium traffic, high touch: Workstations, conference rooms, elevators • High traffic, low touch: Hallways, aisles • Low traffic, high touch: Private office, print/mail rooms, file areas First, focus on the high and medium traffic, high touch areas: • Are you incorporating temperature checks at entrances? Many organizations are and it is important to ensure your employees and visitors are safe. Taking this measure will inspire confidence when entering your workplace. • What are your cleaning protocols and do you have guidelines? There is an array of cleaning solutions to consider. From UV disinfecting technology, to EPA registered cleaners and microfiber cloths, protocols such as ‘you touch it, you clean it’ are increasingly popular along with frequent hand sanitizer use. Locate sanitizer stations throughout the office, especially at the main entry and near workstations to promote cleanliness. • How touch-free are the spaces in your workplace? People are now hyper-aware of what they come in contact with and are mindful not to touch their face. We are confident touch-free solutions will stick after this pandemic. Hands-free door openers, touch-free soap dispensers and water faucets, and automated flush systems will be standard. Among the many studies conducted on air dryers, one found that they send out over 190 times more virus than paper towels(1). If it is the only thing you can do, replace air dryers with touch-free paper towel dispensers. • Have you considered air purification? According to the EPA the levels of indoor air pollutants are 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels! Air purification can eliminate more than 97.8% of pollutants and reduce infection.

Washington Post

(1)

Business Insider

(2)

32 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

USA Today

(3)

• How will your furniture layout be impacted? Employees have been working remotely in the comfort of their homes for some time now. Returning to the office can be overwhelming, especially in open office environments. Create a sense of safety by retrofitting, reconfiguring and even repurposing what you already have. Adding protective shields or repurposing a mobile whiteboard to double as a shield, reorienting workstations so they are not face-to-face, and simply removing seats in your breakroom goes a long way to protect your team. Millions of employees have followed stay at home orders and have been working from home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A recent study by IBM found that nearly 55% of employees want to work remotely most of the time after the pandemic(2). Remote working is here to stay. Some companies are providing their employees with ergonomic furniture and accessories along with products to stay productive at home. Sit-stand desks, adjustable monitor arms and task lighting are popular items! On the flip side we know people have been significantly disrupted by this pandemic and over 50% of survey respondents feel lonely working from home(3). Some people want to remain working from home while others desperately want to get back into the office and are craving social connection. As employers we need to be aware of not only physical safety but psychological safety as well. There is a lot to navigate as you prepare a return to the workplace. There is not a ‘cookie-cutter’ solution, which is why it is important to evaluate what is needed in all areas of your business. With safety, wellness and health being paramount, are you ready for employees to return to the workplace? Kelly Link, Innovative Office Solutions, is a Workplace Strategy professional with a background in Interior Design. She is passionate about consulting on interior environments that positively influence people’s health, well-being, behaviors and experiences. Link is a Certified Interior Designer, LEED Accredited Professional, WELL Accredited Professional, Fitwel Ambassador and a Qualified Professional of Corporate Real Estate.

Business Sense

Five post-pandemic marketing questions to ask yourself What new customers or audience segments have you gained?

We’re all looking ahead to what’s after COVID-19. But in reality, we could be wrestling with social distancing and mitigation efforts for a year or more. As businesses navigate a shaky economy and compete to attract cautious consumers, it’s a good time to ask a few crucial questions to guide your post-pandemic marketing strategies and prepare for an evolving marketplace.

How will you adapt to put safety first?

Kristy Laue

Lawrence & Schiller, Inc.

Today, tomorrow or six months from now, safety will still be first. COVID-19 has changed our DNA, and people will retain a healthy sense of fear for a while. Consumers want to know how your business is optimizing operations, product lines or services to keep people safe. Now is your time to innovate and get creative with seating, ordering procedures, promotions and more. Start listing the changes you’ve made (and will continue to make) in a post-pandemic world to ease concerns, and make sure this message is clear both internally and externally. In addition to sharing safety measures, some brands may need to prepare a public relations plan to accompany their re-opening efforts. Will your business face backlash as it starts advertising? Make sure you have a narrative in place to handle questions, along with a plan to handle future COVID surges.

What are your incremental steps to re-engage? We’ve seen that re-opening our communities and businesses is incremental. So with each new step to re-opening the consumer pipeline, your marketing plan should have a phased approach. Craft a strategy and message to accompany each new phase of post-pandemic life, announcing new or additional services, highlighting hours, sharing safety measures and more. This might mean having anywhere from three to five different creative versions ready to go based on market conditions. Along with that, you’ll need to re-evaluate your media mix with each phase. Consumer habits have changed dramatically in the age of COVID. Digital media usage has spiked, traditional and cable TV viewing is up, and streaming and terrestrial radio are seeing more listeners. This will continue to evolve as more consumers leave home and start traveling. Consider these shifts when planning your media dollars, keeping a fluid, month-to-month plan. You may also choose to slowly introduce tactics like outdoor, transit advertising or event sponsorships based on use.

34 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

You may have lost customers during COVID-19. But many businesses have also gained them. Think about it: a company like Zoom that once appealed to just the business community is now a household name. People have tried new restaurants during the pandemic as their tried-and-true favorites closed or failed to offer delivery. How can your company stay connected to these new audiences through continued communication, incentives and messaging? Enact a loyalty program, test offers and keep a pulse through consumer research to stay relevant.

Do you need to reinvent yourself? During this unprecedented time, people are going full Marie Kondo on more than just their closets – they’re Kondo-ing their lives. Whatever doesn’t spark joy must go, and consumers won’t have room for brands that aren’t useful. Now could be a perfect time to reinvent yourself, even in subtle ways. What will your brand stand for in this new day? And why will that matter to anyone? Along with this, make sure you audit your overall customer experience. People will be more critical of where they go and how often they visit a brick-and-mortar store. So make sure your in-person experience is one worth having. Streamline your processes, make things easy to find, enact safety protocols and ensure your location is one they want to visit.

How can you create an accountability plan? Finally, if you’ve used this time to improve SEO, spruce up your website, and start emailing your customers regularly, you should make room in the future to keep doing it. Schedule monthly or quarterly check-ins so you can continue to audit, plan, act and optimize. As Vice President of Creative at Lawrence & Schiller, Inc., Kristy Laue has balanced her love of writing and problem solving with a passion for creating strategic, award-winning campaigns for 14 years. In addition to working with clients, Laue coaches the copywriting discipline and is part of the agency’s executive leadership team. She’s Hubspot content marketing certified, a member of the national Telly Awards Judging Council and sits on the board of directors for the Museum of Visual Materials.

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.

City of Sioux Falls Fire Station 12 Fire Station 12, the City’s newest fire station, will provide service to the southeast area of Sioux Falls. This area has seen tremendous growth in recent years including residential, retail and schools. Once open, residents in the service territory for Station 12 will experience improved response times for services. L to R: Councilor Rick Kiley, Bob Mundt, Fire Chief Brad Goodroad and Mayor Paul TenHaken. GROUNDBREAKING

Railyard Flats Railyard Flats, located on downtown’s Eastbank, is an 80,000 square foot, 3-story, mixeduse structure that will house 41 apartments, plus retail and office space. Developer and tenant-owned and managed, Railyard Flats will be the state’s first laminated mass timber constructed building. L to R: Anne Haber, Mayor Paul TenHaken, Tom Hurlbert, Chad Kucker, Larry Howe, Jeff Scherschligt, Anthony Wiseman, Todd Ernst and Bobbi Thury. GROUNDBREAKING

chambernews.com | Chamber News 35

Membership

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.

Anytime Fitness

Firehouse Subs

Dave’s Flooring America

Helen’s Plan

EASW - Embroidery & Screen Works, Inc.

Keith Severson

Fitness Centers Meagan Donovan, (605) 275-5556 2320 S. Marion Rd., Suite 100, 57106 anytimefitness.com/gyms/2091/sioux-falls-sd-57106/

Floor Covering Dave Serck, (605) 498-8000 27107 Independence Ave., 57108 flooringamericaofsiouxfalls.com

Screenprinting, Embroidery, Promotional Products/ Sportswear Andy Holst, (605) 665-5231 2503 Fox Run Parkway, Yankton, SD 57078 easw.com

36 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

Restaurants Stefanie Engebretson, (605) 275-3473 5200 E. Arrowhead Parkway, 57110 firehousesubs.com

Legal Services Walter Portz, (763) 656-9100 401 E. 8th St. #1a, 57103 helensplan.com

Associate Member

Staybridge Suites Sioux Falls Southwest Hotels & Motels Heidi Mastbergen, (605) 275-4900 4210 W. 59th St., 57108

Your CBD Store

Nutritional Products Matthew Yde, (605) 521-6313 1612 W. 41st St., Suite A, 57105 sunflora.org

Membership

Member Anniversaries Founding Members AAA South Dakota Insurance AAA.com Member since 1933

Augustana University

Schools, Colleges, Universities augie.edu Member since 1918

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center Hospitals avera.org Member since 1911

Boyce Law Firm, L.L.P. Attorneys boycelaw.com Member since 1907

Cadwell Sanford Deibert & Garry LLP Attorneys cadlaw.com Member since 1907

Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP Attorneys dehs.com Member since 1939

Dean Foods/Land O’Lakes Dairy Products deanfoods.com Member since 1917

Electric Construction Company Electrical Contractors electricconstructionfsd.com Member since 1907

Gage Brothers

Concrete Products gagebrothers.com Member since 1918

Girton Adams Company Ice/Dry Ice Companies girtonadams.com Member since 1909

Journey Group Companies Contractors-General journeyconstruction.com Member since 1907

L.G. Everist, Inc.

Sand & Gravel lgeverist.com Member since 1920

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.

McKinneyOlson Insurance Insurance mckinneyolson.com Member since 1907

Results Radio - Townsquare Media KSOO 1000/KMXC 97.3/KYBB 102.7/ KXRB 1140/KKLS 104.7/KIKN 100.5

60 Years

Formatop Company, Inc. Countertops formatopcompany.com

KSFY Television

Television Stations, Broadcasting Companies ksfy.com

Radio Stations results-radio.com Member since 1926

45 Years

Sanford Health

Contractors-General gilhaugan.com

Hospitals sanfordhealth.org Member since 1907

Sioux Falls Seminary

Schools, Colleges, Universities sfseminary.edu Member since 1907

Smithfield Foods Food Production smithfieldfoods.com Member since 1909

TSP, Inc.

Architects, Engineers, Planners teamtsp.com Member since 1930

University of Sioux Falls Schools, Colleges, Universities usiouxfalls.edu Member since 1907

75 Years

Hegg Realtors Real Estate hegg.com

65 Years

Land Title Guaranty Co.

Title Insurance, Escrows, Abstractors landtitleguaranty.com

Gil Haugan Construction Lamar Outdoor Advertising Advertising-Outdoor lamar.com/SiouxFalls

May & Johnson, PC Attorneys mayjohnson.com

McGinnis and Company, PC Accountants-Certified Public mcginnisco.com

RBC Wealth Management Investment Securities rbcwmfa.com/siouxfalls/

Ronning Companies Real Estate-Development ronningcompanies.com

35 Years

Ad-Star Sales, Inc.

Advertising-Promotional Products, Apparel & Awards adstarsales.com

DakotAbilities Associate Member dakotabilities.org

Taco John’s of Sioux Falls Restaurants tacojohns.com

30 Years

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota Insurance wellmark.com

38 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

25 Years

RE/MAX Professionals, Inc. - Jay Zea Affiliate-Real Estate jayzearealestate.com

20 Years

Sister Cities Association of Sioux Falls Associate Member sfsistercities.com

15 Years

StoneyBrook Suites Assisted Living stoneybrooksuites.com

10 Years CellOnly

Cellular Phones & Service cellonly.com

Hegg Realtors - Stefanie Stockberger Affiliate-Real Estate stefaniestockberger.com

Real Property Management Express Property Management expressrpm.com

5 Years

Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S) Engineers-Environmental ae2s.com

Calhoun Communications, Inc. Associate Member calhouncommunications.com

Independent Insurance Agents of Sioux Falls Associate Member trustedchoice.com

Talecris/Grifols Blood Bank-Plasma grifolsplasma.com

First Year Reinvestors

Alpine Real Estate Companies Property Management alpinepmsd.com

DJ Jer Events and Lighting Design Entertainment Agency jerevents.com

MCI Inc

Construction mcicarpetonewaitepark.com

Puetz Corp. Construction puetzcorp.com

Schoppert’s Piano Gallery Retail schoppertspianogallery.com

Tailored Mortgage Group Mortgages tailoredmortgagegroup.com

chambernews.com | Chamber News 39

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 Mike Grigsby Mike Grigsby started his role as Director of Innovation and Technology for the City of Sioux Falls in April. He previously worked in the public service sector in Kansas City for 13 years and for two years with Cisco Systems, Inc. overseeing Smart+Connected Communities practice for North America. He currently serves as an Advisor for University Innovation Fellows at William Jewell College and on the IoT Advisory Committee with CompTIA. Mike and his wife Mara have three children and two grandchildren.

What attracted you to Sioux Falls and your new role? Sioux Falls is my wife’s hometown; I’ve been visiting the city and watching its growth and progress for nearly twenty years. The progressive nature of the city and its incredibly stable position is what drew me to this opportunity. I have worked with numerous cities across the country and very few are as poised to capitalized on the opportunities in the coming years as Sioux Falls. I believe the city will stand as a marquee example of what the new American City will look like in the years ahead.

How do you approach challenges?

Mike Grigsby City of Sioux Falls

Visit chambernews.com to see five more questions with Mike Grigsby

My approach has changed over the years to consider the macro as well as the microcomponents. I try to view challenges holistically and think of the end first, then work backward to identify the steps to achieve it. I also think in terms of use cases, looking to address as many challenges as possible with each solution. Thinking in this way reminds me that each challenge is made up of multiple components that can be addressed individually or collectively and helps set realistic goals for outcomes.

Name a tool could you not live without. The smart phone may be the single greatest invention in the past twenty years. The ability to literally carry the world in your pocket still blows my mind. Accessing information the way you want, when you want, in the format you want cannot be understated. It is a portal to limitless opportunity. No tool, however, does not come without pros and cons. Using this amazing tool the right way is what will unlock countless doors to the future, yet there are still equity divides that we need to work to bridge in order to help as many people as possible learn how to use this incredible key to unlock their own bright futures.

What are you reading right now? I’m re-reading Abundance: The Future is Better than You Think, by Peter H. Diamonds. The book was written in 2012 and gave a glimpse into ways that technology was shaping our environments then and a forecast of how it would continue to shape our future. What I find amazing is how accurate some of the predictions have been. Others may not be a firm reality yet, but are well on their way. What I love most about this book is the re-positioning of the impact technology has on our society, and the emphasis the author places on using technology as a means to augment our human experiences, not as a replacement of them.

What is the best piece of advice you have received? One of my mentors told me to “think with my imagination and not just my memory.” That has served me so well over the years. It helps to perpetually look at things with fresh eyes. It also reminds me that no idea is dumb. While not every idea materializes the way we initially envision it, treating every idea as seed that can grow into something amazing and useful is a great outlook. I have had my share of “successful failures” that did not meet my initial expectations, but spurred new thought and evolved into tremendous successes. Never throw an idea away just because it didn’t work the first time. Dust it off, look at it with fresh eyes, and find new facets that could lead to something bigger.

40 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

THE SUN IS STILL IN THE SKY. THE WIND IS STILL BLOWING. AND WE’RE STILL HERE.

From the Archive

Streetcars span the century A large green trolley with wood trim is a familiar sight to many downtown workers and residents. The Downtown Sioux Falls Trolley, which runs a circuitous route through the streets of downtown, carries on a legacy started by one of Sioux Falls’s prominent early citizens, R.F. Pettigrew. Pettigrew drove Sioux Falls’ first horse-drawn streetcar in 1887, and by 1909, electric versions were common in the young city. Pictured here are electric trolleys that ran on Phillips Avenue, 8th Street and as far west as Prairie Avenue. The streetcars stopped running in 1929, leaving the streets to cars and pedestrians until 2001, when the current trolley was created. For the summer of 2020, the Downtown Trolley is running its downtown loop daily except Monday. Extra cleaning and social distance measures have been implemented for riders’ safety and instead of a ride fare, there will be a donation box. The Downtown Trolley is a partnership between Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., the City of Sioux Falls and Stellar Limousine and is possible thanks to sponsorship from Sanford Health, Marsh & McLennan Agency, Lewis Drug, Great Plains Brokerage and Sanford Health Plans.

42 Chamber News | JUNE 2020

Investing in Your Business At First PREMIER Bank, we invest in your success with a customer-focused approach and suite of powerful banking solutions designed to grow with you. We take your business personally. Because we do business right here. Just like you.

What’s happening in the world – it makes caring for our community more important than ever. And that’s why we’re here. Because health care lives in all the places you are. The unfamiliar places. The challenging places. The hopeful places.

We’re standing with you.

sanfordhealth.org

019041-00654 Rev. 4/20