STURGIS, SD (6/3/2015) –  J&P Cycles opened its newly remodeled year-round retail center on Monday, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the facility located at 1650 Lazelle Street.

In true motorcycle fashion, the ribbon was cut, or torn apart, by two motorcycles. J&P Cycles senior management, Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen, Sturgis City Council members, and area business leaders were on hand for the event.

J&P Cycles’ Sturgis Retail Manager Carl Fay said: “We are extremely pleased to open our doors year-round to Sturgis and the surrounding communities as well as to the millions of traveling riders passing through. Activities are planned to showcase our retail center as a key destination for bikers visiting Sturgis during the riding season and especially during the celebration of the 75th Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally™.”

The motorcycle aftermarket retail giant’s new 7,500 square-foot Sturgis retail center will house a wide assortment of motorcycle parts and accessories, including exhausts, seats, windshields, saddlebags as well as leathers, gear and other apparel items.

Article reprint and photo courtesy of Meade County Times-Tribune staff and Jim Holland

STURGIS, SD (4/13/2015) – Scott Rysdon, President/CEO of Sioux Falls-based Sioux Steel Company announces plans to relocate and expand their HiQual Livestock Equipment manufacturing division to the Sturgis Industrial Park. Renovation of the facility at 3551 Mayer Avenue will soon be underway. Production will begin in June.

The manufacturing operation will initially include welding and finish assembly for HiQual’s extensive line of livestock handling equipment. At capacity, the plant will employ 50 welders, assemblers, machine operators, painters, and general laborers. Applications can be downloaded at hr@siouxsteel.com.

Scott Rysdon is the fourth generation owner of Sioux Steel, which was founded in 1918. Scott states, “I am proud of the strong heritage and extensive manufacturing capabilities of the Sioux Steel family of companies. It is a natural for us to continue to grow our agricultural product line in the Sturgis Industrial Park. We are pleased with the tremendous support provided by the Sturgis Economic Development Corp in accomplishing this next step in our company’s growth.”

SEDC President Pat Kurtenbach states, “SEDC is pleased to welcome Sioux Steel and HiQual Livestock Equipment as our newest neighbor in the Sturgis Industrial Park. The agricultural industry and metals-related manufacturing are important components to our local economy. The local manufacture and distribution of the HiQual livestock product line will benefit our whole region.”

Information on Sioux Steel can be found on their website at www.siouxsteel.com. Information on Hi Qual can be found on their website at www.hiqualequipment.com.

STURGIS, SD (3/27/2015) – Don Policky, President of Big D Oil, announces plans to construct a Big D convenience store and gas station at 2800 Junction Avenue, Exit 32, Sturgis. In addition to Big D, the 5,300 sq. ft. building on 2-acres will feature an Arby’s restaurant and drive thru. Don Policky and Arby’s franchise owner Rick Bentley expect to have the businesses open by the 75^th Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally™ in August 2015.

Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie states, “We are pleased to welcome Arby’s and Big D to the rapidly expanding Sturgis business community.  Arby’s and Big D will be welcoming draws for residents and interstate travelers alike.  The long term efforts for economic development along the Junction Avenue and Vanocker Canyon corridor is becoming a reality.”

Big D owner Don Policky states, “We cannot say enough good things about how well the City of Sturgis has embraced our expansion to its community. The Council and staff have been great to work with to meet our requests to develop this parcel. We appreciate their efforts and look forward to joining the exciting business growth underway on Junction Avenue.”    

Big D Oil was formed in 1938. This will be its 31^st store. It currently operates in 30 locations in Wyoming and western South Dakota. The Sturgis store will offer the Mobil product line and carry a full range of convenience items with hot and cold food prepared on-site.

ANAMOSA, IA (March 11, 2015) – After years of J&P Cycles holding down fort in Sturgis the weeks before, during and after the annual Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally™, a permanent, year-round retail center will open its doors in June.

The facility, located at 1650 Lazelle Street, will undergo a facelift prior to its opening. While the square footage will not increase, the building will have a fresh look on the outside as well as inside. The motorcycle aftermarket retail giant’s new Sturgis retail center will house a wide assortment of motorcycle parts and accessories, including exhausts, seats, windshields, saddlebags as well as leathers and other apparel items, to name a few.

“J&P Cycles has been part of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for over 30 years. With the tourist attractions, traffic and economic development taking place within Sturgis, opening this location year-around is a win-win not only for J&P Cycles, but the City of Sturgis as well,” said J&P Cycles Vice President/General Manager Zach Parham.

Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie comments, “The City of Riders is pleased to welcome J&P Cycles into our community year-round. As the world leader of motorcycle aftermarket parts and accessories, they will provide an exciting and valued service to local and traveling riders, alike. J&P and Sturgis look forward to welcoming millions of riders to the beautiful Black Hills throughout this summer and beyond as we prepare to celebrate the 75th Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally™.”

About J&P Cycles:

J&P Cycles is the world’s largest retailer of aftermarket parts, accessories and apparel for Harley-Davidson and V-Twin Cruiser motorcycles. In business for 36 years, J&P carries a full line of products from the brands you trust: Kuryakyn, Vance & Hines, Performance Machine, Mustang Seats and many more. J&P Cycles delivers the best customer service and offers the best return policy in the industry. For more information, visit www.jpcycles.com and start building your dream today!

Reprint courtesy of Angela Kearney, Marketing Coordinator, 319-462-4819, ext. 8229

Reprinted courtesy of Deb Holland Meade County Time-Tribune

STURGIS (3/9/2015) Monday’s groundbreaking for a business incubator building in Sturgis is the spark that will ignite numerous training opportunities for prospective employees who will fill the needs of Sturgis businesses, one business owner said. 

Irv Stone, owner of Bar Sto Precision, said Sturgis is fortunate to have the new 5,110-square-foot building as a place not only for start-up companies interested in moving to Sturgis, but also for its potential to train machinists who are in high demand. 

The new facility, scheduled to be completed by the fall, is at the entrance to the Sturgis Industrial Park west of Sturgis on the Whitewood Service Road. It will accommodate up to four businesses and will house Sturgis Brown High School’s new CTE machinist program. The initials CTE stand for career and technical education. 

“It’s awesome to know that the training is going on right here, and they can come over and see what we do,” Stone said. “We’re creating our next group of employees. You can’t beat that.” 

The students will get a well-rounded education with the addition of the new building. 

“They will get the basics, but they are also going to get the ‘real world’ training,” Stone said. “You can’t put a price on what they are going to get.”

Rangel Construction is the general contractor of the building that is being paid for through federal and state grants, as well as matching funds. A $99,999 USDA Rural Development match grant was awarded to Sturgis Economic Development Corporation for the project. Additionally, two future fund grants totaling $187,967 were awarded by Gov. Dennis Daugaard to the Meade School District and SEDC. 

“This wouldn’t have happened without everybody’s participation,” said Pat Kurtenbach, SEDC President. Kurtenbach says it’s exciting to finally break ground for the building. “It’s been a dream of ours for many years to get this up and constructed,” she said. 

About 1,800 square feet of the building will be for the CTE classroom and hands-on lab. 

“This project is helping to not only develop commercial and industrial growth, but ultimately it’s investing in the future — our future workforce,” Kurtenbach said. 

Because metal fabrication, welding and other metal-related manufacturing are key economic drivers for the Meade County economy, Kurtenbach said the new CTE program will have a profound impact on the local economy. 

“We just want to be able to grow our own” machinists, Kurtenbach said. 

Another key factor is that the training facility will be on-site in the industrial park, and students will be able to attend class, then put into practice what they learned while interning with local manufacturers. 

The remainder of the 5,110-square-foot building will be available for lease to entrepreneurs. 

“It will give (people) a chance to excel and move up within their current company, or start their own, ultimately creating new positions for machinists and welders,” Kurtenbach said.

Excerpts Reprinted Courtesy of Deb Holland Meade County Times-Tribune

Sturgis, SD (3/4/2015) Meade County voters soundly defeated a proposal in which the county would have used a tax increment financing district to pay for a 5.7-mile road east of Sturgis. Unofficial results showed 2,493 voting against the financing plan to 853 for it.

STURGIS, SD (3/3/2015) – The Board of Directors of the Sturgis Economic Development Corp (SEDC) invite the public to a groundbreaking ceremony for the industrial incubator building on Monday, March 9, at 2:00 pm. It will be held at the construction site at the entrance to the Sturgis Industrial Park, 1110 Industry Road. Immediately following the ceremony, refreshments will be served next door at Iverson Construction.

Rangel Construction is the general contractor for the 5,110 sq. ft. flexible spec building. The building is designed to accommodate up to four businesses. It will give smaller start-up companies an opportunity to lease space that can be finished to suit their specific needs. Companies interested in acquiring space in the building should contact SEDC at 347-4906.

It will also be used for educational purposes. The Sturgis Brown High School’s new CTE machinist program will be housed in the east unit. This section of the building will be completed by Fall 2015 for the newly equipped machine shop and classroom to provide hands-on training in an industrial environment.

The incubator building is made possible by federal and state grants, as well as, matching funds. A $99,999 USDA Rural Development RBEG match grant was awarded to SEDC for the project. Additionally, a $100,000 Future Fund grant was awarded by Gov. Dennis Daugaard to the Meade School District and SEDC.

“Metals-related manufacturing is a large component of our region’s industrial sector and a huge contributor to our economy each year,” said Pat Kurtenbach, SEDC President. “This project is helping to not only develop commercial and industrial growth, but ultimately it’s investing in the future—our future workforce.”

Sturgis, SD (2/24/2015) – On March 3, Meade County residents will have an opportunity to vote on Referendum Resolution 2014-4, Creation of Tax Incremental Finance District (TIFD) Number One. The creation of this TIFD is a method of financing the proposed Fort Meade Way road project. After SEDC surveyed our very diverse membership base and gathered input from the Fort Meade VA, the SD Department of Transportation and the County Commission, the SEDC Board of Directors voted to neither publicly support nor oppose the road project. SEDC remains committed to responsible growth and planned development, and encourages everyone to be an informed voter and vote on March 3.

SEDC and the Rushmore Region joined the SD Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and seven other communities at the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) Show in Las Vegas in January. The show had its second largest attendance at nearly 65,000. The firearms industry is a major economic driver for our area. SHOT again proved to be an ideal venue for networking opportunities to strengthen our existing companies and generate new leads. SEDC President Pat Kurtenbach and Black Hills Power’s Mutch Usera look forward to hosting site tours with prospects they met at this year’s show.  

 SEDC attended the International Council of Shopping Centers retail industry trade conference in Omaha in January. It focused on regional, smaller market retailers seeking to expand. It was an excellent opportunity to meet directly with site selectors and brokers to promote the many commercial development opportunities and incentives available in Sturgis and Meade County. One of the retail brokers is expected to tour our area soon.

SEDC recently received a $2,500 marketing support grant from Black Hills Power. The funds will be used to re-design the SEDC website and videos. It has been four years since their last major makeover, and is an SEDC 2015 priority goal. Work on the project will start soon with The HomeSlice Group and TIE Media. 

Construction will begin in March on the 5,110 sq. ft. industrial incubator building at the entrance to the Sturgis Industrial Park. A public groundbreaking ceremony will be coordinated with the construction start. Approximately 1/3 of the building will house the high school’s new CTE machinist program starting in Fall 2015. Other space in the incubator is available for emerging businesses and will be finished to suit their requirements. For information, please contact SEDC. 

Weather permitting, Baron Properties plans to begin construction in March on the first phase of Sierra Vista Apartment Homes, a 48-unit multi-family housing development on Ballpark Road, Sturgis. The first 16 units should be ready for occupancy seven months after the foundation is laid. In the meantime, all leasing inquiries can be directed to Help-U-Rent at 722-7368. This rental management firm is owned by Jenni Tucker and will be located at 1238 Main Street, Suite #2, Sturgis. More information can be found at http://www.help-u-rent.net/ and 

http://sturgisapartments.homesandland.com/.