PIERRE, S.D. (July 26, 2011) – It’s no secret South Dakota has arguably the best business climate in the nation, and Gov. Dennis Daugaard is working to make sure businesses in other states recognize it.

Starting today, the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development will begin a new marketing campaign that targets California, Illinois and Minnesota businesses.

Gov. Daugaard says the campaign is specifically designed to educate business leaders about the benefits of operating in South Dakota.

“South Dakota is a small state. Because of that, companies sometimes overlook the amazing opportunities we provide,” the Governor said. “We want them to know that South Dakota is consistently rated as one of – if not the most – business-friendly states in the nation. Our low-taxes, positive regulatory environment, stable economy, and highly-productive workforce make South Dakota a great place to expand or open a business.”

For the remainder of the summer, industry leaders in California, Illinois, and Minnesota will receive information about South Dakota’s impressive business climate. The campaign features Gov. Daugaard and includes direct mail, print advertisements and radio commercials.

The marketing campaign will place special emphasis on taxes you won’t find in South Dakota: no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no personal property tax, no business inventory tax, and no inheritance tax.

“South Dakota is fortunate to have a very hospitable regulatory climate and a stable economy. Not all businesses are currently being afforded this kind of business environment,” said Commissioner J. Pat Costello, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “We want those companies to know, South Dakota is open for business.”

Business relocates from East Coast

STURGIS  (8/17/11) – Jessica Carmichael, owner of Sturgis Cigar & Knife Co., recently opened her retail cigar and knife shop at 2275 Lazelle St.  Located in the Sturgis Coffee building, Jessica and husband Cory relocated this portion of the family business in time for the 71^st Rally.  The custom engraving operation will open soon.

     The store features over 50 types of imported cigars, ranging from $3 – $30.  All cigars are housed in a fully encased, cedar-lined walk-in humidor to insure maximum freshness.

     Knives range from pocket knives to swords, and include rare, custom, and military collectibles dating back to the Civil War.

     The Sturgis Cigar & Knife Co. also carries firearms manuals and a variety of unusual gift items.  It will soon offer custom engraving and branding on marble and other unique surfaces.

     Jessica learned of South Dakota’s friendly business and tax climate while attending the 2011 SHOT Show as a vendor, promoting the engraving and printing portion of the business.  “After speaking with members of the GOED, SEDC, City of Sturgis and Meade County, I was amazed at how easy it is to do business here,” states Jessica.  “Everyone has been great to work with.  I’m looking forward to getting involved in the community.”

     The business has plenty of off-street parking and is open Monday-Saturday, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm.  For more info, call 605-347-0177.

     STURGIS  (8/17/11) – Chad Dixon, owner of Long Rifles, Inc., recently relocated to a new 3,300 sq. ft. facility in the Sturgis Industrial Park.  LongRifles, Inc. is staffed by Kalli Reasor and Garrett Caldwell.  Kalli manages daily operations and Garret is a formally trained and highly skilled gunmaker with almost 10 years experience.

     Long Rifles, Inc. opened in 2009, sharing a small section of the Competition Distributing building.  Chad states, “I chose Sturgis because South Dakota is a firearms friendly state and the established network of firearms/ammunition manufacturers in the Sturgis Industrial Park and Black Hills area offers a tremendous resource.”  He goes on to say, “Lonnie and Marianne Isam, owners of Competition Distributing, have been a vital asset to the successful startup of this company. “ 

     As the demand for high quality, custom gun making increases, Chad continues to develop both his client base and inventory of precision CNC equipment.  LongRifles, Inc.’s reputation for accuracy, attention to detail, and personal customer service has earned a solid footprint in domestic and international markets. 

     Chad’s extensive firearms career spans over 20 years.  He’s been a marksmanship instructor and competitive shooter in the Marine Corps, a Gunmaker specializing in Olympic 3P, International Long Range, sporting, and LE/Military tactical rifles.  He’s held management positions with Nesika Bay Precision, The Anschutz National Service Center, and Dakota Arms, Inc.  Chad’s experience also includes a three year tenure as the Chief Armorer and Firearms Instructor for the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.  He has also worked as a Security Contractor throughout the Middle Eastern Theatre.

     For more info, call 605-490-2561 or click www.longriflesinc.com.

PIERRE, SD – South Dakota is again receiving national recognition for its economic health and positive regulatory environment.

A recent study released by the Praxis Strategy Group, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ranks South Dakota the fourth best state in the nation for its efforts to create favorable conditions for business growth and job creation.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard is pleased that the state’s positive business climate is again being recognized nationally.

“These are trying economic times, but we are dedicated to maintaining South Dakota’s outstanding business environment,” the Governor said. “This study reaffirms that South Dakota’s concentrated focus on economic development is one of the best ways to recover from a lagging national economy.”

The study states: “A leader in tax policy and overall job-growth rankings, South Dakota continues to show steady economic performance.  South Dakotans have reasons to be optimistic moving forward.”

Among reasons for South Dakota’s top rankings, the study lists the recent establishment of South Dakota’s targeted tax refund program that provides an incentive for business-building projects; the state’s favorable business-tax climate; South Dakota’s investment in specialized economic development infrastructure, such as SDSU’s Innovation Campus; a stable manufacturing sector; and the Dakota Seeds workforce development program.

Additional South Dakota rankings cited in the study include:

• 1st in the nation for its business tax climate
• 1st in the nation for small business survival
• 2nd in the nation for its productivity growth
• 3rd in the nation for its Gross State Product Growth
• 5th in the nation for its short-term job growth
• 8th in the nation for its long-term job growth

Praxis Strategy Group is an economic research and community strategy company that works with leaders and innovators in business, education, and government to create new economic opportunities.

South Dakota also was recently ranked first in the nation for economic freedom by George Mason University, and third in the nation by the Camelot Index. The Camelot Index measures economic vitality, health, education, crime, society and government.
Excerpts from http://www.sdreadytowork.com/South_Dakota_Ranks_No4.aspx

Sturgis, SD – In November 2010, Meade County Commissioners approved a 5-year, 100% tax abatement on new commercial and industrial construction (or renovation) exceeding $30,000.  The changes to the prior discretionary formula are designed to stimulate commercial development.  Under the new discretionary formula, the full assessed taxes will not be due until the sixth year.  Land taxes remain the same throughout.
Commissioner Doreen Creed said, “It’s very competitive out there right now.  We need to give as much incentive as possible.” Meade County Equalization Director Kirk Chaffee agreed, saying “We’re trying to entice people to build.”
SEDC President Pat Kurtenbach commends the Meade County Commission for their progressive commitment to economic growth, saying, “By implementing this aggressive tax incentive, the Commission has clearly taken the lead in economic recovery efforts.  It is a vital component for our area’s economic toolkit.”
For more info, contact Pat Kurtenbach at 605-347-4906 or info@sturgisdevelopment.com.

Sturgis, SD – As part of SD Rep. Kristi Noem’s Listening Tour, Congresswoman Noem met with approximately 40 Sturgis and Meade County business leaders on June 20, 2011 to discuss economic development and job growth issues.
After presenting a PowerPoint overview of national economic development issues and the current debt status, the Congresswomen quickly moved to local business development topics, such as DUSEL funding, tourism/gas prices, alternative energy development, education system, and infrastructure maintenance and development.

In response to questions concerning the future funding and status of the DUSEL lab, Noem stated that although funding has been a priority for quite some time, there has only been enough secured for maintenance.  “We’re very concerned for the underground lab and recognizing the impact that it has and making sure it is moving forward,” Noem said.
Pat Kurtenbach, President of the Sturgis Economic Development Corp. (SEDC), asked Noem about local infrastructure development and maintenance.  Noem responded that the transportation bill would hopefully be re-activated, thus providing funding to fix deteriorating national infrastructure.  “That is a funding concern, and the fact is that it’s deteriorating and we can’t keep it up and the funding just isn’t there,” Noem said.
Peter Pi, owner of CorBon, implored Noem to be vigilant in protecting the firearms industry and vote against legislation that restricts the right to bear arms.  Firearms is a fast-growing industry in South Dakota, due in part to restrictions in other states.

Sturgis, SD – CorBon, the family-owned American ammunition manufacturer, opened its state-of-the-art law enforcement firearms training center in Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota on June 23, 2011.  CorBon Law Enforcement Training Center (CLETC) combines the weapons and tactical training of Degrata Tactical, Inc. with CorBon ammunitions to bring a national training facility for law enforcement officers.
According to Peter Pi, owner and founder of CLETC, the firearms industry is moving west due to less restrictive firearms laws and positive regulatory environment, which will aid in CLETC’s success.  After spending 25 years in law enforcement, Pi recognized the need for additional training for police officers.  He teamed up with Wade Deuter, lead instructor for Degrata Tactical Inc., to develop the groundwork for CLETC.  Deuter said, “We traveled and trained, but we did not have our own facility.  It was a perfect match.”
This economic development project was aided by private and local financing, a South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) grant, and the newly passed Meade County 5-year tax abatement.  “CLETC not only increases the range of firearms-industry services available in Sturgis and Meade, it increases the value of retail services,” stated Pat Kurtenbach, Sturgis Economic Development Corp. (SEDC) President.  “Since coming to Sturgis in 1995, CorBon has been a leader in creating jobs and a flourishing firearms industry.”
CLETC’s classroom, along with its 25 yard, 20-position turning/shooting range and 90 degree shooting range, will provide advanced law enforcement training including Firearms 101, Level 1 and 2 Pistol, Level 1 and 2 R rifle, and CorBon tactical challenge.  The entire facility, including additional shooting ranges, such as shoot house and indoor shooting range, will be completed by next summer.
For more information, go to http://corbon.com/Law-Enforcement-Training-Center.html

COMPETITION Distributing, which was established in 1969, specializes in the design and manufacture of high performance products, prototyping, pattern design, investment castings, and replacement motor and chassis parts for pre ‘36 Harley-Davidsons.The business was started by Lonnie and Marianne Isam in Houston, Texas, before relocating to Sturgis, South Dakota in 2005.

“After 34 years in the motorcycle business in Texas and going to the Sturgis Rally for 25 of those years, the Black Hills became part of our life,” says Lonnie Isam.“As time went by,we started to shift our business from retail to manufacturing and mail order. Our mail order business grew to over 1,000 products that we make inhouse. It did not take long to realize that Sturgis was in the middle of the USA and we did not need a retail store anymore. Basically, we were ready for a lifestyle change.

“Now we have a 5,000+ sq ft building with over 1,400 products and have just built a new 6,500 sq ft shipping and receiving building. We have found the business climate in South Dakota is very friendly.We built our house on the edge of the Black Hills National Forest, which makes for a nice back yard and just a 10 minute commute to the shop.” Lonnie continues, “Our business is better, our stress is gone, our taxes are lower, we ride more, and, once a year we reunite with all our friends in the motorcycle industry during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.”

The move to Sturgis from Houston for Competition Distributing was easy due to the ability to find skilled employees in the Black Hills area thanks to the proximity of Western Dakota Tech, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and Black Hills State University.

It is not just the availability of skilled staff that made the business decision to move easy for Lonnie and Marianne Isam of Competition Distributing (www.competitiondist.com), there were also significant financial incentives. As a direct result of the move, the company found it had no corporate income tax, no business inventory tax, no personal property tax, no personal income tax and no inheritance tax. Lonnie and Marianne can keep more of what they make. According to Lonnie, their cost of living in Sturgis is 25% less than in Houston. They can reinvest it in their business, or use it to play in their new lifestyle.

“Free to Profit. Free to Play.”is not just a slogan when you move your business to Sturgis, SD. Now Lonnie is repaying Sturgis for the benefits his business has received by sitting on the Board of Directors of the Sturgis Economic Development Corp., where he is also a member of the Executive and Property Committees.