STURGIS, SD (5/17/2016) – A groundbreaking ceremony for Rasmussen Mechanical Services will be held Thursday, May 19^th at 10:00 a.m. at the construction site on Mayer Avenue in the Sturgis Industrial Park. The public is invited to attend and meet owner Brian Rasmussen, as well as, local manager and Sturgis native Ryan Aldren, to learn more about this exciting business relocation. Refreshments will follow at Iverson Construction, also in the Sturgis Industrial Park.  

Sturgis will become the regional service center for Rasmussen’s boiler, burner and HVAC divisions. Kingsbury Design and Drafting designed the 9,600 sq. ft. custom building. Iverson Construction will build the facility. It will sit on 1.5 acres and be completed in Fall 2016.  

Rasmussen Mechanical is a family business based in Council Bluffs, Iowa that has been providing services and parts to commercial, industrial and institutional clients throughout the Central United States for 46 years. Rasmussen Mechanical is one of the Midwest’s only contractors to offer customers all of their necessary mechanical needs with the use of one contractor. They currently operate eight locations in five states. Their new regional service center in Sturgis will have 12 full time and 3 part time employees.  

Owner Brian Rasmussen states, “This expansion has been a two year process. After carefully considering several locations throughout the Black Hills, we are excited that we have found our new home in the Sturgis Industrial Park. We look forward to being a part of the Sturgis business community for many years.”

SEDC President Pat Kurtenbach adds, “Rasmussen Mechanical Services has an outstanding reputation for quality and service. We have enjoyed working with them on their site selection process and are pleased that they have chosen the Sturgis Industrial Park to be their regional service center. We welcome them to Sturgis.”

STURGIS, SD (5/3/2016) – A groundbreaking ceremony for Discovery Kids University was held Tuesday, May 3^rd, at 10:00 a.m. at the site located off Exit 32 at the corner of Old Stone Road and Starline Drive, Sturgis. The public met representatives from Discovery Kids University and learned more about this exciting new child care service for area families.  

Iverson Construction will build the custom designed 6,000 sq. ft. facility and 5,000 sq. ft. outdoor play area located on a 1+ acre parcel. Discovery Kids University plans to open in August 2016. They will offer South Dakota child care licensed services including pre-k programming and after-school care. They will be able to accommodate up to 120 children and families and will offer extended hours Monday – Friday, 5:00 am – 7:30 pm. Discovery Kids University will employ 20-25 full time and 10 part time certified staff.

Discovery Kids University desires to be a resource center for the entire family on both an educational and artistic level. Offering more than just care, their programs will branch into tutoring, music, family advocacy and wellness classes. Student and family resources will include an on-site family and child therapist, as well as, classes and events designed to encourage strong community and family relationships.

Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen states, “The City Council and I are tremendously excited to welcome this first-class child care provider to our community.  Discovery Kids University will ensure that families have high quality options which will only enhance Sturgis’ already high quality of life for every family at every stage of life.”

With the phenomenal growth in housing and jobs, additional child care services have been identified as a critical need for Sturgis. Over the past two years, the Sturgis Economic Development Corp (SEDC) and the City of Sturgis have been working consistently to establish a State-licensed child care center of this size.

SEDC President Pat Kurtenbach adds, “In meeting with several area employers, it was readily apparent that more child care services were needed to support their recruitment and retention efforts. Also, we want to make sure that we are doing all we can to support the substantial investment by developers in new housing. Adding the type of child care services offered by Discovery Kids University will insure Sturgis continues to encourage growth and offer a family-oriented lifestyle. We heartily welcome Discovery Kids University to Sturgis.”

For the past five years, development in both the City of Sturgis and Meade County has been on a phenomenal fast track that encompasses commercial, residential and industrial growth. At the center of much of the momentum is the private, non-profit Sturgis Economic Development Corp (SEDC), along with City, County and other vital development partners.

In 2015, SEDC assisted 10 businesses as they expanded and relocated. They include a diversity of manufacturing, retail, food and automotive services located throughout Sturgis and the Sturgis Industrial Park. The 125 jobs associated with HiQual, Landsport, Domino’s, Big D, Arby’s, Jake’s Collision Center, BH Laundry, J&P Cycles, Indian Motorcycle Sturgis and Scott Peterson Motors comprise a $5 million payroll which generates a larger economic impact as it circulates throughout the area.

Also in 2015, SEDC worked with developers and the City of Sturgis to encourage construction of new residential units to address the housing needs identified in the City’s 2014 housing study. Construction soon started on Dolan Creek Estates, Canyon View Estates and Sierra Vista apartment homes. When fully complete, they will provide a mix of 173 single-family, twin-home and multi-family housing to support the growing Sturgis and Meade County economies.

With funding assistance from the USDA, State of SD and Meade School District, SEDC built the industrial incubator in the Sturgis Industrial Park. This 5,100 sq. ft. building is designed to encourage start-up businesses by offering flexible lease space. Only 3,360 sq. ft. is currently available as the remainder of the building is occupied by Meade School District’s machine tool technology course. This course introduces students to the skills required to be successful in metals-related manufacturing, a high-demand industry in Sturgis and Meade County.

With the recent addition of manufacturers HiQual and Landsport to the Sturgis Industrial Park, as well as land sales to three businesses, the 45-acre Park is nearly full.

Much of the tremendous growth the City of Sturgis is experiencing today began with the 2008 Future Sturgis initiative funded in part by SEDC. This landmark effort defined a grass-roots movement charged with identifying areas of improvement to enhance Sturgis’ live-ability index. Its recommendations were incorporated into the Sturgis Comprehensive Plan and today form the platform for many of the City’s business- and growth-friendly decisions.

Meade County implemented their new discretionary formula in 2010. In South Dakota, it was an unprecedented incentive program offering 5-year tax relief on new commercial construction. Since its inception, commercial construction starts throughout Meade County have surpassed $31 million, an amount only dreamed of previously. As SEDC markets the many assets of our area, this remains an important development tool.

With all this behind us, what lies ahead? SEDC plans continued collaboration with development partners to implement initiatives that enhance our area’s growing assets. These key initiatives include residential developments for independent seniors and affordable workforce housing, childcare services with Pre-K programming to support residential growth and prepare children for the classroom, continued commercial expansion to generate services and tax revenues, and further industrial growth through construction of a spec building and development of a new industrial park.

SEDC’s 15-member volunteer board and staff remain committed to their vision of shaping our future by being the catalyst and collaborative leader in responsible development for Sturgis and Meade County.  

Reprint courtesy of Deb Holland Meade County Times-Tribune staff. Photo courtesy of Bob Davis.

April 20, 2016

Sturgis is seeing unprecedented growth at every turn.

And those working to stoke the economic development train say this type of growth is nothing short of phenomenal.

“We don’t sit and wait for things to happen. We are actively out there looking to raise the bar,” said Pat Kurtenbach, president of the Sturgis Economic Development Corp.

SEDC does this by using its strategies of growing business, developing infrastructure, building partnerships, creating awareness and growing its organization.

“When I started, we decided as a board that we really needed to have a good plan of what I wanted out of the organization, what the board wanted and what we needed as a community,” she said.

The past year has been phenomenal, Kurtenbach said.

Twelve businesses have either opened or expanded in Sturgis during that time. 

“It’s wonderful, because it is just all around business. It’s not focused into one sector or industry,” Kurtenbach said.

And those businesses aren’t just showing up in the industrial park as had been the tradition in Sturgis.

“We’re working hard to make sure we have it spread around the area,” Kurtenbach said.

Those new and expanded businesses will employ about 130 people, she said. Given the multiplier effect of 1.5, those 130 jobs creates 195 jobs in the community.

“What that basically means is that for every job that is created other ancillary or secondary jobs are required,” she said.

Growth within the city of Sturgis for 2015 has been amazing, Kurtenbach said.

The valuation of construction permits in the city jumped to $13.9 million this year, a 4.65 percent increase over last year. That’s amazing considering that in 2010 the value of construction permits was at just $2.9 million.

“Since then we have had a little uptick, then a downturn, but now the last two years have Additionally, sales tax growth in Sturgis for 2013-2015 has outpaced both Spearfish and Rapid City, plus the state.

“It’s not saying we are making more money. It says that we are growing faster than either of our sister communities and the state,” she said. “People now have a reason to spend money in Sturgis.”

Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie said even when the city takes out the rally months for comparison purposes, the city had a nearly 10 percent growth in sales tax in 2015.

“That goes to show that we are having more tourists throughout the summer season and that is huge for us. We also are seeing larger events throughout the year that are drawing more people,” he said.

Among those are the annual Sturgis Supermoto, which this year will be televised over the July Fourth weekend.

“When you have things like that completely fill every single motel room, the restaurants are busy and so are the stores,” Ainslie said.

To make his point to city council members about out-of-towners shopping in Sturgis, Ainslie took photos of license plates in the parking lot of the local ShopKo Hometown store during the Supermoto weekend.

“They were from Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota and Minnesota. That’s meaningful economic change,” he said. “If we can make businesses successful here in Sturgis they will reinvest in our community.”

And when the businesses are paying more in taxes the city is able to use those funds to make improvements in the community, Ainslie said.

“We’re able to redo things at the community center, at Lion’s Club Park, and on local roads. If our sales tax weren’t increasing we wouldn’t be able to do any of those things,” he said. “We would be back to cutting and saying, ‘how can we save more money.’ Instead we can look into how we can invest and make our community a better place.”

Ainslie points to 2014 as an exciting year for business on west Main Street. At one point three businesses were under construction – Sturgis Laundry, CBH Corporate offices and Sturgis Indian Motorcycle.

“There were all three under construction on a side of Main that five years ago no one thought anything was ever going to happen. Now it’s a retail center,” he said.

Retail success can snowball and lead to more retail success, Ainslie said. And despite what nasayers have said for years, Sturgis may just be righting the ship when it comes to a retail environment.

“New business brings in jobs, which means more demand for housing and more retail,” he said. “Now everyone, whether it’s the city, SEDC, the chamber are focused on how can we make these lasting improvements so that in 15 years we can look back and say the community is far better off than we ever were before.”

Sturgis, SD (4/20/16) – At the March 31^st Annual Meeting of Members of the Sturgis Economic Development Corp (SEDC), it was announced that Ron Rosenboom (West River Foundation), Lonnie Isam (Competition Distributing) and Irving Stone, III (Bar-Sto Precision Machine) were re-elected to 3-year Board terms.

At the April 20^th SEDC Board meeting, the 2016 slate of officers was chosen. They are: Paul Bisson, Chair; Scott Sabers (Sabers Agency) Vice-Chair; and Scott Reiman (First Interstate Bank), Treasurer. Other 2016 SEDC Board Members are: Jeff Dragseth (CBH Cooperative), Don Kirkegaard (Meade School District), Clint Brengle (HomeSlice Group), Mutch Usera (BH Energy), Daniel Ainslie (City of Sturgis), Bob Bertolotto (Meade County), Lonnie Isam (Competition Distributing), Ron Rosenboom (West River Foundation), and Irving Stone III (Bar-Sto Precision Machine). Ex-officio non-voting members are: Ron Waterland (City of Sturgis), Kirk Chaffee (Meade County), Heidi Kruse (Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce), Pat Kurtenbach (SEDC), and Vickie Harter (BHSSC).

STURGIS, SD (4/11/2016) – Xtreme Dakota Bicycles, a new full-service bicycle shop, will open the first part of May in downtown Sturgis. The 3,000 sq. ft. retail store will be located at 920 Harley-Davidson Way. A grand opening will be planned later in May.

Owners Corey Brink and Joel Ortiz will offer a full line of new and used bicycles that cater to the entire family including mountain bikes, BMX, road bikes and scooters. They will carry brands KTM, GT, Devinci, Framed, Schwinn and Charge. They will also carry a supporting line of Under Armour apparel for biking and other outdoor activities. DJ Brink will be the shop manager and provide full-service repair and tune-ups for all bikes.

The Black Hills offers over 200 miles of designated trails and roads for bicycle enthusiasts. Within the next two years, there will be 33 miles of new trails and trail heads added to the Sturgis area. Brink and Ortiz will be ready to capture this growing market and brand Sturgis as a destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

Brink and Ortiz tapped the City of Sturgis’ economic development loan fund to help launch Xtreme Dakota Bicycles. The Sturgis City Council established the fund in 2014 to provide low interest, long term funds to grow certain retail sectors. The targeted retail includes furniture/appliances, outdoor sports/recreation, apparel, lumber/home improvement, general merchandise and hobby/crafts.

Corey Brink states, “The City’s loan fund made it possible for Joel and me to see our dream become real. We have been planning this business for quite a while. The loan fund was vital to helping us stock the store to create an exciting business and shopping experience in downtown Sturgis.”  

The confidential application and review process for the City’s loan fund is handled through the Sturgis Economic Development Corp (SEDC). For more information, contact SEDC President Pat Kurtenbach at 605-347-4906 or pat@sturgisdevelopment.com.

STURGIS, SD (3/11/2016) – For the fourth year, Sturgis Brown High School students toured seven metalwork manufacturers in the Sturgis Industrial Park on March 9^th as part of an enhanced Career Day format.

Thirty students applied for, and were awarded, the opportunity to tour the businesses. Accompanied by faculty, they met with business owners, managers and employees to gain a firsthand perspective on modern manufacturing processes. These processes included software and CNC programming, product development, machining and welding.

Participants also learned about the coursework required for entry-level success, aptitude and skill sets necessary for career success, and regional salary expectations and career development opportunities.

The participating businesses were: Legend Air Suspension, Bar-Sto Precision Machine, Horizon Machine, Dakota Arms/Remington, Landsport, HiQual Livestock Equipment, and Black Hills Manufacturing Services. Students also toured the machine tool training program housed in the new industrial incubator in the Sturgis Industrial Park.

This workforce development initiative is a cooperative effort among the Meade School District 46-1, Sturgis Economic Development Corp (SEDC), and local manufacturers. Pat Kurtenbach, SEDC President states, “This is an exceptional time for students to explore local career options in metalwork manufacturing. The mentoring provided by these manufacturers is an investment in our community’s future.”

Sturgis Brown High School’s new Career Technical Education (CTE) machine tool training program opened in the Sturgis Industrial Park in Fall 2015 with 15 students. It currently has 26 students enrolled. CTE curriculum provides students with dual credits that can apply toward continuing education after high school. It allows students the opportunity to receive advanced degrees at a reduced rate, as well as, faster entry into the workforce. Curriculum has also been developed that allows high school students the opportunity to intern with manufacturers in the Industrial Park.

STURGIS, SD (1/21/16) – Irving Stone III, owner of Bar-Sto Precision Machine, was the honored recipient of the 2016 “Pistolsmith of the Year” award by the American Pistolsmiths Guild (APG). Stone received this prestigious award at the annual APG meeting in Las Vegas on Monday evening, prior to the opening of the annual SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade) Show.

Since 1985, only one Guild member is recognized annually with the APG’s “Pistolsmith of the Year” award. This award carries with it a testament to the recipient’s true talent and benefit to the firearms industry.

The American Pistolsmiths Guild was formed in 1977. The Guild sets gold standards for work, products and business procedures requiring each member to go through rigorous grading, scrutiny, observation, and critical examination in order to achieve membership. Guild members are under constant scrutiny to keep their quality of work and business at the highest standard. Guild members must adhere to a set of precise guidelines created by the Guild to guarantee consumers receive quality work and customer service from any member of the Guild. The APG has become a respected member of the firearms community due to the diligence of its Guild members.

About Bar-Sto Precision:

Bar Sto Precision was formed in California in the 1960’s. In 2010, Irv relocated his business to the Sturgis Industrial Park. Bar-Sto Precision Machine’s auto-pistol barrels have been used by the U.S. Marine Corps Marksman Unit since 1977. The Army Marksmanship Unit also uses them. Bar-Sto barrels have won every major pistol tournament worldwide, including Camp Perry, the U.S.P.S.A. Nationals, Steel Challenge, the Masters, and many more.

Photo Courtesy of Meade County Times-Tribune