Business.

The first time Piper Kinder connected two fiber optic cables, she was hooked. The process of perfectly splicing hundreds of hairlike fiber optic strands together may seem daunting, but it’s a job Kinder picked up quickly during her summer internship at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). “It was absolutely fun, it was a really […]

From the time he was a kid, Weston Chapman loved working on cars in the garage with his dad and grandpa. He knew from a young age his calling was  in the automotive industry. He felt immense satisfaction in getting hands-on and seeing a project through to completion. Determined to pursue his passion, Weston attended […]

Looking Back on Four Decades of Community, Lifestyle and Care Westhills Village, a top-rated retirement community in Rapid City, is proud to celebrate 40 years of providing exceptional care and life-planning services to the Black Hills. Since opening its doors in 1984, Westhills Village has evolved to meet the changing needs of those it serves, […]

Andy Scull carries on the family tradition of master craftsmanship When most kids were playing with Tonka trucks and other toy machinery, Andy Scull was learning to operate the real thing. He studied the art of working with his hands by watching his grandfather in the woodshop and spent nights coloring on the building blueprints […]

The second annual Ag Appreciation Event, hosted by Elevate Rapid City, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, Central States Fair, and Monument Health, showcased the exceptional contributions of individuals and businesses to the agricultural industry. The event, which featured a free meal, live entertainment, activities, and an awards ceremony, recognized those who have dedicated their lives to supporting […]

Sunday, August 11 is National Safe Digging Day, also known as 811 Day, Black Hills Energy is offering a chance for area customers to beautify their homes and neighborhoods while promoting safety. In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, Black Hills Energy is giving away a limited number of free trees to customers through their […]

Mark Falcon offers a path to successful living through the plumbing trade Some call them “undesirables.” They call themselves misfits and mangy mongrels (they even have T-shirts). Mark Falcon calls them family. Mark, owner of Loyal Plumbing, prides himself on providing a pathway to a successful trade career for everyone, including many who had previously […]

Solorio family brings a touch of Mexico to Rapid City Walking into Ma Cualli, Rapid City’s newest restaurant, feels like an invitation to a family dinner where authentic homecooked food, conversation, and hospitality are the focus of the menu. That is exactly what owners Mario Solorio and Teresa Núñez wanted when they opened the family-run, […]

The Black Hills Military Affairs Coalition (BHMAC) has named the YMCA Liberty Center the 2024 Military-Friendly Business of the Year. The award recognizes local businesses that strongly support military personnel and their families in the Black Hills region. The YMCA Liberty Center opened its doors in anticipation of the B-21 Raider’s arrival, establishing itself as […]

Local Entrepreneurs Open Second Location in Rapid City, Offering Residents Enhanced Access to Freshly Roasted Quality Coffee Dunn Brothers Coffee, the Minneapolis-based coffee brand famed for freshly roasting its globally sourced single-origin green beans daily, is excited to announce the grand opening of its second location in Rapid City. The O’Connor family, proud owners of […]

Looking for a new place to call home? Apartment hunting is about to get much easier, with an upcoming open house allowing you to tour seven Rapid City-area properties from Lloyd Companies in the same day. The Lloyd Companies July 13 Open House will feature many properties with immediate availability, along with brand-new communities where […]

KLJ Engineering LLC (KLJ), announced the recent addition of Casey Knutsen to their team as a Municipal Civil Engineer in Rapid City, S.D. With a solid foundation in civil engineering, Knutsen is poised to make significant contributions to KLJ’s municipal projects. Knutsen brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to his new role. Prior […]

In late 2022, real estate agent Jess Skinner came across a listing with her broker for a sweet business opportunity: The Silver Lining Creamery in Downtown Rapid City was looking for new ownership. Even though Jess and her husband Cody were novices to the world of operating a creamery, there was just something about this […]

For the past 140 years, Black Hills Energy has been improving life with energy. The company’s roots take us back to 1883 in Deadwood, South Dakota, where Black Hills Electric Light Company first illuminated the mining town. Fourteen decades later, the company’s trusted presence has empowered the success of its now 1.3 million natural gas […]

Andrea Schaefer adds flair to Rapid City with new alternative fashion offerings Andrea Schaefer has always been a creative free spirit who loves to make a statement, and that is exactly what she envisioned when opening Blissed Alternative Fashion. The former professional dancer and studio owner recently opened a new clothing store at 412 Oshkosh […]

Patnoe Family Continues Generations of Growth with Industry Acquisitions Creating a company with staying power, especially for four generations, is not possible without both consistency and chasing growth. In the last decade, Liberty Superstores has not only stayed, but more than doubled its presence in Rapid City and the region. The most recent series of […]

The Black Hills Area Community Foundation (BHACF) launched Thriving Communities this year, an annual $100,000 initiative designed to harness the collective wisdom of the community. Each year, Black Hills residents will select a meaningful cause by voting in an online survey. At the end of the year, the Community Foundation will award at least $100,000 […]

Creating a Culture of Employee Empowerment As a seventh grader, Kyle Lambert knew his future profession. When asked to write a paper on his career choice, the middle schooler was not sure at first. “I went to the library and found a book on growing careers and accounting was one of them. I decided at […]

Eric Hawronsky Takes the Legendary Black Hills Bagels to the Next Level When an opportunity presents itself, taking a chance to make a change can yield a high reward. Getting another opportunity to dive into the food service industry wasn’t something Eric Hawronsky was expecting, but it is one he is grateful for. Eric grew […]

For Beth Lambeth, it is all about helping others build connections. In her newest role as South Dakota Mines associate vice president for research-innovation and entrepreneurship, that means helping students and faculty obtain the resources and partnerships available to turn their ideas into reality. It is a role that she is passionate about. “I am […]

National Donut Day (Friday, June 7 this year) is upon us, offering the perfect excuse to indulge in one of America’s favorite treats. Whether you’re looking for a classic glazed donut, a filled long john, or something more unique, Rapid City has a variety of bakeries that cater to every donut lover’s cravings. Here’s your […]

Black Hills Surgical Hospital is expanding its services and will begin offering heart and vascular care in conjunction with the opening of the Black Hills Heart & Vascular Institute in the fall of 2024. Led by three highly trained physicians with deep expertise in this rapidly evolving medical field, the Black Hills Heart & Vascular […]

Corporate, Education and Government Organizations to Benefit from AVI’s Expanded Presence Serving Western South Dakota, Northeastern Nebraska, and Wyoming AVI Systems, the largest global AV/UC systems integrator, today announced it has acquired the commercial audiovisual business of Sound Pro based in Rapid City, South Dakota. Sound Pro is a locally owned and operated provider of […]

Several new food and drink options have opened in Rapid City lately. With the consistent growth the community is seeing, more are sure to follow. Here are six of the newest additions to the Rapid City dining scene. Expanding with Espresso Southwest Rapid City brewery, Last Mile Brewery, added a new addition. Last month they […]

Black Hills hospitality leader Erik Olsby is the general manager of the new Hyatt Place in downtown Rapid City. Olsby began his role this spring overseeing operations of the 117-room hotel under construction in the Block 5 redevelopment on Saint Joseph Street between Fifth and Sixth streets. “We’re thrilled to welcome Erik to the Lloyd […]

Mycroft Liu is no stranger to the gaming community. In fact, he is currently ranked as one of the top 500 Counter-Strike players in North America. As such, he knows the needs of the players beyond entertainment. For many, online gaming is not only a way to relax, it is a way to socialize and […]

Workshop Designed for Start-Up In-Home Child Care Providers Childcare shortages persist as a pressing challenge for many families across South Dakota. Recognizing the need for proactive solutions, a coalition of organizations is working together to empower individuals to be part of the remedy. In response to the demand for more childcare in our communities, a […]

BankWest Chairman and CEO Charles H. Burke III recently announced the awarding of 22 BankWest Scholarships to students from across South Dakota for the 2024-25 school year. Students will each receive a $1,500 scholarship to pursue post-secondary education at a school of their choice. Three of these students are from Rapid City. “Through our scholarship […]

Next week, May 19-25, is National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW). An industry no one in the Black Hills is a stranger to. But just how much of an impact have we seen? Visit Rapid City recently put together the numbers. In 2023, 3.8 million people visited Rapid City. “The travel and tourism industry is […]

September 1991 was a life-changing time for Dan Smith. Military cutbacks left the California native and Air Force Reservist pilot scrambling to pay the mortgage on his new home and meet the basic needs for him and his wife. “It was almost like getting fired,” Dan said of his 80 percent decrease in pay. “We […]

Tourism plays a pivotal role in South Dakota’s economy, supporting more than 7,200 jobs across various sectors, including yours. While the breathtaking landscapes and iconic landmarks of the Black Hills are undeniable draws for visitors, it is the personal interactions and hospitality of locals that truly define the Rapid City experience. For those immersed in […]

Building something from essentially nothing is something manufacturers do each and every day. Sometimes the process begins with raw materials. Other times it is various components later to be assembled. And other times, it’s taking source ingredients and transforming them into something new – like your favorite wine or beer. Throughout the Black Hills region, […]

Born and raised in a small farming town in southern Arizona, Dallin Christensen believed he would always be a desert boy. “I sort of thought I would live my whole life there,” said the newest partner at West River Ear, Nose, & Throat. His plans began to change shortly after moving to Utah to attend […]

Key things to know: Onshoring manufacturing played a key role in the expansion New facility is 225,000 square feet Over 200 jobs to be created Phase Technologies was founded in Rapid City in 1999. They developed the world’s first digital phase converter called the Phase Perfect Digital Phase Converter. Today, they rely on a team […]

RESPEC Company, LLC (RESPEC) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Enviromin, Inc. (Enviromin), an environmental geochemistry and microbiology company in Bozeman, Montana, effective May 1. This acquisition bridges the complementary strengths of both companies and offers innovative approaches that integrate biogeochemistry with mining and geotechnical engineering expertise to develop safe, cost-effective, and sustainable design […]

Now Available in Celebration for Mother’s Day Fork Real Community Café collaborated with local area businesses to put together the Pampered Passport. The passport is on sale for $38 or $70 for two passes. The Pampered Passport features free items, discounts, and special services at 20+ local businesses in Rapid City. The total value adds […]

The Black Hills Region of South Dakota, home to Ellsworth Air Force Base and the South Dakota National Guard Camp Rapid, is one of three communities across the country selected as a 2024 Great American Defense Community. The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) announced the three selected communities in conjunction with USAA, the program’s official […]

RAPID CITY, SD (April 29, 2024) —South Dakota Mines (SDM) announces the retirement of President Jim Rankin, Ph.D. P.E., effective June 21. After six years of dedicated leadership, Rankin leaves a legacy of achievement and impact on the institution, solidifying its position as a premier engineering institution nationwide. “South Dakota Mines is a university with […]

As the warmth of summer descends on Rapid City, local attractions eagerly swing open their gates to welcome guests once again. After a long winter, there’s nothing better than getting out and taking in the many delights that Rapid City holds in its backyard. And if you’re a city resident, several perennial favorites are setting […]

Elevate Rapid City is in the final week of collecting comprehensive data on the impacts of childcare. The work will give a better understanding of the relationship between access to affordable childcare and its effect on the workforce in Pennington, Meade, and Custer counties. The deadline to complete the survey is April 26. They are […]

Rapid City Regional Airport set a new record for Q1 passenger enplanements in 2024, with 70,798 passengers boarding flights. This number exceeds the previous record of 57,695 set in 2019 and represents an increase of 19.7% from Q1 2023. “Air travel is flourishing in the western South Dakota region, with record enplanement numbers underscoring the […]

The annual Fuel the Growth economic development course has received accreditation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This prestigious endorsement solidifies the course’s reputation as a leading program in economic development in the country.    Fuel the Growth has been providing valuable training for economic development professionals, board members, community leaders, businesspersons, and elected […]

South Dakota Mines students, faculty, and staff will join a variety of community groups to celebrate cultures from around the world with food, entertainment and displays during the annual South Dakota Mines Cultural Expo. International students at Mines have been sharing their cultures with the community with an annual event for more than 60 years. […]

The February 2024 numbers are in. Rapid City’s average weekly wages were $1,024. This means for the first time in Rapid City’s history, the average weekly earnings of all employees have surpassed $1,000. The previous record of $995 was in October 2023. This also places Rapid City at the top of South Dakota cities. In […]

Beginning April 1, TSP, Inc. will be in its temporary office. This move is a first step as TSP prepares to move into a new office. TSP, Inc. is a multidisciplinary architecture, engineering, and planning firm. It has been in the Black Hills region for more than 50 years. The investment in a new office […]

The South Dakota Engineering Society (SDES) is a local society of professional engineers (PE) and engineers in training (EIT) from all disciplines. The society promotes the ethical and competent practice of engineering, advocates licensure, enhances the image of its members, and advocates legislation and public policy for the betterment of human welfare and the profession. […]

On March 1, 1999, Lori Eggersgluess first opened the doors of Mystique Edge Salon & Spa in downtown Rapid City. In these 25 years in business, Mystique Edge has proven to be a haven of relaxation and self-care that has stood the test of time. Lori knew she wanted to be a hairstylist since she […]

Signed Up Sports is a comprehensive service that supports coaches, athletic directors, and business owners nationwide in managing their athletic camps. They assist with registration, data management, payment processing, and marketing—all at no cost to the clients. Something you may not know is that Signed Up Sports is one of several software companies getting its […]

Your guide to celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day Downtown Rapid City Kick-off this Saint Patrick’s Day with an All Nations Parade in downtown Rapid City. The parade is a chance to celebrate the diversity of our community, heritage, and roots – all in a fun, family-friendly environment. The parade begins Saturday, March 16 at 10 am. […]

Tiffani Taylor-Robertson owner of T-N-T Events & Marketing, constantly looking for ways to spice things up The popular saying “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” is not a mantra Tiffani “Tif” Taylor-Robertson lives by.  It is quite the opposite.  When a former colleague needed help with a national convention in Las Vegas, Tif, who […]

“As a kid, I would watch the Food Network instead of the Disney channel,” says Jess Tolman-Stickney, owner of Rapid City’s newest food truck, Fika. After working several food service jobs, entrepreneurship seemed like a natural next step. Mentorship and support from industry veterans fueled Jess’ confidence to leap into business ownership by acquiring a […]

This week, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman announced the National Small Business Week (NSBW) 2024 Award Winners, comprised of business owners, lending partners, and advocates who embody the grit and determination that power our nation’s economy and ensure disaster-impacted communities can recover. This year’s NSBW will take place April 28-May 4, […]

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday, March 8 for the West River Health Science Center. The $15 million center, located at the Black Hills State Campus in Rapid City, allows the SDSU College of Nursing to fully move to this site. This creates room for nursing skills labs, a simulation center, and nursing faculty offices. […]

Finding Her True Design  Monika Johncour trades military life for one of deep breathing and beautiful scenery It took Monika Johncour decades, but she finally has her dream life. One that fits exactly who she is meant to be and one that is miles away from her previous life in the military.  In a spur-of-the-moment […]

BankWest Learning & Development representatives received three distinguished awards at Training Magazine’s APEX Awards event. For the fifth year in a row, BankWest was named an APEX award winner based on the quality and impact of the company’s training and development initiatives. BankWest received its highest award ranking to date, placing 21st among 105 applicants. Training magazine is […]

Rapid City’s business environment is showing positive signs of growth, with a significant increase in building permit valuations. Here’s the breakdown from the February 2024 building permit report: February Permits: In February 2024, the city issued 157 building permits, totaling over $45.4 million. This is the second-highest February on record. The number of permits issued […]

The Black Hills Defense and Industry Symposium is coming to The Box Elder Events Center, April 10- 11, 2024. This annual event will bring leaders of academia, research, industry, military, and the Black Hills communities together for meaningful dialogue on the importance of defense investment in western South Dakota. Leaders will discuss how attendees can […]

Carrie Gerlach has been sharing her love of adventure and the Black Hills for nearly two decades. Just a few years after starting Black Hills Adventure Tours, Carrie Gerlach’s life took a dramatic turn. As a single mom with two kids, she didn’t know how she could continue her company while fulfilling the basic needs […]

As South Dakota’s oldest brewery, the Firehouse Brewing Co. has long stood as a pioneer in the local beer scene. The brewery is poised to embark on its next chapter of growth and innovation. Last year, they brought on Head Brewer Mike Beebe. This brings a fresh perspective and a commitment to building on Firehouse’s […]

WalletHub ranks Rapid City among top tier of 182 ranked cities for happiness Rapid City was ranked among the nation’s happiest cities to live in the nation in a report released this week by WalletHub. Rapid City ranked 36th among the top 182 cities referenced in the report. WalletHub compared 182 of the largest cities, […]

Employee engagement partner Energage recently awarded Black Hills Federal Credit Union (BHFCU) the 2024 Great Plains Top Workplaces award. The award identifies BHFCU as a premier workplace across all industries in the Midwest Region (SD, ND, WY, NE, KS.) BHFCU asks staff to provide feedback through the Energage Workplace Survey each year. Top Workplaces uses […]

Diamond E Collective, a new restaurant, venue, and hub for community gatherings, has opened its doors in downtown Rapid City. Nestled in the former Bashful Bison location at 523 Main Street, it’s a place where friends can come together and create lasting memories. Cindy Tolle of Evergreen Ranching and Livestock is the owner of Diamond […]

Clint Cox knew he needed a change. The Miami hotel management and consulting company he worked for was going through some transition, and the Texas native decided it was a good time to move on. After earning his MBA from Florida International University, Clint began his search for something new. That something new brought Clint […]

In September 2022, Dream Design International broke ground for the Black Hills Industrial Center construction. The hope is to improve the wage scale and boost the local economy by adding sustainable industries to this new manufacturing hub. Situated in the southeast corner of Rapid City, this expansive 700+ acre industrial site is strategically tailored to […]

More than 30 years ago, Black Hills Federal Credit Union (BHFCU) established the Community Action Team (CAT) program. This program reflects the company’s commitment to empowering its employees to better the communities they serve. 40 employees served as CAT program co-chairs to organize giving opportunities in 2023. The BHFCU CAT program covers their locations throughout […]

For the second year in a row, Black Hills Surgical Hospital (BHSH) has been ranked as the #1 Hospital in the Nation for Major Orthopedic Surgery for Medical Excellence by CareChex®. BHSH has also been ranked as the #1 Hospital in the Nation for Major Orthopedic Surgery for Patient Safety – achieving the nation’s top […]

After growing up and living in eastern South Dakota for many years, Bri Vande Pol and her husband decided it was time for a change of scenery for their adventure-seeking family. They didn’t have to travel far to find the change they were looking for; they set their sights on the west side of the […]

Celebrate President’s Day in a brand new way this year. After more than a year of development, Visit Rapid City created a City of Presidents Audio Tour for downtown Rapid City. There are two ways to experience the new audio tour: a mobile tour or a dial-in tour. Plaques with a dial-in number and QR […]

Plato’s Closet will soon be moving from its Omaha Street location in Rapid City to 262 N Cambell Street. The building was formerly Black Hills IP. The official opening of the new Plato’s Closet location will be on February 24. After 10 years in their former building, this move to Cambell Street will allow customers […]

Two years after relocating to Rapid City, South Dakota, Cole-TAC, LLC has been able to hire more people than in the 6 years the company operated in New Hampshire. Now, the company is ready to expand its operations once again. Cole-TAC, LLC is a tactical accessory manufacturer, founded in 2015. What started as an 8200-square-foot […]

3/1/2024 Update – The nomination window for 2024 is now closed. Keep an eye out for the April issue of Elevate magazine to see who was named 40 under 40. Nominations for 2025 will open in January 2025. Rapid City Business Journal is seeking nominations for the 2024 40 Under 40 in the Black Hills […]

Rapid City’s building industry kicked off 2024 with a bang, boasting the highest January valuation for building permits since 2018. The City’s Building Services Division issued 161 permits in January, totaling over $35.3 million, exceeding the $30.6 million recorded in January 2023. “The year is off to a solid start,” said Community Development Director Vicki […]

Robert Julian and Katelyn Flowers-Velasquez love exploring different places – the food, the culture, the people.  The couple, both in their 30s, have traveled between both coasts and across continents. But when Julian’s friend told him about an IT job for Katelyn in South Dakota, Julian hesitated in telling his southwestern-born girlfriend about the opportunity. […]

The South Dakota Development Corporation (SDDC) recently recognized Marie Darling, a Business Lender at Black Hills Federal Credit Union in downtown Rapid City as the January Lender of the Month. “As a relatively new member of the commercial lending space, I was very honored when I learned I’d been named Lender of the Month,” Marie […]

West Plains Engineering (WPE) announces Doug Feterl, P.E. is stepping down to retire from his position as company President. The firm has planned for Marty Christensen, P.E. to take over as Feterl’s replacement effective January 26th, 2024. Feterl has been with the firm for 32 years and served as President since 2014. He was one […]