Directions

Directions
“It’s been an exciting process
during the past 20 years,
seeing this community grow
and change. I’m proud to have
been a part of that effort, but
Sioux Falls is all about the
future—and the Development
Foundation will continue to be
a part of that future.”
—Dan Scott
Sanford wins Spirit award,
Scott announces retirement
Philanthropist T. Denny Sanford was this year’s recipient of the Spirit
of Sioux Falls Award at the Sioux Falls Development Foundation’s
annual meeting November 15. The meeting theme, dramatizing the
consistent economic growth of the community, along with its many quality
of life amenities, was Celebrate Sioux Falls.
“As a resident of Sioux Falls for over two
decades, Denny Sanford has seen the growth of
our community,” said Dana Dykhouse,
Development Foundation chair. “He has taken
steps to make the future even brighter here in
Sioux Falls and all across the state of South
Dakota—and perhaps the world.”
In thanking the Development Foundation
for the award, Sanford said “I regard myself as a
member of the team, one component in a
formula for continued success. Together, we are
all striving to make Sioux Falls the best place in
America to live and work.”
The Spirit of Sioux Falls Award is given annually to a person who has
demonstrated excellence in leadership and commitment to economic
development and growth in Sioux Falls. Last year’s winner was Tom Everist.
During the meeting, Dan Scott, president of the Development Foundation
since 1995, announced to the crowd of several hundred business leaders that
he will be retiring on February 1, 2008. Scott, a twenty-year staff member of
the organization, pointed out the many reasons why we should all “Celebrate
Sioux Falls.”
“Dan Scott’s leadership and his understanding of economic development
in South Dakota are well known throughout the state—and around the
region,” Dykhouse said. “All of us at the Development Foundation wish Dan
the very best in his well-deserved retirement.”
The meeting also featured a report by Dykhouse on the successes of
the Sioux Falls Development Foundation during 2007. He introduced the
winners of the Development Foundation’s Spirit of Sioux Falls Scholarships,
Megan Oesterling, a student at Southeast Technical Institute, and Kelsey
Garry, attending USD through the University Center in Sioux Falls.
Holiday Greetings
T. Denny Sanford
Volume 31, Number 6
November-December, 2007
Wishing you
all the best this
holiday season,
with health,
happiness and
prosperity in
the year ahead!

California biotech firm locates in Technology Business Center
A
lphaGenix, Inc., a biotech
company developing
products for diagnostic
use by other research
companies, has relocated to the
South Dakota Technology Business
Center from Carlsbad, California.
Dr. Stephen Hall, the founder and
president of AlphaGenix, is a
graduate of Purdue and Indiana
University who started previous
biotech companies in California.
Hall said that the high cost of
doing business in California,
especially for start-up biotech firms,
is driving these high-potential
companies to locations like Sioux
Falls. The technology incubator, Hall
said, is a perfect fit for businesses like
his that require lab space, a shared
communications infrastructure and
proximity to strong medical
facilities and universities. Hall is
working with both SDSU and USD
on adjunct faculty status and has a
connection with the state school of
medicine, as well.
Dr. Stephen Hall is the president and founder
of AlphaGenix, Inc., now located in the
South Dakota Technology Business Center.
AlphaGenix is currently selling
about 400 products, generating
about a half million dollars in
annual sales, a percentage of which
goes into further research and
development of new products. The
AlphaGenix line is primarily highend
kits which allow researchers to
use specific antibodies to identify
certain types of cells which aid
their work in the causes of disease,
especially neurological maladies
such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
diseases.
The company expects to grow
in Sioux Falls, Hall said. He expects
to have two technicians on staff
soon, and the number could
increase to ten eventually, as the
product line continues to develop.
AlphaGenix has had success in
growing skin cells in the laboratory,
a scientific achievement with
applications in the treatment of
diabetics and burn victims. Hall,
who has a background in
immunology and vaccine development,
is also doing work in cancer
research as well as his specialty in
neurological disorders.
“It was a definite advantage to
be able to move this company into
an established, affordable lab
space,” Hall said. “You don’t find
this kind of facility in California.
This is a great place to expand our
research and our business.”
■ ■ ■
Secretary Benda addresses Lincoln and Minnehaha County
development meeting
The Minnehaha and
Lincoln County
Economic
Development Associations
held their combined 2007
annual meeting in the
Starlite Room of the
Holiday Inn City Centre
in downtown Sioux Falls.
The annual meeting
focused on the development
achievements of the
past year in both counties
and a combined annual report highlighting economic
indicators was distributed at the meeting.
Richard Benda, South Dakota Secretary of
Tourism and State Development, delivered the
keynote address, discussing economic development
activity across South Dakota. Benda pointed to the
success of South Dakota in attracting science and
research dollars and in encouraging South Dakota
natives to return here to build their careers. He also
Secretary Richard Benda
rural development during 2007.
“The hard work of local
communities and the volunteers
in each town are building
success in both counties,”
Eckhoff said. “We are proving
the positive power of
partnership and community
spirit throughout our region.”
congratulated the two
counties on their success
in regional economic
development.
MCEDA president
Marv Wieman and LCEDA
president Todd Nelson
each provided a report
from the county and Jeff
Eckhoff, executive director
of both groups, addressed
the accomplishments in
Jeff Eckhoff
Page 2
www.siouxfallsdevelopment.com

Three retire from Development Foundation board
S
ioux Falls business leaders in
banking and energy are
stepping down from the
Development Foundation
board of directors, having served
their elected terms.
A South Dakota native, Terry
Baloun began his career with Wells
Fargo Bank in 1974 as an ag and
installment loan officer in Groton.
After serving as a regional president
in North Dakota, Baloun was
named regional president in 1998
for South Dakota and southwest
Minnesota. He is now retired.
Mike Hanson is chief operating
officer of NorthWestern
Corporation. Hanson joined
NorthWestern in 1998 as president
and chief executive officer of the
company’s South Dakota and
Nebraska utility operations. In
2005, he was named president and
chief executive officer of
NorthWestern Corporation.
Jim Wilcox started his career
with Northern States Power
Company, now Xcel Energy, in
January of 1977 after graduating
from South Dakota State University
with a degree in Electrical
Engineering. In 1991, Wilcox
relocated to Sioux Falls and is
currently manager of governmental
and regulatory affairs for Xcel
Energy in South Dakota.
Our thanks to all three for
their dedication and contributions
to economic development in the
Sioux Falls area.
■ ■ ■
Terry Baloun Mike Hanson Jim Wilcox
Directions
is published six times yearly by the
YESTERDAY IN SIOUX FALLS
Beach Pay building gets a little extra support
A crane lifts a steel I-beam into place on Phillips Avenue in downtown
Sioux Falls in 1955. The historic Beach Pay building, still one of the most
ornate structures on Phillips Avenue, was completed 120 years ago in 1887.
The block has changed around it, but the Beach Pay building still houses
active businesses and is a
reflection of the late 19th century
grandeur of downtown
Sioux Falls.
P.O. Box 907, Sioux Falls, SD 57101
Phone 605-339-0103, Fax 605-339-0055
Dan Scott, President Karen Ruhland, Editor
SFDF Board of Directors
Dana Dykhouse, Chair
Mark Shlanta, Vice Chair
Cathy Clark, Treasurer
Steve Crim, Secretary
Jim Wilcox, Past Chair
Terry Baloun
Jeff Erickson
Mike Hanson
Jeff Holcomb
Jack Hopkins
Dale Jans
David Knudson
Don Marker
Becky Nelson
Steve Palmitier
Dr. Jim Robl
Fred Slunecka
Kendall Stork
Gerry Sweetman
Ex-Officio:
Mayor Dave Munson
Mike Cooper
Commissioner
Carol Twedt
Working for regional economic
development in partnership with:
Lincoln County
Economic Development Association
Bill Pay photo.
Minnehaha County
Economic Development
Association
Page 3
www.siouxfallsdevelopment.com

Good Samaritan Creekside
Apartments now under construction
A groundbreaking ceremony was held October 29 for a
new $5.2 million affordable apartment building for
seniors. The Creekside HUD Apartments will be a
three-story wood frame structure with 59 one-bedroom
apartments, featuring a community room, party kitchen,
lounges and community laundries. The facility will serve
persons 62 years of age and older who meet HUD
eligibility guidelines. The planned completion date is
August of 2008. Creekside is one of the newly approved
affordable senior housing projects of the Good Samaritan
Society. The new building will be located near Prairie
Creek in southwest Sioux Falls near 57th Street and
Solberg Avenue.
Augustana breaks ground for new
football stadium
Ground was broken November 16 for the new 6,500
seat football-only Kirkeby-Over Stadium. The estimated
cost of this project is $9 million and the architect is
TKDA of St. Paul, specialists in stadium design. The
planned completion date is October 4, 2008, for the
Viking Days Homecoming game. Augustana College has
been a member of the Sioux Falls community since 1918
and currently employs 400 individuals. The college
enrolls approximately 1,800 students, and has a longstanding
commitment to enhance the quality of life in the
greater Sioux Falls area as well as to be recognized as the
leader in private higher education in South Dakota and
the region.
■ ■ ■
Iowa natives choose career opportunities in Sioux Falls
Growing up in
northwestern Iowa,
Mark and Jodi Sohn
were always familiar with Sioux
Falls as the place to go for
shopping, recreation and
sporting events. But Sioux Falls
drew their attention even more
strongly, as the Iowa grads
considered careers and their
future as a married couple.
“We had started to think
about where we wanted to live,”
said Mark Sohn, who works as a
relationship representative for Wells Fargo Financial.
“We looked at Des Moines and Minneapolis but decided
that Sioux Falls would be best. It’s close to home and
family, but offered opportunities in the careers we were
trained for.”
Both Mark, a marketing major from Buena Vista
University, and Jodi, who trained as an x-ray technician,
had internships with Sioux Falls businesses. Jodi started
her post-secondary education at Sheldon Community
College, but ended up at the USD Sanford Medical
Center, completing her x-ray
training there. Mark’s internship
in Sioux Falls was with the
Enterprise Institute, where he
had an opportunity to become
more familiar with the job
options available in Sioux Falls.
Jodi found her position first,
at Sanford in Sioux Falls, and
Mark accepted a job with Wells
Fargo Financial here, after being
offered a similar position in Des
Jodi and Mark Sohn
Moines. The couple married in
June and is excited about the
possibilities for job advancement in Sioux Falls.
“There are great opportunities for our careers right
here in Sioux Falls,” Jodi said. “We’re close enough to
home that we can go back and see our families, but still
have our own lives.”
The Sohns currently live in an apartment in central
Sioux Falls and have friends and family in town. They look
forward to building their future here. Thanks to Forward
Sioux Falls, young adults are finding opportunity in our
community. Learn more at www.forwardsiouxfalls.com.
Page 4
www.siouxfallsdevelopment.com

Sioux Falls
Development
Foundation
Chairman’s
Report
By Dana Dykhouse
Great reasons to celebrate Sioux Falls
This is a community that deserves celebration, and the Development Foundation
has led this celebration of Sioux Falls for over a half century. The business
leaders who forged our organization believed in the future of Sioux Falls.
They began a spirit of confidence and a can-do attitude that has made our growth in
recent decades a continuation of a community tradition. And, twenty years ago,
Forward Sioux Falls was begun, one of the goals of which has always been to celebrate
our achievements and promote our community to the rest of the world.
Our area’s economy is consistently recognized as one of the strongest in the nation.
With our friends and colleagues in the surrounding communities of Lincoln and
Minnehaha Counties, we create an environment that attracts new companies to our
area and encourages the expansion of the well-established businesses growing right
here. Once they get here, they realize, as we do, what a great place we’ve all chosen for
our homes and businesses!
Thanks to the leadership of people like our 2007 Spirit of Sioux Falls Award
winner T. Denny Sanford, and retiring Development Foundation President Dan Scott,
Sioux Falls has become a community that is attracting worldwide attention. We are
drawing young people who choose to start their careers here and building on each
year’s consistent economic growth.
Our volunteer board of directors is proud of this community, and we are proud of
their service to our organization. This year, Jim Wilcox, Mike Hanson and Terry
Baloun are retiring from our board, and we will miss their enthusiasm and participation.
Newly elected members are Bill Baker, Mark Mickelson and Tom Simmons.
Congratulations, and thank you all!
And our thanks to you for attending our annual meeting this year and for your
support of our organization. We appreciate the kind words expressed at our meeting
and anticipate another great year in 2008.
■ ■ ■
Small businesses survive best in South Dakota
Small businesses matter to the U.S. economy, dominating the business landscape
and creating the bulk of new jobs. The Small Business Survival Index ranks the
50 states and District of Columbia according to some of the major governmentimposed
or government-related costs affecting investment, entrepreneurship, and
business. The 2007 Index considers 31 major government-imposed or governmentrelated
costs affecting small businesses and entrepreneurs. The measures are added
together for an overall rating. For the sixth consecutive year, the Index ranked
South Dakota as Number 1—the friendliest state for entrepreneurs and
small businesses. New Jersey ranked 50th among states, DC was 51st.
Small businesses have long been referred to as the engine of the
national economy. Today they’re also providing the fuel. Forrester Research
(forrester.com), a technology
research firm in Cambridge,
MA, found that in 2006 U.S.
small businesses spent about
$138 billion on technology products and
services, accounting for 19% of all IT
spending. And according to a 2005 study
by Gartner, a technology consulting
group in Stamford, CT, companies that
employed 20 to 99 expected to increase
their IT budgets by 7% in 2006—a figure
that fell to just 2% among companies that
employed 500 to 999.
www.siouxfallsdevelopment.com
Page 5

Sioux Falls
Development
Foundation
President’s
Report
By Dan Scott
Celebrate our successes and our exciting future
As we celebrate another year of success in Sioux Falls, I think it’s a good idea to try
to take a step back and look at Sioux Falls from an outside perspective. Many of
us have been so close to the changes our area has undergone in the past two
decades that we may not have a true appreciation of what we’ve built here.
First and foremost, we have a safe community. Our police and firefighters are second
to none nationwide for dedication, hard work and integrity.
Sioux Falls also has great career opportunities. You can’t even compare the job
choices available in Sioux Falls today to the options available 20 years ago.
New industries, with their varied career opportunities, have fueled our regional
economy. Sioux Falls has held steady through troubled times in other parts of the nation,
and our business community has continued to diversify, adding high paying jobs at a rate
that impresses and amazes other communities.
We can appreciate our lack of traffic jams. Most of us take ten or fifteen minutes to
get to work in the morning, on well-maintained streets. Anyone who has driven in the
metro areas around us knows how important that is.
From all over the tri-state region, people are coming to Sioux Falls for our worldclass
health care, our lively arts and sports scene, our hundreds of excellent restaurants
and nightspots and a rainbow of entertainment and shopping choices. We’ve built a city
people want to visit, and a place where people want to live and work.
It’s been an exciting process during the past 20 years, seeing this community grow
and change. I’m proud to have been a part of that effort, but Sioux Falls is all about the
future—and the Development Foundation will continue to be a part of that future.
Change is inevitable—and today, change is happening faster than ever before. Sioux Falls
is constantly changing, but I know that the Development Foundation and our business
community will work to harness that change to benefit all of us. Tomorrow is right in
front of us—and it looks great for Sioux Falls!
Brighten 2008
with a
Sioux Falls
location!
Sioux Falls
Development Foundation
P.O. Box 907
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED.
Land in our Sioux Empire Development Parks is the best value
in the Sioux Falls region—build-ready sites with infrastructure
in place at prices starting at just $1.95 a square foot.
Whether you’re constructing a steel
building or a corporate headquarters,
we have a site for you.
Call Dan Scott or Dan Hindbjorgen at 605-339-0103
www.siouxfallsdevelopment.com