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COVER STORY
Chamber + Business = Community Success
Community Stats
Chamber Stats
Chamber + Business = Community Success
by Pat Lund
Membership Services Manager
 For more than 100 years, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has provided a unified business voice in the development of the area. Along with the community, the Chamber organization has experienced wars, the Great Depression, natural disasters and several recessions. Through it all, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has remained strong and a great partner with many organizations in creating a community that is second to none in business climate and a quality of life that is recognized nationally.
So who makes all of this success possible? Is it leaders of large corporations, owners of locally owned business, or employees of involved businesses? Yes … it’s everyone working together to make the community an even greater place to live and one that community forefathers would be proud to call home today.
Essentially, the Chamber of Commerce is you. Your involvement, whether it’s through volunteer efforts or through financial support, is the lifeline of the Chamber. Working together for the greater good of the Sioux Falls area has enabled the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce to weather the storms of financial challenges and emerge as a stronger, more effective organization and community.
Since the start of Chamber’s fiscal year in October 2009, the signs of economic recovery have become evident in membership numbers, as well as events and programs. New programs like the Young Professionals Network are flourishing as successful pathways for the next generation of leadership, and long-term standbys like Chamber Membership Mixers are as popular as ever, with record-breaking attendance numbers and sponsorship waiting lists into 2012.
The Chamber is excited about the future of Sioux Falls and appreciates members’ and the community’s enduring support and visionary dedication to the mission of representing our members by advancing and promoting the economic health and quality of life of our region.
| Sioux Empire Farm Show |
| The 57th Annual Sioux Empire Farm Show, held Jan. 26-30, saw purebred cattle entries increase to 274 head — nearly 50 more than the 2009 show. Market livestock pre-entries were lower, primarily due to the snowstorms at the end of 2009. Late entries were up, again bringing a strong showing for market beef, swine, lambs and goats at the show. This Chamber-sponsored event brings more than 30,000 people to Sioux Falls with an estimated economic impact of $4.6 million. |
| Workshops & Seminars |
| Throughout the year, the Chamber of Commerce offers numerous opportunities for members to learn from one another at various workshops. The popular Business Sense Workshops take place each Tuesday from January-March. In April-September, the Chamber Café is a morning workshop again led by Chamber members sharing information in their areas of expertise. Click here for a complete schedule for 2010. |
| Young Professionals Network |
| The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network is a resource, forum and voice in the community. The YPN exists to create business opportunities, support civic involvement and promote an overall investment in the future of the community. It is designed to provide opportunities for young professionals to develop the skills they need to succeed in their chosen profession or occupation and to engage and introduce young professionals to the region’s resources and possibilities. Membership is open to any young professional, ages 21-39, working/residing in Sioux Falls or a surrounding community. As a member you may choose to attend meetings, networking functions and seminars as your schedule allows; current membership is more than 475 people. |
| Public Affairs |
| An invaluable benefit to Chamber members is the Chamber’s lobbying efforts, both local and statewide. During the legislative session, the Chamber employs a full-time lobbyist in Pierre to work on behalf of the Sioux Falls area and the business community. Throughout the session, members can learn more about legislative activities by reading the electronic bulletin Legislative Lookout, attending a Legislative Coffee with area legislators or being part of the lobbying team on Sioux Falls Day at the Legislature. |
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Community Stats
Unemployment Rate (December 2009)
Sioux Falls MSA: 4.7 percent
South Dakota: 4.8 percent
United States: 10 percent
The Sioux Empire United Way met its 2010 campaign goal of $9.4 million. This was an increase over the 2009 goal.
Sioux Falls is gearing up to host the 2010 Summit League Basketball Touranment, the second of four consecutive years it will be held at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Summit League consists of 10 university basketball teams from the Midwest, eight of which qualify for the tournament each year. Sioux Falls Sports Authority Director Mike Sullivan said ticket sales are already ahead of where they were one year ago.
Sioux Falls continues to increase in population with more than 156,500 people calling the city home as of Dec. 31, 2009.
The City of Sioux Falls had its ninth highest year in building construction in 2009.
2009 total construction value (defined as the quoted or calculated valuation for all residential and commercial new buildings, additions, repairs, remodels and renovations requiring building permits within the city of Sioux Falls): $297.9 million
2009 building permits: 6,334 (an increase of 5.2 percent over 2008)
2009 residential construction value: more than $35.4 million.
Sioux Falls residents surveyed say the city is a good or excellent place to live, according to the results of a recent scientific survey conducted by the National Citizen Survey. Some of the survey’s findings:
• 88 percent say the quality of life is good or excellent
• 92 percent say they receive at least a fair value for their tax dollar
• 32 percent of residents said street repair was good or excellent (a 7 percent increase over 2008)
• 68 percent rated snow removal service was good or excellent (a 9 percent increase over 2008)
• 95 percent feel safe in their neighborhoods during the day; 78 percent say they feel safe after dark
• 95 percent say the quality of fire rescue services is good or excellent
• 92 percent say city parks are good or excellent
• 87 percent say public library services are good or excellent
• 82 percent say health services are good or excellent |
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Chamber Stats
Total New Members (2010) as of Jan. 15, 2010: 120
Total New Members (2009) as of Jan. 15, 2009: 73
Total Ribbon Cuttings (2009) 188
Net Increase in Members compared to last year at this time: 79
Total Members who joined during the Fall Membership Drive: 97
For more information on how you or your employees can become involved with the Chamber, call Pat Lund at (605) 373-2014 or plund@siouxfalls.com. |
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