Growth Sectors
The Rushmore Region in Western South Dakota is building momentum across five core growth sectors. Science and technology, food and beverage, agriculture and agribusiness, professional services, and recreation are driving new investments, job growth, and regional resilience. Strong partnerships with local colleges, research institutions, and industry clusters are expanding talent pipelines and enabling rapid scale-up for innovative firms. A robust infrastructure backbone, including utilities, broadband, and transportation access to Rapid City and nearby communities, facilitates site-ready opportunities. This momentum creates a compelling case for companies seeking a balanced mix of lower costs, skilled labor, and a welcoming, business-friendly environment.
Target Industries
Agriculture
The Rushmore Region is home to several specialty processing producers.
Belle Joli
Belle Joli Winery Sparkling House sits on a five-acre vineyard just outside Sturgis, bordered by the Black Hills’ ponderosa pines, and is transforming the visitor experience. The Jackson family, passionate about wine, recognized the Black Hills’ rich soil and pursued locally grown and produced wine. Opened in Belle Fourche, the enterprise now spans the Northern Black Hills into Deadwood and Sturgis, where a state-of-the-art facility makes award-winning sparkling wine for guests to enjoy the scenery.
Black Hills Honey Farm
Black Hills Honey Farm, based in Spearfish, South Dakota, is a family-owned business dedicated to producing pure, raw honey and handcrafted beeswax products. With a focus on sustainability and traditional beekeeping methods, they provide high-quality honey while supporting pollinator health. Their products are carefully harvested and crafted to bring the natural goodness of the Black Hills to customers nationwide.
Dakota Butcher
In 2009, the first Dakota Butcher store was founded in Clark, SD. It was a family-owned business then and remains one today. Dakota Butcher has grown to six locations; one in Clack, Madison, Pierre, and Rapid City with two locations in Watertown, SD. Their Watertown East location is home of the Dakota Butcher Steakhouse.
Wall Meat Processing
Wall Meat Processing is a locally owned and operated butcher shop in Rapid City and Wall South Dakota. Owners Janet Niehaus and Ken Charfauros began operating the plant in 2017. With several members of the Charfauros Family working the operation, they are committed to delivering the highest quality meat with the friendliest service to their customers
Food & Beverage
Intrepid entrepreneurs have launched a distinct selection of small-scale food and beverage operations that include brew pubs and breweries in Rapid City, Hot Springs, Custer, Hill City, Sturgis, Lead, Deadwood, and Spearfish, as well as several wineries and distilleries. These selections are growing in national popularity and giving residents and visitors alike a special taste of the region. Incentives through local, state, and federal agencies often provide a financial boost to start or expand operations.
Taste the Rushmore Region, where locals and visitors savor the best of our local food and beverage scene.
Albany Farms—Twisted Noodle Ramen
Albany Farms is a U.S.-based food manufacturing company specializing in high-quality instant ramen noodles. Committed to innovation and sustainability, they produce their ramen in a state-of-the-art facility in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. With a focus on affordability and great taste, Albany Farms aims to provide delicious, convenient meal options for families across the country.
Belle Joli Winery
The Sparkling House features a breathtaking outdoor patio overlooking a five-acre vineyard, bordered by the majestic ponderosa pines of the Black Hills near Sturgis. Guests can take in the beauty of the Black Hills as they unwind. In Deadwood’s historic core, the Tasting Room offers an outdoor patio where visitors can sample a selection of locally grown, award-winning wines. The establishment is located in Sturgis, South Dakota.
Black Hills Bagels
Black Hills Bagels has been serving freshly baked, homemade bagels in Rapid City, South Dakota, since 1997. Using simple, high-quality ingredients, they craft over 20 unique bagel flavors and a variety of house-made cream cheeses. In addition to their café, they offer wholesale options, making their delicious bagels available to businesses and retailers throughout the region.
BrewBerry Bistro
The BrewBerry Bistro is located in Sturgis, SD… we are called a bistro because we have more food than a coffee shop! We are working with local farms and bakeries around the Sturgis area to help supply us with the freshest, tastiest, local flavors. We are open year-round so stop by in the summer and enjoy our outdoor seating or cozying up to our fireplace in the winter months!
Crow Peak Brewing Company
Crow Peak Brewing Company is a pioneering craft brewery in Spearfish, South Dakota, known for producing high-quality, locally inspired beers. Since opening in 2007, they have grown their distribution, making their signature brews available across multiple states. With a passion for great beer and the Black Hills region, Crow Peak Brewing continues to be a staple in the local and regional craft beer scene.
Dark Canyon Coffee
Dark Canyon Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster based in Rapid City, South Dakota, dedicated to crafting high-quality, small-batch roasted coffee. With a focus on freshness and rich flavors, they source premium beans from around the world and roast them to perfection. Whether for wholesale, retail, or custom blends, Dark Canyon Coffee delivers a bold and satisfying coffee experience.
Firehouse Brewing Company
Firehouse Brewing Co. is South Dakota’s oldest brewery, located in a historic firehouse in downtown Rapid City. Known for its craft beers and hearty food, Firehouse Brewing has expanded beyond its taproom, distributing its signature brews across multiple states. With a dedication to quality and tradition, they continue to serve up great beer and a unique dining experience.
Loud American Sturgis
Loud American Sturgis is a restaurant, bar, and live-music venue in Sturgis, South Dakota, where a high-energy atmosphere meets friendly Midwestern hospitality. Enjoy hearty American fare, craft cocktails or cold beer, and a nonstop lineup of local favorites and touring acts on a lively stage. Whether you’re exploring the Black Hills or simply looking for a great night out, Loud American is your must-visit pit stop—come for the food, stay for the shows.
Magnolia Soup Company
This family-friendly restaurant is known for fresh, homemade soups, sandwiches, and appetizers, including the loaded French dip, soup flight, and angry shrimp cocktail. Guests praise the reasonable prices, generous portions, and a cozy, quaint vibe, along with friendly, attentive service. The menu features pasta, salads, sandwiches, and desserts, with dine-in, takeout, and a Grab-and-Go section, plus outdoor seating. Located in Sturgis, SD.
Nerdy Nuts
Nerdy Nuts, based in Rapid City, is a family-owned business that specializes in premium, small-batch peanut butters made with high-quality ingredients and unique flavors. They offer a wide variety of nut butters, including chocolate, honey, and spicy blends, catering to different tastes and dietary needs. With a commitment to fun and personalized experiences, they sell their products nationwide, providing a delicious and healthier snack alternative to customers across the country.
Oasis Bar & Fireside Lounge
Oasis Bar & Fireside Lounge offers bar service with dine-in and takeout options in downtown Sturgis, SD. Nestled in the heart of town, it features daily drink specials in a comfortable, welcoming setting.
Sawyer Brewing
Located in Spearfish, South Dakota, Sawyer Brewery is a locally owned establishment offering handcrafted beer and wood-fired pizza. Guests can enjoy coffee, pizza, and beer while taking in a creekside view.
Scobi Kombucha
Scobi Kombucha is a craft kombucha brewery dedicated to creating refreshing, small-batch kombucha with organic ingredients based in Hot Springs, SD. They focus on natural fermentation to produce a flavorful, probiotic-rich beverage that supports gut health. With a commitment to quality and sustainability, Scobi Kombucha brings a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional drinks.
Sidehack Saloon
Experience a lively, biker-friendly bar offering steak, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and breakfast, along with beer and cocktails. Welcome to the Sidehack Saloon, where roaring engines, cold drinks, and thrilling adventures come together in an unforgettable rider’s paradise. Located in Sturgis, South Dakota.
Spearfish Brewing
Spearfish Brewing Company is based in Spearfish, South Dakota. It features a rotating lineup of sixteen modern and classic American craft beers. The taproom offers a menu including paninis, flatbreads, wings, nachos, and more. The brewery’s vision is to produce American beer styles that appeal to all beer drinkers, creating beers for those who appreciate the clean, crisp flavor of domestic light lagers as well as hop-forward craft enthusiasts.
Sturgis Brewing Company
Sturgis Brewing Company invites you to Come Eat. Drink. Be Happy. Let us cook for you. Let us brew for you. We have an extensive menu that only boasts quality eats! You will not be disappointed. From hearty entrées to lighter bites, our kitchen crafts meals with care, while our taps pour a rotating lineup of handcrafted beers that complement every plate. Come see why Sturgis Brewing Company is the place to eat, drink, and be happy.
The Knuckle Saloon
Located downtown Sturgis, The Knuckle Saloon rests on land that once belonged to the town’s namesake, Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis. We’re known for our laid-back dining experience and one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Fuel up with our new signature Saucey Knuckle Sandwich Burger: the biggest, boldest, most mouthwatering burger in the Black Hills. Then stay a while. Celebrate good times, great company, and the spirit that makes The Knuckle what it is.
Uncle Louie’s Diner
Casual diner in Sturgis, SD serving American comfort classics—breakfast, pies, and salads. A local favorite known for generous portions and affordable prices, with breakfast served all day and every menu item available anytime. Stop in for some of the best comfort food around.
Healthcare Services
The Rushmore Region is known throughout the Black Hills and surrounding states for its quality healthcare services, advanced medical and surgical specialties, and updated imaging and diagnostic technology.
Fall River Healthcare Services
Fall River Health Services is a comprehensive healthcare system that services Fall River County and the surrounding areas in South Dakota. Fall River Health Services is comprised of a 25 bed Critical Access Hospital in Hot Springs SD, a 24 hour ER, Seven Sisters Living Center nursing home and Fall River Rural Health Clinic. Hours of operation are, Monday - Friday: 8am-5pm. Same-day services are available. Fall River Health Services is a non-profit corporation of professional team members committed to excellent, quality and patient focused healthcare for the whole person. We provide for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the individual, family, and significant others. We are committed to our patients, residents, employees and our public.
Monument Health
Monument Health is a tax-exempt, community-based organization committed to serving and strengthening health care for people living in the Black Hills and surrounding region, as well as hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. As a proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Monument Health shares Mayo Clinic’s patient-centered culture and commitment to improving the delivery of health care. Monument Health is comprised of more than 40 health care facilities, and with over 5,000 employees, it is the region’s largest employer. Its flagship medical center is Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, offering a broad scope of services. Other community hospital locations include Custer, Lead-Deadwood, Spearfish, and Sturgis.
Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America's heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves over 2 million patients and over 415,000 health plan members across 320,000 square miles. The integrated health system has 58 medical centers, 289 clinic locations, 145 Good Samaritan senior living centers, 4,500 Sanford physicians and advanced practice providers, 1,100 active clinical trials and studies, and five world clinic locations around the globe.
VA Black Hills Health Care System
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs maintains the VA Black Hills Health Care System, which provides primary and secondary medical and surgical care, residential rehabilitation treatment program services, extended nursing home care, and tertiary psychiatric inpatient services for veterans in South Dakota, portions of Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Care is delivered primarily through the Fort Meade and Hot Springs VA Medical Centers, as well as through a number of community-based outpatient and rural outreach clinics.
Manufacturing
Target growth industries for the region include advanced manufacturing, biotech and life sciences, technology, healthcare, value-added agriculture, and professional services.
Outdoor Recreation
With a million-acre backyard playground, the Rushmore Region offers enticing year-round outdoor recreation opportunities, making it a natural fit for outdoor adventure companies. The region enjoys over 450 hiking and mountain biking trails, nearly 1,000 granite spires for rock climbing, 800 miles of sparkling streams for some of the best fly fishing in the country, and some of the highest vertical snow skiing between the Rockies and New England.
The Black Hills National Forest is a great place to venture through fresh snow powder on cross-country skis, snowshoes, or the back of a snowmobile. It also boasts 18 picturesque lakes for water skiing, sailing, paddle boating, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, swimming, and scuba diving. Visitors can marvel at the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial, explore the rugged landscapes of Badlands National Park, or take in the stunning views of Custer State Park, home to one of the largest publicly owned bison herds in the world. The breathtaking Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway offers a drive through limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and vibrant foliage, making it a must-see for nature lovers. For those who crave adventure, Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument offer incredible underground exploration, while the scenic Needles Highway provides breathtaking drives through towering rock formations.
Whether on land, water, or underground, the Rushmore Region is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.
Black Hills Balloons
Black Hills Balloons offers breathtaking hot air balloon adventures over the scenic landscapes of the Black Hills, providing a unique and unforgettable way to experience the region from above. Based in Custer, South Dakota, they have been flying guests over Custer State Park, granite spires, and rolling hills for over 40 years.
Cole-TAC
Cole-TAC is a veteran-owned company based in Rapid City, South Dakota, specializing in high-quality, American-made tactical gear for military, law enforcement, and outdoor enthusiasts. They design and manufacture durable suppressor covers, ammunition storage, and other shooting accessories, ensuring reliability in the field. Cole-TAC provides custom solutions to meet the needs of professionals and hobbyists alike.
DirtBags BikeGear
DirtBags BikeGear, an entrepreneurial company specializing in handmade, high-quality bike bags, moved to Spearfish from Laramie, WY, in June 2018. They continue to grow and capitalize on the abundant mountain biking opportunities throughout the region.
Quarq
Quarq, based in Spearfish, South Dakota, is a leader in high-performance cycling technology, specializing in power meters and innovative bike components. As part of SRAM, Quarq develops cutting-edge products that help cyclists track and improve their performance with precision and reliability. Their commitment to innovation and data-driven cycling solutions has made them a trusted name among professional and amateur riders worldwide.
Professional Services
The Rushmore Region welcomes you to our area! Each of our unique communities offers many individualized services to businesses and employees relocating to their areas. In addition to these community centric programs, the Rushmore Region has these additional professional programs.
Science & Technology
From the tree-lined campus of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSMT) to the mile-deep darkness of the Sanford Underground Research Facility, science and technology are center stage in the Rushmore Region.
Black Hills State University
Black Hills State University (BHSU), located in Spearfish & Rapid City, South Dakota, offers a comprehensive educational experience with a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. With a strong focus on student success, BHSU provides a supportive learning environment, hands-on opportunities, and a connection to the vibrant Black Hills region. The university is committed to preparing students for careers in diverse fields while fostering a close-knit community and lifelong learning.
Build Dakota Scholarship Program
The Build Dakota Scholarship program provides full-ride scholarships for students pursuing high-demand technical careers in South Dakota. Funded through a partnership between the state and private industry, the program covers tuition, fees, books, and tools for eligible students attending one of the state’s technical colleges. In return, recipients commit to working in their field in South Dakota after graduation, helping to strengthen the state’s workforce.
David Lust Accelerator Building
In 2006, the Rapid City business incubator originally opened its doors on the campus of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. After receiving significant support from the community, state, and US Economic Development Administration, the David Lust Accelerator Building was constructed at 18 East Main. The state of the art facility is 40,000 square feet of tenant space and meeting rooms – with the purpose of serving STEM-related startup companies. The goal of the DLAB is to provide new and existing small businesses with management assistance, cost-effective space, and a nurturing, professional environment.
Conveniently located between the SD Mines Campus and Downtown Rapid City, the DLAB is symbolic of the developing concept of an innovation district in Rapid City. As more companies like Property Meld grow in the region, the innovation district will create a community, connecting industry with the talented workforce graduating from SD Mines, Western Dakota Tech, Black Hills State University, Oglala Lakota College, and more.
Property Meld
Property Meld, based in Rapid City, South Dakota, is a property management software company that specializes in streamlining maintenance processes for property managers and owners. Their platform offers automated work order management, communication tools, and analytics to enhance efficiency and tenant satisfaction. With a focus on improving operations and reducing costs, Property Meld helps businesses provide exceptional service while optimizing their maintenance workflows.
Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF)
At the Sanford Lab, deep below the earth’s surface in Lead, scientists from around the world are working to unravel the mysteries of the universe. SURF supports world-leading research in particle and nuclear physics and other science disciplines. While it was still a gold mine, the facility hosted Ray Davis’s solar neutrino experiment, which shared the 2002 Nobel Prize in Physics. Sanford Lab’s overall impact on the Rushmore Region economy totals nearly $200 million in spending since 2008 and includes a $28.1 million total annual budget. Sanford Lab’s dedication to science, research and development, and engineering, as well as its innovative approach to education, make it a world-leading science research facility.
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
For more than 130 years, SDSMT has produced top-notch graduates in science and engineering academics and research, developing the next generation of problem solvers and future leaders. Whether it’s exploring the latest in robotics, computer programming, building a concrete canoe, or pushing the limits of 3D printing, their students have helped their institution evolve into one of the leading science and engineering universities in the country.
Western Dakota Technical College
Western Dakota Technical College provides hands-on, career-focused education in Rapid City, South Dakota. Offering a range of technical programs in fields like healthcare, business, and trades, WDT prepares students for in-demand jobs with real-world training. With strong industry partnerships and a commitment to workforce development, WDT helps students gain the skills they need to succeed.