This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

Simplified: Business and economic development leaders are banding together to raise $18 million to support the growth of Sioux Falls over the next five years. The Forward Sioux Falls IX campaign launched Thursday with plans to bring local leaders together in support of a better tomorrow. Here's what you need to know.

Why it matters

  • Forward Sioux Falls – a joint venture between the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation – was founded in the late '80s with the goal of diversifying the city's economy. It has since become the primary economic driver for the region, creating thousands of jobs, funding industrial parks, supporting the workforce and advocating for businesses.
  • New this year is an emphasis on affordable housing as a critical component of economic development. Forward Sioux Falls Campaign Co-Chair Andy Munce said the group is exploring the possibility of creating a land trust to support this goal.
  • Forward Sioux Falls is also leaning on young professionals, with a team of about three dozen of them volunteering to help with fundraising that aims to bring thousands of new jobs, $3 billion in new capital investments and attract 30,000 new residents by 2031.
    • That's a particularly salient point for James Gaspar, who's leading a third-generation family business at Interstate Office Products. Gaspar said there was never a question as to whether he'd support Forward Sioux Falls.
"It takes all of us together to step forward and volunteer," Gaspar said. "If we want things to happen in this community, we have to be willing to do them."

Tell me more about Forward Sioux Falls IX

The ninth Forward Sioux Falls fundraising campaign was already well underway when it went public Thursday morning.

  • The group, led by five co-chairs from various industries, has already raised nearly $13.3 million.

The big goal is to see that grow to $18 million from 400 donors, and the campaign has specific investment levels to increase transparency of how various businesses are contributing to this effort.

"Investing in Forward Sioux Falls is investing in your community and growth of your business," Co-Chair David Flicek said. "Reaching $18 million with 400 investors is a bold goal, but we know we can do it."

The five co-chairs of the campaign are:

  • David Flicek with Avera,
  • Andy Munce with Sanford Health,
  • Laura Mitchell with Lawrence & Schiller, Inc.,
  • Jason Herrboldt with First Bank & Trust,
  • and honorary co-chair Mayor Paul TenHaken.

These leaders will be assisted by a team of dozens of volunteers across a wide swath of industries in the city.

How will that money be used?

Funds raised by Forward Sioux Falls will support four overarching goals, including:

  • economic development,
  • talent and workforce,
  • innovation and entrepreneurship,
  • and advocacy and community enhancement.

Those big goals also include specific and measurable subgoals, including:

  • 400 acres of land sold in Foundation Park,
  • 60,000 students and employees participating in talent and workforce programs,
  • Supporting the growth of at least 85 startups,
  • Adding 150 homes into a community land trust,
  • And seeing a 15% increase in airport passengers, with three new non-stop flights.

The new jobs and investment created by the Forward Sioux Falls IX plan are expected to create another 8,860 indirect jobs. In turn, these jobs will generate an estimated economic impact of $540 million annually in the Sioux Falls metro region.

The Forward Sioux Falls IX plan also leaves some of the funding available for innovative projects that might arise in the next five years – something the group has not done in this way before.

"Forward Sioux Falls stands ready to lead and/or assist as-needed on projects that will lead to greater economic growth and vitality for our community," Munce said.

What has Forward Sioux Falls done so far?

In its most recent campaign – which runs through March 2026 – Forward Sioux Falls has already exceeded most of the goals it laid out.

  • That includes more than $1.6 billion in capital investments since 2021, as well as 5,300 new jobs at above-median wages.
  • Additionally, Forward Sioux Falls supported more than 780 acres of land sold and developed, formed more than two dozen foreign trade relationships, and supported more than 1,000 small business owners and entrepreneurs.

What happens next?

You can learn more about Forward Sioux Falls IX here. If you're a local business owner or an individual looking to support the work this campaign is doing, reach out to Program Director Brittany Hanson at brittanyh@siouxfalls.com.