NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, August 5, 2014
CONTACT: Natalie Likness, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, 605.773.3301

GOED Approves Two Brandon Industrial Parks as ‘Certified Ready’

BRANDON, S.D. –   Two industrial parks in Brandon, S.D., the Brandon Industrial Park and the Corson Development Park, were announced as South Dakota Certified Ready Sites at the Brandon city council meeting last night.

“Each time we approve an industrial park as ‘certified ready,’ it means our communities are taking critical steps towards further economic development,” said Pat Costello, Commissioner, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). “We’ve had a successful year so far with this program and I am confident we’ll continue to see more and more industrial parks apply for the South Dakota Certified Ready Sites program.”

Established in 1999, the Corson Development Association represents a partnership between local and regional development organizations including the Brandon Development Foundation, Minnehaha County Economic Development Association (MCEDA) and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. Combined with the neighboring Brandon Development Park, eight businesses occupy nearly 100 acres and currently employ more than 240 people. Approximately 60 acres of land remain available for development between these two parks.

"We’re pleased the GOED approved both parks as ‘South Dakota Certified Ready’ because that opens the door to more opportunities, making Brandon an attractive location for prospects,” said Nick Fosheim, secretary for the Corson Development Association and executive director of Lincoln County/Minnehaha County Economic Development Association (LCEDA/MCEDA).

“As Brandon continues to grow, it is crucial for our community to take the necessary steps we need to be taking to give our properties every competitive edge they can get,” said Dennis Olson, assistant city administrator. “The Certified Ready Sites program makes those preparations easy and I advise every community to consider applying for the program.”

The South Dakota Certified Ready Sites Program is an economic development tool available to all counties, cities, townships, planning districts, business improvement districts and developers.

The South Dakota Certified Ready Sites Program is operated under the supervision of the GOED for the purpose of providing consistent information on sites available throughout the state. For more information on the South Dakota Certified Ready Sites program, visit www.sdreadytopartner.com.

Photo: Front Row, left to right – Dave Anderson, Community Development Representative, Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Alex Smith, Business Development Representative, Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Back Row, left to right – Jim Engeseth, Brandon Development Foundation; Kevin Kane, Brandon Development Foundation; Nick Fosheim, Minnehaha County Economic Development Corporation and Dennis Olson, Finance Office, City of Brandon.

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