Brookings Economic Development

03/16/2026

Exciting next steps for Bel Brands! 🧀

What does $12 million in new annual payroll look like? For Brookings, it looks like 100,000 square feet of new construction and a "top-notch" team getting even bigger with 150 to 160 new jobs.

Dive into the numbers behind the Bel Brands expansion and why South Dakota’s "hard-working population" beat out the competition.

https://www.brookingsregister.com/2026/03/13/bel-brands-usa-breaks-ground-on-brookings-plant-project/

03/08/2026

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day by recognizing the incredible women-owned businesses that help make the Brookings area stronger, more vibrant, and full of opportunity.

From storefronts to startups, restaurants to service providers, these women are leading, innovating, and investing back into our community every day. Join us in celebrating their impact and supporting women-owned businesses not just this week, but all year long.

03/06/2026

We’re excited to welcome Lori Frederick as the new CEO of the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance. 👏

Lori brings more than a decade of economic development experience and over 20 years of business leadership, most recently serving as Senior Economic Development Director at Elevate Rapid City. As CEO, she will lead the newly unified organization dedicated to supporting business growth, strengthening partnerships, and advancing the long-term prosperity of the Brookings region.

“Brookings has an incredibly strong foundation, and I’m honored to join the community and lead the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance,” Frederick said.

Please join us in welcoming Lori to the Brookings community. 🥳

03/02/2026

You may hear discussion this legislative session about Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Here’s what it means for Brookings.

TIF is a state-authorized economic development tool that allows a portion of new property tax growth from a development to help fund the infrastructure needed to support that project, without increasing tax rates.

Since 2007, TIF-supported areas in Brookings have generated nearly $297 million in new property value, helped create 982 jobs, and supported the construction of 518 housing units. Today, just 1.5% of Brookings’ taxable land is within a TIF district.

TIF has played a role in advancing workforce housing, business expansion, industrial growth, and critical infrastructure, all within locally approved districts and clearly defined timelines.

As conversations continue at the state level, it’s important to understand how this tool supports responsible growth and long-term investment in our community.

02/25/2026

📣There’s still time to share your input on the future of the Dacotah Bank Center.

As a key driver of events, visitors, and local economic activity, this facility plays an important role in our community. We encourage everyone to share their input and complete the survey!

🎤🏀 Your Voice. Your Venue.

The City of Brookings has launched a short survey to gather community input on the future of the Dacotah Bank Center. With the current management contract ending in 2026, now is the time to share your ideas!

⏱ Takes about 5 minutes
🗓 Closes March 1 at 11:59 p.m.
👉 Take the survey: https://www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/922/Dacotah-Bank-Center-Survey

Paper copies are available at the City & County Government Center (520 Third Street).

📅 Join us March 18 for a public meeting to review results and continue the conversation.

Help shape the next chapter of this community facility!

02/20/2026

City property taxes play an important role in supporting the local services that communities depend on every day.
In Brookings, municipal property tax revenue helps fund core public services, including:
🚓 Police and fire departments
🚑 Emergency services
🛣 Street and road maintenance
🌳 Parks and public spaces
Understanding what city property taxes support is especially important as property tax policy is debated during the legislative session. These local dollars directly impact infrastructure, public safety, and the services that contribute to Brookings’ long-term economic vitality.
Having clear local context helps inform productive conversations about sustainable solutions for South Dakota communities.

02/18/2026

Property taxes are often part of the legislative conversation and understanding how they work locally matters.

So where do these dollars go?

A large share of local property taxes support public schools, followed by county and city services. For a typical home, these dollars help fund education while also supporting essential local services that residents rely on every day.

When comparing municipal mill rates across similar South Dakota cities, Brookings consistently ranks among the lowest. This reflects long-term local decision-making focused on balancing service delivery with affordability for residents and businesses.

The information in these graphics was provided by the City of Brookings Government

02/17/2026

Join us this Saturday, February 21 at 9:00 AM for our next Legislative Coffee Session! ☕️

Hear updates from the 2026 legislative session and connect with District 7 & 8 legislators: Rep. Mellissa Heermann, Rep. Roger DeGroot, Sen. Tim Reed, Senate Majority Leader Sen. Casey Crabtree, Rep. Tim Reisch, and Rep. Tim Walburg.

📍 City-County Government Center (3rd Floor Chambers)
Coffee provided by Kool Beans Coffee and Roasterie

Send questions ahead of time to [email protected]

Can’t make it? Watch live on Swiftel channel 20 or MediaCom channel 9.

02/13/2026

The City of Brookings is seeking community input to help guide conversations about the future of the Dacotah Bank Center as its management contract expires at the end of 2026.

This City-owned facility plays an important role in our local economy, supporting events, visitors, and community gatherings. We encourage residents and business owners to take five minutes to share their feedback and help guide next steps.

The survey is open through March 1: https://www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/922/Dacotah-Bank-Center-Survey

Printed copies are available at the Brookings City & County Government Center (520 Third Street).

News Release: The City of Brookings has launched a survey to gather community input on the Dacotah Bank Center’s future use.

The City's management contract for the Dacotah Bank Center is set to expire at the end of 2026. The survey provides an opportunity for the public to share their priorities, concerns and ideas, which will help guide City leadership's decisions about the facility.

The City is asking all residents to complete the survey, which should take about five minutes. To participate, visit https://www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/922/Dacotah-Bank-Center-Survey. The online survey will close at 11:59 p.m. March 1.

Printed surveys are available in the west lobby of the Brookings City & County Government Center, 520 Third Street. Completed surveys can be returned in the secured box in the same location no later than March 1.

Public meetings are currently scheduled for March 18 to review the survey results and continue the conversation about the facility. More details will be available as the date draws closer.

The Dacotah Bank Center is a City-owned event and gathering facility that serves residents and visitors through meetings, conferences, sporting events, concerts, and community celebrations.

Read full news release at https://www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/5486

02/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us on February 7 for our Legislative Coffee! We loved seeing such a great turnout and having the opportunity to connect with our District 7 legislators through meaningful conversation.

If you weren’t able to attend or still have questions, you can watch the discussion and get more information here: https://youtu.be/qxr4HxhlHfQ

We appreciate everyone who helped make this event a success!

02/06/2026

Learn to Launch is just around the corner! Learn what it takes to transform an idea into reality from experienced entrepreneurs as they share their entrepreneurial journey and the actionable steps that helped them along the way.

Register for this FREE event at www.rpsdstate.com/learn-to-launch