Forward-looking Development at Hillcrest Industrial Park Announced

Certified Ready Site in Colman, South Dakota Holds Ribbon Cutting with ISG and GOED

October 4, 2018 (Colman, South Dakota) – A ceremonial ribbon was cut at the Hillcrest Industrial Park site in Colman, South Dakota this past Monday, October 1^st, to celebrate the Park’s new designation as a Certified Ready Site. With a master plan, led by industry leading architecture and engineering firm ISG, unveiled at the event, the ribbon cutting signified another major step towards development and evolution within the State. Project partners, Heartland Consumers Power District (Heartland), South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), the City of Colman, and CEDC, were present alongside ISG at the event, which was open to community members, business owners, and media representatives.

GOED offers the Certified Ready Site program to promote commercial and industrial sites that are development ready, guaranteeing the most detailed and accurate information about the opportunity and mitigating risk for developers.

“Nothing starts without first, communicating a vision. This week, Colman community leaders did just that,” exclaims Steve Watson, ISG Development Strategist. The newly certified and uniquely positioned Park, which consists of just over 100 acres and is just 2 ½ miles from Interstate 29 along Highway 34, can accommodate a number of uses. “Its (the Park) proximity to Brookings, Sioux Falls and Madison South Dakota make it a strong option for businesses looking to serve such markets or draw from the regional labor shed,” notes Steve.

Heartland, a non-profit, public power utility located in Madison, South Dakota, provides wholesale power as well as energy services and community development programs to the City of Colman as well as other municipal electric utilities throughout the Midwest. The wholesale power Colman receives from Heartland allows them to function as a public power community, and invest the money from owning and operating their own utility back into the City. Heartland worked closely with City leaders throughout the certification process and provided an economic development grant to the CEDC to help with certification costs and marketing, allowing it to be one of only five Certified Ready Sites in the State, two of which are also Heartland customers.

“Being a small community doesn’t mean growth and development aren’t possible,” states Casey Crabtree, Heartland Director of Economic Development. “Colman’s City leaders had a vision and the drive to make this possible, and are proof of the power of positive partnerships. We are proud to have worked with them every step of the way and look forward to a bright future for the community,” affirms Casey.

ISG, with a local office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, provided master planning deliverables for the site, which included an animation and development package focused on a conceptual plot for the mixed-use site featuring commercial and industrial spaces alongside a single-family residential neighborhood and an attractive open greenspace featuring wetland and stormwater basins. The project site is also phased into five parts, allowing for a streamlined and effective development schedule.

“In addition to the site’s prime location, the project has a team of partners willing to think outside the box and make a real impact on rural communities in South Dakota,” explains David Doxtad, PE, ISG Principal and Sioux Falls office leader. “Interest has already been generated with viable business partners engaged, and we are very excited to see the site and opportunity evolve,” notes David.