SDSU Collegian

Issue date: 12/12/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Mike Goetz Al Heuton, excecutive director of Brookings Economic Development. [Click to enlarge]

In the last couple of years, a higher number of graduates are taking first-time jobs in South Dakota. In fact, the South Dakota Labor Market found that in 2005, 68 percent of the 1,385 SDSU graduates seeking employment accepted positions here in the state. Also, one-third (22 percent) of those graduates were employed locally.

This is good news for the local business industry, but whether or not the trend will continue is the real question. The Brookings Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) has started looking at ways to research this issue. The BEDC board of directors consists of members that are employed by the city, county and local businesses, as well as the university. Al Heuton, the executive director of the BEDC, says its mission "is to build an economy that supports the community's vision of a quality place to live, work and play."

Getting businesses to come to Brookings can prove to be challenging, especially considering the proximity of the town to Sioux Falls. "Since Sioux Falls has many of the larger retailers, right now the BEDC is focused on getting some of the smaller niche-type retail stores to come to Brookings," Heuton said. "Adding more fine dining options would be beneficial to the community, as well."

Al Heuton also mentioned the business opportunities generated by the development of the up-and-coming Innovation Campus research park. "The advantage provided by the innovation campus will be a chance for businesses to collaborate with SDSU through research and development," he said.

Another great resource for entrepreneurs is the Enterprise institute. "The Enterprise institute is basically a business incubator," Heuton said. "Entrepreneurs are given their own space and they are allowed to turn it into their own company."

If more graduates are going to try to find employment in the community, they will need a permanent place to live. "Brookings needs to have more rental options for the increasing student population," Heuton said. "Townhouses may be another route for the younger buyers looking for a nicer place but who are unable to afford the high cost of a house."

Continued...

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