Welcome to Custer Area Economic Development

Custer is a unique small town in South Dakota in that the economy continues to grow.  We attribute that to progressive government leadership, a pro-active Chamber of Commerce, and the many monuments and vistas of nature in the area.  

Recent City Improvements include:

PUBLIC WORKS

1. In an effort to control the growth of the community, the City of Custer annexed surrounding properties thereby increasing the land area of the city by over 50%.   One of the annexations, (mostly commercial), eliminated many failing septic systems and increased sales tax revenue.  The city extended water and sewer to this area, which resulted in significant improvements to the environment.  Another annexation includes a new 117 lot subdivision and a by-pass highway to mitigate the post-development traffic load through an existing residential area of the city.  The third annexation is a 114+/- acres of USFS land adjacent to the City which the USFS plans to sell. We expect high-end suburban residential development in this area.
2. The building boom had been steady for several years, but really took shape in 2007.  Over $8 million in commercial development and nearly $3.5 million in residential development was permitted or completed.
3. 2007 saw the completion of approximately $6 million in water and sewer infrastructure through grants, Rural Development loans and City funds.  These projects were begun around 2003 and have resulted in a savings of nearly 50,000 gallons per day of water.  In addition a new 350 gallon per minute well was brought on line. 
4. A paving project completed in 2007 provided asphalt surfacing and new gravel shoulders on over 5 miles of gravel streets and roads.  SDDOT resurfaced 5^th St. the same year.  The City completed a total reconstruction of Washington Street in 2008 adding curb and gutter, asphalt, sidewalks, and parking.  This has been one of the most appreciated projects of the citizens of Custer.

5.   TIF District # 4 is the last TIF to be developed.  It is a result of the planned development of all the new commercial projects in the main commercial corridor of the City.  The City used that development to improve that corridor for everyone’s benefit.  Utilizing the tax increment philosophy provided over 1.2 million dollars to aesthetically enhance the primary commercial corridor.  This money allowed the City to widen sidewalks, construct nodes at two of the busiest pedestrian crosswalks in town and to install period lighting throughout most of the commercial district.

6.   A storm sewer project was completed in 2011 which should eliminate flooding on 6^th Street from just south of Montgomery to Mt. Rushmore Road.  It should also eliminate flooding of properties east of 6^th Street.

7.      Several intersections are being re-constructed as well.  2010 saw the completion of 8^th Street and Crook Street.  The intersection of Park Avenue and Sherman Street will be completed in 2011.

8.     West Gordon Street extension will be completed in 2011 as well.  This provides a secondary egress for the entire southwest portion of the City.

TECHNOLOGY

9. New cable television technology moved into Custer when Golden West decided to make Custer the distribution center for the Southern Hills.  A new digital system has resulted in improved television and internet capabilities.  Fiber networks are now available for businesses and residences alike.
10. Construction of a new cellular tower now provides cellular access to anywhere in the community.

EDUCATION

11. A new high school was constructed in Custer in 2003.  The School District then constructed a new elementary school which opened in the fall of 2011.
12. The school district has quit claimed the original elementary school to the City.  The City will do a significant remodel to provide an improved City office complex and a huge updated complex for the YMCA.

RECREATION

13. The City and the School District teamed up to develop some much needed soccer and baseball/softball fields on the school campus.  The site grading was completed and preliminary irrigation was put in place.  Full completion of the fields is anticipated by2013.
14. Way Park was completely renovated in 2009.  Old, dying trees have been removed and replaced with new trees.  A new restroom facility has been completed.  The park now has a sprinkler system for the new grass and flower gardens.  A new social area now exists within the Park.
15. The City has invested heavily in other parks as well.  Consider the re-surfacing of tennis courts, a new skate park, the disc golf course and the public gardens complete with irrigation.  The City has installed new windows in the log YMCA building as well as new log supports, improvements to the basement and it’s exit.
16. Two new trails going up Custer Mountain were completed in 2010, thereby expanding access to Big Rock Park and expanding recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.  A structural stairway to the top of Big Rock is scheduled for construction in 2012 and should be completed by 2013.  A paved extension of the Mickelson Trail was also completed connecting the City of Custer with Custer State Park.  A new Disc Golf Course has been constructed in Big Rock Park.  It is rated as a difficult course and gets great comments from avid disc golfers.
17. Under the guidance of the director of the local YMCA, (the recreational arm of the city), membership and activities have seen significant growth.  The Y is busy 12 hours a day nearly every day.  Their programs are based on the needs of a population ranging from infants to the elderly.  The new facility in the vacated elementary school will allow for major expansion of services in 2012.

MEDICAL

18. The hospital and its related facilities, (medical clinic, physical therapy center, and senior care facilities), has continued to expand in its roll as a local health facility.  We are a satellite facility to Rapid City Regional and our partnership has resulted in technological improvements unheard of in communities of this size.  Regional has aggressively placed technology and doctors in this hospital.  They have told us we are the model hospital facility, and they are patterning other satellite hospitals on this model.  The City approved a 2.7 million expansion to the hospital in 2010.  Construction should begin in 2012.
19. The past several years, the City has assisted the Senior Citizen Center with updating and code compliance issues and in 2009 the final items, a handicap access ramp from the rear parking area and the second floor emergency egress were completed.

BUSINESS

20. Business continues to grow and flourish in Custer.  Our sales tax revenues increase every year.  A new department store, Pamida, opened in 2009.  There are now 5 banking institutions in the City of Custer.  There are many new and remodeled buildings in the Custer City business district.  Nearly forty businesses have either remodeled their building or have constructed new buildings.  Some examples of new construction are The Wrangler Café, Bradeen Real Estate, Custer Car Wash, Jenny’s Floral, Dacotah Bank and Subway.  Some of the significant remodels would be the Baldwin Law Office, Walk in the Woods, Buglin’ Bull Sports Bar, Lynn’s Dakota Mart, True Value, and First Interstate Bank drive through.  
21. The City continues to grow its population as well.  Population has increased nearly 15% in the last 10 years.  Business numbers have grown at almost the same pace.
22. Pacer Corporation completed an $11 million investment in their processing facility in 2007 and they are still growing.  They now employ 32 people and are anticipating hiring an additional 20 people.  Their innovative nano-technology is in its infancy.
23. “Custer Cruisin’” Rally is an annual event, which piggy-backs onto Sturgis.  Ten days of every summer, the population swells to nearly 50,000 people in Custer.  These visiting bikers return every year because of the hospitality offered by the community.     
24. The Chamber of Commerce has been very aggressive in promoting business and tourism.  They are doing an outstanding job.  Their enthusiasm for their job and their community is evident in the progress Custer has made in the last few years.

All of these items illustrate the need to make the “streetscape” of the City as attractive as possible.  We want to continue to attract new businesses and residents and provide an attractive place to visit.  We are here to help with your business needs.  Contact us today at Custer Area Economic Development Corporation, P.O. Box 15, Custer SD 57730.

Custer Community Profile