< Previous88 MARCH 2025 SITE SELECTION ag generally and the dairy industry more specifi cally. Ag has always been South Dakota’s largest and most important industry, and we’ve been looking for ways to diversify ag operations across the state to keep it growing and thriving into the future. Our total number of dairy cows in the state is up more than % since , and when all of our current projects are completed, South Dakota’s dairy herd will have more than doubled over that time period. South Dakota farmers and ranchers are passionate about what they do. eir dedication to the industry has created a tremendous impact on our state’s economy, and our dairy industry in particular is thriving. Masaba is a family-owned company that manufactures rugged mining equipment. ey have been a strong part of the Vermillion community for years. is past year, they made a crucial new investment to construct a new building that will support the manufacturing of even more construction equipment. e Governor’s Offi ce of Economic Development and the City of Vermillion worked together to provide sales tax relief and a low-interest loan to help make this project possible. is new building will support nearly additional jobs in Vermillion, which will be fantastic for that community. I’m proud that we’ve been able to keep our home-grown companies growing and thriving. How is South Dakota working to increase its inventory of large sites of interest to manufacturers? Noem: We partnered with local communities to create several industrial parks in my time as governor. While the nation as a whole continued to see manufacturing jobs slip away, we focused on building things here in South Dakota. Several of our existing manufacturers made incredible expansions during my administration. And we brought new manufacturers like CJ Schwan’s, who broke ground on a more than $ million project just this past year in one of our new industrial parks. Are there any programs or initiatives you put in place in 2024 that could facilitate even more capital investment in the years ahead? Noem: e CJ Schwan’s project has the potential to grow even larger in the years to come. Because of the success of the Freedom Works Here initiative, we kept our workforce growing to continue to draw more projects in the future. And we prioritized key industries like cybersecurity, fi rearms manufacturers and value-added ag, all of which will continue to carry South Dakota’s economy forward in the future. I wish Governor Rhoden well and thank him for his great leadership while he was my lieutenant governor. Created by South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Claude Lamphere, the stainless-steel sculpture “Arc of Dreams” spans the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a metro area continuing to welcome a steady fl ow of projects. Photo courtesy of Travel South Dakota 88 MARCH 2025 SITE SELECTIONWhat do you consider to be the role of governor in attracting capital investment to Generally speaking, I believe that it is the role of government to create the fairest, most competitive economic environment and then get out of the way. When it comes to attracting high-quality capital investment, a governor can be a very eff ective advocate for their state. Governor Noem proved that in spades, and I intend to similarly advocate on behalf of our great state. SOUTH DAKOTA 90 MARCH 2025 SITE SELECTION 90 MARCH 2025 SITE SELECTION South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden An Interview with SITE SELECTION MARCH 2025 91 Governors also set priorities and work with folks in communities across the state to achieve those priorities. After the legislative session is over, I will be conducting a tour of communities across the state to get on the same page about economic development opportunities and priorities. What are your economic development priorities for 2025 and beyond? Gov. Larry Rhoden: South Dakota will continue to focus on agriculture and industries that support agriculture. Ag is king in our state and always will be. Value-added agriculture is one area that we are growing and developing. We want to be able to draw as much value as possible from every crop and every animal. South Dakota will continue to focus on agriculture and industries that support agriculture. Ag is king in our state and always will be. Value-added agriculture is one area that we are growing and developing.” — Larry Rhoden , Governor of South Dakota South Dakota will continue to focus on agriculture and the l be MARCH 2025 2024 TOP 25 SOUTH DAKOTA PROJECTS Company City New/ Sector Type Investment Jobs Sq. Ft. Expansion (US$Millions) (x 1,000) Cj Cheiljedang Corporation / Schwan’s Co. – NEW Food & Beverage MF 545 – – Sfc Global Supply Chain Sioux Falls NEW Food & Beverage HQ 250 50 – Novilla RNG / Five Shot Ring RNG Hudson NEW Energy MF 200 2 – Riverview – EXP Food & Beverage MF 190 100 – Plainview Dairy Exchange Toronto NEW Food & Beverage MF 60 45 – Clean Energy Fuels Corp. Lake Norden NEW Chemicals & Plastics MF 38 – – Masaba Vermillion NEW Machinery, Equip. & Const. MF,OF 36 86 365 Silverstreak Dairies Warner NEW Food & Beverage MF 33 5 – Novilla RNG / Moccasin Creek RNG Warner NEW Energy MF 33 2 – Showplace Wood Products Harrisburg EXP Wood Products MF 25 – 103 Cnf Enterprises New Underwood NEW Food & Beverage MF 21 36 – Lakeside West Biogas Ortley NEW Energy MF 20 – – Lakeside West Biogas Summit NEW Energy MF 20 – – Brookings Biogas – NEW Energy MF 20 – – Brookings Biogas – NEW Energy MF 20 – – Old Dominion Freight Line Sioux Falls NEW Transport & Logistics DW 17 – – Wildrose Dairy Brandt NEW Food & Beverage MF 10 8 – Double K Sioux Falls NEW Automotive MF 10 – – Missouri Basin Municipal Power Agency Sioux Falls NEW Energy OF 8 – – Dakota Automation Watertown EXP Machinery, Equip. & Const. MF 7 14 – Advanced Sunfl ower Huron EXP Food & Beverage MF 7 21 – Hebron Brick Supply Co. Rapid City NEW Machinery, Equip. & Const. MF 6 7 – Smack Pet Food Aberdeen NEW Food & Beverage MF 6 158 – T And T Granite And Quartz Sioux Falls NEW Machinery, Equip. & Const. DW 5 – – Dakota Digital Sioux Falls NEW Chemicals & Plastics DW 5 – – Source: Conway Projects Database Photo: Getty Images 92 MARCH 2025 SITE SELECTION SITE SELECTION MARCH 2025 93 Until recently, South Dakota was lagging far behind on international trade. e new South Dakota Trade offi ce led trade missions to Mexico, Japan and Taiwan last year, and I had a chance to be part of them. ose missions paid dividends several dozens of times over. Last I heard, the Mexico trip paid an -to- return on investment. ose countries are very eager to partner with us to expand our trade, particularly with agricultural products. I am very optimistic about the potential for our international trade to continue to develop. Gov. Rhoden attended the groundbreaking for a new children’s services center from LifeScape Foundation in April 2024 in Sioux Falls. Photo courtesy of the Offi ce of the GovernorWe have lower taxes than just about any state in America. We have some of the lightest, most common-sense regulatory policies anywhere. And we still have an old- fashioned work ethic that is tough to fi nd anymore.” — Larry Rhoden , Governor of South Dakota We have lower taxes than just about any state in 94 MARCH 2025 SITE SELECTION The South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre Photo courtesy of Travel South Dakota SITE SELECTION MARCH 2025 95 How is South Dakota competitive relative to adjacent states companies might be considering for their operations? Gov. Larry Rhoden : We have lower taxes than just about any state in America. We have some of the lightest, most common-sense regulatory policies anywhere. And we still have an old- fashioned work ethic that is tough to find anymore. Work ethic is central to what it means to be a South Dakotan. Work is a gift, not a punishment. There’s value in working to create something from start to finish. In South Dakota, we teach our kids this from a very young age. We have some of the highest youth employment rates in the nation because we value teaching work ethic to our kids. Then-Lt. Gov. Rhoden in July 2024 attended the groundbreaking for North Oaks Industrial Park in Hartford, South Dakota. Photo courtesy of the Office of the GovernorINVESTMENT PROFILE: PNK GROUP NK Group’s commitment to optimizing processes transforms potentially stressful projects into successful, hassle-free experiences. By integrating its innovative processes with strategically designed multifunctional facilities, this industrial construction engineering and development company accelerates the construction process, ensuring each project is completed on time, within budget and free from the typical roadblocks that often slow down site development. “PNK Group offers a full range of turnkey development services, including project financing where necessary, with contracts fixed at a set price for the client,” says PNK Group Partner Mark Stiles. “Thanks to the independence of supply chains and the production of Building Assembly Sets [BAS] at our own plants in Pennsylvania and Georgia, we minimize the human factor, ensuring fast project completion, reducing construction times by two to three times compared to the overall market.” PNK Group’s factory-made preassembled elements from its plants in Bethel, Pennsylvania, and Winder, Georgia, are produced to be stocked, which significantly speeds up the construction process once transported to the site. The BAS elements strengthen PNK buildings by enhancing their load- bearing capacity, providing a more robust and durable structure, allowing for installations of technological equipment or overhead cranes on reinforced concrete columns up to 8 tons. With this asset, PNK Group can construct standard buildings with advanced base configurations that are easily scalable and can be upgraded to meet the specific requests of clients across each industry. Recognizing that no two projects are the same, PNK Group offers a variety of services to help businesses create the facilities of their dreams, ensuring a seamless and successful process from start to finish. by LINDSAY LOPP Lindsay.lopp@siteselection.com 96 MARCH 2025 SITE SELECTION A New Generation of Industrial Buildings PNK Group’s services streamline site development. PNK Group is a full cycle engineering, manufacturing, and development company innovating industrial construction processes. Images courtesy of PNK GroupSpeculative Building For businesses in need of ready- to-occupy spaces, PNK Group off ers speculative building solutions. eir pre-built, high-quality multifunctional facilities are ideal for production, warehousing and distribution centers, providing businesses with swift access to functional spaces without the delays of traditional developments. Build-to-Suit PNK Group’s Build-to-Suit developments are tailored to meet the specifi c needs and long-term goals of each client. By working closely with businesses from concept to completion, they craft custom industrial solutions that align with the client’s needs. Whether it’s specialized layouts or unique features, PNK Group guarantees that every detail is designed to optimize operations. “With PNK Group, clients purchase a multifunctional industrial building with a wide range of additional functional advantages compared to other buildings in this price category,” says Stiles. “Specifi cally, a more advanced confi guration, increased load-bearing capacity of the frame, and greater fl exibility for future modifi cations that may be needed by the client or investor.” During the construction process, PNK Group assumes all risks, develops its own project and does all the necessary surveys. Clients make payment only after the facility has been completed and approved. Land Acquisition PNK Group actively collaborates with landowners, real estate professionals and individuals with land opportunities to secure ideal locations for industrial developments. Parties interested in potential partnerships can submit proposals via PNK Group’s website: pnk. group/capabilities/. “We are actively exploring markets in the most promising states in the East and Central regions,” explains Stiles, “and plan to spread across the country.” e company currently has completed and ongoing projects totaling million sq. ft. of industrial development underway in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Texas. A Repeat Choice ese services are trusted by companies time and again. Many clients who have benefi ted from PNK’s expertise return when new projects arise. For instance, Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions, fi rst partnered with PNK Group to construct a Build- to-Suit distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia, at the PNK Southern Gateway Industrial Park. When the company decided to expand its operations in High Point, North Carolina, it once again turned to PNK to tackle site development. Backed by an investment of $ million, PNK Group acquired the land, designed the -million- sq.-ft. building and supervised the entire construction process. In addition to Ecolab, PNK Group has helped other companies, including Purple, Incora and Costway, create spaces that suit their operational needs. “ e mission of PNK Group is to satisfy and surprise by exceeding expectations,” says Stiles. “By astonishing our clients with the speed and quality of implementing industrial and manufacturing buildings, we inspire them to develop and seize new opportunities.” With a proven track record of delivering top-notch, customized and ready-to-occupy spaces, PNK Group has established itself as the go-to partner for companies across diverse sectors seeking reliable, cost-eff ective solutions. By overseeing the entire site development process, PNK Group eliminates the typical challenges and disruptions associated with construction, allowing businesses to seamlessly achieve their goals. This Investment Profile was prepared under the auspices of PNK Group. Visit pnk.group for more information. SITE SELECTION MARCH 2025 97 PNK Group’s factories in Pennsylvania and Georgia (pictured here) play vital roles in producing the company’s Building Assembly Sets (BAS). PNK GROUP’S STANDARD CONFIGURATION OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS OF ANY SIZE INCLUDES: • Height – 45’ maximum height, 40’ clear height. • Floor – Slab on grade 8”, 4000psi, reinforced with steel prefab mesh. • Roof– TPO 60 mil, R-25. • Walls– Prefabricated 3-layered precast concrete insulated panels, R-value 16. • Dockequipment– 40,000lbs lifting capacity installed in prefab precast dock pit. • Lights– 30FC on 15-foot pendants/ motion sensors. *The building confi guration can be modifi ed at the client’s request.Next >