Associated Press - S. D. Cities Make Forbes List

S.D. cities make Forbes list
Associated Press

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Sioux Falls and Rapid City continue to make the grade in Forbes magazine's top 10 list of the best places in the nation to start businesses or careers in small metropolitan cities.

Sioux Falls is ranked first for the fourth year in a row. Rapid City was ranked sixth for the second time in a row.

A small metropolitan city is defined as a city with a population of 50,000 to 230,000.

The rankings are determined by a combination of factors that include the cost of doing business, cost of living, crime rate, culture and leisure, educational attainment, income growth, job growth, net migration and highly rated colleges in the area.

Both South Dakota cities have climbed in the rankings in recent years. Six years ago, Sioux Falls was ranked 22, and in 2002 Rapid City was 20.

Rapid Citys top-10 showing gives the region great exposure for entrepreneurs and established companies seeking new opportunities, said Bob DeMersseman, head of the Rapid City Economic Development Partnership

"This continues to raise our profile as a place to do business," he said. "We dont have the resources to buy this kind of advertising."

Gov. Mike Rounds, in a news release Wednesday, said that having both of South Dakota's metropolitan cities listed among the top 10 is a tribute to the state and its economy.

"This simply confirms what we in South Dakota already know. The word is getting out that our state not only has an unparalleled quality of life, but that there is tremendous opportunity for businesses and individuals to thrive," Rounds said.

Sioux Falls first hit number one in the rankings in 2003.

"Executives all over the country are getting the message about Sioux Falls and South Dakota," said Dan Scott, president of the Sioux Falls Development Corp.

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