Black Hills Energy purchases naming rights to Liberty Center

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Liberty Center is expected to bring many things to the Box Elder community.

Including a training center for the region and more specifically, Ellsworth Air Force Base Airmen.

“This facility ensures that Raiders of the 28th Bomb Wing remain ready to answer our nation’s call anytime, anywhere,” said Col. Joseph Sheffield, the 28th Bomb Wing Commander of Ellsworth Air Force Base.

But the public will call the Liberty Center by a new name. The new exercise facility will be known as the Black Hills Energy Liberty Center following nearly a year of negotiations between BH Energy, Air Force and South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority officials.

On Tuesday, the groups made the announcement following a media event at BH Energy’s Regional headquarters on Horizon Point in Rapid City.

The amount for the naming rights was undisclosed but BH Energy officials say the name represents more of what the company puts a premium on to give back to those who have and are still serving.

“We’re very fortunate to have a lot of veterans that are employed at Black Hills Energy and so we see this an extension of our values to support our community. We believe if we have healthy communities. We have a healthy company. It’s very important to us,” said Linn Evans, the President & CEO of BH Energy.

Construction for the 58,000 square foot Black Hills Energy Liberty Center is still on schedule to be completed in July of 2022.