RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakota is getting some nationwide recognition, with a recent survey by Insurify naming Rapid City the third-best city for recent grads to start their careers.
“We have been telling all people that for the final three years, so it’s lastly good to see that somebody listened to us,” stated Elevate Rapid City President and CEO Tom Johnson.
Elevate says it’s not shocking – the identical factor that brings in vacationers, brings in younger professionals: outside recreation, downtown nightlife, and cultural facilities.
A MIDWESTERN SWEEP
Six out of the highest ten cities named by Insurify are in the Midwest, together with the highest three.
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Rapid City, South Dakota
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Portland, Oregon
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Denver, Colorado
- Tampa, Florida
A report by CNBC says the cities are ranked based mostly on cost-of-living, with comparable transit and leisure choices to bigger costal cities.
As they work to develop downtown Rapid City right into a hub with residing, consuming, and humanities, Johnson says this pattern is probably going to proceed – regardless of the challenges distinctive to the 18-to-25 crowd.
“I believe usually younger professionals are generally ignored as a result of we at all times need expertise,” Johnson stated. “What we’re pondering with our workforce scarcity proper now, the way in which we’re in the nation…you need to decrease a few of these limitations to entry, these expertise necessities, these diploma necessities.”
Johnson says Rapid City is a serious employer of these in the healthcare sector, and the tech discipline frequently expands, however a scarcity of expertise shouldn’t be the one barrier for younger individuals in the workforce.
“All the challenges the younger professionals face are sometimes simply, , feeling like they’re related to the neighborhood, whether or not it’s via relationship or whether or not its friendships,” Johnson added.
Some firms, like Black Hills Energy, focus closely on hiring recent grads.
“We have internships that we offer to college students early in their careers – every part from electrical operations to engineering and accounting – hoping to get these college students in and get them excited concerning the vitality enterprise,” stated Marsha Nichols, the neighborhood affairs program supervisor for Black Hills Energy.
BLACK HILLS ENERGY
Black Hills Energy was awarded the “Young Professionals Best Place to Work” award from Elevate Rapid City in June 2022.
Their award web page reads:
“Black Hills Energy is pleased with their firm tradition of being a office of alternative for all. They know that their persons are their biggest asset and thus attempt to create a protected, welcoming, and supportive atmosphere the place everybody can thrive. A job at Black Hills Energy isn’t just a job – it’s a profession journey, which makes them a super office for younger professionals. They make investments in their worker’s well-being and growth and collectively create an inclusive tradition the place everybody belongs.”
Property Meld and Visit Rapid City have been each finalists for the award.
The as soon as hidden gem is now changing into a hot-spot.