NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KTIV) -
Business is booming in North Sioux City, South Dakota. Officials say they've come out of the recession and had a big growth spurt. It's lasted a year and a half, and looks to continue into 2013.
If you know, North Sioux you know its cow spotted building. What was Gateway, is now Union County's largest employer, an Alorica call center.
"We actually took our first calls in October of 2006," said Mike Freeman, site manager.
Freeman says his facility started with 80 people, but success in North Sioux has them at 800. They're searching for more.
"We'd like to get ourselves up around the 1,000 mark. We certainly have some opportunity for people in the community who are interested in joining our team," said Freeman.
Like Alorica, there's a list of North Sioux businesses getting bigger. Hepar BioScience is working on a more than $25 million facility. MARS Petcare recently completed a $5 million wastewater plant. Sand Creek Post & Beam is adding 20 new jobs.
Officials attribute the success to a number of things.
"I think it's a mixture," said Kory Menken, executive director of the North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation.
Menken says businesses love the state's lack of personal and corporate income taxes. Specifically in town, he touts business parks, and a strong workforce.
"We've got a great business climate, we've got wonderful workforce here and we have affordable and available land," said Menken.
They're attributes Alorica has been happy to take advantage of.
"Oh it's been tremendous to be a part of this community. It's just been great for us," said Freeman.
North Sioux does have problem though, a good one. Officials say they're short on manufacturing space. Only about 30,000 square feet is readily available. Officials say it's good, because it might encourage new construction.
The economic boom also has North Sioux needing housing. In fact, US Census data shows more than 4,800 commute to the city for work, each day.
Statistics like that have the Sioux Falls-based Dunham Company, and other investors, putting up a new apartment building just off North Sioux Point Road.
Called River Valley Apartments, the $4 million dollar complex would house 65 one and two bedroom units, and 40 garages. Officials say if River Valley is a success, they'll build a duplicate building next door.
"There's a second phase which would be a mirrored building, another 65-plex. We'd start in two to three years," said Ryan Rients who does business development for the Dunham Company.
The facility is expected to be complete by this summer.
© "We've got a great business climate, we've got wonderful workforce here and we have affordable and available land," said Kory Menken, executive director of the North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation.
