History of Elevate Rapid City
1886
Rapid City Chamber of Commerce is founded.
1973
Rapid City Economic Development Foundation is Founded
Rapid City Economic Development Foundation is founded to act as a vehicle for the development of the Rushmore Industrial Park receiving federal funds earmarked rebuilding infrastructure and expanding real estate opportunities after the flood of 1972.
1990
Rapid City Economic Development Partnership is Founded
Rapid City Economic Development Partnership is founded to improve the efforts of the Foundation and address retention and expansion of industry.
1994
Rapid City Economic Development Loan Fund is Created
1998
Expansion of the Rushmore Business Park
2006
Black Hills Business Development Center Opens
Black Hills Business Development Center opens on South Dakota School of Mines & Technology campus
2008
First formal tenant occupies office space at Black Hills Business Development Center: Evans & Sutherland R&D.
February
Black Hills Regional Angel Fund, LLC launches.
2015
Chamber of Commerce Board Focus Group concludes a streamlined economic development effort is needed.
2016
Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Rapid City Economic Development Partnership boards discussed the possibilities of an aligned economic development effort.
2017
January
Chamber of Commerce board approved the creation of a new independent organization via a joint venture agreement with the Rapid City Economic Development Partnership.
April
Branding and campaign development for Elevate Rapid City begins.
September
Strategic vision for Elevate Rapid City and 5-year goals established.
November 2017
Property Acquisition
Rapid City Foundation’s acquisition of property at 108 E. Main St. from City approval.
2018
April
Elevate Rapid City goes Public.
October
Economic Development Partnership and Economic Development Foundation boards vote to merge under Elevate Rapid City.
June 2018
Ascent Innovation
Black Hills Business Development Center re-brands to Ascent Innovation
2019
April
Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership, and Elevate Rapid City merge to one organization.
September
Tom Johnson hired as Elevate Rapid City President & CEO
October
Groundbreaking of Ascent Innovation Campus
March 2020
Emergency Bridge Loan is Created and Elevate Magazine launches
Elevate Rapid City creates Emergency Bridge Loan Program in response to COVID-19; Inaugural issue of Elevate Magazine is released.
2020
April
Rapid City To Go helped businesses promote their services online throughout the pandemic. Nearly 15,000 Facebook users participated within weeks of the launch.
September
Elevate Rapid City creates Child Care Loan & Grant Program to assist child care providers when schools reopened and parents returned to work.