South Dakota

• More than 69,000 customers
• More than 260 employees
• 3,591 total miles of transmission and distribution lines
• 31 communities served

Major Communities Served

• Belle Fourche
• Deadwood
• Edgemont
• Hot Springs
• Lead
• Newcastle
• Newell
• Rapid City
• Sommerset
• Spearfish
• Sturgis
• Upton

Black Hills Energy is the electric utility provider for the Rushmore region of the Black Hills.  The Rushmore region consists of 6 counties and 32 communities in western South Dakota.  No matter what your energy needs are, Black Hills Energy can connect you to the energy expects for real solutions to your energy demand and challenges. Our team is ready to save you money while providing safe, reliable energy in the most cost efficient way possible. We will be at your disposal – from reliable service, incentive programs, partnering with local communities and simply cutting red tape – to help your new or existing business grow.

South Dakota Business Climate

South Dakota is a Right-To-Work State

Under South Dakota law, an employee must not be required to join a union or pay dues or fees to any labor union, association or organization, as a condition of employment.

Trained Talent at Your Fingertips

The Rushmore region of South Dakota boasts a workforce with a wide range of skills – from skilled tradesman who understand the nuances of metal manufacturing, to highly educated engineers and scientists who want to make the Rushmore Region their home.

Tax Advantages

South Dakota business climate is number one in the nation for entrepreneurs according to the Small Business Survival Index. Our overall tax burden is also the best in the country according to Forbes Magazine and the Pacific Research Institute. This benefit carries through the Rushmore region of South Dakota.

The South Dakota entrepreneur has a competitive edge over all his/her business counterparts in the United States. The South Dakota business person enjoys:

• No corporate income tax
• No personal income tax
• No personal property tax
• No business inventory tax
• No inheritance tax

Unemployment Insurance

The South Dakota Unemployment Insurance program is administered by the Unemployment Insurance Division of the Department of Labor. The program is financed by employers through payroll taxes and it provides insurance or benefits to people who become unemployed. South Dakota's average unemployment insurance rate is 1.95 percent.

Workers Compensation

The South Dakota Workers Compensation Act is administered by the division of Labor and Management of the Department of Labor. Workers Compensation is an insurance program that pays medical and disability benefits for work-related injuries and diseases.

Most employers obtain coverage by purchasing an insurance policy, but some employers pay benefits from their own funds. These employers are called "self-insurers" and they are certified and regulated by the Department of Labor.

National Recognition

Driving Business in the Rushmore Region of South Dakota

The six-county Rushmore Region of South Dakota is one of the best places in the nation to start and run a business. The entrepreneurial spirit, support of free enterprise, and Midwestern values and work ethic allows companies to thrive and do business on their own terms.

The Rushmore Regional Trade Area includes over 470,000 people within 200 miles. As such, Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills communities offer retail trade, medical and professional services, and recreation opportunities second to none. Over the past decade, the region has received numerous accolades and national rankings for its excellent quality of life and business climate:

• Rapid City, South Dakota ranked #16 on The Fiscal Times' 25 Most Livable U.S. Cities in 2016 list
• South Dakota ranked #9 in volunteerism by the Corporation for National and Community Service
• South Dakota ranked #2 in the Well-Being Index by Gallup-Hathways
• South Dakota #1 State for Business in 2013 (CNBC Ranking)
• South Dakota #1 Business Tax Climate (The Tax Foundation)
• The Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States study lists South Dakota as the seventh best state in the nation for business in 2012
• South Dakota ranked number one in small business survival index for 2003 (Small Business Survival Committee)
• Rapid City #4 in CNN/Money's Best Places to Launch a Business
• 2010 Men's Journal Magazine - Best Places to Live/Build Your Dream House - Black Hills, SD
• South Dakota Rated Friendliest State for Entrepreneurship (Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council)
• ​Named Pocket of Prosperity (Business Week)

Websites for additional information:

• www.rushmoreregion.com
• www.sdreadytowork.com

Cost of Energy

You will find that South Dakota electric prices are consistently well below the national average cost according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration at www.eia.gov/state/rankings.   We would welcome the opportunity to discuss in greater detail your specific needs and our services given the variety of options and requirements that can be contemplated when providing electric service.   In doing so, we can ensure to put the best package forward to serve your business’s energy needs. 

State Business Incentives and Assistance

Blueprints to Bricks

The Rushmore region of South Dakota has what you need to make your project a reality. Whether you already operate a business in South Dakota, are starting up a business in South Dakota, or are looking to expand or relocate here from outside the state, all of our new business incentives and financing programs are designed to help you grow. Professional loan officers and business development specialists are at your disposal to move your company from blueprints and business plans to bricks and mortar. The Rushmore region communities offer incentives and loan programs from the various communities in the Black Hills.

Need a loan?

Look no further. Visit South Dakota’s www.sdreadytowork.com for information, procedures and applications to our loan and grant programs. Check out the finance brochure for a quick rundown of our available options.

Looking for information on tax incentives?

It’s all right here. Log on to www.sdreadytowork.com to find out which taxes you won’t pay by doing business in South Dakota, and which taxes you may be able to get a refund on.

South Dakota Team

Our team of experienced and trained professionals is dedicated to assisting you with a variety of needs, like site selection or financing.