In September, local business owners, community partners, and supporters gathered to celebrate the milestones and successes that shape our vibrant economic landscape during the annual Black Hills Community Economic Development (BHCED) Small Business Round Up. The event showcased the extraordinary contributions that small businesses make in our community and told the story of how the Black Hills region defines itself by opportunity, grit, and determination.
Join us in celebrating the winners of that special evening:
Partner of the Year
Congratulations to Neighborworks Dakota Home Resources (DHR), who was awarded with 2024 Partner of the Year by the Rushmore Region Alliance!
Neighborworks DHR is a local non-profit organization with a mission of providing quality affordable housing in the Black Hills. They accomplish this goal by teaming up with partners such as South Dakota Housing to offer fair-priced housing, down payment assistance, homebuyer education, and more. Their efforts have made a significant impact throughout the region, particularly in the Belle Fourche area.
Small Business of the Year
Congratulations to Hinterwood Inn & Cabins for their achievement of BHCED’s 2024 Small Business of the Year!
Garrett and Katelyn Shields, owners of Hinterwood, purchased the property in 2017. Thanks to the help of BHCED, the couple was able to renovate the former bed and breakfast into three rentals that reflected the beauty of the Black Hills. Over time they have expanded and built additional lodging accommodations on the property. Hinterwood now boasts a total of seven rental units, offering thoughtfully crafted, modern cabins to visitors in the Keystone area.
Lender of the Year
Congratulations to Elton Finck of Pioneer Bank & Trust for securing the title of BHCED’s 2024 Lender of the Year!
Elton brought in the highest number of approved SBA 504 loans over the past year, providing small businesses throughout the Black Hills with the funding they need to grow and succeed.
About BHCED
BHCED began in 1981 as a regional economic development corporation. The company is a Certified Development Company (CDC) through the US Small Business Administration. BHCED issued its first SBA 504 loan in 1987 and has since issued more than $100 million in SBA loans in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
BHCED is currently in the process of merging with First District Development Company (FDDC) to form a new organization, Ally Dakota Development. The joining of the two companies will result in Ally Dakota Development being the only certified development company with a presence on both sides of South Dakota.
Ally Dakota Development supports the operations of the Rushmore Region Alliance, a group of Economic Development Organizations throughout the Black Hills who pursue advancement of the entire region through economic development efforts such as capacity building and regional marketing.
