Small Town, Big Opportunities: Wall Breaks Ground on New Era of Economic Development Supporting Regional and New Businesses

Boasting convenient access to Interstate 90, the main east-to-west thoroughfare that runs through South Dakota, as well as direct connections to Sioux Falls, Pierre, and Rapid City, Wall, SD offers numerous advantages for established and emerging businesses focused on manufacturing. Wall Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is the entity dedicated to helping these entities looking to capitalize on convenience without the complexities that come from operating in a major metropolitan area.  

Location, location, location

Tucked into the southwest corner of the state, Wall is conveniently located 114 miles from the state capital of Pierre and less than an hour from Rapid City, which has seen steady growth since 2020 and a population topping 82,000 residents, an increase of 2.24% from 2023. To accommodate the boom, the Rapid City Regional Airport recently broke ground on an extensive, multi-phase expansion project that will include adding five additional gates to better handle the influx of travelers and worldwide visitors to popular points of interest such as Mount Rushmore, the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the abundance of hunting, hiking, trail riding, and water recreational activities within the 1.2 million acres of the Black Hills National Forest.

Window to the West

Hailed locally as the “Window to the West,” Wall has enjoyed an iconic status that stretches across the globe. This tight knit community has served as the gateway for the million-plus annual visitors to the Badlands National Park for decades, with additional breathtaking draws like Buffalo Gap National Grasslands and the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. But Wall’s reputation as a top travel destination undoubtedly springs from the presence of the famous Wall Drug. Since 1936, curiosity seekers and weary travelers have been drawn to the attraction via quirky hand-painted signs placed alongside local highways that advertised free ice water, hot coffee for 5 cents, and homemade donuts. Over 3,000 signs exist today, and have popped up as far away as Paris, France and Antarctica, helping entice the two million visitors that make the pilgrimage to Wall Drug every year. So expansive has this tourist attraction become that visitors are encouraged to download a map of the 76,000 sq. foot building and make a day of it. 

Infrastructure

In response to the regional population growth, the WEDC recently broke ground on the 85-acre Wall Industrial Park, the only Certified Site located in the western half of the state. It will cater to light industry in categories like precision agriculture, manufacturing and production, bio-science, and wholesale/distribution businesses. Wall is further supported by a municipal airport as well as tracks operated by the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad, which services the Dakota Mill & Grain elevator located in the heart of the town. 

Business Incentives

WEDC’s rich offering of various programs, grants, loans and valuable business resources combined with South Dakota’s low cost of living and business-friendly environment that boasts no corporate tax, personal income tax, or business inventory tax will appeal to entrepreneurs and business owners who are looking to start or re-locate their business to a family-friendly community with endless opportunities.

Business success in Wall

Complementing its proximity to points of national interest, Wall also supports many small and locally owned businesses like Dakota Sky Stone, Badlands Harley Davidson, and the Wall Meat Processing plant.

To learn more about the Wall Economic Development Corporation and how we can help your business grow, thrive, and become a vital part of our community, contact us today.