Celebrating 10 Years of Inspiring Action and Igniting Growth in Wall

Ten years ago, the Wall Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) began as an idea.

It's hard to believe that a decade ago, what began as Marty Huether's vision to revitalize economic growth in Wall has blossomed into the dynamic organization we celebrate today. 

Our new vision statement, shaped by our high school senior board member Patrick Trask, is to empower growth and collaboration to ensure generational prosperity. And our new mission statement is to inspire action and ignite growth in our community. 
Combined, these two guideposts work in tandem to continue positioning Wall as a great place to live, work, and do business. 

What Did WEDC Accomplish in 2025?

Over the past twelve months, WEDC experienced tremendous momentum and measurable impact.

Thanks to strong city support and community collaboration, together we achieved key objectives across several focus areas:

Business Development

• The potential to create a rail spur for the industrial park.
• Created professional marketing materials and installed signage to promote our industrial park.
• Actively networked with site selectors and developers, positioning Wall as a strategic location for expansion.
• Successfully supported the launch of Fly Badlands, showcasing Wall’s aviation infrastructure and entrepreneurial potential.
• Advanced the airport development initiatives, supporting new hangars, shuttle services, fueling systems, and new airport lease agreements. 
• Developed an incubator facility for the industrial park with marketing materials being sent to WDT, Mitchell Tech, Lake Area Tech, SD School of Mines, SDSU, and the Biotech Association
• Marketed our community center as a venue for local, state, and federal meetings to create year-round visitors.

Workforce Development & Partnerships

• Partnered with Western Dakota Tech to bring CDL training directly to Wall, setting a regional example in workforce innovation and helping to meet workforce needs. 
• Promoted Wall as a community that meets employer needs with practical, forward-thinking solutions.

Business Support

• Conducted Business Retention & Expansion visits to stay connected to our local business community.

Leadership & Community Development

• Relaunched our Community Leadership Program, preparing the next generation of civic leaders.
• Held Grant Writing, HR Pitfalls, and Ag Succession Planning workshops.
• Promoted these programs at regional and state levels to showcase Wall’s innovation in community development.

Marketing & Regional Engagement

• Represented Wall at state and regional economic development conferences.
• Built relationships with industry leaders, site selectors, and legislators, ensuring Wall is visible, viable, and ready for opportunity.

What are Wall EDC’s Goals and Focus Areas for 2026?

As we move into our next decade, WEDC remains committed to our mission to inspire action and ignite growth in our community.

Here’s what’s ahead for 2026:

Business Growth Initiatives

• Market and sell Industrial Park lots.
• Create opportunities for both new and existing businesses.
• Position Wall as an attractive place to live and conduct business.
• Support developers to increase workforce housing.
• Continue networking with site selectors, developers, and leaders at all levels.

Program Development

• Expand Leadership Programs to develop our next-generation leaders.
• Launch the Business Incubator Program in the Industrial Park.
• Begin the Fresh Grow Program, producing local year-round produce with school and community partnerships.
• Continuing business education workshops focused on practical, real-world business support.

Community Development

• Grow the Mailbox Program to keep youth connected to Wall.
• Continue Coffee Connect & Classes to foster community learning.
• Support new housing and infrastructure development.
• Collaborate with WDT and Wall School to bring adult education classes to town.

Airport Development

• Support airport expansion through new hangars, shuttle services, and fueling infrastructure.
• Position Wall’s airport as a regional hub for business and tourism.

2025 WEDC Award Winners

During our annual meeting in December, we also presented a number of awards to members in the community who don’t just see opportunity, they elevate it.

• 2025 Business Retention and Expansion Award to Hansen Inn & Cabins
  • Owned by Eric and Natalie Hansen, the lodging facility was also recently acknowledged as a Star Location by Laura Bidwell of South Dakota’s Black Hills, sharing the prestigious designation along with Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park.
• Business Development Award to Ana Komar, the owner of Fly Badlands.
  • Ana is an adventurous entrepreneur with a background in international management and psychology, who previously worked off-grid building hospitals and served as a park ranger. She became a pilot and founded Fly Badlands in Wall, which offers unique, narrated air tours of the Badlands, bringing the landscape's history and geology to life and significantly boosting local tourism.
• 2025 Homegrown Success Award to Small Town Glo and its founder, Ashton Swift.
  • Ashton is an entrepreneur who started the business to bring "big-city" beauty services, particularly high-quality sunless tanning and self-care, to the Wall community to prevent residents from having to travel long distances. The business grew from a mobile idea to a dedicated studio, expanded its services to include hair, waxing, and piercings, and now operates from its own location at 218 5th Avenue, also managing the Small Town Bungalow Airbnb.
• Friends of Economic Development Award to Dakota Resources.
  • Dakota Resources is an organization dedicated to empowering rural communities across South Dakota by "connecting capital and capacity." They support rural growth through five key programs (Community Development Loans, the Learning Network, RuralX, Community Coaching, and the New Markets Tax Credit program) and have provided invaluable guidance and support, notably through their BOLD Program, to the Wall Economic Development Board.

Making Wall a Wonderful Place to Live, Work, and Innovate

Thank you to all of our community members, investors, volunteers, city and county officials, and business partners for making 2025 a banner year.

This includes much appreciation for our past and present Board of Directors, which currently includes:

• Dawn Hilgenkamp - Board President
• Jackie Heathershaw - Board Vice President
• Lindsy Reagle - Board Secretary
• Mary Williams - Board Member and Mayor of Wall
• Deni Martin – Board Member Representative 
• Stephanie Volmer - Board Member 
• Patrick Trask – Board Member & High School Representative 
• Sadie Davis – Board member and junior High School Representative

We’d also like to welcome our new board members, Daniel Korkliker and Preston Johnson, who will be replacing Deni Martin and Jackie Heathershaw.