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Hartford Area Chamber and Development Foundation Welcome New Director
The City of Hartford, Hartford Chamber of Commerce, and Hartford Area Development Foundation welcome Amy M. Farr as Chamber & Economic Development Director to lead Hartford's business development and recruitment efforts.Amy Meert Farr is the Director of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce and Hartford Area Development Foundation. She began in this role in February 2021, but she is far from a newcomer. Amy has lived in Humboldt/Hartford area for nearly 20 years, and her commitment to businesses in these
Shamrock Property Management: Husband and Wife Team Bring Executive Services To Hartford
Husband and Wife Team Brings Executive-Level Property Management Services to Hartford When Tony and LaVonne Randall discussed starting a property management business in Hartford, they knew exactly how they would approach it, manage their team, and deliver great customer service. Since 1994, LaVonne has owned and operated a successful Mary Kay consulting business, where she not only consults with people on how to best take care of their skin and sells high-end skincare and cosmetics to
Dave & Co. Real Estate: Local Team Helps Heroes Find Homes
Dave & Co. Real Estate: Local team helps heroes find homes Dave Larson was born and raised in Hartford, but he never predicted he’d end up back in town. Now, he says he can’t imagine it any other way. Larson attended college at the University of South Dakota (USD) and worked for the Army National Guard as an officer recruiter.Following his time as a recruiter, he deployed to Afghanistan for a year and then came back to Hartford and worked as an ROTC recruiter at USD. Larson owned
Meet Your Hometown Real Estate Agent - Michelle Thompson with Hegg Realtors
Meet Michelle Thompson with Hegg Realtors: Your hometown real estate agent Hartford is growing, and Realtors are aware of that fact perhaps more than anyone else. When Michelle Thompson moved to Hartford thirty years ago, the community was right on the cusp of this booming growth. At the time, Michelle was running a small business in the community, which she operated for 18 years before making the switch to real estate in 2005. “I’ve always enjoyed the real estate market, my dad
How to support local businesses during COVID-19
How can you support Hartford businesses during COVID-19? We’re living in uncertain times, not only here in Hartford but in communities across the world. Small business owners were quick to feel the economic effects of COVID-19, and the journey isn’t over yet. It’s been three weeks since South Dakota reported its first case of coronavirus, and as our community navigates this new reality, we wanted to offer some tips on how you can continue to support local small businesses in the Hartford
How can you support Hartford businesses during COVID-19?
How can you support Hartford businesses during COVID-19? We’re living in uncertain times, not only here in Hartford but in communities across the world. Small business owners were quick to feel the economic effects of COVID-19, and the journey isn’t over yet. It’s been three weeks since South Dakota reported its first case of coronavirus, and as our community navigates this new reality, we wanted to offer some tips on how you can continue to support local small businesses in the Hartford
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Area cleaning business prepared to tackle messes of any size
Area cleaning business prepared to tackle messes of any size INTEK Cleaning and Restoration is widely known as the area’s premier cleaning provider. Family owned and operated since 1984, INTEK serves Sioux Falls, Yankton, and the surrounding areas. Owner, Jerry Berg, started out as a small business with just a few employees, but with steady growth over the years, the company now employs over 150 people. Berg built his brand on dependable, high-quality service, and that remains
Minuteman Press promotes small businesses, lifts up the community
Minuteman Press promotes small businesses, lifts up the community Sioux Falls has been home to a franchise location of Minuteman Press for 10 years, but the business has experienced some impressive changes over the last two and a half years after being purchased by Mike and Jessica Hauck. “When my dad and Jess bought the business, it was with the understanding of, ‘How can we help businesses grow and promote themselves?’” said Peter Hauck, director of business development. “We didn’t get into
Business Services: Supporting every aspect of Hartford’s economy
Business Services: Supporting every aspect of Hartford’s economy The beautiful thing about a community is its interconnectedness. When it comes to a community’s success, particularly its economic success, those strong connections are critical. Here in Hartford, we’re fortunate to have a rich array of businesses and organizations that are dedicated to each other’s success, rather than focusing solely on themselves. Many of our area businesses exist specifically to support one another. Today, we’re
Prairie Rehab takes “Patient-First” approach to physical therapy
Prairie Rehab takes “Patient-First” approach to physical therapy With a track record of providing excellent, individualized care for every patient that walks through its doors, Prairie Rehabilitation is a well-respected rehab and wellness provider with locations throughout South Dakota and Minnesota. The company was originally founded in 1990, but it combined with another occupational therapy clinic in 1995 to create what we know today as Prairie Rehab. In 2006, the company opened its Hartford
Family-owned Hartford Dental Clinic provides full range of dentistry services for area residents
Family-owned Hartford Dental Clinic provides full range of dentistry services for area residents It was June of 1993 when Dr. Scott Mattheis first took over theHartford Dental Clinic. Fast forward to today, and the clinic is one of the area’s longest-standing local businesses, having celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018. But what makes the business truly unique? It’s operated by a father-daughter team. Dr. Mattheis’ daughter, Dr. Kimberly Yingst, has fond memories of growing up in her father’s
Kore Cares brings experience and compassion to in-home care industry
Kore Cares brings experience and compassion to in-home care industry Kore Caresis a local, private duty home care company dedicated to providing stress-free care for their clients. Owner, Gabrielle Hoing, is a longtime Hartford resident and the 2020 Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce president. Hoing’s background in the healthcare industry began early on, when she worked as a CNA in a nursing home prior to college. She went on to earn a degree in health services administration and, for awhile,
Health & Wellness: Helping the Hartford Community Live Well
Health and Wellness: Helping the Hartford community live well While it may not be top of mind when it comes to economic development, taking time to promote and support physical health is critical to a community’s success. If we haven’t first taken care of our bodies, how can we hope to successfully run our businesses and engage with the community? Without quality health and wellness resources, communities are unable to thrive. We all know that caring for our family’s health is
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Stomping Grounds Provides Hub for Community Gatherings
Stomping Grounds provides hub for community gatherings Justin Eich and his family have lived in Hartford for almost 20 years, and in that time, they’ve contributed quite a bit to the growing community. Eich is president of the Hartford Area Development Foundation, and he operates several local businesses with his wife, Robin—an attorney with offices in both Hartford and Parker. Eich has a background in auto body mechanics, but he also owns and manages the Vista Crossing apartments and commercial
Buffalo Ridge Brewing Project: Bringing passion for craft beer and community to Hartford
Buffalo Ridge Brewing Project: Bringing passion for craft beer and community to Hartford Craft beer has a long history, but its surge in popularity over the last few decades has resulted in the appearance of countless independent breweries across the country. Phenomena like these often begin on the coasts and work their way inward to the heartland. South Dakota is now home to numerous breweries from Sioux Falls to Rapid City, and now, Hartford is finally able to claim its own craft brewery, Buffalo
Local Restaurants Battle for 'Best Burger' Title
Local restaurants battle for ‘Best Burger’ title For the second year in a row, five Hartford area restaurants are going head to head for the coveted title of Best Burger. Sponsored by the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce, the idea for the Burger Battle Challenge came about last year in an effort to promote business and community growth. “As we were working on our Discover Hartford campaign, we were looking for a fun way to get folks out and eating at all of our local restaurants,” said Stacy
Hartford Women of Today: Diversity With a Common Grounds
Hartford Women of Today: Diversity With a Common Ground Defining the Hartford Women of Today organization is a difficult thing to do. This is not because the group of roughly 25 women is unmethodical. Quite contrarily, the group is so focused on their mission of community service that their reach extends far and wide. Outlining every project Hartford Women of Today has been involved with would require more time than allotted, but rest assured that the community of Hartford is well-looked after
The Gage House: Where Fellowship Takes Priority
Long before The Gage House was officially established, the senior citizens of Hartford, South Dakota would gather at church to take part in fellowship and miscellaneous meetings for the community. When a local gentleman sold the building in which The Gage House currently resides to the senior citizen group, the town elders now had a place dedicated to their activities. The Gage House — also known as the Hartford Senior Center — is a model of collaboration for the common good. In one way,
Community and Civic Organizations: The Heart of Forward Progress
No matter the size, nonprofits connect any community at their core. Polarizing debates often take shape around the public and private sectors’ roles in community development. A firm capitalist might lean towards the private — or for-profit — sector, while an ardent progressive may favor the intervention of the public — or government-run — sector. But there is one sector that is often ignored in this debate, and that is the voluntary — or nonprofit — sector. Many community-based and civic
Ludens, Inc.: A Lesson in Listening to the Customer
Ludens, Inc.: A Lesson in Listening to the Customer The Ludens family may depict their business, Ludens, Inc., as that of an adventure. The multi-generational family business has enjoyed decades of fruitful growth in both the owners’ work and personal lives, but it has not always been easy to come by. Over the years, Ludens, Inc. has evolved their product line to adapt to the changing needs of their diverse customer base. Today, the retailer has found a particular niche in trailers and
Two Guys & A Garage: Finding the Practical in the Mechanical
Two years ago, Josh Hamann and Dave Stofferan did not forecast that a business would bloom out of their garage. As the owners of Two Guys & A Garage — a new automotive repair shop in Hartford, South Dakota — Hamann and Stofferan are still in the primitive stages of development. The two began “wrenching” (mechanic-speak for general repair) out of Hamann’s Sioux Falls home in 2017. All Hamann and Stofferan knew was that they made a great team, and customers were thrilled with their experience. Not
Automotive Tire & Service: As Forthright as the Name Implies
Sometimes the best way to do business is simple and straightforward. In today’s age of flashy advertising, extravagant sales pitches, and superficial customer service, it’s refreshing to work with the antonym. Ryan and Lacey Pressler are the owners of Automotive Tire & Service (ATS) in Humboldt and Hartford, South Dakota, and have built an honest business in an industry that often struggles with trust. “I honestly don’t know exactly how we’ve built trust with our customers,” laughs Ryan. “We’re
The Agriculture & Automotive Industries: Promoting Diligence, Honesty, and Excellence
The Agriculture & Automotive Industries: Promoting Diligence, Honesty, and Excellence You don’t have to know much about South Dakota to understand that agriculture is a vital contributor to the state’s economy. According to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, the industry makes up one-third of the state’s economic activity — equal to roughly $32.5 billion. While the ag industry’s numbers are important, the way of life it helps generate is arguably more so. The Great Plains region may
Primary Manufacturing: The High-Tech Business on Main Street
There are relatively few people in the world — let alone in Southeastern South Dakota — who truly understand the technology behind Primary Manufacturing. And yet, the high-tech plastics manufacturer is located right on Main Street in Humboldt, South Dakota. Ladd McCluskey is the engineer-founder who opened the manufacturing business in 2017, following an encounter with the brand-new technology in California. Having an engineering background in a diverse set of industries, McCluskey was an excellent
Grocott Ink & Thread - Stitching Success in A Family Business
“No, this is not a tattoo parlor,” laughs Lori Grocott as she recalls stories of acquaintances wondering what her business entails. Southeastern South Dakotans may recognize the business as formerly “American Sports,” but owners Lori and Lynn Grocott decided to change the business’s name last year to hone in on their true niche. Put bluntly, Grocott Ink & Thread is a family-owned and -operated screen-printing and embroidery shop located in Hartford, South Dakota. And while the business’s origins
Central States Manufacturing: Building Customer Loyalty Through Loyal Employees
“Take care of your employees, and they’ll take care of your customers.” That phrase is attributed to business magnate Sir Richard Branson, who, among many things, is famous for his companies’ excellent cultures. Central States Manufacturing — a national metal roofing and siding manufacturer — may not find their influence from Sir Branson, but their philosophies certainly align. Now, the thirty-plus-year-old company employs 850 people across the United States, including 67 here at their Hartford,
Manufacturing & Utilities: Abundant Provision for the Whole Community
Manufacturing & Utilities Sectors: Abundant Provision for the Whole Community Upon first consideration of the manufacturing and public utilities sectors, one may think of bureaucratic organizations with little of interest to offer. Of course, without these industries, nothing would get accomplished. Services are required from these sectors daily, whether through energy consumption, telecommunications usage, sanitation needs, or, quite literally, any of the physical products enjoyed in the modern
Jamie Zomer Starts Take the Trip to Make Travel Easy
Take The Trip - Jamie Zomer The dream of travel is glamorous, yet the end result is not always so. Months of anticipation and excitement precede this once-in-a-lifetime experience, only to be muffled by transportation delays, disappointing accommodations, or unsatisfied expectations. If this occurrence is familiar, you are not alone. Travel is a luxury desired by most, yet common excuses and poor experiences tend to bleed into the idea’s execution before it takes flight. Jamie Zomer understands
R Place Kennels Helps Forge Bonds Between People & Their Pets
Some of the best businesses are born out of hobbies. It’s a beloved story, and often a coveted one: the talented hobbyist realizes that their gift can be serviced to customers with adequate compensation to cover their living expenses. The result? As the adage goes, “Find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” This is certainly the case with R Place Kennel — a dog boarding, training, and (occasional) breeding business located here in Hartford, South Dakota. And
