MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) A joint venture between the Mitchell Area Housing Association and the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce Development Corporation is putting nearly $4 million in infrastructure in the ground as part of the process of preparing approximately 60 lots for housing development in a project known as “Ridgeway on Foster”.
Mike Lauritsen, the CEO of the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce, says that housing is the base upon which economic development is based. Without adequate housing, adequate in numbers and quality, it is difficult to recruit employees. Without additional employees businesses can’t grow their business, and cities can stagnate from lack of growth.
Lauritsen said that 80% of the growth in Mitchell is driven by existing businesses expanding their scope and enterprise while the other 20% comes from recruiting “outside” businesses to relocate in Mitchell. He added that when the Chamber does their business retention and expansion checks the number one thing they hear from employers is they need help in recruiting employees and part of that recruitment effort includes adequate available housing stock.