2009 Annual Report
Prepared for
Focus Watertown Investors
December 1, 2009
Focus Watertown
PO Box 332
Watertown, SD 57201
1-888-898-6767
605-884-0340
fax: 605-882-0199
www.focuswatertown.com
D eve l o p i n g Fu t u r e I m p a c t
Board and Staf f
Focus Water town Board
Steve Dutenhoffer . . . . . . . . .Regional President; Dacotah Bank
Charles Ewalt . . . . . . . . . . . . .President; Wells Fargo Bank
Craig Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .President; OEM
Steve Lehner* . . . . . . . . . . . . .Incoming General Manager; Watertown Municipal Utilities
Bryan Kindopp* . . . . . . . . . . .Market President; Great Western Bank
Jim Redlinger . . . . . . . . . . . . .Redlinger Plumbing
Jim Roby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Attorney; Green, Roby, Oviatt, Cummings & Linngren
Mark Roby* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Publisher; Watertown Public Opinion
Doug Sharp* . . . . . . . . . . . . . .President; Sharp Automotive
Deb Shephard . . . . . . . . . . . . .President; Lake Area Technical Institute
Gary Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mayor of Watertown
*Indicates 2008 Executive Board Members
Focus Water town Staff
Craig Atkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .President
Traci Stein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Director of Business Development
Becky Mahowald . . . . . . . . . . .Marketing/Office Manager
2009
Executive
Summary
Development
Review
Marketing and Community Developments
Funded and promoted new scholarship program in
partnership with Lake Area Technical Institute and the
Watertown Community Foundation.
Focus Watertown has completed the first fiscal
year of its third growth initiative. Focus III,
“Developing Impact” has positioned Watertown
to succeed in spite of the changing economic
climate. The strategy has born itself out during
one of the more challenging years we have seen
in recent memory.
Funded and sponsored the 2008 Watertown Career Expo.
Participated in state workforce development ad campaign
cooperative.
Partnered with state in recruitment efforts through
cooperative trade show representation.
Focus Watertown assisted two new businesses
in their move to Watertown. TJ Technologies and
LinkIt Software are both welcome additions to
Watertown’s employer pool. Their industries add
further diversity to our manufacturing and
service business foundation.
Successfully championed Watertown’s transportation priorities with
state officials in a critical time of funding concerns to position the
community for future growth.
Completed prospecting missions.
Completed site locator missions.
Updated and provided relocation information to numerous individuals
and small businesses.
Provided management for Watertown-Codington County Regional
Railroad Authority.
Promoted industrial park space with billboard
advertising.
Supported post-secondary education at Lake
Area Technical Institute and Mount Marty
College, Watertown Campus.
tria
Indus
l S i t e s Ava i l a b l e
888-989-6767
focuswatertown.com
The first phase of a major expansion at Lake
Area Technical Institute (LATI) has been
completed. The second and third phases are
already in process. The school is an essential
part of Watertown’s past and future business
growth potential. We congratulate them on their
continued commitment to excellence.
Focus Watertown partnered with
LATI and the Watertown
Community Foundation to
fund a new $30,000
scholarship program to
assist displaced
workers and their
families.
Focus Watertown and
the Watertown
Development Company
were prepared when a
devastating fire destroyed Benchmark Foam’s
previous building. Because of previous
infrastructure development they were able to
quickly find a location for the new facility in
which they are operating today.
During the last twelve months Focus Watertown
also completed the successful assistance of
expansions at both Terex and Angus, adding
jobs and capital investment to Watertown’s
economy.
Focus Watertown has continued to be a leading
advocate for initiatives that impact our ability to
develop Watertown’s economy. One recent and
significant example is the public discussion
regarding the U.S. Highway 212 realignment
project. When special interests threatened to
derail the project, Focus Watertown stepped up
to the plate with both knowledge and a common
sense approach, demonstrating clearly the
necessity for and support of the project on a
community-wide basis.
Watertown’s preparation and planning for
economic development is making an impact for
our future. Focus Watertown will continue to
work diligently to that end. Your continued
investment and support is essential. Thank you.
Total Building Permits
439
Commercial
66
Capital Investment
$41 million
Jobs Created or Retained
315
Numbers reflect activity as of Oct. 31, 2009
Collaborative
Successes
TJ Technologies: This Buffalo, S.D.-based developer of
innovative agricultural products moved a portion of its
operation to Watertown during the summer.
The growing company was seeking additional space for its
Brookings-based research and development laboratory and
packaging operation. Focus Watertown assisted the company
in finding the COEV building, which was ideal for both its current operation and a
planned expansion.
The company is expanding its QuickRoots product line in the new Watertown facility, a move
that company officials estimate could add as many as 10 employees to their overall
Watertown workforce.
Benchmark Foam Inc: Following a devastating December 2008
fire, Focus Watertown worked with Benchmark Foam to find a
temporary manufacturing facility and a new permanent home for the
21-year-old Watertown manufacturer.
US Highways 212 and 81 Realignment: Focus Watertown, the
city of Watertown, the state of South Dakota and Bridgestone
Americas Tire Operations, LLC (formerly known as Bridgestone
Firestone North American Tire, LLC) successfully negotiated an
agreement to allow the long-awaited realignment of US Highways 212
and 81
The realignment widened US Highway 212 on the west side of US
Highway 81, improving safety and traffic flow at the troubled
intersection, as well as fulfilling a key transportation improvement element identified in a
2005 transportation study.
The valiant team effort from Focus Watertown, the city and the state resulted in the
successful relocation of Bridgestone Americas and the last piece needed before construction
began. The realignment was completed in November.
Lake Area Technical Institute Expansion: The first phase of Lake Area Technical
Institute’s (LATI) planned expansion has been completed. The newly named Manufacturing,
Energy and Transportation Center is the result of a 63,000-square-foot expansion to what was
formerly known as the Manufacturing Education Center on the south side of the LATI campus.
Phase II of the expansion is currently underway. Footings have been poured and walls are
forming for the new automotive tech building on the east side of campus. LATI has also
received bonding for Phase III, which includes a new main entrance for the school.
Due to the fast, cooperative efforts of many businesses and
organizations, Benchmark remained fully operational and their
customers experienced little or no interruptions in service and were
able to retain their 45 employees. Because Focus Watertown and the
Watertown Development Company had infrastructure prepared,
Benchmark Foam was able to announce plans to rebuild in Pheasant
Ridge Industrial Park just a month after the fire.
Unique Infrastructure Enhancements: The past year has seen a
unique amount of growth-focused improvements and plans.
The new 65,000-square-foot facility is larger than the previous building and incorporates a
design to accommodate future growth. Partial operations in the Pheasant
Ridge building began early in September and the move of all staff and
operations was complete by October 30.
Early in 2009 the city approved a new TID along the 1st Avenue
expansion to assist in the financing for infrastructure
development there. This district is expected to be an
excellent location for retail and service businesses.
Link It Software: This California-based high-tech firm opened a
business-to-business call center in Watertown, making our community its
third South Dakota location.
Link It’s call centers deal with business-to-business customers only. Many
of Link It’s call center customers are in the high-tech industry. The call
center announces products, develops qualified leads, and handles inbound
customer service calls.
The call center opened with seven employees with projected growth targets
for up to 70 people.
The combined capital investment of Phases I and II is $11.5 million.
Phase III is estimated at $7 million.
Watertown Municipal Utilities completed a
$3.5 million expansion in April, enhancing customer service capabilities
and preparing for future expansion.
The Southern Connector project has been started, which will add
business location possibilities as well as enhance transportation
convenience along a major retail thoroughfare.
Watertown is also looking forward to a new water treatment plant, a new bike trail and new
police and fire stations. These investments are evidence that Watertown continues to be a
progressive and forward-thinking community.