RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - The town of Box Elder has experienced significant economic expansion over recent years, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down as we move into 2025.
The South Dakota Department of Revenue saw a 37.82 percent rise in sales tax revenue for February compared to the previous year.
Over the past several years, we've consistently exceeded our numbers from the prior year," stated Sean Overeynder, who leads community and economic development for the City of Box Elder. "In terms of percentages, we have seen growth ranging between 21% and 25% from July 2023 to June 2024 compared to the same period in the preceding year. The outlook for 2025 continues to look even more promising.
Overeynder mentioned that the expansion of Ellsworth Air Force Base boosts the need for housing and businesses, however, he pointed out that it is not the sole driving force behind this trend.
The real advantage in this market serves as a competitive edge for Box Elder and the area at large," Overeynder stated. "Enterprises recognize this; they see the commitment from local residents. Additionally, businesses notice how easily accessible Box Elder is via Interstate 90. Traffic data indicates these figures keep growing each year, making it essential for companies to establish themselves here.
Although expansion is beneficial for a city, it can occasionally catch people off guard.
Generally speaking, rural areas usually do not see significant population growth, if they experience any change at all," Overeynder stated. "In most cases, these regions might even witness a decrease in population between censuses. However, for Box Elder, this trend does not apply; instead, our data indicates an opposing scenario. From 2022 to 2024, there has been a precise 21.9%, or roughly 22% increase in population. Additionally, from 2024 to 2025, the population rose by about 4.5%. Although our forecasts remain quite cautious up until 2030 and 2035, we're observing a substantial rise. Thus, although unexpected, this development aligns with the heightened activities emanating from Ellsworth, the Black Hills area, and across the broader region, including increased tourist inflows.
Overeynder instructed to keep observing as Box Elder represents a rival power in the area.
Spot a typo or mistake in our story? Feel free to let us know. click here to report it.
Do you have an image or footage from a current news event? Submit it to us here with a brief description.