Industries Growing in Brookings, SD
Brookings, strategically situated in the central Midwest, is a hub of connectivity, offering convenient access to major metropolitan markets like Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, Omaha, Fargo, Kansas City, Chicago, and Denver. The city is supported by two major roadways, the Missouri River, and the Eastern Railroad (DME) subsidiary of Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), ensuring seamless transportation options. Global companies such as Daktronics, Larson’s Doors & Windows, Twin City Fan, and Solventum (formerly 3M) choose Brookings as their manufacturing base, taking advantage of our robust infrastructure to distribute products nationwide.
Transportation Access
Air
The Brookings Regional Airport is used by regional residents, local businesses and South Dakota State University. There were 54,253 total aircraft operations in 2019 with airport visitors that included Solventum, LARSON, Twin City Fan & Blower, ESPN, USDA, Wheels Up, NetJets and more.
The Sioux Falls Regional Airport, an International Port of Entry with freight services offered by FedEx and UPS, is 50 minutes away on Interstate 29. The airport provides convenient access to the country and world through five airlines offering flights to over 200 cities.
Drive Times
- Sioux Falls, SD – 53 miles – 49 min
- Fargo, ND – 188 miles – 2 hrs, 53 min
- Minneapolis, MN – 204 miles – 3 hrs, 8 min
- Omaha, NE – 237 miles – 3 hrs, 38 min
- Rapid City, SD – 390 miles – 6 hrs
- Winnipeg, MB – 407 miles – 6 hrs, 16 min
- Kansas City, MO – 415 miles – 6 hrs, 20 min
- Chicago, IL – 572 miles – 8 hrs, 48 min
- St. Louis, MO – 668 miles – 10 hrs, 16 min
- Denver, CO – 686 miles – 10 hrs, 33 min
Interstate
Brookings offers convenient interstate access. As a transportation hub for local manufacturing companies like LARSON, Solventum, Daktronics and Twin City Fan & Blower, infrastructure investment have continued to be made to ensure easy access from industrial parks and commercial sites. Brookings offers connectivity via I-29 to I-90, I-80, I-94, I-35 and I-70, which extend throughout the country.
Rail
Rail service is provided by Canadian Pacific Railway servicing all major centers across North America – connecting Brookings to Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Specifically, the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern line provide rail service in Brookings, offering connections to major centers across North America.
Infrastructure
Electricity
Brookings Utilities provides electric service to the city of Brookings and operates the distribution system. A large and small commercial rate pricing structure is provided for businesses depending on their peak demand.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is supplied to the Brookings community by Northwestern Energy. Northwestern’s system includes approximately 7,700 miles of transmission and distribution pipelines and storage facilities serving 168 communities in Montana, South Dakota, and central Nebraska.
Telecommunications
Swiftel Communications provides video, voice, data, wireless networks, cable service and VOIP to Brookings with fiber-to-the-premises throughout the city.
Other providers of voice, digital cable TV and high-speed Internet service include Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative and Mediacom.
Providers include:
Water/Wastewater
Brookings receives its water supply from two main underground aquifers providing up to 7.5 million gallons of treated water each day. Four water towers located in the city along with two water treatment plants have a combined storage of 6.15 million gallons.
The Brookings Wastewater Treatment Plant, located three miles south of the city, is a 6 MGD, extended aeration, activated sludge treatment plant with a collection system made up of 84 miles of pipe and four lift stations. Visit Brookings Utilities for more information.
Core Values:
Businesses and residents of Brookings benefit from living in the state with the best tax climate in the United States. This financial benefit has attracted entrepreneurs, growing businesses, families and retirees looking to maximize their income.
Tax Benefits of Brookings, SD
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Income Tax
Personal Property Tax
Business Inventory Tax
Inheritance Tax
Property Tax Rebates
Tax rebates may be available at the local level, in addition to tax incentives offered by the state. Brookings County offers a discretionary property tax formula for businesses investing $30,000 or more in new construction or expansion.