A Fast-Growing Work Force

The population growth in the Sioux Falls area has been matched with economic strength which has also attracted workers to the area. Although the area has been at "full employment" for several years, new families continue to relocate to Sioux Falls and its surrounding communities. This growing labor pool is very mobile, motivated and well-trained, as large companies opening Sioux Falls facilities have found. With our interstate crossroads location as a convenient tri-state center, Sioux Falls draws from a labor market area that includes twelve counties in three states.

The workforce in Sioux Falls continues to grow because of:

• Opportunities for fulfilling careers
• Metropolitan amenities
• Ready access to educational resources
• Growing economic strength of the metro area

[Labor Force Figures] [Non-Ag Employment] [Availability of Labor]
[Major Area Employers] ["Right to Work"]

Civilian Labor Force, Employment & Unemployment Minnehaha County
Year	Labor Force	Employment	Unemployment	%Unemployed
1980	63,142	60,243	2,899	4.6%
1990	74,228	72,125	2,103	2.8%
2000	91,773	90,342	1,431	1.6%
2004	113,193	109,833	3,310	2.9%
2005	123,448	119,438	4,010	3.2%
2006	122,165	118,880	3,288	2.7%
2007	125,695	122,400	3,295	2.6%
Source: South Dakota Labor Bulletin

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Non-Agricultural Wage & Salary Employment - MSA
Year	Manufacturing	Non- Manufacturing	Total
1980	7,850	46,220	54,070
1990	8,433	64,734	73,167
2000*	13,925	99,892	113,817
2005**	12,617	113,633	126,250
2006	13,142	116,516	129,658
2007	13,125	120,392	133,517
* Employment numbers are for Minnehaha & Lincoln Counties which now comprise the Metropolitan Statistical Area. ** Employment numbers include McCook & Turner Counties. Source: Labor Market Information Center

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Availability of Labor
The estimated available labor supply for the Sioux Falls MSA is 22,000.  With an infusion of nearly 3,000 people each year, Sioux Falls has been and remains a center of employment opportunity for the surrounding region.  Although the published unemployment rates have remained low in the region, there are various other sources of labor available.  Many workers are presently employed, but are either underemployed or are willing to take a different position if the jobs are available.   Businesses have found a significant number of workers in the area (many with college degrees).   It is difficult to determine the exact number however, because they are not identified by labor market assessments that rely solely on statistical unemployment figures.   Most of these workers are anxious to find employment opportunities that are more compatible with their training.   Other potential employees may be found in the pool of people who are not actively seeking employment, but would be willing to work if the opportunity presented itself. 

Labor Available - 2007
	12 County Labor Area
Total Civilian Labor Force	188,342
Total Available Labor Supply	20,000
Source: Labor Market Information Center

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Major Area Employers
Employees	Company
6,743	Sanford Health
4,884	Avera Health
3,348	Wells Fargo
3,200	Citigroup
3,200	John Morrell & Company
3,000	Sioux Falls School District 49-5
2,087	HyVee Food Stores
1,185	WalMart/Sam's Club
1,101	City of Sioux Falls
1,056	First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard
1,042	Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society
875	HSBC
860	Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical & Regional Office
800	Sunshine Food Markets
795	Midcontinent Communications
760	Midwest Coast Transport
750	Lewis Drug, Inc.
700	StarMark Cabinetry
700	CIGNA Tel Drug
640	Raven Industries/Aerostar International Inc.
617	Esurance
590	United States Postal Service
586	LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation
575	Hutchinson Technology, Inc.
550	Midland National Life Insurance Company
500	Qwest Communications
500	Showplace Wood Products

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"Right to Work Law"
In South Dakota, employees are protected by the "Right to Work" law. Under this statute, any industry that is unionized is done so under "open shop" conditions. This means it is illegal for employees to be discriminated against because of membership or non-membership in the union by either management or other employees.

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