Rapid City celebrated the 3rd annual Elevate Business Awards Night in the Rushmore Hall at The Monument. Established in 2022, the Elevate Business Awards Night honors businesses, organizations, and people within our community for making significant contributions to our mission: elevate the region for all. The selection process of the winners began with a nomination window where businesses were nominated for awards academies using an online form. An independent panel of judges then scored the applications and made the decision for the finalists and winners.
Here are the 2024 winners and finalists:
George Award Winner – Alan Solano
Alan Solano, born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota, learned the value of hard work and community service from his parents. After graduating from Black Hills State University in 1991, he embarked on a 27-year career with West River Mental Health/Behavior Management Systems and is now the President & CEO of the John T. Vucurevich Foundation. Alan has been deeply involved in his community, coaching youth sports and serving on various boards, including the Black Hills & SD Societies of Human Resource Management and the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce. He also served as a state senator for six years, contributing to numerous committees. In his spare time, Alan enjoys outdoor activities with his family and believes strongly in community involvement, earning him the 2024 George Award from Elevate Rapid City.
Granite Award Winner – Reptile Gardens
Reptile Gardens began in 1935 when 19-year-old Earl Brockelsby discovered people's fascination with snakes, leading him to build a small exhibit that grew into a successful business by 1941. In 1965, the attraction moved to its current location, featuring innovative exhibits like the Sky Dome with free-roaming reptiles and birds. Now led by Earl's nephew and grandson, the family business continues to honor his vision with top-notch displays and outstanding hospitality. Recognized twice with the George Mickelson Award and named South Dakota’s Family Business of the Year, Reptile Gardens also supports various charities and promotes environmental education. Celebrating its 87th year, Reptile Gardens remains a premier entertainment destination, inspiring and educating millions of visitors.
Small Business of the Year Award Winner – A&B Business Solutions
A&B Business Solutions, a leader in technology and office solutions, operates with a strong commitment to honesty, accountability, and community impact, as outlined in their "CODE OF HONOR." They prioritize community involvement, supporting numerous local organizations and encouraging employee volunteerism through their Bring It Home program. Dedicated to employee development, A&B invests heavily in training and leadership courses, fostering a culture of continuous growth. This commitment to nurturing talent is reflected in their impressive sales achievements and internal promotions. As a cornerstone of the community, A&B Business Solutions exemplifies excellence and service.
Finalists:
Emerging Business of the Year Award Winner – Bashful Bison
The Bashful Bison, known for its sandwiches, bakery delights, and catering services, has become a culinary gem in the community by offering scratch-made, locally sourced dishes that highlight refined culinary skills. The eatery emphasizes integrity and community support, fostering a transparent connection with patrons by sharing the origins of their food. Despite starting with minimal resources and facing significant challenges, including financial constraints and ownership disputes, The Bashful Bison thrived by transitioning to an in-house bakery and optimizing their retail space. Over three years, they've grown from a single employee to a team of five and are moving to a larger facility to meet rising demand. Their story is a testament to their dedication to quality, innovation, and community engagement, supporting local farmers and producers while providing exceptional culinary experiences.
Finalists:
Business Expansion Award Winner – A&B Business Solutions
A&B Business Solutions has expanded significantly with the acquisition of Robert Sharp & Associates, enhancing their service offerings in technology, office solutions, and marketing. This acquisition represents a major investment in the Rapid City community, allowing the agency to continue providing comprehensive marketing solutions. A&B is committed to reinvesting in their marketing teams’ resources and training to ensure top-tier services. Their vision of "Developing Strong Communities" is evident through their philanthropy, sponsorships, and paid volunteer time for employees. This diversification fosters collaboration, entrepreneurship, and economic growth, positioning A&B as a leader in innovation and community development.
Finalists:
Large Business of the Year Award Winner – Black Hills Surgical Hospital
Black Hills Surgical Hospital has been improving lives in the community for 27 years, growing from a small surgical center to a comprehensive hospital system. They have achieved national recognition, ranked #1 in Major Orthopedic Surgery for two consecutive years. Founded on patient-centric principles, they offer integrated services through over 500 skilled professionals. Their culture emphasizes values like kindness, passion, and service, with initiatives like the Ambassador program to empower staff. Their community involvement, including support for local organizations, reflects their commitment to service beyond healthcare.
Finalists:
Young Professionals Best Place to Work Award Winner - Black Hills Federal Credit Union
Black Hills Federal Credit Union is a dynamic financial institution where young professionals thrive, offering more than just banking services since 1941. Guided by the philosophy of "people helping people," it emphasizes employee growth through initiatives like the Career Development challenge, formal training, and peer mentoring, with 51% of their 417 employees being young professionals. They foster an inclusive workplace culture with Employee Resource Groups, college partnerships, and tuition reimbursement. Their Community Action Team engages employees in meaningful community service, with nearly 250 employees supporting 74 local organizations in 2023. Their commitment to growth, inclusivity, and community impact has earned them the 2024 Elevate Young Professionals Best Place to Work Award.
Finalists:
Non-Profit of the Year Award Winner – The Career Learning Center of the Black Hills
The Career Learning Center of the Black Hills (CLC) empowers individuals through education, training, and employment to foster self-sufficiency. For over 30 years, CLC has supported economic independence with programs including career counseling, workforce training, GED® preparation, and adult basic education. Serving 300 adults annually, they help diverse learners from GED® candidates to non-native English speakers. Guided by their PREVAIL values—partnerships, respect, excellence, visionary, adaptive, integrity, and learning—CLC adapts to educational needs and fosters community growth by providing skilled employees. Their dedication to lifelong learning and community prosperity makes them a deserving Non-Profit of the Year.
Finalists:
Diversity & Inclusion Award Winner – Monument Health
Monument Health is a community-based healthcare system in western South Dakota, comprising 5 hospitals, over 40 clinics, and employing over 5,000 physicians and caregivers. They are dedicated to principles of trust, respect, compassion, and excellence, fostering a culture of diversity and inclusivity. Through initiatives like cultural awareness training, diversity workshops, and the Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging photo contest, they promote understanding and celebrate unique backgrounds. Monument Health's Hero Walks honor military and veteran patients with dignity, and their Special Rodeo event highlights inclusion for individuals with special needs. Under CEO Paulette Davidson's leadership, they prioritize equity with strategic positions and committees, setting a standard for continuous learning and community engagement.
Finalists:
Beautification Award Winner – Pure Medical Aesthetics
Founded in 2017, Pure Medical Aesthetics is a premier medical spa offering a wide array of aesthetic treatments in a professional spa atmosphere. Their commitment to patient comfort and satisfaction is evident in both their services and their community involvement. In 2023, they collaborated with mural artist Patrick Ganino to transform their building's exterior with a captivating mural, complemented by new lighting, signage, and flowering baskets. Pure Medical Aesthetics actively engages with the community through nonprofit partnerships, city cleanup efforts, and charitable events. Their dedication to excellence and beautification enhances both their visibility and the aesthetic goals of downtown Rapid City, making a lasting impact on the community.
Finalists:
Congratulations to all our Business Award winners and finalists!
A huge thank you to those who sponsored the event:
Premier Sponsor:
Corporate Sponsors:
Community Sponsors:
Last but not least, thank you to all those who helped make the event go smoothly:
- Venue – The Monument
- Emcees – The HomeSlice Group
- Photographer – Kene Photography and Imaging
- Videography – SoDak Marketing
- Lighting/Audio – Depot Music Productions (PowerHouse Dance DJ’s & Sound Productions)
- Awards – Vanway Trophy & Award and Sand Scripts
- Printing – Copy Country
- Event Decor – Miranda Madison Events