On October 22, 2025 Elevate Rapid City joined the team at Mead Lumber to celebrate a ribbon cutting at their location at 320 West Blvd. The event marked a significant milestone as Knecht Home Center officially rebranded under the Mead Lumber name, strengthening the company’s presence and history in the Rapid City community. 

Founded in Ashland, Nebraska, in 1910, Mead Lumber has grown into a 100% employee-owned company with 53 locations across nine states, including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The company provides a full line of building materials and services for both builders and homeowners—from lumber, trusses, and millwork to kitchen cabinets, countertops, siding, decking, windows, and doors. 

While the name is changing, the people and commitment remain the same. For years, Knecht Home Center has been part of the Mead Lumber family, and this rebrand ensures consistency across all locations while continuing to deliver the quality and service customers know and trust. 

“We enjoy the people, value and support, and the ability to serve our community,” said the Mead Lumber team. “That’s what makes being part of the Rapid City business community so meaningful for us.” 

The ribbon cutting celebrated not just a name change, but Mead Lumber’s ongoing investment in Rapid City’s growth. By providing the materials and expertise that fuel homebuilding and development, the company plays an important role in shaping the places where we live, work, and gather. 

Mead Lumber’s rebrand is more than a new sign on the building—it’s a reflection of over a century of experience, a strong employee ownership culture, and a continued commitment to serving the Rapid City community for generations to come. 

Ready to host a ribbon cutting or groundbreaking ceremony of your own? Click here to learn more.