Rapid City is growing. To grow well, the community needs places where businesses can build, hire, and expand.
That is why Elevate Rapid City is asking the City of Rapid City to consider an amendment to the Rapid City Catalyst District TIF.
The amendment would add Elevate Rapid City as a second developer in the existing Catalyst District. It would support public infrastructure for a proposed business park near Haines Avenue and Mall Drive, called Northline Business Park.
The name is new, but the need is not. Rapid City has a limited number of development-ready business lots. This makes it harder for local businesses to grow and for new employers to choose Rapid City.
What Is Northline Business Park?
Northline Business Park is a proposed 128-acre mixed-use business park near Haines Avenue and East Mall Drive.
The current plan includes 34 planned lots. These include commercial and retail lots along Mall Drive, business park lots in the center of the property, and office commercial lots in the northern section.
The goal is to create sites that are ready for business growth. These sites could serve office, light industrial, advanced manufacturing, commercial service, and other business park users.
This project is not meant to replace the Black Hills Industrial Center. That area is better suited for heavier industrial uses. Northline Business Park is planned for a broader mix of business uses.
Why Is a TIF Amendment Being Requested?
A TIF, or tax increment financing district, helps pay for public improvements by using future tax growth created in the district.
The proposed amendment would help fund public infrastructure needed to make the site ready for development.
The request is about $19.4 million. It would support:
- North Maple Avenue improvements
- Water and sewer infrastructure
- Major grading for site development
- A regional stormwater retention facility
These improvements are needed before the land can become usable business sites.
What the TIF Amendment Would Not Fund
It is important to be clear about what the TIF amendment would not pay for.
- The TIF funds would not repay Elevate Rapid City for buying the land.
- The TIF funds would not pay for private buildings.
- The TIF funds would not pay for internal business park streets.
The request is focused on public infrastructure, grading, and improvements needed to make the site ready for future development.
What About Housing?
Some people have asked if housing will be part of the project.
The current zoning and project plan may allow a multifamily housing component on part of the property. That does not mean the full project is a housing project.
Northline Business Park is a business park first. Any final housing component would depend on market demand, site planning, and future approvals.
What About Empty Retail Space?
Rapid City does have empty retail space in some areas. Northline Business Park is not designed to add retail just for the sake of adding retail.
The commercial lots along Mall Drive are meant to support the business park and the nearby neighborhoods. These could include services employees, nearby residents, and visitors may use during the day.
The main purpose of the project is to create development-ready land for business growth. This includes employers that need office, light industrial, or advanced manufacturing space.
What About Jobs and Wages?
Elevate Rapid City is focused on helping the region attract and grow quality jobs.
One goal of Northline Business Park is to create space for advanced manufacturing and other business users that can expand existing businesses and bring higher-paying jobs to the region.
Those businesses need sites that are ready for development. Without available sites, Rapid City may miss chances to compete for those projects.
What This Project Is Not
Northline Business Park is not planned as a data center site.
It is not planned for heavy industry. More intensive industrial uses are better suited for the Black Hills Industrial Center on Highway 79.
It is not a request to reimburse Elevate Rapid City for the land purchase.
Learn More
Elevate Rapid City has prepared a one-page overview to help explain the proposed Northline Business Park and the related Catalyst District TIF amendment.
The goal is to share clear facts early in the process.
This project is about preparing Rapid City for future business growth. With more development-ready land, Rapid City can better support local expansion, attract new employers, grow the tax base, and create more opportunities for the region.
