Elk Point continues steady growth

"Everything is relative," said Jim Cody, owner of Cody's Homestead restaurant and member of Elk Point's newly formed Economic Development Commission. "It's a big domino theory, except we're raising the dominoes up instead of letting them fall down."

One of the first dominoes in the economic development chain for Elk Point is something that residents have long known. At every turn, residents are quick to point out the city's quality of life.

"We have top-notch schools," said Cody, referring to the recently completed $8 million K-12 school, one of the newest and most technologically advanced schools in the state, complete with a newly added industrial arts wing.

"We have one of the best nine-hole golf courses you'll find anywhere in the country, and a great swimming pool," he added.

Mayor Isabel Trobaugh points to the town's location along Interstate 29 as a strong benefit to potential residents.

"People can live in Elk Point and be 15 minutes from Sioux City, 15 minutes from Vermillion, from the university, and still live the small-town lifestyle," she said.

Both Cody and Trobaugh cite the community's low crime rate as another important drawing card for potential residents and businesses. The city has also made significant improvements to its infrastructure over the last decade, including upgrading of the city-owned electric services, a new sewage lagoon, new water storage facilities, and street improvements. The changes, Trobaugh said, have been positive in attracting new residents.

"There are more houses in town, there are very few empty houses, our apartments are filled," she said. "We are becoming noted across the state, people are finding that Elk Point is here and it's growing."

In the past several years, Elk Point has seen strong growth in residential housing due, in part, to the Country Club Estates housing development on the south side of town. The development includes the involvement of a number of hometown people. Developer Don Dunham grew up in Elk Point, as did his business partner, John J. Curry. The builders for the project are the Herrity Brothers, also Elk Point natives.

"Country Club Estates started with the initial groundwork in the fall and winter of 1997, and by Thanksgiving 1998 the first four homes had been sold," said real estate agent Patricia Curry.

Today the development has 60 structures with more than 50 new families and continues to grow. New home prices start at $104,000. The Country Club Estates plan eventually calls for 250 housing sites, and a 15-acre parcel of land which will be developed into a greenway, a city park, or a possible nine-hole addition to the city golf course.

"We feel that we're poised for steady growth, about the right kind of growth for a small town," said Curry.

In the past year, Elk Point has not only become home to new families, but also to the South Dakota National Guard 727th Transportation Company. In the summer of 2002, the company set up newly renovated headquarters in the former Elk Point City Auditorium. Members of the 727th were called to active duty in January.

Major employers in Elk Point include Aaladin Industries, which builds and ships power washers across the country; Load King Trailers, makers of industrial trailers; Thermo Bond Buildings, makers of climate-controlled housing units for communications equipment; and Curry Seed Company, a family hybrid seed business established in 1938 which continues to grow.

Residents of Elk Point are hoping to see an important economic boost for the town over the next several years in the form of tourism, with growing national interest in the Lewis and Clark expedition.

"There really is a lot of important history here," said Trobaugh, referring to the fact that Elk Point is the only location along the Lewis and Clark trail where the Corps of Discovery camped twice - once on the way to the West Coast, and again on the way back, a fact that many area residents were mostly unaware of until just a few years ago.

"Lewis and Clark are bringing us into focus," said Trobaugh, pointing to the recent designation of the town's Heritage Park as a National Historical Site. "If you're going to be a spot on the map, you need the right people."

Elk Point's Heritage Days celebration is held each August near the anniversary of the expedition's trip through the area. One of the most popular events is the re-enactment of the election of Patrick Gass to Sergeant in the Corps, a historically significant event that was the first election ever held west of the Missouri River. Gass was elected to replace Sgt. Charles Floyd who had died near Sioux City several days before. The event has proven itself popular with local residents and visitors alike. What makes the event unique is that all of the re-enactors involved are local people who have taken an interest in promoting the Corps' history in the area.

Since its inception four years ago, the event has steadily grown, and is considered by many to be one of the three best re-enactments along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Residents expect interest to continue growing as the bicentennial of the expedition approaches in 2004.

"We've already had inquiries about campsites for this year," said Trobaugh.

Although it's difficult to predict the exact number of tourists who will pass through the area, she said that the projections are big.

"They tell us that thousands and thousands of people are coming," she said.

Preparations for the influx of visitors include interpretive plaques at Heritage Park, flags representing the history of the area and plans for a trailhead. The group is in the process of raising local money to purchase a bust of Patrick Gass which would adorn the park.

Beyond the significance of the town on the Lewis and Clark Trail, Elk Point has a rich history, which began when the town settled in 1859 along the military road running from Sioux City to Fort Randall in the Dakota Frontier, making it one of the first communities in what would eventually become South Dakota. The town has also recently put up a number of old-fashioned light poles along Main Street which add a historical flavor for visitors. Adding to that historical flavor is Edgar's Old Fashioned Soda Fountain, which draws visitors from all over the country.

Both Cody and Trobaugh point out the key to an economically successful town is the changing dynamic of its population.

"We used to know everybody in town," said Cody. "Now we have people moving here from all over, young families, sharp, progressive people."

"We're also becoming a multicultural city," added Trobaugh. "We have all different races living here."

Elk Point citizens are now in the process of taking the next step in developing the economy of the area. A recently formed group made up of city leaders, school administrators, business people and citizens have begun work with the Governor's Economic Council to help the city continue its growth. Although the group is still in the formation stage, members have a good idea of their goals, one of which is to identify different parcels of land which may be available for development and work with the state to provide low-cost loans for business to occupy.

Cody said that having an independent group work in this direction gives Elk Point a distinct advantage over many other towns.

"This kind of group can work faster than the city," he said, referring to the timeliness with which such a group can respond to potential new businesses. "The city can't do anything without a City Council meeting."

Another advantage to such a group is that its members can take a good look at potential development with the city's overall future in mind.

"We can balance what's necessary for Elk Point, what would be good for our city, with what is necessary for potential developers. So far the group's main success has been in building awareness," Cody said, adding, "We've had interested people come to interesting meetings."