Contractors Say Events Center Will Bring Jobs

SIOUX FALLS, SD - South Dakota Contractors say building an events center would build a solution to unemployment.  The Associated General Contractors of South Dakota is the latest group to support an events center in Sioux Falls.

"We've got 20,000 construction workers in South Dakota and a great deal of them are right here in Sioux Falls," Fiegen Construction Jeff Fiegen said.

If you decide an events center is in our future, there will be plenty of work to go around. 

"Whether it's infrastructure work, sewer water, utilities, asphalt paving or building work. Whether it's dry wall work, glass paning, mechanical, electrical, there will be contracts and opportunities," Sioux Falls Construction David Fleck said.

The AGC of South Dakota represents over 250 contractors and supplier companies in the state. Fleck said with the recent downturn in the economy, these contractors are directly impacted by the more than 1,000 jobs the project could bring.

Also impacted, our community because Fleck said the money that goes into workers' wallets is funneled back into Sioux Falls.

"Whether money is spent with a painting contractor that pays employees, buys insurance in the community or banks in the community. A $100 million project touches a lot of us in the community," Fleck said.

Some of the contractors say the work should continue even after an events center project is done. They said building it now could build more jobs by attracting more businesses in the future.  

"Whether it's hotels or things the events center needs during operation that will provide additional opportunities for contractors in the community," Fleck said.

As the signs say, these contractors are ready to build it now.

"By doing it today, that's value-based construction. One that's going to service our community and build for our future needs," G.A. Johnson Construction Gerald Johnson said.