The Sanford Underground Lab, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and Ellsworth Air Force Base present a wealth of economic opportunity the Black Hills can’t afford to ignore, Rapid City business and community leaders agreed Thursday.

Black Hills Vision hosted its 10th of 11 town hall meetings Thursday in Rapid City, drawing about 40 people eager to help define priorities for future economic development.

The group, which raised more than $3 million for a five-year economic development program that started in 2005, will take the answers, along with those from 10 other communities, as inspiration for a second round of projects and fundraising to start in 2011.

“We did see some common themes and threads, while realizing each community is an individual,” Black Hills Vision chairman Mike Derby said. “We also did see some ‘game changers,’ something new and exciting to take a look at.”

Those in attendance Thursday represented some of the city’s largest businesses, financial institutions and organizations. After breaking into small groups, they spent the majority of the 1-1/2 hour session brainstorming opportunities for growth locally and regionally and Black Hills Vision’s role in facilitating that growth.

Among the most popular ideas:

--  taking advantage of technology jobs related to the lab and the School of Mines

--  marketing the region’s favorable business environment and quality of life 

--  expanding the region as a medical hub

--  embracing efforts to improve downtown Rapid City

--  growing the emerging military/firearms industry

Derby said they’ll take the results back to the Black Hills Vision board, which should have a plan of action ready by the second or third quarter of 2010.

In its first campaign, Black Hills Vision contributed money to five projects: saving Ellsworth Air Force Base from closure, attracting more air service to Rapid City Regional Airport, increasing affordable housing, establishing the Black Hills Business Development Center and supporting the development of a technology corridor.

Benjamin Snow, president of the Rapid City Economic Development Partnership, said approaching economic development regionally is the only way Rapid City and the Black Hills will succeed.

“Whether it’s a company locating in Rapid City or Sturgis or Hot Springs, that’s a victory for the region. That’s what you need to focus on,” Snow said. “In today’s economic environment, if you don’t act regionally, you don’t win.”

Contact Emilie Rusch at 394-8453 or emilie.rusch@rapidcityjournal.com.