Rapid City is the Gateway to the intermountain west. Rapid
City was founded in 1876 by a group of disheartened prospectors that
had come to the Black Hills in search of gold. The city was named for
the limestone spring stream that passes through the city and originates
high in the Black Hills.
Since it's beginning, Rapid City has been a center for commerce, culture,
transportation, and education for the entire high plains. The economic
base remains fundamentally the same as it was in the 1800's. We enjoy
a diverse economy that includes agriculture, forestry, government, tourism,
healthcare, manufacturing and an extremely strong service sector. Rapid
City consistently ranks in the top three in retail sales per household
which is a clear indicator as to the geographic size of our market.
Rapid City has a rich frontier history and enjoys a mild climate, natural
beauty, and is home to the world famous Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse
Memorial's. The quality of life and accessibility to outdoor recreation
is an important reason why the Black Hills and Rapid City continue to
grow and prosper.
