Ensuring the Future of Our Community!

It is my distinct pleasure and good fortune to serve as your Chamber Chairman for the upcoming year. This year’s Board of Directors is an exceptionally dedicated group of business people who have a sincere desire to contribute their time and talents to the advancement of our community.  We owe tremendous credit to the Chamber staff, a dedicated group of professionals who have earned our Chamber a coveted five star rating.  I take great pride in having the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of volunteers and professionals, who seek to make our community a better place to live, work and play.

In the coming year, your Chamber will work diligently to ensure Ellsworth Air Force Base remains a viable and enduring member of our nation’s armed forces. With Ellsworth contributing over $300.7 million into our community in 2008 alone, it is incumbent among us all to enhance the role we play in the partnerships being built to maintain the viability of our base.

Additionally, several organizations and businesses have joined forces with the goal of ensuring a vibrant future for downtown Rapid City. Destination Rapid City continues to lay out a comprehensive vision for the upcoming development of our downtown district. The Chamber will support these efforts helping to foster ideas that will ensure the success of the emerging downtown model.

And lastly, as members of the business community, we know the amount of energy and resources that go into retaining our existing customers and members. This year we will focus on enhancing the Chamber experience as well as educating our diverse membership on the importance of being an involved citizen. We will continue to inspire trust within the business community ensuring a strong voice for our Chamber.

I challenge you to look for opportunities in our community where you can serve and play an active role in the future of Rapid City.

Al Rieman
Chairman of the Board
Black Hills Harley Davidson