When I joined the Harrisburg Economic Development Board of Directors in 2016, I was excited to get involved with an organization that was dedicated to strategic development in Harrisburg. What has happened over the past 6 years has been truly remarkable; record growth in population, building permit valuations, school district enrollment, the list goes on.
Our organization couldn’t be where it’s at today without the support and commitment from many stakeholders, organizations and individuals that have put in the extra- effort to have the success we experienced in 2022. Some of those organizations include the City of Harrisburg, the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce, the Harrisburg School District, and many investors, past board members and volunteers. The list below culminates some of our organization’s successes from the past year and we couldn’t have done it without so much assistance from our great community.
Success in 2022
Formation of a new, 9-member Board of Directors for the Harrisburg Economic Development Corporation (HEDC)
Partnering with Sioux Metro Growth Alliance and onboarding Lisa Zens as our Economic Development Director in Harrisburg
Launching the Heart of Harrisburg campaign
Establishing an office next to the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce
Formation of marketing committee with a new HEDC website and enhanced communication channels
Began downtown redevelopment discussions
Commencement of the hotel feasibility study
Formation of the roads taskforce to guide discussions on infrastructure improvements
Selling an asset for revitalization
Meetings, introductions, project discussions, collaborations, conferences, and strategic partnerships
Our community continues experiencing record growth and development. Great things are ahead all thanks to the hard work from our amazing team and supporters. The data set below represents building permit analysis from the past 4 years. Our Harrisburg community realized consecutive record setting building permit valuation growth starting at $42 million in 2019 to just over $86 million in 2022. In 4 years, our valuation doubled, and our number of building permits tripled!
​ | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | % Change |
# Permits | 305 | 445 | 504 | 919 | 82% |
Total Construction Value | $42,023,735 | $52,988,693 | $78,254,006 | $86,314,755 | 10% |
Total Residential | $23,255,010 | $41,877,160 | $58,167,961 | $76,045,315 | 31% |
Commercial | $725,625 | $3,481,550 | $10,914,945 | $618,550 | -94% |
Industrial | $3,679,300 | $4,544,325 | $9,026,500 | $8,456,650 | -6% |
Institutional | $15,350,600 | $3,085,658 | $144,600 | $147,775 | 2% |
Other | $13,200 | $0 | $0 | $1,046,465 | ​ |
Single Family Units | 88 | 100 | 143 | 120 | -16% |
Multifamily Units | 7 | ​16 | 34 | 76 | 124% |
Total | 95 | 116 | 177 | 196 | 11% |
With growth comes challenges requiring diligence and strategy. We expect less permits in 2023 compared to 2022 with the rise in interest rates and construction costs but are still expecting a strong year for permit valuations. I know our team is up to the challenge and some of our initiatives for 2023
include:
• Identifying land for acquisition of a future business park
• Attracting new companies to locate in or near Harrisburg
• Expansion of existing companies that are currently in the planning process
• Implementation of a business retention program
• Expansion of workforce initiatives with the Harrisburg School District and local partners
• Enhancement of marketing to brokers, developers, and workforce partners
• Updating the Program of Work and Strategic Plan for HEDC
The Harrisburg Economic Development Corporation is proud to be leading these efforts and we appreciate each one of you for your time, investment, and involvement in our community. I look forward to serving as Chair through 2023 and am excited for the opportunities we are creating in this great community of Harrisburg.
Please save the date to join us as we celebrate our 2022 successes and present on 2023 initiatives at our annual meeting on Thursday, April 27, located at the Meadow Barn in Harrisburg.
Thank you,
Adam Walsh
HEDC Board Chair