by C.J. Gustafson
ComputerSchools.com Contributing Writer
June 14, 2005
Prehistoric inhabitants, an agricultural society, and Lakota and Dakota Indians inhabited the Sioux Falls area before European fur traders and explorers first visited the falls on the Big Sioux River. Land speculation in Iowa and Minnesota eventually spread to the Dakotas. The Dakota Land Company out of St. Paul and the Western Town Company from Dubuque both claimed 320-acre areas around the falls in the mid 1850s. Although people began to arrive to settle the land, the Dakota War of 1862 led to the death of two local settlers and the town was eventually abandoned and destroyed.
Once Fort Dakota was established in 1865, settlers returned and new groups
arrived. The area was incorporated first as a village in 1865 and then as a
city in 1883. With the arrival of the railroad, the city's population more than
quadrupled in the 1880s. Although the Great Depression slowed expansion, businesses
such as the John Morrell meat packing plant and events such as the establishment
of an airbase helped keep the city stable and growing. The completion of the
interstate highways made Sioux Falls even more accessible, both for residents
and new businesses. Today, the city is home to nearly 140,000 people and thousands
of businesses, including many that employ students with training in computers.
Medicine, Money & Much More
Medical services and facilities comprise the largest group of private employers,
with Sioux Valley Hospitals & Health System employing over 5,600 people and
Avera Medical providing nearly 3,600 additional jobs. The area is also a top
location for credit and financial services. Citigroup Credit Card Processing
has 3,200 employees and Wells Fargo Bank/Wells Fargo Financial employs over
2,500. First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard and Household Credit Services Credit
Card Processing each provide jobs for approximately 1,000 workers. In addition,
the city has an extensive retail base, several key manufacturers, and a large
number of public employees. All of these business sectors use computer technology
on a daily basis, and the infrastructure is expanding at a rapid pace.
"Many people think that Sioux Falls is this deserted prairie town with a handful of buildings and horse and wagon type technology," said Kim Anderson, Director of Employee Development at one of the area's financial firms. "But this is an innovative community that is ahead of other cities in many areas of technology and prides itself on its skilled labor force," she stated. "But unlike large cities that can feel impersonal and even frightening, Sioux Falls is a beautiful, clean town where people still wave to each other and meet for coffee every morning. We also have an amazing assortment of museums, parks, historical sites, golf courses, and cultural events that create such a wonderful quality of life," Anderson added.
Others across the country agree, ranking Sioux Falls high in many categories including small business development and support, female friendly environment, employment opportunities, and other important areas. For the second year in a row, Forbes' annual survey of the Best Places for Business and Careers named Sioux Falls No. 1 overall in the Best Small City Category in May 2004.
Innovative & Comprehensive Educational Facilities
Part of the reason the city stands out is its outstanding higher education system. At the forefront is USDSU Sioux Falls, a unique partnership between three outstanding universities focusing on education in the Sioux Falls area. Drawing on the programs and resources of the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, and Dakota State University, the organization offers training at the certificate, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral levels. Students are able to take courses at all three institutions, allowing them to customize their learning to fit their interests and employment goals.
The city is served by another outstanding educational facility, Colorado Technical University - Sioux Falls campus. This school also offers a number of certificate and degree options with an emphasis on computer and information technology.
In addition, Sioux Falls is home to several Christian colleges including Augustana
College, a private Christian college ranked by U.S. News as a top ten Midwest
Regional Liberal Arts College, and the University
of Sioux Falls, which has a history of excellence that dates back to its
founding in 1883. The area also has several other accredited colleges and technical
schools, providing more educational choices per capita than many metropolitan
areas.
Students at these schools can prepare for Microsoft certifications and earn diplomas and degrees in Computer Programming and Security, Networking, Information Technology, Computer Repair, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer Animation/Computer Graphics, Web Design and Development, and other computer technology fields.
Sioux Falls is a small city with many of the benefits and services of a large metropolitan area. It is sophisticated, yet low-key and friendly, and its central location in the southeastern corner of South Dakota provides convenient access to major cities in Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. For those students who prefer wide-open spaces, midwestern culture, and innovative educational options, Sioux Falls is a great choice.
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