October 5, 2026—9-10----Report Card Show----Show 53-53

(((From the Blackburn Studios in Downtown Sioux Falls—Welcome to our Report Card Show for the month of October.

(((MUSIC---THIS OLE HOUSE----YEE HAH))))

   I’m Bill Zortman and with Tony Bachman and a number of others—this is OUR REPORT CARD SHOW---a show we have been doing for a number of years with the Leadership of Home Builders, Financing---the Sioux Empire Housing---Neil King –who counts the building permits and there value—Teddi Mueller—the HBA ---officers for the coming year----Todd Boots—Former President of the Home Builders Association State-wide---Bankers Dave and Kelly Kelly---Cory Hjmelling---Steve Swenson---Joe Hanson—and Jerry Berg---

   Lots always to talk about and on this October 5th---by the way Carolyn and My Wedding Anniversary as well.

   So lets get started with Tony Bachman and some of the others---on what the figures have released-----

Based on our conversation Friday where a few people are asking if our economy and real estate will be good moving forward or not~ Here is some of the reasons why Sioux Falls will continue to grow and be a great place to do business and live!

Sioux Falls keeps attracting people because it offers a rare Midwest combination: real economic opportunity, relative affordability, strong public amenities, and a lifestyle that feels manageable as larger metros become more expensive and congested. The housing story is not one of runaway price growth—it is a high-demand market that is gradually adding options, while rentals are stabilizing after a major period of apartment construction.

“Sioux Falls is growing because people are not just chasing a job—they’re chasing a better overall equation. They can find career opportunities, no state income tax, shorter commutes, strong healthcare and financial-services employment, good schools, parks, and a lower cost of living than many places they are leaving. And when people move here, they need somewhere to live—whether that’s a starter home in Sioux Falls, a new construction home in Harrisburg or Tea, acreage near Brandon, or an apartment while they get established.”

Why people keep moving here

The “more than 5,000 people a year” message fits the larger long-term trend: Sioux Falls’ population grew 12% from 2020 to 2024, compared with 4% for South Dakota overall. The city was reported at 224,676 residents in early 2026, and the Sioux Falls metro has been among the fastest-growing metro areas in the Midwest since 2020.

Key drivers you can mention:

• Jobs and a diverse local economy. Sioux Falls is not dependent on one employer or one industry. Healthcare, financial services, construction, manufacturing, retail, education, logistics, and professional services all create a broader employment base. A tight labor market—with South Dakota unemployment reported around 2%—means employers continue competing for workers.
• Quality of life is now a migration driver. A South Dakota News Watch report cited quality-of-life factors including parks, lower crime, housing affordability, infrastructure, and schools. It also reported that 75% of surveyed newcomers did not say a job was their primary reason for moving—important proof that people are choosing the area as a place to build a life, not merely taking a transfer.
• A more favorable cost-and-tax equation. Relative to many larger markets, the region offers more home for the dollar, shorter daily drives, and no state individual income tax. That does not mean Sioux Falls is “cheap” anymore—housing affordability remains a real issue—but it is still competitive for households relocating from higher-cost metro areas. 
• The whole metro is growing. Sioux Falls is the employment and service center, but the growth is regional. Communities such as Harrisburg, Tea, Brandon, Hartford, Dell Rapids, Lennox, and parts of Lincoln and Minnehaha counties give buyers different choices: new construction, larger lots, lower density, small-town identity, or an easier path to ownership.
• The city has momentum. Growth tends to feed growth. More residents support more restaurants, healthcare services, retail, entertainment, employers, apartment development, and homebuilding. That reinforces the perception that Sioux Falls is a place with opportunity rather than a place people need to leave to advance.  

 Neil King----shared the numbers that have been announced for the 9th months so far this year----

   Neil what do you see-----and where do we go for the final three months of 2026----October-November-and December---

   -------------------Neil------------------

   Among the others that join us for this show—Craig Wynia---Cory Hjmelling----

   There stories----and where they see the final months in 2026---

-----------------Neil---Teddi----------and Shows attractions----

   -----------------what else jumped out at us ---and will before we sing Auld Lang Syne---on New Year’s Eve..

--------Back with the leaders---and what they have seen—and expect to see for 85 or so days------

9:18/00—KELO Commercials

9:19/30---Report Card Show October 2206-segment 2

  Welcome back to the Report Card Show—that we have aired for 10 years on the first Monday of the month---figures are collected---those working the real estate side of it----share where we have been---and where you see us closing----

  Neil King

  Teddi Mueller

  Craig Wynia-----Cory Hjmelling----

  And-----

  When we come back----we’ll hear from Dave Kelly---Fairway Mortgage-who’s wife---Kelly Kelly—works another avenue of the banks---between the two----each month for years we have gotten—what’s happened and still most likely will with the finances-----and buying and selling---

  That’s next---following Fox Business News on the half hour---

9:28/20---KELO Commercials

9:30/00---Fox business news

9:32/30---Report Card Show Segment 3

   Welcome back to the Report Card Show—figures released in October and for the first 9 months of 2026

   Dave Kelly is with us---and please share with us what your wife Kelly Kelly does and with who---always an interesting update---and explanation of what she does and how she does it-----

   Finances---what’s ahead---and where is the market going?

-----------------Dave Kelly--------------=

   Others---Teddi Mueller—HBA Sioux Empire---and recent events---

   ---Craig Wynia---Redrock builders---Cory Hjelmming---Hmelling construction

   ---Todd Boots---Former President of the Home Builders Association---Steve Swenson---Handy-man----Jerry Berg-----Intek Cleaning----Teddi Mueller---------HBA Sioux Empire---events—showings and expectations—

   When we come back –a look ahead to where the final three months of 2026 are headed----

9:44/00—KELO Commercials

9:45/30---Report Card Show 4

   On this October 5th---we have hit the start of the last quarter of 2026------we always like to hear from those that have been around—know the blowing of the wind----who’s still out looking to buy or sell---their homes----and what kind of year---we have seen and could still see---

• Todd Boots---Past President of the Home Builders Statewide—what he is seeing for those looking----for those selling----and what kind of differences we have seen in 2026---
• Jerry Berg---Intek
• Teddi Mueller—HBA---shows she has had---what she expects before they close the doors in 2026-----and what’s still left for us to examine—for the remaining 80 plus days----
• Others---Craig and Cory----Jerry Berg—Intek---Steve Swenson---Extreme Heating and Cooling—still to come---

9:55/00—KELO Commercials

9:57/00---Report Card Show 5-wrap