Vermillion To Welcome New IT Center

by Ashley Kringen, Reporter
March 13, 2013 9:18 PM


An information technology company is on the verge of bringing nearly 1,000 jobs to the state of South Dakota.

Eagle Creek software services already has an IT center in the state and now is opening another in Vermillion.

The company is building a unique partnership with the university of South Dakota, a relationship state leaders support.

"This is an exciting day for Eagle Creek, but it's also an exciting day for many young South Dakotans," said Governor Dennis Daugaard.

"South Dakota is simply the best place to do business," said USD President James Abbott.

"America has an IT problem, it's time for Americans to solve that problem," said Ken Behrendt, president of Eagle Creek Software Services.

President of Eagle Creek Software Services, Ken Behrendt said the problem is meeting the information technology market demand to provide U.S. based services.

Now, Behrendt's company is helping solve America's IT problem, by expanding in the state of South Dakota.

The business began in 1999, hosting locations in Pierre, North Dakota and Minnesota.

"Technology is fundamental platform of how we do business, both social and economic," said Behrendt.

"It's really exciting for us," said Abott.

USD School President James Abbott said the school has developed an Information Technology Consultant Academy, allowing students the opportunity to get credit for taking IT classes.

"This is not only a great education, but it's also an opportunity for a fulfilling position in the knowledge business," said Abbott.

The technology center will be around 30,000 square feet and will host anywhere from 150 to 200 employees. The location is set for right across the street from Walmart.

"What you can look forward to is a great program starting virtually immediately," said Abbott.

For Governor Daugaard, he said he can relate to students on the verge of graduation and says Eagle Creek Software Services is a useable outlet to jump into the workforce.

"Here's a way that they can use a tuition paid opportunity, train themselves with a certain skill set and provide a job and find a job right here in Vermillion that they can start their career with," said Daugaard.

The technology center in Vermillion is set to break ground within the next couple of months with the hope to open by January of 2014.