Aberdeen Development Corporation

📣Get registered for the CO.STARTERS Online Bootcamp starting on Wednesday, July 15!

📣Last chance to register! The Rural CO.STARTERS Online Bootcamp starts July 15th.

This free virtual program is a great fit for anyone with a business idea who wants guidance, structure, and support to take the next step. 👣

In five sessions, you’ll work through your idea, customer, value, business model, and launch plan alongside other entrepreneurs from across the region.

📅 Wednesday, July 15 - Friday, July 24th (every other week day)
🕦 11:30 AM–1:30 PM CST
💻 Online via Zoom

Registration is open to entrepreneurs in South Dakota and neighboring states. Get signed up here: https://www.northernstartupcenter.com/upcoming-events/rural-costarters-july2026

The ADC will be closed for the rest of the day and on Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend!

Another great Aberdeen Internship Network session is in the books! 👏

A huge thank you to Mayor Travis Schaunaman with the City of Aberdeen and Ashley Wolf with Dacotah Bank for sharing their insights on personal branding, professional presence, and building a strong digital reputation.

We also want to thank Production Monkeys for providing professional headshots for our interns and Three22 Kitchen for hosting us in such a great space.

It was a great to see so many interns connecting, learning, and taking time to invest in their professional growth!

Next up: The Aberdeen Advantage Lunch and Learn
📅July 9 @ 11:30 AM 📍The Cornerstone Café

Join us as we hear from Mike Bockorny and Cole Kukowski about the opportunities, growth, and career potential right here in our region. We hope to see you there!

🏆 Congratulations to Madi Jones with CR8 Soda for winning the 2026 Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition and the $10,000 cash prize sponsored by the Aberdeen Development Corporation!

Last night’s event was a testament to the startup community growing in Northeast South Dakota. Seeing people from Aberdeen, the region, and across the state show up to support the founders taking the stage to pitch their ideas was truly inspiring. ❤

Help us congratulate all four finalists for the hard work, preparation, and passion they brought to the stage. Each runner-up will receive $1,000 for their business from the ADC.
👏 Abode Chiropractic | Marquelle Reid
👏 CR8 Soda | Madi Jones
👏 Everlasting Blooms | Jessica Cihak
👏 Opus ABA LLC | Jacquelyn Cutler

A big thank you to our Round 1 and 2 Judges, the Small Business Development Center, Aberdeen, SD team, Engels Event Company, Pauer Sound LLC, K & D Catering, and everyone who attended and supported this year’s entrepreneurs.

It was a great evening of ideas, connections, and community support for entrepreneurship in our region. Congratulations again to Madi, Marqelle, Jessica, and Jacquelyn!

Read press release: https://northern.edu/news/jones-wins-10000-top-prize-aberdeen-business-pitch-competition