RAPID CITY, SD – July 14, 2026 – Black Hills Energy generated 138 million dollars in direct economic impact for the Rapid City region last year, according to the company’s newly released annual Community Impact Report.

The utility provider, which serves 1.37 million customers across eight states, reported a total footprint of 1.65 billion dollars across its entire service territory. Company officials stated the local investments reflect their core mission to support the communities where their employees live and work.

“Being a good neighbor means showing up in the communities we are proud to serve and where our employees live and work,” said Wes Ashton, vice president of utilities for South Dakota. “It is not just delivering safe, reliable energy, but continuing to invest in the people and organizations that make our communities thrive.”

The 138 million dollars injected into Rapid City and surrounding communities includes charitable donations, employee compensation, and local taxes. Key local highlights from the report include 877,000 dollars in charitable giving to area nonprofits, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations, alongside 205,000 dollars specifically earmarked to strengthen local business communities.

The report also highlighted human capital investments, noting that area employees contributed more than 8,200 volunteer hours to local organizations. Furthermore, the company raised 148,000 dollars for Black Hills Cares, a program providing energy assistance to families in need, and generated 100,000 dollars in employee pledges and matching corporate funds for the United Way of the Black Hills.

Local civic leaders emphasized the importance of these contributions to the regional safety net.

“Black Hills Energy has been a valued partner in building a stronger Black Hills region,” said John Cass, Executive Director of the United Way of the Black Hills. “Their commitment to local families and community well-being helps the work we’re doing at United Way to strengthen education, support families, and create lasting opportunities that improve lives across our area.”

Black Hills Energy employs nearly 2,800 people company-wide, managing approximately 60,000 miles of electric and natural gas infrastructure. Representatives noted that, excluding customer-matched funds for energy assistance, all reported community impact dollars were sourced directly from company profits reinvested into the region.