Strategic Action for the Next 57201: Watertown’s Housing Summit Unveils Concrete Plans for Growth
- Steve Jurrens
- Feb 15
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The issue of affordable workplace housing took center stage on February 12, 2026, as the Watertown Development Company (WDC), the Watertown Area Homebuilders Association, and the Mother of God Monastery convened the Grow 57201 Housing Conference.
Held in the Heritage Theatre at the Watertown Event Center, the day-long summit moved beyond discussion, concluding with a mandate for regional partners to implement specific housing strategies within 6 to 12 months.
The conference, kicked off by Mayor Ried Holien, was designed to address a critical local need: creating diverse housing solutions—from infill development to large-scale workforce projects—that can keep pace with Watertown’s economic ambitions.
The Financial Blueprint: Bridging the Construction Gap
A primary focus of the summit was the “creative financing” required to make housing projects viable in a high-cost construction environment.
A Multidisciplinary Financing Panel
The morning sessions featured state and federal experts outlining the financial scaffolding available for local projects:
· Amy Eldridge (South Dakota Housing): The Director of Rental Housing Development detailed programs designed to incentivize multi-unit projects. Eldridge emphasized that housing development is about making homeownership “real for families who thought it was impossible”.
· Lori Moen (GROW South Dakota): Moen shared the scale of the non-profit’s impact, noting a residential loan portfolio exceeding $18 million and a history of directing more than $34 million in down payment assistance (DPA).
· Michael Matlin (USDA Rural Development): Matlin discussed federal homeownership initiatives tailored for rural landscapes, drawing on his extensive background in mortgage underwriting and military service.
Keynote: Stacking the Deck for Funding
Greg Litton, Director of Strategic Housing at the Black Hills Area Community Foundation (BHACF), presented “Stacking the Deck for Housing: Funding Strategies that Work." Litton revealed that his team doubled its affordable housing capital to $50 million, enabling the creation or retention of 645 units across its service area.
Impact Investing and the “Opportunity Equation”
A highlight of the conference was the lunch keynote by Watertown native Jacob Clark, now the Head of Impact for JPMorgan Chase. In his presentation, “The Opportunity Equation: Data, Decisions, and Community Impact,” Clark discussed leveraging institutional capital—such as JPMorgan’s $30 billion Racial Equity Commitment—to maximize community impact and build a “prosperous future” for rural economies.
Local Innovation and Implementation
The “Creative Development Panel” showcased how regional developers are adapting to workforce challenges:
· Randy Hanson (Mills Construction): A developer with over 22 years of experience, Hanson shared insights on his role as a “Hobbie Developer,” creating scalable housing solutions for smaller towns like Aurora, White, and Madison.
· Levi Te Slaa (Mailbox Money): Te Slaa emphasized the importance of ensuring private investors feel aligned with the mission of building scalable, “wellness-designed” communities.
The afternoon also featured rapid-fire presentations on sector-specific 2026 goals: Student Housing (Tiffany Sanderson), Single Family (Bill Rieffenberger), and Redevelopment (Brandi Hanten).
Technical Tools: Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
The summit concluded with an in-depth Session on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) led by attorney Todd Meierhenry. Meierhenry explained that TIF acts as a vital “revenue tool” for developers to fund the public infrastructure—like streets and utilities—necessary for project viability.
About the Organizers
The Watertown Development Company (WDC) remains committed to facilitating job creation and the development of quality housing. Led by Executive Director Chris Clifton, a Certified Economic Developer with over 35 years of experience, the WDC serves as a “public-private risk taker” to spur regional growth.
Key team members contributing to these initiatives include:
· Sarah Giang (Investor Relations Manager): A Watertown native leading communications for the Grow Watertown 2.0 initiative.
· Melissa Backman (Executive Assistant): Brings 25 years of experience in business operations and grant writing.
· Angie Yahne (Director of ED Project Management): Manages new and expanding company programs and childcare solutions.
For more information or to support these housing initiatives, contact the WDC at (605) 884-0340 or visit their office at 1 East Kemp Avenue, Watertown, SD. https://wdcsd.com/
