Why Aberdeen is the Best City for Businesses
Centrally located, Aberdeen South Dakota, offers businesses access to extraordinary resources including a highly educated workforce, outstanding infrastructure and attractive financial incentives, all within a community your staff will enjoy calling home.
Pipeline of Qualified Workers
Businesses in our community benefit from a highly educated, dedicated workforce with a reputation of being hard workers. As the only South Dakota small-town community with two universities, and impressive graduate rates, Aberdeen produces a qualified workforce annually.
Over 515 students graduate from Northern State University (NSU) and Presentation College (PC) with bachelor degrees each year
The nearby Lake Area Technical Institute sees over 740 technical graduates annually
Aberdeen’s high school graduation rate exceeds the state and national average at more than 92%
6th Best City for Starting a Business
WalletHub, 2021
35th Best City to Live
USA Today, 2019
Central, Midwest Location
Located in northeastern South Dakota, Aberdeen allows businesses to stay connected to suppliers and customers in other US regions and even internationally. We are a quick drive or flight to Minneapolis and just a few hours from the largest cities in the Dakotas, including Sioux Falls a US Port of Entry. Once known as the Hub City, Aberdeen offers access to one of the largest freight railroad networks in the country, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, instrumental for international product distribution.
The Hub of NE South Dakota
With more than 30 small communities just 60 miles away or less, Aberdeen is the regional hub where groceries get bought, shopping gets done and dinner gets served. Families from all over flock to entertainment destinations like Wylie Park, Storybook Land, Allevity and the aquatic center. With two major hospitals, Aberdeen also serves as a medical resource to the area. We are the big city in the region with lots of amenities to offer our neighboring small towns.
Life is good in Aberdeen
In Aberdeen, we enjoy a stress-fee lifestyle that other US regions do not and studies have proven, Midwesterners are as nice as the stereotypes suggest. Our community embraces new businesses and new members, and you'll love what Aberdeen has to offer.
Attractive Financial Packages
Aberdeen welcomes new businesses and expanding with a variety of local and state financial incentives. Assistance is available for business expansion and relocation for workforce development, capital investment, tax abatements, and other areas. Our team is well versed on available financial packages and will partner with you to ensure your business considers all funding opportunities.
Favorable Tax Climate
Aberdeen businesses benefit from limited taxes and, as a result, more money in their coffers. Aberdonians pay no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no personal property tax, no business inventory tax and no inheritance or estate taxes. We’re one of few states that can tout such an ideal corporate tax climate.
Appealing Quality of Life
Aberdeen is the best place in South Dakota to raise a family. We enjoy an affordable cost of living, open spaces, a relaxed pace of life and amenities for all ages. During the warm months, we enjoy golf courses, parks, lake time and more than 25 miles of trails. In the colder months, we offer pheasant hunting that’s second to none. Any time of the year you may find us at one of the many museums in the area or attending the annual fairs and festivals.