April 18, 2023

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Austin Claeys, community development director for Pinpoint Consulting.

Name: Austin Claeys

Age: 30

Hometown: Huron

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I met my wife at SDSU, and she is originally from Sioux Falls. We wanted to end up in Sioux Falls after we graduated as we saw this city to be the best place to work and raise a family. It was a gradual process but started our lives in Mitchell, then Hartford and finally landed in the greater Sioux Falls area in 2020.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Being close to our families is a big part of who we are. With my wife’s siblings and parents in Sioux Falls and my siblings and family close, it offers a great medium for family events! Also, what this city offers in terms of living, entertainment and ease of access to everything is truly one of a kind!

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I love South Dakota, and being able to help those organizations that serve the most rural parts of South Dakota is something I am passionate about. If a rural water system needs help finding funding for system upgrades, or a volunteer fire department needs help completing an application, I can help guide them in the right direction. These are just a few of the things that I get excited about.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I spent about seven years working for USDA Rural Development in South Dakota and Minnesota as a community programs loan specialist. In this role, I was able to assist municipalities, nonprofits and rural water systems with applying for funding for a multitude of things that were necessary to improve the overall quality of life for the residents and clients of these organizations. In the last year, I was able to gain perspective in the affordable housing industry with Lloyd Cos. and what it takes to create housing for those that need it most.

These experiences differ in the work I did daily but were the same in the mission of improving the quality of life. With Pinpoint Consulting, I can create a path forward for the little guy, and I can’t wait to see where that path leads.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Rural, entrepreneurial, relationships.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I tap-danced for about 10 years, all the way through high school. I still tap around if I am waiting in line or just sitting down relaxing. Looking back, I am glad my mom signed me up way back when. Thanks, Mom!

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

Volunteering. Anytime that I can offer myself for service, I will. Doing good for others will always be something that I enjoy.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

I would like to see a Recreational Equipment Inc., REI, in Sioux Falls. It would create competition with Scheels and provide further adventure-based gear and clothing for those that love to be outside.

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

I would start a revolving loan fund for the small fire and EMT departments of South Dakota. With the current environment that we are in, I would love to be able to offer very low-interest, no-strings-attached financing for these departments.