From staff reports

Brunch at the Denny Sanford Premier Center and a VIP experience at JazzFest are a couple of the experiences awaiting former Sioux Falls professionals who might be visiting the city next week.

The event, organized by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, is called Back to SoDak and is designed to show former residents how the city is evolving.

“We want visitors to feel welcomed back home, to get a chance to experience aspects of the city that didn’t exist two to five years ago,” said Lon Clemensen, vice president of workforce development.

The event wants to reach “someone who formerly lived in Sioux Falls, whether it was growing up as a child, going to college or having a job here at one time, and who has since moved to another city outside the area,” he said.

Research has shown people who grew up in the state are more likely to relocate to it in adulthood – especially once they have children.

A 2016 study by United Vans said 60 percent of people who moved to South Dakota came for a job and 24 percent came because of family.

“Our intent is to bring more employees back to Sioux Falls,” Clemensen said. “We’re looking to fill a portion of our more than 3,000 open positions in the city.”

Back to SoDak events start July 14 with Downtown Crazy Days. Participants will receive coupons for about a dozen merchants and attractions, including the Washington Pavilion, Great Plains Zoo, Escape 605 and several stores, bars and restaurants.

Brunch will be held at the Premier Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 15. There will be a Back to SoDak tent at JazzFest that day offering food, beverages, coupons and a chance to talk with community leaders.

People who recently have moved back to Sioux Falls also are invited to participate and talk with other prospective residents about their moves.

For information and to register, visit siouxfalls.com.