Regional Economic Development Champion: Kris Frerk

a portion of this article is republished  from SiouxFalls.Business with additions from the Gazette Staff

            On Wednesday, February 16, Kris Frerk was presented with an award for Regional Economic Development Champion from Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. It was presented at SMGA's annual meeting by President Jesse Fonkert.

            Frerk was nominated for the award by Jessica Fueston, Garretson's Economic Development Director.

            "I nominated Kris for this award because I was put in this position of Economic Development, and everybody I talked to said 'Find Kris Frerk, because she has basically singlehandedly facilitated economic development for Garretson'," said Fueston in a video presented by SMGA.

            If you want to get something done in Garretson, it’s generally a good idea to make sure Kris Frerk is in the room.

            The winner of the Regional Economic Development Champion award is recognized for showing active support for community development through recent or cumulative past service to economic development and community enhancement.

            “That describes Kris Frerk perfectly,” Jesse Fonkert, President & CEO of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance said. “It’s not an exaggeration to call her a legend in her community. Before I met her, I had her stories about her and was told she needed to be my first point of contact in Garretson.”

            That proved the right advice, as Frerk has supported everything from childcare to the arts in her effort to make Garretson even better.

            “Since meeting her, we’ve collaborated on a variety of projects and ideas and continue to do so,” Fonkert said. “Every community needs people like Kris Frerk and we’re grateful that Garretson and our region have her as a leader.”

            “I was extremely surprised, honored and grateful to the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance and Jesse Fonkert for this honor," said Frerk. "Jesse and Sioux Metro were crucial to our acquisition of the loan we needed to build the new daycare facility, and without them it would not have been built."

            "She is an incredible person," said Garretson Mayor Greg Beaner to SMGA. "She is tireless, and has a lot of community pride."

            "Kris Frerk is the most selfless, giving person that I know," said Blue Dragon Academy Director Heidi Fink to SMGA. "Her meaning in life is to give to others, and help others out."

            When contacted by the Gazette to get comments on the award, Frerk deflected from her own work, redirecting focus to Blue Dragon Academy's expansion.

            She stated, "I’m pleased to announce that Heidi Fink and I recently met with Merlin Cleveringa, who worked on the initial blueprints for our facility and we had a meeting about the plans for the new expansion. Those plans will be sent to the state for approval by the time your readers read this article, and once the state has the plans it will take about four to six weeks for final approval. We are confident we can begin construction sometime in April when the weather changes."

            Frerk had been contacted by Fonkert last fall after he learned BDA was looking to expand. He knew of a resource for a low-interest loan, which would ensure construction could start nearly immediately.

            "I don't think people realize how big of a deal it is that she made that daycare happen," said Fueston, remarking on the initial million-dollar building completed in 2018. It was designed for 100 children when current enrollment had been 68 at two daycares, Little Dreamers and Dragonland, and filled to capacity within three months of opening. Over thirty children are currently on a waiting list.

            Frerk knows she isn't alone in this process, even if she was the one to receive the award.

            "I want to say how thankful I am to the rest of the Blue Dragon Academy board, Todd Fink, Steve Carlson, Teresa Johnson, Sam Williamson and Kim Fitzgerald for all their work. We’re extremely tickled to get this moving, especially since this new expansion will include a space that will be available for use by the community. Creating community resources is what we’re all about.”

            The full article detailing other awards and the video showcasing Frerk can be found at https://www.siouxfalls.business/meet-the-people-communities-honored-for-supporting-regional-growth/.

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