Sum of Parts
Here's how we get there
| Town | State | Pop | Relocations Y1 | Economic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custer (HQ) | SD | 2,100 | 28 | $72.9M |
| Hot Springs | SD | 3,600 | 18 | $9.8M |
| Lead | SD | 3,000 | 14 | $8.5M |
| Newcastle | WY | 3,500 | 14 | $9.8M |
| Hill City | SD | 1,000 | 9 | $5.2M |
| Deadwood | SD | 1,300 | 9 | $5.8M |
| Sundance | WY | 1,200 | 7 | $4.0M |
| Edgemont | SD | 750 | 5 | $2.5M |
| Keystone | SD | 300 | 4 | $2.1M |
| Total | 16,750 | 108 | $120.6M |
| Benefit | Value | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Cash relocation incentive | $5,000 | Seed Foundation |
| MacBook Pro (loaner, 1 year) | $2,500 | Seed Foundation |
| Coworking membership (1 year) | $1,200 | Grow Campus |
| THE OP welcome package (coffee + beer monthly) | $600 | THE OP |
| Seed Academy course credit | $799 | Seed Academy |
| Alumni network + Poach Me recruiting access | Included | BHC Ecosystem |
| Full Collar wardrobe starter kit | $250 | THE CULT Merch |
| Convention pass (THE CULT annual) | $150 | THE CULT Events |
| Total Package Value | $10,499+ |
Permanently funded by a 7% equity donation from GrowWise — a 501(c)(3) model designed to last.
Our Programs
Four interconnected programs building a thriving rural ecosystem.
Why Rural America?
The Black Hills region offers advantages no coastal city can match.
0% State Income Tax
South Dakota and Wyoming have zero state income tax. That is an immediate 5-13% raise for anyone moving from a coastal city.
62% Lower Cost of Living
A 3-bedroom home costs $280K here, not $1.2M. Your remote salary goes dramatically further in the Black Hills.
World-Class Quality of Life
Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and the Black Hills National Forest are your backyard. 300 days of sunshine.
What Our Future Community Will Say
The vision we are building for students, workers, and partners in the Black Hills.
Marcus Chen
Software Engineer, relocated from Portland
"I was paying $2,800 for a one-bedroom in Portland. Now I have a 3-bed house with a yard for less than half that, zero state income tax, and I can mountain bike after work in Custer State Park. My remote salary goes so much further here."
Tara Whitfield
Seed Academy Graduate, Class of 2026
"Before Seed Academy, I was stuck in a retail job with no path forward. The AI product builder certification taught me to ship real apps with vibe coding. Now I work remotely for a tech company and never had to leave the Hills."
Jim Bridger
Owner, Bridger Hardware — Hill City
"When remote workers started moving to the Hills, our foot traffic went up 30%. These are families who shop local, eat local, and actually stay. Seed Foundation is doing what economic development has talked about for years."