Custer
Population ~2,100 · Custer County
Small-town mountain community surrounded by pine forests, granite peaks, and wildlife. Gateway to Custer State Park, home to Crazy Horse Memorial and a walkable downtown.
~2,100
Population
$38,000
Median Income
$250,000-$300,000
Median Home Price
Tourism
Key Industry
The Challenge
Custer's economy lives and dies with the tourist season. When Labor Day passes, foot traffic drops by 80% or more. Restaurants cut hours, hotels lay off staff, and the downtown that buzzes with 2 million summer visitors goes quiet. Young people leave because there are no year-round professional jobs.
~2,100
Population
$38,000
Median Income
~10-12%
Poverty Rate
BHC's Role in Custer
How Seed Foundation and the Black Hills Consortium are investing in Custer's future.
BHC Headquarters — all 13 entities on the 15-acre Grow Campus
50-75 direct jobs at Pass Creek by Year 5 (avg. salary $65,000-$75,000)
THE OP cafe — year-round community gathering space
Seed Academy — after-school coding, summer STEM camps, internships
Coworking — open to non-BHC workers, anchor for Settle the West relocators
Campus housing — 30-50 residential units for relocators and staff
Projected Impact by Year 5
Conservative projections based on the Tulsa Remote model and BHC's base case financials.
50-75
BHC Jobs
400-500
Relocations
$72.9M
Economic Impact (5yr)
148-176
New Students
What makes Custer unique
BHC headquarters. The 15-acre Grow Campus hosts all 13 entities, making Custer the epicenter of a regional transformation.
School District
Custer School District 16-1
Current enrollment: ~500-550 students
Projected new students by Year 5: 148-176
South Dakota funds ~$6,200 per student.
Housing
Median home price: $250,000-$300,000
South Dakota has 0% state income tax. Combined with affordable housing, relocators build wealth dramatically faster than in coastal cities.
“BHC is headquartering 13 companies on 15 acres we already own. We will bring 50-75 year-round jobs paying $65,000 average — nearly double Custer's median household income.”
— The pitch to Custer
Move to Custer
Apply to Settle the West and start your new life in the Black Hills.