The eagle has landed

Eagle Creek employee training under way

By Jeff Bunn
Capital journal staff
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - 06:06:28 am CDT

PIERRE — School may be out for summer, but for some new inhabitants of Pierre, it’s just beginning.

Class has begun for the first group of Eagle Creek employees. The 11 software consultants in training, ranging in age from mid-20s to mid-40s, have officially begun their jobs after Eagle Creek’s much-publicized Feb. 29, announcement that it would be opening an office in Pierre. The group was first welcomed by recruiters Scott Carbonneau, community development coordinator, and Mary Stadick Smith, communications director for the state Department of Education, who spoke to them about living in Pierre and South Dakota.

One employee has been a lifelong South Dakota resident and another has been a six-year South Dakotan. The rest are from out of the state.

Jeff Bunn | Capital Journal
Eagle Creek employees sit in the Eagle Creek office space Monday morning with gifts from the local businesses.
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The employees received cards for a free haircut, drinks and food donated by local businesses, and this week they will take a tour of the area.

Among other things, Smith used the opportunity to discuss the state’s laptop initiative.

“When you look at the k-12 system, the whole goal is to prepare students for what is coming next, and, then, they will turn around and be the people in the workforce like the people we were talking to today,” Smith said. “So I think it all ties together and I think we need to make those connections to make sure we’re enhancing education through the state.”

Carbonneau talked about what the area has to offer and encouraged employees to experience activities here.

“It really helps make these people feel welcome in the community and plugged in to the community,” Carbonneau said of the welcoming effort. “We hope they go out and seek these businesses and learn a little bit about our business community as well as the things they are doing here at work. It’s come at a perfect time with the community state day this week, the 125th celebration and Oahe Days next week and it will lead right into the Fourth of July.”

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Comments

11 comment(s)

to the grumps wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:23 AM:

" the problem with Pierre is that all the local businesses as well as the state pay the minimal possible wage they can...everyone who is not able to get a job at Eagle Creek is jealous of the starting wage!! Pierre's businesses need to move up in salaries with the time. Pierre is NOT a cheap place to live at ALL....housing prices are thru the roof!!! THe answer I get to "WHY ARE SALARIES SO LOW" is "its Pierre.." THATS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. People are realizing that they are worth more!! And will leave to get it! "

Yahoo Buckaroo.... wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:01 AM:

" This is great for the community! Dont be jealous because the Company cares about their people and 'your' community! Becareful of your non-support and comments - 'your wasted tax dollars' just may turn up supporting you, as some day you may have to seek employment there....then maybe you'll get to go to a Yahoo Buckaroo party! Welcome Eagle Creek - Keep up the faith as the supporters 'happiness' will someday out weigh the sad little faces of those that are always unhappy with change in Pierre. "YAHOO BUCKAROO" - "

Old Fogey wrote on Jun 12, 2008 3:20 PM:

" Hey USD-not all of us old people are out of touch or mired in negativity. We just forget to cheer sometimes. Thanks for the wake up call! I'm VERY glad Eagle Creek is here, I'm VERY excited Perkins is going to be opening, it's GREAT to see new growth both in and out of town. Pierre is a beautiful place to live and we should be proud. The "Poor Me's" will always be louder than anyone else but we need to keep trying! Love the balloon comment - run for office, I'll vote for you. "

Enough Already wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:57 PM:

" To Welcome EC:

I also want everyone to know that I am for Eagle Creek coming to Pierre but enough is enough with the articles about their every move and wasted tax dollars to promote them. Their coming here is a business decision not because we give them a free haircut.

They will support all the businesses you mentioned, all business where the owners or doctors make a killing while paying minimum wage.

Why not promote some of the established businesses that are remodeling or making changes to keep up with the times, like uh? "

pierre wrote on Jun 11, 2008 10:51 AM:

" I moved to Pierre a few years ago and registered my new address with the post office, I too recieved a welcome packet with cupons from the chamber of commerce--Pierre does very well in welcoming new people (with their knowledge, tax money, children, and business) to the community. Pierre needs this company and its needs MORE new companies for young people to stay in the state, and to stay in central SD! Unfortunately for me its too late, I am packing up and heading to WY for a higher paying job. "

Sara wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:04 PM:

" I would also like to point out the warm welcome my family first received from the Pierre chamber welcoming comity. I was treated to a very nice lunch at Pierre 347 along with a goody bag for our family. What is more is that we were living in Fort Pierre at the time and working in Pierre. Both communities welcomed us back after graduation and my family is very appreciative and active in the community as a result. I agree with USD student, this is a great opportunity for our communities to grow. "

Welcome EC wrote on Jun 10, 2008 7:50 PM:

" I would hope that the community of Pierre & Ft. Pierre would realize that this business is going to generate revenue for both communities. They, just like us are going to need groceries, gas, health care, furniture, entertainment etc.
Please welcome new reputable businesses into our towns. We need it to survive!! "

USD Student wrote on Jun 10, 2008 2:33 PM:

" Ignorance makes one look quite ridiculous...

Are the only people writing all of this negative stuff older than 50? WE NEED YOUTH IN PIERRE!!! Quit being old and selfish. Thankfully Eagle Creek, along with other businesses, are coming to Pierre. Without them, our home would slowly become a dying art.

The reason they are "glorifying" the small eleven is because they are the first of MANY employess coming to town. If you are that hurt that you didn't get a warm welcome, go buy yourself a balloon, on me. I'll send a check. "

Dave wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:01 AM:

" To New in BIT. EC went out and got these promotional items from businesses. They tried to make people feel welcome to the community, and to their company. They care about their employees. The state is a bureaucracy. They feel that they are doing you a favor. Ok, I'm joking a little, but I think you get the picture.
To enough already. What’s the complaint for? This community has been stagnant for 20yrs. Here a new company with lots of good paying jobs moves to town. That is something to be pumped about. And what other news is there? "

Enough already wrote on Jun 10, 2008 8:24 AM:

" All this attention for 11 workers? Why don't the Pierre businesses do all this hoopla every time a State employee is hired, or a McDonald's worker?

Many other families move here every year, buy a house, pay taxes, participate in the community, have children, where is their haircuts, free food and speeches? I think that Pierre is spending way too much money to promote this business and our community.

Pierre is a great place to live and raise a family. Is all this promotion and attention necessary to attract these workers? "

New in BIT wrote on Jun 10, 2008 8:12 AM:

" I just have to say, it is great that the community has come out to make these guys feel welcome. However here is my problem. The state brings people in all time from other states, myself included, where is our welcome gifts and when do we get to feel welcomed? "

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