Two construction companies from Fort Pierre have earned awards from the Association of General Contractors of South Dakota.
Additional Photos from the event are available upon request.
Company Growth Award in Safety:
This award recognizes companies that exhibit continual reduction in EMR ratings through proactive safety practices, year-over-year decreases in recordable injuries, active enforcement of company safety policies, documented training and certification programs, structured safety inspection processes for workers and equipment, and mentorship of other companies to reduce overall risk and liability. The 2025 recipient is: Morris, Inc. – Fort Pierre, SD
Courtesy photo.
AGC “Build South Dakota” Awards:
These awards recognize companies who have constructed Horizontal or Vertical projects in 2025 that exhibit state-of the-art advancement, excellence in project management & client service, innovation in construction techniques or materials, community relations, and sensitivity to the environment. The 2025 winners are:
Horizontal Construction Projects (roads, bridges, highways & utilities):
Category I – (horizontal construction projects under $2.5 million dollars)
BX-Civil & Construction – Dell Rapids, SD – For their 3rd Street Bridge Project in Dell Rapids, SD. As an award winner, BX Civil & Construction has chosen the Dell Rapids Fire Department as their charity of choice to receive a $500 donation paid by the AGC of South Dakota.
Category II – (horizontal construction projects between $2.5 and $10 million dollars)
RCS Construction – Rapid City, SD – For their Southeast Area Trunk Sewer project in Rapid City, SD. As an award winner, RCS Construction has chosen The Club for Boys – Rapid City as their charity of choice to receive a $500 donation paid by the AGC of South Dakota.
Category III – (horizontal construction projects between $10 and $25 million dollars)
A-G-E Corp – Ft. Pierre, SD – for their Highway 79 Bridge Replacement and Approach Grading project in Harding County, SD. As an award winner, A-G-E Corp., has chosen the Countryside Support and Memory Center as their charity of choice to receive a $500 donation paid by the AGC of South Dakota.
Courtesy photo.
Category IV – (horizontal construction projects greater than $20 million dollars)
Foothills Contracting – Webster, SD – For their SD Highway 46 Reconstruction Project in Union County, SD. As an award winner, Foothills Contracting has chosen Needs Anonymous Day County Food Pantry as their charity of choice to receive a $500 donation paid by the AGC of South Dakota.
Vertical Construction Projects (office buildings, apartments, schools, hospitals, and high-rise towers):
Category I – (Vertical construction projects less than $20 million)
Gustafson Builders – Rapid City, SD – For their West River Health Science Center at Black Hills State University Rapid City Campus, in Rapid City, SD. As an award winner, Gustafson Builders has chosen Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Black Hills as their charity of choice to receive a $500 donation paid by the AGC of South Dakota.
Category II – (Vertical construction projects between $20 million to $75 million)
RCS Construction – Rapid City, SD – For their work performed on the Lawrence County Public Safety and Services Center in Deadwood, SD. As an award winner, RCS Construction has chosen the Special Olympics of Rapid City as their charity of choice to receive a $500 donation paid by the AGC of South Dakota.
Category III – (Vertical construction projects between $76-$125 Million)
Lloyd Construction – Sioux Falls, SD – For their work performed on Block 5 in Rapid City, SD As an award winner, Lloyd Construction has chosen The Club for Boys – Rapid City as their charity of choice to receive a $500 donation paid by the AGC of South Dakota.
AGC 50-Year “Continuous Membership” Award:
The AGC of SD Continuous Membership Award recognizes companies who have been a member of AGC for 50+ Years. This award reflects long-standing loyalty, dedication, and a deep commitment to the construction industry and to AGC. The 2025 recipient is:
Border States Paving – Fargo, ND
Good Citizen Award
This award recognizes individuals in our industry who go above and beyond – those who make a meaningful difference through service to individuals in need, communities, charities, churches, hospitals, fraternal organizations, governmental agencies, and more. This year’s recipient exemplifies that spirit. Through vision, leadership, and commitment to community growth, he played a key role in transforming 55 acres of raw agricultural land into a fully developed residential subdivision in Webster – helping meet the needs of a growing community and creating a lasting impact. The 2025 recipient is:
Joel Shoemaker of Webster Scale – Webster, SD
Mark Knight Leadership Award
This award was renamed a few years ago in recognition of Mark Knight’s continued dedication and passion for developing AGC’s future leaders. The Mark Knight Leadership Award recognizes a young leader under the age of 40 who is actively involved in AGC, demonstrates extensive field experience and professionalism, exhibits strong leadership qualities, and is an engaged participant in their community. The 2025 recipient is:
Ben Beitelsbacher, VanBuskirk Construction – Sioux Falls, SD
AGC “Golden Hard Hat” Award:
This award is a very special & prestigious award that recognizes an individual or company that has demonstrated
outstanding skill, responsibility and integrity throughout their career. Criteria include long-term performance, image, community, involvement and promotion of the AGC. Over the years, only a select few have received this prestigious award. The 2025 recipient is:
Kari Karst, BX Civil & Construction – Dell Rapids, SD
Safety Excellence Award for Driver Safety
The award recognizes individuals who exhibit accident-free performance for a full year, years of dedicated service driving, a citation-free record, strong customer service, proper paperwork management, mentorship of others, DOT compliance, and a good MVR rating over the past 24 months. The 2025 recipient is:
Pat Wilson of Site Work Specialists – Rapid City, SD
AGC Paul Lepthien Safety Award:
This award recognizes an individual who is a leader in safety and a true ambassador for the construction field. Paul Lepthien, whose contributions to the field of construction safety in South Dakota set a new course for the industry. In tribute to Paul’s legacy, AGC presents the Paul Lepthien Safety Award each year to an individual who embodies the same qualities that Paul lived by. The 2025 recipient is:
Kelly Stern of Complete Contracting – Rapid City, SD
Congratulations to all AGC of South Dakota Award Winners!
AGC of South Dakota provides a full range of networking opportunities and support services to building, highway, transportation, utility, infrastructure, and specialty contractors, as well as suppliers and service providers. Representing more than 400 members, AGC of SD leads in membership services and benefits, political advocacy, public relations, and fostering collaboration across South Dakota’s construction industry.
AGC of SD proudly serves as “The Voice of the Construction Industry.”
Comments