Insider's Guide
CJ Schwan’s came to Sioux Falls bringing a major investment in a new Asian food production facility.
But from the beginning, company leaders said they planned to be part of supporting the broader community too.
That commitment soon will be seen in a big way throughout downtown Sioux Falls for years.
CJ Schwan’s has become Downtown Sioux Falls Inc.’s signature event season sponsor from 2026 through 2030, a first-of-its-kind partnership in the organization’s 38-year history.
The multiyear sponsorship will support DTSF signature events and the broader work that helps keep downtown active, welcoming and economically strong.
“This is the first partnership of its kind in DTSF’s 38-year history, and what makes it exciting is that it came from a very creative and sincere place,” said Brandon Hanson, CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls Inc.
“CJ Schwan’s did not come to us asking how to put their logo on one event. They came to us asking how they could become part of the downtown community, show up in a meaningful way, and give back to Sioux Falls.”
The partnership will launch publicly at Riverfest on Sept. 19, where CJ Schwan’s will have a booth in the vendor area, a presence in the VIP area and recognition through event signage and stage announcements.
“The goal is for their presence to feel connected to the experience, not separate from it,” Hanson said. “This is the first step in what will become a consistent year-round presence across DTSF’s signature event season.”
As CJ Schwan’s looked for ways to become more involved locally, Downtown Sioux Falls stood out because of its role in creating community experiences.
“What resonates most with us is Downtown Sioux Falls’ ability to bring people together through events, experiences and community programming,” said Dave Furlong, global supply chain leader for CJ Schwan’s.
“They create meaningful connections through shared experiences, and that aligns closely with what we strive to do every day through the foods we make.”
At Riverfest, which runs from 3 to 8 p.m. along the Big Sioux River at Cherapa Place, attendees will see CJ Schwan’s and its brands represented at the event. The company’s booth will include information about CJ Schwan’s, the manufacturing facility being built in Foundation Park and career opportunities that will be offered there.
The company also plans interactive activities, giveaways and bibigo-branded swag.
“Most importantly, we’re looking forward to meeting members of the community and celebrating everything that makes Sioux Falls such a great place to live and work,” Furlong said.
Growing presence
For CJ Schwan’s, the partnership builds on the company’s expanding Sioux Falls presence.
In September 2025, the company opened a 12,000-square-foot office in the River Centre building in downtown Sioux Falls. The office complements the manufacturing facility being built in Foundation Park and serves as a hub for collaboration, innovation and customer engagement.
Currently, about 20 to 30 people operate from the downtown office, with that presence expected to grow over time.
The office includes collaborative work areas, conference rooms and a commercial kitchen where CJ Schwan’s can host customer meetings and product samplings.
“Our expansion into Sioux Falls is extremely important to us, and from the beginning, our goal has been to become a trusted and engaged member of the community,” Furlong said.
Since opening the downtown office, the team has experienced the energy of downtown firsthand, he said.
“We were immediately drawn to the vibrancy of downtown Sioux Falls,” Furlong said. “It’s a place where business, culture, entertainment and community all come together, and that creates a unique energy.”
The downtown office also gives CJ Schwan’s team members and guests access to restaurants, businesses, events and riverfront views.
“We have been very happy with the office so far, and our team has really enjoyed being part of the downtown environment,” Furlong said. “The location provides great access to local restaurants, businesses and events, and the views of the river certainly are an added bonus.”
Partnership’s benefits
For DTSF, the partnership with CJ Schwan’s creates both visibility and stability.
The multiyear structure gives the organization more predictability as it plans, markets and continues improving its signature events.
“This partnership is primarily focused on DTSF’s signature events and the broader work that helps those events produce impact for downtown,” Hanson said. “It allows us to keep investing in the quality and appeal of our events, stretch our marketing reach further, and continue fueling the advocacy work that makes downtown stronger over time.”
The impact of downtown events is measurable.
In 2025, DTSF turned every $1 invested in events into $144 in spending for downtown businesses, Hanson said. Its membership program showed a similar return, with every $1 invested producing $124 in downtown spending.
“That is real support for small businesses, but it is also a stronger tax base and a stronger city,” Hanson said. “Investing downtown is an investment in Sioux Falls and in South Dakota.”
The partnership also supports what Hanson describes as the full ecosystem of downtown impact: events and activations that bring people together, the Ambassador Program that helps keep downtown clean, green and welcoming, and advocacy work that strengthens the long-term health of the district.
More broadly, the partnership “sends an important message that downtown is worth investing in,” Hanson continued.
“There are few places where an investment can touch so many parts of a community at once: visitation, business growth, public experience, infrastructure, amenities, and long-term economic confidence.”
For CJ Schwan’s, the partnership reflects the kind of corporate citizen the company intends to be as it grows in Sioux Falls, Furlong added.
“This investment reflects our belief that strong communities create opportunities for everyone, including residents, businesses and future generations,” he said. “As we continue to expand our presence in Sioux Falls, you’ll see CJ Schwan’s looking for meaningful ways to show support and deepen our engagement in the community.”
While the company is still early in its journey in Sioux Falls, the commitment is long term, he continued.
“We want to be a company that contributes to the vitality of Sioux Falls and earns the trust of the community over time,” Furlong said.
To stay connected with upcoming downtown experiences and the ways CJ Schwan’s is helping bring more activation to downtown Sioux Falls, sign up for the DTSF Insider newsletter.”
