Downtown Brookings

What Downtown Brookings does

Downtown Brookings is a nonprofit business improvement district (BID) and community development organization operating in Brookings, South Dakota, founded around 1995. It serves as the central coordinator for downtown business support, community programming, and placemaking in the historic neighborhood, working with over 100 member businesses, residents, and visitors. As of January 1, 2025, Downtown Brookings consolidated with the Brookings Economic Development Corporation, Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Brookings to form the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance, expanding its resource base and operational scope.

The organization delivers a portfolio of services across four primary categories: events (Brookings Bonanza, 30th annual Festival of Lights, Fall Festival, Chocolate Crawl, Trick or Treat, Small Business Saturday, Wondrous Windows), programming (Urban Canvas murals, Bunny Trail sculptures, Walk With Us workshops, Keep Clean volunteer program, Secret Shopper Program), business support (Lights Camera Action Grants, Event Micro-Grants of $50-200, Available Commercial Spaces listings, Open Spaces Tours, Design & Maintenance Guidelines), and infrastructure initiatives (Permit Parking Program, AARP pedestrian safety improvements, Old Armory redevelopment). It is staffed by 9 professionals across community development, business development, destination development, operations, member services, marketing, and events.

Downtown Brookings generates revenue through a mixed model of business memberships, event sponsorships (Platinum/Gold/Silver tiers), paid Secret Shopper assessments ($45-60 per business), Permit Parking fees, and grant-funded programming. It does not sell technology products and operates on a standard Squarespace website with email and social media channels. The organization coordinates extensive voluntary partnerships with the City of Brookings, Brookings County, SDSU, Brookings Arts Council, IHG, Linchpin Corporation, AARP, and local businesses to amplify its reach without commensurate cost.

Name

Downtown Brookings

Legal name

Downtown Brookings

Website

https://www.downtownbrookings.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Downtown Brookings is a nonprofit business improvement district and community development organization in Brookings, South Dakota that coordinates events, public art, business support grants, and placemaking for over 100 downtown businesses, residents, and visitors. It operates as a program of the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Improvement District Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

City Squares, Old Towns & Landmark Districts (THAJACAJ)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Downtown district management
• Business improvement district
• Event sponsorship management
• Public art programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookings

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Business Memberships: Downtown Brookings serves as a membership organization for downtown businesses, providing programming, marketing support, and community-building services in exchange for membership participation.
2. Event Sponsorships: Annual events including Brookings Bonanza, Festival of Lights, and other community events generate sponsorship revenue from local businesses and organizations. Sponsors are listed at various tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver).
3. Grant Programs: The organization administers grant funding programs including Lights Camera Action Grants and Event Micro-Grants ($50-200) for downtown business improvements and event marketing.
4. Secret Shopper Program: Paid program where businesses pay for anonymous customer service assessments. Restaurant example: $15/person budget for three visits totaling $45 or less. Retail example: $20/person budget for three visits totaling $60 or less.
5. Permit Parking Program: Long-term parking permits (6- or 12-month reserved parking) available to downtown tenants for a fee, issued with hangar tags for designated spots.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Downtown Brookings is a nonprofit business improvement district that delivers business support services (grant funding, secret shopper assessments, available commercial space listings), manages signature annual community events (Festival of Lights, Brookings Bonanza, Fall Festival, Small Business Saturday, Trick or Treat, Chocolate Crawl, Wondrous Windows), and runs public art and engagement programs (Urban Canvas murals, Bunny Trail scavenger hunt, Walk With Us workshops) to drive foot traffic and support downtown merchants in Brookings, South Dakota.

Product overview

Downtown Brookings operates as a downtown business improvement district offering a suite of programs and services designed to enhance the downtown experience for businesses, residents, and visitors. The organization provides direct business support services including grant programs (Lights Camera Action Grant, Event Micro-Grants), a Secret Shopper Program for customer service evaluation, and commercial space coordination through Available Commercial Spaces listings and Open Spaces Tours. The portfolio includes community engagement programs like the Urban Canvas public art initiative featuring twelve murals, the Bunny Trail scavenger hunt experience, and Walk With Us workshops for neighborhood improvement. Seasonal events form a major component including the Festival of Lights holiday parade, Brookings Bonanza summer festival, Fall Festival, Small Business Saturday, Trick or Treat, and the Wondrous Windows holiday decoration competition. The organization is a program of the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Support Services Suite of business support services for downtown Brookings merchants, including grant funding programs (Lights Camera Action Grants for business improvements and $50–200 Event Micro-Grants for event marketing), connections to Brookings Economic Development Corporation, and coordination with city permitting and historic preservation resources.
• Secret Shopper Program Anonymous customer service assessment program for downtown retail, service, and food establishments. Businesses set a per-person budget (e.g., $15/person restaurants, $20/person retail) and receive three anonymous visits over one month with structured 20+ question feedback forms. Restaurants pay approximately $45 for three visits; retail stores approximately $60.
• Available Commercial Spaces Listing and tour program for available commercial rental properties in the Downtown Brookings neighborhood, including office, retail, and service spaces. Open Spaces Tours provide prospective business owners with guided visits to approximately ten locations, sharing lease terms, availability dates, and rent costs at no charge.
• Permit Parking Program Long-term parking permit service offering 6- or 12-month reserved parking spots for downtown tenants. Approved applicants receive a hangar tag for designated parking spots in the district.
• Downtown Brookings Membership Recurring membership offering for downtown Brookings businesses that delivers programming, marketing support, community-building services, event participation opportunities, and access to BID resources in exchange for membership participation fees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Festival of Lights parade draws over 5,000 attendees with 40+ floats
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Brookings Regional Growth AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDowntown Brookings is a program of the Brookings Regional Growth Alliance, a consolidated organization that also includes Brookings Economic Development Corporation, Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Brookings as of January 2025. The consolidation enables coordinated resources, streamlined communication, and expanded community impact.
• AARPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAARP awarded Downtown Brookings a 2025 Community Challenge grant for pedestrian safety improvements. One of 383 grantees selected from 3,450+ applications nationwide. Grant funds high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, and pedestrian signage connecting city parking, senior housing, and commercial core.
• Toyota Motor North AmericamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding support provided by Toyota Motor North America specifically for the 2025 AARP Community Challenge pedestrian safety projects aimed at improving streets and sidewalks nationwide.
• Brookings Economic Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBEDC serves as gateway for businesses providing complimentary confidential services to start, expand, or relocate. Partners with Downtown Brookings on Open Spaces Tours and business development resources.
• City of BrookingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity provides engineering planning, signage installation, and works with Downtown Brookings on projects including the AARP crosswalk improvements and historic preservation. Development Review Team (DRT) coordinates with businesses on projects.
• IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHotel development at Old Armory is partnered with IHG for Hotel Indigo brand. IHG brand specifically features local products and businesses including coffee, wine, spirits, and produce.
• Brookings Area Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber works to promote, advocate, connect, and enrich Brookings area business community. Consolidated with Downtown Brookings under Brookings Regional Growth Alliance.
• Children's Museum of South DakotamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesignated as 2025 Festival of Lights Grand Marshal. Museum is located adjacent to downtown district. Freewill donation Access Initiative offered during Festival of Lights. Reindeer visits hosted outside museum during parade events.
• Brookings Arts CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on public art programs. Arts Council led Upward Bound students and community members in creating Urban Canvas murals. Co-hosts Festival of Trees exhibit during Festival of Lights.
• South Dakota State University (SDSU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity is represented on Downtown Brookings Board of Directors. Students and university community participate in events and programs. Brookings Bonanza includes SDSU Game Watch Party.
• Linchpin CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development company spearheading the Old Armory redevelopment project. Project includes event space, restaurant (The Foxtrot), and IHG Hotel Indigo.
• National Parks ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric tax credit projects at Old Armory require NPS approval for interior and exterior work due to National Register of Historic Places designation.
• Bank SaloonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured Festival of Lights sponsor and event participant offering chocolate-covered strawberry martini and add-a-shot-to-free-hot-chocolate specials during events.
• Bowes Construction Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFestival of Lights sponsor. Contributes to community events and business support initiatives.
• First Bank & TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of Brookings Bonanza event. Contributes to community programming and events.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Downtown Sioux Falls: Business improvement district for downtown Sioux Falls, SD. Operates the same BID model with member services, events, and placemaking, and would be the closest geographic/operational peer for Downtown Brookings.
• Downtown Fargo: BID-style organization for downtown Fargo, ND. Operates similar member business services, signature events, and placemaking programs in a comparable Midwestern college-town market.
• Bismarck Downtowners: Downtown association for Bismarck, ND. Comparable organization running member programs, events, and historic preservation initiatives in a similar Midwestern state-capital market.

Broad incumbents

• Main Street America: National nonprofit that supports the Main Street Approach to downtown revitalization. Serves as the broader umbrella organization under which community-level BIDs like Downtown Brookings operate or align.
• International Downtown Association: Industry association for urban place management organizations. Provides best-practice frameworks, training, and advocacy for downtown/BID organizations comparable to Downtown Brookings.
• Travel Portland: Destination marketing organization for Portland, OR with broader tourism scope. Comparable to the combined Downtown Brookings + Visit Brookings function post-consolidation, scaled up significantly.

Regional players

• Visit Brookings (BRGA program): Convention and visitor bureau for Brookings, SD, now consolidated under the same parent (Brookings Regional Growth Alliance). Shares overlapping audience development and event coordination function with Downtown Brookings post-merger.
• City of Brookings Economic Development: Municipal economic development counterpart now consolidated under Brookings Regional Growth Alliance. Provides public-sector planning, permitting, and infrastructure coordination that complements Downtown Brookings' business support role.

Emerging players

• Local First Arizona: Independent business alliance running a Buy Local campaign, programming, and small-business support. Comparable mission to Downtown Brookings but structured as a statewide independent business coalition rather than a geographic BID.

Others

• Neighborhood Development Center: Nonprofit that provides training, lending, and consulting to neighborhood-based small businesses. Adjacent to Downtown Brookings' mission of small business support but focused on underserved urban neighborhoods rather than a designated historic district.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/downtownbkgs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/downtownbrookingsinc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Downtown Brookings