Jorgensen Reflects  On Lifetime Commitment to Entrepreneurship

Joe B. Jorgensen’s forward-thinking perspective and business acumen have forever changed Spearfish. He is known as one of the “city’s builders” – a key part of solid community leadership that emerged in the 1970s.

While entrepreneurship has become Jorgensen’s trademark, he started in education teaching four years at Spearfish High School after earning his degree from BHSU in 1967. He served in the U.S. Army and returned to BHSU for his master’s in educational administration in 1970.

A former Spearfish mayor, Jorgensen says it was the opportunity to help others and the challenge of adding value to Spearfish that fueled his real estate efforts. He was the first to bring seated chain restaurants to Spearfish in the early 1980s. In 1983, Jorgensen introduced and began developing townhouses in Spearfish, and in the 2000s, he developed Crow Peak Place– the city’s first “pocket neighborhood” located near the BHSU campus and downtown.

When asked what his favorite real estate project has been, Jorgensen says he’s most proud of all the parks he’s dedicated to the city, the subdivisions he’s created, and contributing to the walking and bike paths in the city. In Jorgensen Park, he is proud of the bronze horse statues that honor his parents who were livestock dealers.

Growing up, Jorgensen watched his dad buy, sell, and trade everything from horses to land teaching him the value of hard work and possibility.

Perhaps most notable in his achievements is Joe’s ability to work with others to advance opportunities. One of his partnership groups recently donated 9.8 acres of land to the High Plains Western Heritage Center in Spearfish. Now, he and his team are completing the Village at Creekside commercial business development. Jorgensen and partners own 756 acres at Exit 10 in Spearfish which will be developed into “Dakota Meadows,” a commercial and housing venture.