Building Opportunity in Grant County
Grant County Development Corporation works to strengthen the local economy by supporting business growth, advancing strategic development projects, and building partnerships that create long-term opportunity throughout Grant County.
From business financing and industrial development to housing, workforce, and childcare, GCDC helps turn community needs into development opportunities.
Who We Are
The Grant County Development Corporation (GCDC) is a local economic-development organization working with businesses, communities, lenders, state agencies, developers, and other partners to move projects forward.
GCDC helps coordinate the people, resources, and tools that turn community and business needs into real development outcomes across Grant County.
The Grant County Development Corporation drives economic growth, supports business success, and strengthens the long-term vitality of our communities.
Coordinating the Work That Moves Grant County Forward
GCDC's work spans the core areas that drive local economic growth.
Business Retention, Expansion & Financing
Helping businesses start, expand, relocate, and structure financing opportunities.
Industrial & Infrastructure Development
Supporting industrial sites, utilities, infrastructure, and business-development projects.
Housing & Quality of Life Projects
Supporting residential development as a critical component of workforce and community growth.
Workforce & Talent Initiatives
Addressing workforce needs through partnerships, housing, childcare, and community initiatives.
Childcare
Supporting childcare capacity as workforce infrastructure through programs such as the Bright Futures Fund.
Community & Investor Partnerships
Bringing together public and private partners to advance major development opportunities.
Connecting the Pieces That Move Projects Forward
GCDC is not simply a referral organization — it actively helps coordinate development projects from idea to implementation.
Identify the Opportunity
Understand the business, housing, workforce, infrastructure, or community need.
Build the Partnership
Bring together the appropriate businesses, lenders, communities, utilities, developers, and agencies.
Structure the Project
Evaluate financing, incentives, infrastructure, sites, and other development tools.
Coordinate the Process
Help keep project partners moving toward implementation.
Invest in Long-Term Growth
Focus on projects that strengthen Grant County's economic future.
More Than 55 Years of Building Grant County
For more than five decades, Grant County Development Corporation has worked to support business development, job creation, investment, and community prosperity.
While the tools and challenges of economic development have changed, GCDC's role has remained consistent: bringing people, resources, and opportunities together to strengthen the future of Grant County.
GCDC continues to coordinate strategic partnerships, support local employers, and lead initiatives that fuel economic opportunity and strengthen the future of Milbank and the greater Grant County region.
Leadership Focused on Development
Traci Stein became the Executive Director of the Grant County Development Corporation (GCDC) in April 2024. She brings more than 16 years of experience in economic development, community growth strategy, and public-private partnership leadership.
Before joining GCDC, Stein served in key leadership roles with the Watertown Development Company for 16 years, where she played an instrumental role in advancing major initiatives in housing, childcare, retail, commercial development, and industrial expansion. Throughout her career, she has worked collaboratively with state, regional, and community leaders to drive economic vitality, attract investment, and strengthen local business ecosystems.
She is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) through the National Development Council — providing specialized expertise in development finance, business lending, and complex funding structures for community and economic-development projects.
- ✓ Master of Science in Information Systems, Dakota State University
- ✓ Bachelor of Business Administration, Mount Marty College
- ✓ Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), National Development Council
- ✓ 16+ years of economic-development and public-private partnership leadership
Development Is About More Than Finding Money
Development Finance
Helping identify and structure potential financing sources.
Business Lending
Understanding project cash flow, financing gaps, and lending requirements.
Public-Private Partnerships
Bringing public and private resources together around development opportunities.
Housing Development
Supporting projects that respond to workforce and community housing needs.
Infrastructure
Helping coordinate the infrastructure necessary to support growth.
Strategic Project Development
Helping move projects from concept through financing, partnerships, and implementation.
Economic Development Doesn't Happen in a Vacuum
Successful projects often require coordination among businesses, developers, lenders, communities, utilities, state agencies, and funding partners. GCDC helps connect those pieces.
Businesses
Access to local project support, financing resources, sites, and development partners.
Communities
Strategic investment that supports long-term growth and local vitality.
Employers
Support for workforce, housing, childcare, and infrastructure challenges that affect business growth.
Developers
Local market knowledge, project coordination, and access to potential financing and development resources.
Leadership & Board of Directors
Grant County Development Corporation is guided by local business and community leaders who provide oversight, perspective, and strategic direction for the organization's economic-development work.
Explore What We're Working On
Business Financing
Learn about the Intermediary Relending Program.
Learn More →Industrial Development
Explore development-ready sites in the Milbank Industrial Park.
Learn More →Housing
See available residential lots supporting local growth.
Learn More →Bright Futures Fund
Discover GCDC's childcare capacity initiative.
Learn More →Let's Move Grant County Forward.
Whether you're expanding a business, evaluating a development project, exploring financing, or looking for a community partner, GCDC is ready to start the conversation.