HURON In recognition of Dakotaland Federal Credit Unions 90th anniversary, Huron Mayor Mark Robish has declared Friday, February 28, as Dakotaland Federal Credit Union Day in the City of Huron. The proclamation will be presented to Dakotalands CEO, Ryan Goehner, at the Huron City Commission meeting on Monday, Feb. 24. In celebration of this notable milestone, Dakotaland extends an invitation to the community and will host refreshments Friday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the lobby of the North Branch, Main Branch and South Branch locations in Huron.
Reflecting upon the past 90 years, Dakotaland Federal Credit Union came from humble beginnings sparked by the vision and determination of ten local Armour Packing Company employees who formed the credit union in Huron on Feb. 23, 1935. Initially, all transactions were managed out of a single desk drawer. The Credit Union was approved to provide savings and loans to its meat packing members. At that time, the average annual salary was $1,500 dollars, the maximum credit union savings account was $500 dollars, and the maximum credit union loan was $25 dollars.
In 1967, the Credit Union purchased a used garage for $3,000 and moved it inside the secure fence of the meat packing plant on the hill to the east of Huron. With a little remodeling, the garage became the credit union office, which was fondly referred to as The Shack.
In 1983, the credit unions only sponsor group, Armour Meat Packing, closed the plant leaving 550 members wondering if they would lose their credit union permanently. The Board of Directors chose to expand the field of membership to include other employer groups in Huron and changed the credit unions name to Dakotaland Federal Credit Union. In 1997, another plant closing (Dakota Pork), gave way to community charter approval for Dakotaland. With nearly 6,000 existing members, the credit union opened its doors and services to anyone who lived or worked in Beadle County.
The main branch, otherwise known as the Operations Center, was the first Dakotaland Federal Credit Union established in Huron in 1984. This facility located at 1371 Dakota Ave. S. would see several additions over the next 15 years to reach its current size.
Branching Out for Dakotaland began in 1996 making Volga the first merged branch location. In 2004, a new branch was established in Woonsocket. The North branch location in Huron was established in 2005, along with a merged branch in Brookings. 2011 proved to be a busy year as a merged branch in Madison became a part of the family, a start-up location was established in DeSmet, and the Redfield location merged in as well. A fifth merger brought the Mitchell branch on board in 2013 bringing the branch community count to eight locations. In 2017, a merger welcomed the Aberdeen location to the ranks. Both a start-up location in Watertown and the Administrative Center in Huron, housing the South Branch, were erected in 2018.
Over the years, the Credit Unions charter grew, but in 2010 a 27-county rural community charter expansion was obtained. An additional charter expansion request was approved in 2024 bringing an additional 24 counties into the Dakotaland family. The credit unions current field of membership extends to those who live, work, worship or attend school in 51 counties extending across South Dakota.
In addition, Dakotaland Federal Credit Union established two CUSO (Credit Union Service Organizations) to better serve its membership. Dakotaland Community Insurance was added in 2011, but later transitioned to DFS Insurance with offices in the five Dakotaland Federal Credit Union locations of Aberdeen, Brookings, DeSmet, Huron and Watertown.
Dakotaland Financial Services opened its doors in 2015 and provides tax and bookkeeping services out of the Main Branch in Huron.
Currently, the Credit Union has more than 46,000 members in every county in South Dakota. Moreover, Dakotaland members take residence in nearly all 50 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Dakotaland has 12 branch locations, employs 178 staff, has $700 million in assets and has made a significant impact on the financial landscape in South Dakota since inception.
Dakotaland continues to be locally owned and operated offering a full line of financial services to its membership Together Strong since 1935.
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