BROOKINGS Brookings Mayor Oepke Ope Niemeyer has announced Clark James Drew as recipient of the Mayors Most Inspirational Award for 2024.
Niemeyer will recognize James at the annual Mayors Awards and Holiday Celebration event on Dec. 4 at the Dacotah Bank Center, 824 32nd Ave. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. with the awards program starting at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
James is president of Clark Drew Construction, which was started by his father, Clark Drew Jr., as a custom home-building company in 1978.
James and his brother, Chris Drew, and their dedicated employees have grown Clark Drew Construction into a regional commercial, residential and concrete corporation whose projects can be seen throughout the Brookings community, on the South Dakota State University campus, and along the Interstate 29 corridor.
Throughout the past 25 years, James has collaborated with local and national retailers, the South Dakota Housing Authority, and Brookings city and county officials to develop more than 200 acres of land for housing developments and commercial spaces. These include the Lofts at Park Hill, The Reserve at Deer Path, T.J. Maxx, Starbucks, and Brookings Workforce Housing project.
James is currently a member of the East Brookings Business and Industry Association and the SDSU Comprehensive Campus Plan Steering Committee. He is a past chairman and member of the Brookings Planning Commission. James is proud graduate and supporter of SDSU.
The Mayors Most Inspirational Award recognizes the importance of leaders who make the community vibrant and dynamic. The award is given to a community member age 40 or older who has made a significant impact in the community through community engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, diversity, and innovation.
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