The bomber base near Rapid City is one of the region's largest single employers. Beyond the granite and grassland, a quieter story is reshaping how South Dakota earns its living.

Ellsworth is a major U.S. Air Force base east of Rapid City.

What sets it apart

Thousands of military and civilian jobs are tied to the base. For those who know the region well, it is a quiet point of pride.

A planned expansion has spurred housing and business growth nearby.

Why it matters

What ties it all together is a distinctly South Dakota balance between the wild and the worked-over. Whether the bet pays off or not, it is helping write South Dakota's next chapter.