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Thompson Solutions Group Receives National NECA Project Excellence Award for Cherapa Place

TSG Electrical Construction Wins NECA Project Excellence Award

(Left to right: Mike Anderson, Senior Vice President of Electrical Construction, Todd Becker, Vice President of Electrical Construction, Keith Gorter, Sr. Project Manager of Electrical Construction)

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Thompson Solutions Group (TSG) has been named a recipient of a 2026 NECA Project Excellence Award for its electrical work on Cherapa Place, a landmark mixed-use development along the downtown Sioux Falls riverfront.

Presented by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the Project Excellence Awards recognize outstanding electrical construction projects that demonstrate exceptional innovation, quality, safety, technology integration, and project execution. Cherapa Place was selected among projects from across the country for its complexity, craftsmanship, and the innovative construction solutions employed throughout the development.

Cherapa Place transformed the former Zip Feed Mill site into a 142,000-square-foot mixed-use destination featuring office space, residential units, retail amenities, and a three-level parking structure. Widely recognized as South Dakota’s first LEED Gold-certified project, the development has become a signature feature of the Sioux Falls riverfront.

TSG’s electrical construction team played a critical role in delivering the project while managing the challenges of multiple structures being built simultaneously within a highly congested urban jobsite. Success required extensive coordination among trades, precise planning, and the use of advanced construction technologies to ensure every system could be installed accurately within limited space constraints.

“Cherapa Place challenged our team to perform at the highest level every day,” said Mike Anderson, Senior Vice President of Electrical Construction at Thompson Solutions Group. “From complex post-tension concrete construction and exposed mass timber structures to coordinating four active buildings on a constrained site, this project demanded exceptional planning, innovation, and teamwork. This recognition reflects the dedication and craftsmanship of our employees, and we’re honored to receive this award from NECA for a project that continues to make a lasting impact on the Sioux Falls community.”

Throughout construction, TSG leveraged Building Information Modeling (BIM), Total Station layout technology, prefabrication, and digital field collaboration tools to improve accuracy, safety, and efficiency. By identifying potential conflicts before installation and moving significant portions of work into a controlled prefabrication environment, the team was able to reduce waste, enhance quality, and maintain the fast-paced project schedule.

The project also showcased innovative solutions for preserving the exposed mass timber architecture featured in The Clark Lofts and The Dakota Flats. With little to no concealed ceiling space available, TSG collaborated closely with architects, engineers, and trade partners to develop creative routing pathways that maintained the building’s architectural vision while meeting electrical system requirements.

“This recognition reflects the expertise of our field teams and project leadership, who consistently deliver exceptional results on some of the region’s most challenging projects,” said Tom Kewley, Project Manager, Electrical Construction. “The level of planning, coordination, and adaptability required on Cherapa Place exemplifies the standard of excellence we strive to achieve on every project.”

The award was formally presented during the NECA 2026 Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas on October 6, 2026. Representing TSG at the event will be Mike Anderson, Senior Vice President of Electrical Construction; Ray DeWitt, Vice President of Electrical Construction – Sioux City; Todd Becker, Vice President of Electrical Construction – Omaha; and Keith Gorter, Senior Project Manager – Sioux Falls.