Strengthening South Dakota

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Strengthening South Dakota

By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
March 27, 2025

From rural healthcare to property tax relief, apprenticeships to airport investments, I have focused on strengthening our economy and supporting communities across the state. These are real investments that make a difference in the lives of our hardworking South Dakotans.

Access to quality healthcare is a priority, especially in our rural communities. Families should be able to stay in the town they grew up in without having to travel hours to see a doctor or receive critical care. This past session, we made historic investments in rural healthcare. The first bill that I signed was to support the Rural Health Transformation Fund. This investment will expand resources for rural hospitals and clinics, ensuring that South Dakotans can get the care they need close to home. Strong communities start with strong healthcare, and these resources will help keep families healthy and thriving.

Infrastructure plays an important role in our economic growth. This session, we invested in the Sioux Falls and Rapid City airports in the form of low-interest loans. Folks from across South Dakota use these airports to travel, and visitors from across the country and around the world land at those airports to take advantage of our travel industry. This investment will create more opportunities for local businesses, tourism, and economic development. This will ensure South Dakota remains competitive, connected, and Open for Opportunity.

I'm also focusing on workforce development. This session, we set up a new State Apprenticeship Agency at the Department of Labor and Regulation. Apprenticeships and hands-on learning programs allow South Dakotans to earn while they learn, gaining valuable skills that meet the needs of local industries.

We also supported the growth of Southeast Tech in Sioux Falls. By investing in education and training right here in our communities, we're keeping talent in our state and preparing workers for the high-demand careers of today and tomorrow. These programs make a difference, not just for participants, but for the businesses and communities that rely on a skilled workforce to grow and succeed. And they give our next generation more opportunities to get into the career of their dreams right here at home.

When we focus on practical, common-sense policy, South Dakota thrives. This legislative session was about keeping our economy strong, supporting our communities, giving families what they need to succeed, and keeping South Dakota the freest state in a nation founded on the principle of freedom. I'm proud of what we accomplished, and I'll keep working every single day to deliver results for you.

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