AGP Executive Report

Battery & Manufacturing: Critical Resources won international peer-reviewed validation for its dry supersonic deposition cathode tech, backing a solvent-free, binder-free single-step approach aimed at licensing battery manufacturing know-how. Energy Planning: Black Hills Energy filed its 2026 Integrated Resource Plan in Wyoming, flagging a 95 MW near-term capacity gap from 2027 and recommending a mix including new gas generation, battery storage, and market purchases. Local Economic Development: Elevate Rapid City named Jack Valentine its new president and CEO, effective July 27, as the regional growth engine looks to strengthen jobs and workforce partnerships. Consumer & Public Safety Law: New South Dakota rules took effect July 1 to curb cryptocurrency kiosk scams, adding registration, daily limits, receipts, and refund protections. State Policy: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley says all ten of his bills take effect July 1, including measures on election integrity, deepfakes, and genetic data protections. Severe Weather Impact: Highmore was hit by 131 mph straight-line winds and storm damage, with state officials assessing whether it meets federal disaster thresholds. Agriculture & Markets: Grain futures ticked firmer in the holiday-shortened stretch, with Pro Farmer noting grain “bulls” returning as traders look ahead to the next big USDA data. Community & Tourism: Pierre opened the Missouri River Overlook Trail, adding a new natural-surface loop for walking, hiking, and mountain biking. Dairy Spotlight: Elizabeth Coudron, a South Dakota State University student and dairy-industry hopeful, was named a Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalist.

Public Safety & Weather: Highmore, S.D. was hit by 131 mph straight-line winds, with officials assessing damage for possible federal disaster aid as the broader region braces for more severe storms and heat-driven grid strain. State Policy: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley’s 10 new laws take effect July 1, including rules targeting foreign money in elections and expanded penalties for adult deepfakes. Energy & Regulation: NorthWestern Energy will host its Q2 2026 financial results webinar, while South Dakota regulators have approved the Black Hills Energy/NorthWestern merger. Agriculture & Livestock: With drought and heat stressing crops and ruminants, extension guidance emphasizes proactive herd management and heat-stress monitoring. Business & Industry: Caterpillar opened a Rapid City engineering and design center using virtual reality for faster, safer product development. Local Economy & Growth: A Sioux Falls-area real estate group launched a consumer resource hub for Black Hills buyers, and a Sioux County commission is weighing a proposed data center. Community & Events: Keystone is gearing up for July 3 fireworks with President Trump expected to attend, alongside state and federal leaders.

Energy & Utilities: South Dakota regulators approved the Black Hills Energy–NorthWestern merger, with critics warning it could create a “super monopoly” and calling for more public scrutiny. Infrastructure & Power: A major transmission project cleared a key Minnesota step for the Big Stone South to Alexandria line, aimed at strengthening the regional grid and speeding outage restoration. Agriculture & Workforce: Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative backed a federal bill to expand H-2A access for dairy, pushing to redefine “temporary” so year-round farms can use the program. Food Assistance: South Dakota released new WIC income guidelines effective July 1, and SNAP error-rate rules nationally could shift how much states must reimburse the federal government. Local Government & Roads: Yankton County approved a roads-and-bridges reserve levy with a two-year sunset clause, with a referral option for voters. Community & Outdoors: Pierre opened the Missouri Overlook Trail, a new multi-use natural-surface route built for walking, hiking, and mountain biking. Weather & Safety: Officials are urging caution as extreme heat and storm impacts continue, including warnings about storm repair scams after recent damage. Beef Industry & Youth: The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation recognized Kirby as the 2026 Workforce Scholarship recipient tied to beef-industry service after graduation.

Food & Farm Policy: Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative backed the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, urging expanded H-2A access for year-round dairy work so farms can fill labor needs more reliably. Agriculture Conditions: After last year’s flooding, some South Dakota-area producers are seeing a steadier 2026 start thanks to timely rains and better soil moisture, though management decisions still loom. Workforce & Immigration: The H-2A proposal would update how “temporary” is defined for dairy, aiming to streamline visas and reduce cost uncertainty for producers. Consumer & Health Services: South Dakota WIC income guidelines rise effective July 1, with eligibility capped at 185% of the federal poverty level. Construction & Industry: Smithfield Foods selected Epstein as design-build contractor for a $1.3B packaged meat and fresh pork facility in Sioux Falls, targeting major automation and a new site at Foundation Park. Local Governance & Growth: Sioux County supervisors discussed a proposed data center at a former Bison Renewable Energy site, with a one-year moratorium on data centers and industrial battery storage already in place. Public Safety: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley warned residents about storm repair scams, urging written quotes, sales tax license checks, and avoiding full upfront payments. Transportation: SDDOT says Highway 44 east of Lennox will reopen July 1 on primed gravel until asphalt paving later in July.

Severe Weather & Grid Safety: South Dakota braced for a late-Thursday “ridge runner” storm corridor, while earlier Monday’s Highmore disaster brought 131 mph straight-line winds, tornado reports, and a state cleanup response with a 30-day federal aid window. Fireworks Risk: With wildfires burning in the West, officials urged caution before July 4 fireworks as hot, dry conditions raise ignition danger. Agriculture Under Drought: Ranchers are being pushed toward tougher herd management as drought spreads across parts of the Dakotas and surrounding states. Consumer & Business Climate: A multistate settlement hit Menards over alleged deceptive credit marketing and COVID-era price gouging. Housing Policy: President Trump cast doubt on signing a bipartisan housing affordability bill, saying election legislation comes first—an issue that could affect construction timelines and costs. Water & Infrastructure Funding: South Dakota approved millions for wastewater work (including Sioux Falls) and grants to address PFAS from firefighting foam. Local Industry & Growth: South Dakota Trade’s Germany mission paired business matchmaking at Interzoo with USD student and faculty global partnership visits. Workforce & Education: A new manufacturing scholarship launched in De Smet, and SDSU hosted biomedical engineering camp for high school students. Travel & Community: AAA projected steady South Dakota Independence Day travel, and Sioux Falls traffic-calming is underway ahead of long-planned viaduct overhauls. Public Safety: Leaders warned residents to watch for scams after storms, especially door-to-door repair offers.

Utility & Wildfire Preparedness: Black Hills Energy canceled a Harriman/Curt Gowdy Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff watch after conditions improved, but said it will keep monitoring and could still issue emergency outages if fire risk spikes. Severe Weather & Agriculture Impacts: A radar-confirmed 131 mph straight-line wind event hit central South Dakota near Highmore/Hyde County, with lemon-sized hail reported; meanwhile, another round of storms was forecast to target the Sioux Falls area with damaging winds and tornado risk. State Politics: South Dakota Republicans nominated Heather Baxter for secretary of state, beating incumbent Monae Johnson; Baxter backs hand-counted paper ballots. Elections & Corrections: In governor-candidate speeches at the GOP convention, prison policy and recidivism rates took center stage, with Gov. Larry Rhoden citing overcrowding and limited programming. Local Infrastructure & Logistics: Sioux County Regional Airport is nearing completion on a nearly $2 million expansion to support more hangar space and operations. Community & Industry Services: SDSU will host three eastern South Dakota field days next week, bringing research updates directly to farmers. Food & Consumer Policy: South Dakota’s SNAP program was highlighted as the nation’s most efficient by payment error rates, while federal SNAP error-rate debates could raise costs for other states.

Public Procurement Watch: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley issued an opinion saying school districts must follow state competitive bidding and design-build rules for construction contracts $100,000+ and can’t use cooperative purchasing to dodge the process. Ag Tech & Labor: Drone spraying is expanding fast nationwide, and South Dakota farmers are among the early adopters—though the state doesn’t track drone acreage. Poultry Health: SDSU researchers say they developed a vaccine for avian metapneumovirus subtype B to help protect poultry after major U.S. losses. Drought & Water Planning: A guide to the U.S. Drought Monitor explains how on-the-ground observer reports shape drought decisions—relevant as more than half of South Dakota remains in drought. Food & Local Business: Aberdeen’s Restaurant Costa Brava opened with Peruvian cuisine, leaning into local flavors and global influences. Healthcare Investment: Sanford Black Hills added a photon-counting CT scanner to improve imaging detail and reduce radiation, especially for cardiovascular care. Energy Assistance: Black Hills Energy added $10,000 to a Salvation Army fundraiser supporting utility bill help. Transportation Leadership: Two South Dakota transportation leaders were named to the 2026 Transportation Hall of Honor.

School Construction Rules: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley issued an opinion saying public school districts must follow state competitive bidding and design-build procurement laws for construction contracts $100,000+—and can’t use cooperative purchasing to dodge those requirements. Water & Data Centers: A new look at AI data center expansion raises alarms about siting proposed facilities over or near the Ogallala Aquifer, putting water availability and agriculture at the center of local permitting debates. Healthcare Tech Upgrade: Sanford Black Hills in Rapid City added a photon-counting CT scanner, touting sharper images and lower radiation for cardiovascular, emergency, oncology, and pulmonary care. Transportation Leadership: SDDOT named two women—June Hansen and Kari Karst—for induction into the 2026 Transportation Hall of Honor. Agriculture Markets: Corn and soybeans traded slightly lower as limited rainfall forecasts and export data kept traders focused on drought risk. Utilities & Community Aid: Black Hills Energy added $10,000 to a Salvation Army “Play It Forward” energy assistance fundraiser. Public Services Funding: Rural libraries face uncertainty as federal funding freezes disrupt grant processing and services, including in South Dakota. Manufacturing/Industry Policy: Seventeen GOP attorneys general, including South Dakota’s, sued California over its plastics packaging law, arguing it unlawfully forces nationwide compliance.

Severe Weather Watch: The Storm Prediction Center flagged a 30% damaging wind risk across parts of North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana, with an 80 mph+ gust threat that could mean power outages. Water & Drought: With 53% of South Dakota in drought, above-normal heat is drying soils and rangeland faster, raising power demand and water-bill pressure. Healthcare Tech Upgrade: Sanford Black Hills in Rapid City added a photon-counting CT scanner, promising sharper images and lower radiation for cardiovascular and other diagnostics. Election Shake-Up: At the South Dakota GOP convention in Rapid City, Heather Baxter won the secretary of state nomination over incumbent Monae Johnson, backing hand-counted paper ballots. Rural Libraries Under Pressure: Federal funding freezes tied to the Institute of Museum and Library Services are already disrupting South Dakota library services, including interlibrary courier support. Energy Assistance Boost: Black Hills Energy added $10,000 to the Salvation Army’s “Play It Forward” fundraiser for energy bill help. Transportation Honors: SDDOT named June Hansen and Kari Karst to the 2026 Transportation Hall of Honor class. Local Business Growth: Farmers Fuel Coffee Co. is expanding from a family farm near Hartland, shipping its agriculture-linked coffee brand across the Midwest.

Utility & Community Support: Black Hills Energy added $10,000 to the Salvation Army’s “Play It Forward” energy-assistance fundraiser in Rapid City, aiming to help families cover electric and gas bills. Severe Weather Watch: Northern Plains storms are expected to bring strong winds and large hail across Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming into Monday. Ag Entrepreneurship: Farmers Fuel Coffee Co. is expanding beyond its Hartland, Minn. roots, shipping bags from a family farm to stores across Minnesota and the Midwest while supporting Farm Rescue. Transportation Leadership: SDDOT named June Hansen (Pierre) and Kari Karst (Dell Rapids) to the 2026 Transportation Hall of Honor for work ranging from tribal liaison efforts to workforce programs. Local Business Growth: Blarney’s in Mitchell opened a new long-play casino room and arcade, adding a second kitchen and more family-friendly entertainment. Public Works & Accessibility: Yankton’s Broadway Avenue (US 81) intersection and signal upgrades are nearing completion, with ADA curb ramp work across multiple junctions. Health Care Expansion: Avera opened the new Avera Cancer Institute in Yankton, consolidating cancer services under one roof with infusion bays and exam rooms. Policy & Cost Control: South Dakota’s SNAP payment error rate hit 2.47% in FY25, the lowest in the nation, according to USDA data. Energy Resilience & Drought: More than half of South Dakota is in drought as heat accelerates dryness, raising demand and water-bill pressure while utilities stress grid readiness.

Agriculture & Rural Finance: A coalition of tribal groups and farm organizations sued USDA to reinstate $127 million in canceled farm grants, including a South Dakota-based Four Bands Community Fund award tied to training and support for low-income producers. Energy & Grid Resilience: South Dakota’s drought and heat are pushing power demand higher; Black Hills Energy says its mix of wind, solar, and some hydro is built for added stress as the state watches for longer, hotter conditions. Public Health & Construction: Avera cut the ribbon on the new Avera Cancer Institute in Yankton, expanding infusion bays, exam rooms, and bringing cancer services under one roof. Transportation & Infrastructure: SDDOT updates show Yankton’s $3.8M Broadway Avenue intersection and ADA curb-ramp upgrades are nearing completion, with remaining work expected over the next few weeks. Food Assistance Administration: USDA data again ranks South Dakota #1 for SNAP payment accuracy, with a FY25 error rate of 2.47%, the lowest in the nation. Water & Waste Projects: DANR approved $54.8M in loans and grants for statewide water, wastewater, and solid waste improvements, including major upgrades in Sioux Falls. Industry & Livestock: R-CALF USA held its 2026 national convention in Rapid City, drawing hundreds of producers and focusing on policy priorities like country-of-origin labeling and cattle market competition.

SNAP Spotlight: South Dakota is again topping the nation for SNAP payment accuracy, with a 2.47% error rate in FY2025 versus a 10.62% national average—an efficiency win that state leaders say saved about $26 million in general funds. Ag Policy & Trade: At the Governor’s Ag Summit, an agricultural economist urged “careful optimism” as trade with China and possible year-round E15 availability could help, while warning federal aid can’t be a permanent “treadmill.” Water Infrastructure Funding: DANR announced $54.8 million in loans and grants for statewide water, wastewater, and solid waste projects, including major upgrades tied to Sioux Falls’ wastewater system. Courts & Food Industry: The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Monsanto in a Roundup warning-label liability fight, a ruling that could narrow state-level claims. Multi-State Plastics Fight: Seventeen Republican AGs, including South Dakota’s Marty Jackley, sued California over its single-use plastics packaging law, arguing it will raise costs nationwide.

Utility & Energy: South Dakota regulators in Pierre unanimously approved the merger of Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy, creating Bright Horizon Energy (about $15.4B value, 2.1M customers across eight states) and tied off customer protections, a rate-increase moratorium, and commitments to keep HQ in Rapid City and offices in Sioux Falls. Agriculture & Food Policy: Gov. Larry Rhoden told the Governor’s Agricultural Summit the state is “doubling down” on value-added agriculture, with tours planned of SDSU research and local processing and equine conditioning. SNAP Oversight: USDA data shows South Dakota has the nation’s lowest SNAP payment error rate (2.47% in FY2025), while the national error rate is 10.62%, triggering new cost-sharing stakes for higher-error states. Public Works & Transportation: Crews will install an overheight detection (“clanker”) system on both sides of Pierre’s train bridge, and chip seal work begins June 26 across multiple Black Hills highways with up to 15-minute delays. Local Growth & Governance: Yankton County task forces and forums are weighing a half-cent sales tax option to reduce owner-occupied property taxes, plus road/bridge levy and data center issues. Cell-Cultured Protein: South Dakota’s five-year moratorium on cell-cultured protein takes effect July 1. Legal/Business Climate: AG Marty Jackley issued an opinion clarifying school districts must follow competitive bid and design-build procurement rules for qualifying construction contracts. Regional Industry Events: The National Red Power Round Up returns to Huron June 25-27, spotlighting big farm machinery and collectors.

Native Nations Commemorations: Tribes marked the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Greasy Grass/Little Bighorn with horse rides, reenactments, and song—South Dakota riders traveled to Montana while Standing Rock planned races and dances. Farm Policy: Sen. John Boozman unveiled the first draft of “Farm Bill 2.0,” aiming to update loan limits and rural development as row-crop economics stay under pressure. Agriculture & Research: SDSU researchers are pushing wheat disease resistance work, and SDSU Extension rolled out a mobile Basis Report app for real-time grain basis bids. Food Assistance Oversight: A SNAP integrity hearing focused on waste, fraud, and improper payments, while USDA data shows SNAP payment errors topped $10.1B nationwide—setting up potential state cost-sharing penalties. South Dakota Procurement: AG Marty Jackley issued an opinion clarifying school districts can’t use cooperative purchasing to bypass competitive bid rules for construction contracts. Transportation & Construction: Rapid City is adjusting downtown traffic for next week’s Real America Birthday Bash, Sioux Falls is running a month-long 10th Street traffic calming pilot, and SDDOT begins chip seal work across Black Hills highways plus an I-90 exit 46 reconstruction in Piedmont. Cell-Cultured Protein: South Dakota’s five-year moratorium on cell-cultured protein takes effect July 1. Plastics Fight: South Dakota joined a multistate lawsuit challenging California’s plastics packaging rules, arguing higher costs could hit consumers beyond California.

SNAP cost pressures: New USDA data show states with high SNAP payment error rates could face new cost-sharing penalties, raising stakes for how South Dakota and other states administer food aid. Rural logistics: Mail delays and unreliable USPS service are hitting rural South Dakota hard after facility downgrades tied to national modernization plans. Energy deal: South Dakota regulators approved the Black Hills Energy–NorthWestern Energy merger, creating Bright Horizon Energy and adding customer protections and labor-related settlements. Food safety: Nearly 6,000 pounds of frozen meatloaf meals were recalled for an undeclared soy allergen, with shipments reaching Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Manufacturing/tech: AVPro Global launched AVPro Design Services to help integrators with application engineering, RTI programming, AVoIP consulting, and home cinema layouts. Agriculture: Soybeans traded with fractional gains as crop progress showed 93% emergence by June 21, while conditions stayed mixed across key states including South Dakota. Local community projects: Kimball is planning major upgrades to its aging community pool, aiming for ADA access and a modernized splash experience. Policy watch: South Dakota’s cell-cultured protein moratorium begins July 1, setting a five-year pause while studies and legal challenges play out.

Utility Merger: South Dakota regulators approved the Black Hills Energy–NorthWestern Energy deal, creating Bright Horizon Energy (about $15.4B value, 2.1M customers) and backing settlements on customer protections, merger-cost limits, and local HQ commitments. Local Governance & Public Trust: Buffalo Gap faces fallout after a legislative audit found unsupported and improper town spending tied to past finance leadership and weak oversight, with the town now covering review costs. Healthcare & Staffing: Nursing homes are pushing for survey approaches that prioritize resident care as clinical staffing gaps and long survey backlogs distort reputations. Agriculture & Markets: Wheat futures fell across major markets, with spring wheat leading declines amid seasonal positioning and weather uncertainty; soybeans closed mixed. Education & Workforce: SDSU hired Mandy Marney to lead SDSU Extension and serve as associate dean, expanding research-based outreach across the state. Food & Safety: Power Plate Meals recalled frozen meatloaf products shipped to South Dakota and nearby states due to an undeclared soy allergen. Ag Policy: South Dakota’s cell-cultured protein moratorium begins July 1, running through 2030 while lawsuits in other states play out. Industry Development: Pennington County approved a TIF for Black Hills Marketplace in Rapid City, targeting major housing, retail, jobs, and infrastructure upgrades. Retail & Consumer Trends: Bath & Body Works expands into Ulta locations starting July 12, signaling continued retail distribution push. Legal/Regulatory Fight: South Dakota joined a multistate lawsuit challenging California’s plastics packaging rules, arguing the mandates raise costs beyond state lines. Community Projects: Kimball is planning major upgrades to its aging community pool, aiming for ADA access and new amenities. Public Safety & Events: Rapid City still needs volunteers for its America250 Birthday Bash July 1–5.