AGP Executive Report

Ethanol Policy: Sen. John Thune says year-round higher ethanol blend E15 likely needs compromises with small oil refiners, after the House passed year-round E15 language but the Senate path remains uncertain. Education & Workforce: Southeast Technical College is set to benefit from an $18M manufacturing building tied to Sen. Thune and Rep. Dusty Johnson, aimed at feeding the Sioux Falls economy with trained workers. Engineering & Student Innovation: South Dakota Mines’ concrete canoe team posted a top national finish, placing third in canoe design at the ASCE Civil Engineering Student Championships. Public Lands Access: Veteran’s Point area in the Black Hills National Forest will close Aug. 16 through May 20, 2027 for safety and access upgrades after repeated public entry into the work zone. Energy & Reliability: A court fight is brewing over South Dakota’s Public Service Commission suspension of Commissioner Brad Molnar, with due process and workplace safety at the center. Local Business & Safety: South Dakota’s Crazy Horse Memorial continues major sculpting progress, with new details drawing repeat visitors. Health Care: A new interventional cardiology clinic network opened in El Dorado and Camden, expanding specialty access for peripheral artery disease and other heart care. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy price reports show South Dakota regular gas averaging about $3.91 in the week ending Aug. 8, with county-by-county lows ranging from $3.54 in Minnehaha to $4.59 in Hyde for regular.

Manufacturing & Workforce: Southeast Technical College broke ground on the $18M James Abdnor Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Sioux Falls, aiming to expand training for welders and machinists and feed local industry with skilled workers. Engineering & Education: South Dakota Mines’ concrete canoe team turned in its best national finish in 20+ years, placing third nationally in canoe design at the ASCE Civil Engineering Student Championships. Energy & Grid Resilience: A new push argues South Dakota should boost resilience by helping private homeowners add solar panels and batteries to ride out outages. Public Policy & Governance: A lawsuit challenges Gov. Greg Gianforte’s suspension of PSC Commissioner Brad Molnar, raising due-process questions tied to misconduct allegations. Agriculture & Food Systems: HHS announced Sanford Health in South Dakota signed a pledge to make hospital food healthier as “food is medicine.” Local Economy Watch: GasBuddy price reports show South Dakota’s regular average easing to about $3.91 per gallon in the week ending Aug. 8, with several county “lowest” prices highlighted. Rural Community & Outdoors: Veteran’s Point area trails in the Black Hills National Forest will close Aug. 16 through spring 2027 for rehabilitation work.

Rural Land-Use: A viewpoint piece argues Edmunds County’s rural future depends on county commissioners enforcing land-use ordinances tied to a proposed 25,000-head dairy. Manufacturing Workforce: Southeast Technical College broke ground on the $18M James Abdnor Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Sioux Falls, aiming to train welders and machinists and open in fall 2028 with state and federal support. Energy Policy: The U.S. Department of Energy canceled proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, including a route that had covered much of South Dakota, citing uncertainty in moving forward. Research & Tech: Dakota State University’s Dr. Peng Guo will co-lead an Argonne-led DOE Genesis Mission project using AI to improve quantum computing workflows for nuclear physics. Ag & Education: SDSU honored 2026 Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community, while FFA reported record membership growth to 1,053,847 members. Local Economy & Daily Life: Gas prices in South Dakota eased in the week ending Aug. 8, with multiple county-level “lowest” reports logged by GasBuddy.

Manufacturing Workforce: Southeast Technical College broke ground on the $18M James Abdnor Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Sioux Falls, aiming to train welders and machinists and open in fall 2028 with state, federal HUD, and private funding. Energy Policy: The U.S. Department of Energy canceled the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors effort, ending proposed corridor designations that had raised landowner and eminent-domain concerns; separate coverage also notes senators pushing grid resilience legislation. Agriculture & Food Markets: USDA set July Class III milk at $15.52/cwt (down 46 cents) and Class IV at $18.34 (down $2.62), while cattle and hog futures finished the week lower amid shifting demand. Local Economy & Infrastructure: Brookings approved a new downtown fire station project, with construction set to begin after demolition of parts of the old facility. Community & Events: Turner County Fair will feature South Dakota’s oldest flag for one day as part of the 250th birthday celebrations, and Prairie Fest invites families to explore grasslands education at Good Earth State Park. Public Safety & Health: SDPB reports South Dakota is monitoring cyclospora cases tied to food safety concerns, and South Dakota’s cooperative sector honored a long-time utility leader in the state hall of fame.

Fuel Watch: The national average for regular gasoline is climbing again, up to about $4.07 after a week of declines, as crude oil stays in the $80s and demand softens. South Dakota Energy & Costs: In-state fuel reports show E85 deals in Minnehaha County hitting $1.79 and midgrade lows in Kingsbury ($3.79) and Minnehaha ($3.48), while diesel pricing remains choppy across counties. Ag Exports & Markets: At the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota leaders and industry experts highlighted ethanol policy fights (including year-round E15) and how animal health and sorghum demand are shaping global trade. Swine Health: SDSU and partner labs marked a milestone in the U.S. swine disease reporting system, underscoring the push for faster, standardized animal-disease updates. Infrastructure & Construction: The South Dakota Transportation Commission approved a $289.99 million bid to replace the Platte-Winner Bridge, about $40 million above estimate. Public Safety Tech: Attorney General Marty Jackley says license plate reader safeguards are needed, while Flock announced new audit and accountability controls after privacy concerns. Workforce Training: The Black Hills Job Corps center near Nemo is set to stay open after Congress fully funded the program and a lawsuit settlement stabilized operations. Local Business Growth: Sioux Falls-area companies received state funding for expansions expected to create new jobs. Data Centers: A Vermillion-area planning hearing drew strong opposition to proposed data center ordinances, with residents raising water, power, and quality-of-life concerns.

Transportation & Infrastructure: South Dakota’s Transportation Commission approved a $289.99 million bid to replace the Platte-Winner Bridge—about $40 million above the state’s estimate—moving the project forward as the DOT’s biggest effort to date. Energy & Grid: The U.S. Department of Energy canceled three multistate transmission line projects, including a Tribal Energy Access Corridor that runs through North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and tribal reservations. Economic Development: South Dakota’s Board of Economic Development approved nearly $481,199 in SD Works loans and SD Jobs grants, including funding for Rapid City’s Chemistry Distilling (high-purity ethanol) and expansion support for a Rapid City materials firm. Agriculture & Livestock: SDSU Extension added Paige Madison as a new livestock production and stewardship field specialist and beef quality assurance coordinator, while USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing options on Conservation Reserve Program acres for wildfire-impacted producers, including in South Dakota. Public Safety & Privacy: AG Marty Jackley says license plate reader safeguards are needed and plans draft legislation on proper use and data deletion practices. Community Resilience: Severe storms destroyed youth resource center trailers on both the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations; organizers are seeking replacement supplies and donations to rebuild. Local Business & Retail: Petco is set to open a second Sioux Falls location in the Foss Fields development, with an expected fall 2027 opening. Legal Watch: An Eighth Circuit panel ruled police could seize a phone without a warrant after deleting attempts during an interview in a South Dakota vape-for-sex case.

Highway Construction: South Dakota’s new S.D. 44 Missouri River bridge between Platte and Winner is set to cost $290.0 million after bids came in $39 million above the state’s estimate, with Ames Construction winning the contract. Fuel Watch: Diesel prices stayed choppy but firm—McCook County hit a week-ending Aug. 8 low of $4.69, while the statewide diesel average rose to $4.90. Energy & Infrastructure: A new national report says underground utility damage costs the U.S. economy $83.2 billion a year, with repairs making up just 5.9% of the total impact; separately, the U.S. Department of Energy canceled the Tribal Energy Access Corridor that would have crossed parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Cybersecurity & Resilience: Gov. Larry Rhoden announced $500,000 to bolster South Dakota’s critical-infrastructure resilience through the Governor’s Resilience and Infrastructure Task Force. Ag & Rural Economy: The Pro Farmer Crop Tour kicks off Monday with scouts targeting drought stress in South Dakota and wet-to-dry swings in Ohio, while South Dakota Trade’s event featured Sen. John Thune and Rep. Dusty Johnson on farm bill and biofuels opportunities. Local Business Growth: The South Dakota Board of Economic Development approved SD Works and Jobs Program funding for projects including Chemistry Distilling’s Rapid City expansion and a De Smet clinic purchase tied to succession and job retention. Community & Education: The South Dakota Farmers Union Ag Expo at the Brown County Fair is built to teach kids and future consumers about food supply and agriculture.

South Dakota Politics & Rural Health: Steven McCleerey, a rural Sisseton farmer and former state lawmaker, won the Democratic nod for lieutenant governor and will run with Dan Ahlers, pitching a more cooperative Pierre agenda with a focus on agriculture, rural healthcare, and long-term care. Airport Growth & Local Industry: Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) unveiled new public art at the main entrance as it advances its second-terminal expansion, aiming to support continued passenger growth and add space for more concessions. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Resilience: Gov. Larry Rhoden announced $500,000 from the state Future Fund for the South Dakota Department of the Military to expand GRIT’s planning tools, including GIS resources and resident communication, to prepare for cyber and physical threats. Agriculture Markets & Farm Policy: USDA’s August WASDE and crop reports show shifting corn/soy expectations, while U.S. soybean production is projected to hit a new record; meanwhile, trade and farm-bill talks in Sioux Falls highlighted market opportunities and beef labeling debates. Energy & Fuel Watch: GasBuddy price checks show South Dakota fuel prices easing from spring highs, with county-by-county regular, midgrade, and diesel snapshots (including Yankton County regular at $3.74 and premium at $4.45 in the week ending Aug. 1). Ag Education & Youth: The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation’s Fed Cattle Challenge Program continues building student ag literacy through hands-on cattle ownership and monthly performance updates. National Security Industry Angle: The Trump administration canceled a proposed NIETC tribal energy access corridor affecting South Dakota, a move tied to shifting federal planning and landowner concerns. Community & Workforce Signals: Watertown Regional Airport opened bids for a solar array project, and Sioux Falls residents debated whether AI can replace personal trainers—most agreed it can’t match accountability and human connection.

Mining Education Push: President Trump announced $180M in grants for mining schools and workforce programs, including $80M for South Dakota School of Mines and $100M via DOE’s PROSPECT effort to boost mining graduates. Cybersecurity & Water: New reporting says Iran-linked hackers have targeted more U.S. water systems, with South Dakota among states seeing similar breaches—raising pressure for stronger infrastructure defenses. FDA Scrutiny in SD: FDA data shows 13 South Dakota food and cosmetics companies faced Q2 inspections, the highest for any company type, with Dakota Splash, Inc. leading in citations. Agriculture Tech: A new look at South Dakota farming highlights how AI is moving into precision spraying and predictive weather tools to cut costs and manage labor gaps. Affordable Housing: Habitat for Humanity broke ground on Cliffview Heights in Sioux Falls, adding 16 owner-occupied units, and SD Housing Development Authority proposed a Mortgage Credit Certificate program totaling $12.5M. Workforce Training: SD’s Department of Labor and Regulation will host a free virtual Apprenticeship Knowledge Series Aug. 20 for employers and partners. Energy Transition: The Menominee Nation says solar progress stalled after a key federal grant loss, turning to other paths toward energy sovereignty. Local Business Growth: Inc.’s 2026 Fastest-Growing list put multiple Sioux Falls firms in the spotlight, including Wild Oak Boutique, Phase 3, and Silencer Central. Weather & Safety: Forecasts call for another round of severe thunderstorms across western South Dakota, with hail and damaging winds possible. Transportation Updates: Sioux Falls announced lane and sidewalk closures for roadwork, including Marion Road and West 26th Street impacts.

Critical Minerals & Mining Education: President Trump announced $180M for mining schools and workforce programs, including $100M from the Department of Energy and just over $80M from the Department of Defense—South Dakota Mines is named among the major recipients. Workforce & Training: The same push includes a $25M South Dakota Mines plan to build the Critical Minerals Merit Scholars Consortium, aiming to expand the pipeline of geologists, metallurgists, and mining engineers. Swine Industry Investment: The South Dakota State Fair Foundation launched “Hog Wild for a Better Barn,” targeting $240,000 to buy 450 new hog pens for the Swine Barn, with matching support from the South Dakota Pork Producers. Cyber & Infrastructure Resilience: Gov. Larry Rhoden awarded $500,000 to support the Governor’s Resilience and Infrastructure Task Force, funded through the Future Fund. Affordable Housing: Habitat for Humanity broke ground on Cliffview Heights in Sioux Falls, an eight-twin-home development with infrastructure work starting this month and construction beginning in 2027. Agriculture Impacts: South Dakota cattle producers are still dealing with “gut-wrenching” losses tied to last month’s extreme heat wave and heat stress. Energy & Permitting Watch: The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission approved a schedule to consider a battery-storage permit for Crowned Ridge Energy Storage, with a decision expected next spring. Local Roads: Sioux Falls announced lane and sidewalk closures tied to ADA ramp repairs and street work, with impacts expected through late October.

Mining & Workforce: Trump announced $180M in grants to expand U.S. mining education, with $80M from the Department of Defense going to the South Dakota School of Mines plus partners, aiming to boost the domestic critical-minerals workforce. Agriculture & Land Values: A new USDA-linked analysis says U.S. farmland hit another record in 2026, averaging $4,500/acre, with price growth slowing but still squeezing tenants and new operators. Biotech Meets Farming: SURF researchers are using microbes to convert corn into an enhanced cancer therapy, a potential bridge between South Dakota agriculture and biotech. Rural Water Cybersecurity: Federal and local efforts ramp up after cyberattacks hit water systems in multiple states, including South Dakota, with new proposals to fund security upgrades and assessments. Healthcare Policy: A judge upheld South Dakota’s drug discount/340B law after lawsuits from major pharma, keeping the state’s approach to discounted drugs for rural providers in place. Infrastructure & Roads: Sioux Falls plans a North Weber Ave closure starting Aug. 17 for railroad crossing improvements, with reopening targeted for mid-to-late October.

Tourism & Public Spending: South Dakota’s Tourism Department says the July 3 Mount Rushmore fireworks cost $2.8M and generated $2.35M in economic impact—$450,000 short—while adding nearly $51M in publicity value. Healthcare Policy: A federal judge upheld South Dakota’s 340B drug-discount law, dismissing challenges from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, and PhRMA over delivery restrictions. Legal/Pharma Accountability: AG Aaron Ford announced a $400M settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price inflation and reduced competition. Local Planning: Vermillion’s planning panel heard public pushback on a one-year data center moratorium; action is set to resume Aug. 31. Mining Workforce: Trump announced $180M in mining education grants, including funding for the South Dakota School of Mines. Energy/Costs: GasBuddy reports show scattered lowest prices across counties (including diesel at $4.69 in Lake County and regular at $3.86 in Douglas County). Water Security: Reports say cyberattacks on water systems are widening across at least a dozen states, with Iran suspected. Agriculture: USDA crop progress shows corn steady but with conditions slipping in parts of the region, including South Dakota. Disaster Relief: SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for drought-impacted small businesses and nonprofits in parts of South Dakota.

Food Safety: USDA recalls 2.28M pounds of Costco/Sam’s Club ready-to-eat “Golden Island” Korean barbecue pork jerky due to wiry metal contamination from a conveyor belt; no injuries reported, but consumers are urged to throw it away or return it. Public Health & Agriculture: A Swine Health Information Center study finds MRV and PAdV can infect pigs and may relate to enteric disease, but appear low-risk for severe, unique illness in routine samples. Cybersecurity & Water Infrastructure: Recent municipal water system attacks across at least 12 states, including South Dakota, renew calls to remove exposed operational control gear from the internet and better connect IT and OT defenses. Defense & Education: The Department of War is investing $25M in the South Dakota School of Mines for defense-focused tech hubs, prototypes, and mining/geology/metallurgy workforce training. Mining & Construction: USACE awards Conti Federal a $49.8M contract for six environmental protection shelters for B-21 bombers at Ellsworth AFB, with work targeted to finish by Nov. 2028. Roads & Logistics: SDDOT seeks public input on a Highway 34 reconstruction project in Sturgis (open house Aug. 27). Agriculture Update: Winter wheat harvest in South Dakota is 91% complete by Aug. 2, with reports of mixed yields but generally strong quality in parts of central SD. Energy: Black Hills Energy shares simple cooling tips to cut summer bills. Local Economy/Workforce: South Dakota’s jobless rate rises for a third straight month, still at the lowest level in the U.S. Consumer Alerts: Walmart pistachio nut butter recall expands to 19 states after Salmonella detection; check lot code and Jan. 28, 2027 expiry.

Daylight Saving Time Fight: Trump wants permanent daylight saving time, but the Senate is in recess until Sept. 14, leaving lawmakers tight odds to act before the Nov. 1 “fall back” change. Food Safety Recall: Walmart shoppers are urged to check Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter jars for a salmonella recall tied to lot LB028ACP04/UPC 194346207961 with a Jan. 28, 2027 expiry; the product hit stores in 19 states including South Dakota. Local Health & Sports Infrastructure: Sanford Health secured naming rights for Rapid City’s new $10 million, 20-year Rapid City Sports Complex deal, with construction targeted to start this fall and open by 2029. Energy Costs in Summer: Black Hills Energy shared practical cooling tips—shade/curtain use, opening windows before sunrise, and keeping heat out—to help lower air-conditioning strain. Critical Minerals Workforce: The DOE plans up to $100 million for the PROSPECT initiative to expand mining and mineral-science education, aiming to boost the U.S. critical-minerals talent pipeline. Water System Cybersecurity: Federal agencies report cyberattacks on water and wastewater systems reaching at least a dozen states, with South Dakota among those affected. Sturgis Rally Safety: South Dakota Highway Patrol logged eight crashes around Sturgis Saturday, with one death and nine injuries. Agriculture & Markets Watch: DTN highlighted upcoming yield and USDA WASDE updates plus cattle and market watch items for the week. South Dakota Workforce & Immigration: New federal visa rules could reduce international enrollment at South Dakota public universities, while employers in agriculture and other sectors face ongoing labor shortages.

Water & Cybersecurity: A former NSA chief says water controllers shouldn’t be connected to the internet as Iranian-linked attacks hit at least a dozen states, including South Dakota, forcing utilities into boil-water notices and manual operations. Sports & Health Infrastructure: Sanford Health secured naming rights for Rapid City’s new $10 million, 20-year Rapid City Sports Complex, with construction planned to start this fall and opening targeted for 2029. Critical Minerals Workforce: The U.S. Department of Energy will invest up to $100 million to expand the critical minerals workforce via the PROSPECT initiative, aiming to double U.S. graduates in mining and minerals fields within two years. Immigration & Labor: Changing visa rules are creating uncertainty for South Dakota students and employers that rely on international workers. Food & Processing Markets: USDA finalized a Cooperative Interstate Shipment agreement with Georgia, expanding market access for state-inspected meat processors across the U.S. Agriculture & Local Industry: Humboldt’s 36th annual Old-Fashioned Threshing Show continues as a family tradition, highlighting South Dakota’s farm heritage. Energy Prices (Local): GasBuddy reports show weekly price dips and spot lows across South Dakota counties, with regular averaging about $3.95 statewide in the week ending Aug. 1.

Cybersecurity & Water Infrastructure: Retired Gen. Paul Nakasone warned that programmable logic controllers in water systems “should not be connected to the internet” as Iranian-linked attacks have hit utilities in at least a dozen states, including South Dakota, forcing manual operations and boil-water notices. Sports & Community Facilities: Sanford Health secured naming rights for Rapid City’s new multi-purpose sports complex in a $10 million, 20-year deal starting in 2027, with a planned 2029 opening and dedicated sports medicine and academy space. Critical Minerals Workforce: The U.S. Department of Energy plans up to $100 million for the PROSPECT initiative to grow the critical-minerals pipeline, aiming to double related graduates in two years—plus a separate push for mining school grants that includes the South Dakota School of Mines. Higher Ed & Immigration: New federal visa rules could reduce international enrollment at South Dakota public universities this fall, adding uncertainty for students and employers relying on international labor. Agriculture & Policy: South Dakota’s delegation is pushing for year-round E15 ethanol approval after it appeared in the Senate farm bill version, while the Farm Bill 2.0 stalled in committee over SNAP-related timing. Local Industry & Food: South Dakota Pork Producers Council hired Ava Saxe as Director of Membership, Outreach and Engagement; and Walmart’s Bettergoods pistachio nut butter recall expanded to 19 states over possible salmonella risk. Energy & Safety: Gas prices eased nationally to a $4.06 average as crude fell, while Black Hills-area motorcycle crashes during early Sturgis days left multiple fatalities.