AGP Executive Report

Energy & Infrastructure: South Dakota’s first 765-kilovolt transmission line could be on the way, with a proposed route through Grant, Deuel and Brookings counties—positioning eastern SD as a bridge between major regional power grids. Water & Utilities: Rapid City will cut Pactola Reservoir releases nearly in half this winter (30 cfs to 15 cfs) to conserve water and protect trout spawning, with the change timed to stabilize Rapid Creek. Agriculture & Logistics: Gov. Larry Rhoden signed an executive order to ease harvest hauling burdens by expanding a 10% weight allowance and suspending a $25 overweight trip permit—though one ag leader said it may not go far enough. Workforce & Training: Western Dakota Tech hosted a career expo in Rapid City to steer students toward hands-on trades like welding, trucking and diesel tech. Local Economy & Tourism: Deadwood gaming activity rose about 10% in August, helping keep the tourism-and-tax engine humming. Civic Tech: Rapid City’s Legal and Finance Committee reviewed a new AI policy for city staff, weighing how to keep rules from aging as tools evolve. Community Services: The Veterans Community Project in Sioux Falls is now fully complete, finishing a village of 25 tiny homes for veterans.

Healthcare Consolidation: HealthPartners and Essentia Health cleared the way for a merger, aiming to form a larger nonprofit system under the HealthPartners name across Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. Local Food & Retail: Dakota Rural Action released its 2026-2027 Local Foods Directory, spotlighting South Dakota producers selling direct-to-consumer. Diesel Relief for Farmers: Gov. Larry Rhoden signed an executive order to ease harvest hauling costs by expanding overweight allowances and suspending a $25 overweight permit fee, though some ag leaders say it won’t offset high diesel prices. Workforce & Training: AGC of South Dakota launched its Construction Camp for high school students, while Western Dakota Tech hosted a regional Career Expo connecting students with employers. AI in Education: SDSU received a three-year, $750,000 U.S. Department of Education grant to expand AI literacy and competency campuswide. Infrastructure & Logistics: Rapid City approved a study to relocate the downtown rail yard to reduce persistent traffic delays. Water & Utilities: Rapid City’s drinking water earned top statewide honors again and will advance to a national competition. Biofuels & Shipping: POET supplied plant-based ethanol for the first U.S. 100% ethanol marine bunkering trial with Maersk. Agriculture Health Watch: Avian influenza continues to return, with South Dakota reporting commercial flock impacts alongside broader regional spread.

Diesel Relief for Farmers: Gov. Larry Rhoden signed an executive order giving South Dakota producers harvest-season flexibility—raising allowable hauling weight by 10%, suspending a $25 overweight trip permit, and directing state officials to monitor fuel supplies for possible tax-refund options. Ag Cost Pressure: A Rapid City-area ranch says drought has tripled hay costs, forcing longer, pricier hay hauls and squeezing per-cow margins. Water & Data Centers Politics: In the governor’s debate, candidates clashed on data centers and local control, with Rhoden citing state requirements for power costs and water compatibility while Ahlers pushed for more local authority. Soil Health Training: SDSU Extension announced a free “Soil Health Hour” webinar series for farmers and ranchers, covering no-till, cover crops, residue, livestock integration, and soil-health measurement. Manufacturing Pipeline: Yankton is marking Manufacturing Week with school lunch tables, facility tours, and the Manufacturer Employee Olympics to spotlight local jobs. Ag Advocacy Cash Challenge: South Dakota Farmers Union opened registration for its #Farming4theFuture cash challenge, offering $15,000 total for students through weekly advocacy tasks. AI & Industry: South Dakota Mines hosts an AI forum with Sen. Mike Rounds and industry experts, while a separate national permitting deal would shorten legal timelines for energy project challenges. Local Business/Workforce: Harbor Freight Tools for Schools named two South Dakota-area skilled trades teachers as prize winners, boosting funding for their programs.

Biofuels & Shipping: Maersk completed the first U.S. ship-to-ship bunkering using a 100% bioethanol blend on the Tangier Maersk in Houston, with Sioux Falls-based POET supplying the fuel—another step for lower-emission logistics. Energy Costs: GasBuddy price reports show diesel and regular gas deals across South Dakota counties for the week ending Sept. 19, with Hutchinson County’s lowest diesel at $5.47 and Spink County regular at $3.79. Agriculture Relief: Gov. Larry Rhoden signed an executive order giving farmers and haulers 10% extra weight flexibility, suspending an overweight permit fee, and directing monitoring of diesel supplies amid high harvest-season fuel costs. Local Infrastructure: Sioux Falls announced Euclid Ave & 25th St intersection closure plus sidewalk and parking lot work starting Sept. 30/Oct. 1. Economic Development: The South Dakota Board of Economic Development approved SD Works and Local Infrastructure Improvement funding for projects including Rev It Up Espresso in Sturgis and Elwood Family Dental Care in Yankton. Workforce & Training: Carl Lee Tolbert earned an ATD Master Trainer designation after completing an eight-week program focused on practical industrial training for variable frequency drives. Education Standards: South Dakota Board of Education standards reviews continued in Aberdeen, including updates to Career and Technical Education clusters. Public Health: A nationwide recall was issued for Inventia Healthcare chlorthalidone 25 mg due to dissolution failures that could reduce effectiveness.

Economic Development: The South Dakota Board of Economic Development approved SD Works and local infrastructure funding for projects including a new Rev It Up Espresso storefront in Sturgis and an Elwood Family Dental Care expansion in Yankton, aiming to grow small businesses and jobs. Energy & Agriculture: Gov. Larry Rhoden signed Executive Order 2026-11 to help farmers during high diesel costs by allowing 10% extra hauling weight, suspending a $25 overweight permit, and setting up monitoring and possible tax relief if dyed diesel shortages force use of taxed fuel. Transportation Safety: South Dakota officials urged drivers to slow down around harvest equipment and stay clear of power lines, warning that staying in machinery and calling 911 is the safest move if equipment contacts lines. Defense & Local Economy: South Dakota National Guard leadership pushed Sioux Falls business leaders to back newer Air Force jets, arguing the state is “long overdue for investment” as F-35 basing decisions near. Trade & Farming: An Asia Society listening tour in Sioux Falls highlights how soybean trade tensions with China can hit local producers, with soybeans left out of tariff relief while other soybean products are included. Logistics & Energy Transition: Maersk took part in the first 100% bioethanol bunker delivery in the U.S., using South Dakota-based POET fuel and Kirby logistics at Houston. Public Safety: UNET announced arrests in Rapid City tied to fentanyl and cocaine trafficking, seizing significant quantities after a traffic stop. Community & Services: SBA opened disaster recovery loans for Pine Ridge after severe summer storms and flooding, supporting longer-term rebuilding for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits.

Media & Local Business: USA TODAY Co. and Lee Enterprises are realigning portfolios, with Lee acquiring South Dakota titles including the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Aberdeen American News (Farm Forum), Watertown Public Opinion and the Great Falls Tribune, while USA TODAY takes full ownership of the Arizona Daily Star. Water Policy: South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden joined a multi-state letter opposing a House provision that would restrict states’ ability to use Missouri River water and block Corps feasibility studies without unanimous governor approval. Defense & Economic Development: Northrop Grumman is opening a new Rapid City office with state and Ellsworth Development Authority support, as Ellsworth AFB’s regional impact remains a key growth driver. Construction & Infrastructure: Keystone’s U.S. Highway 16A will close Oct. 5 for a $2.2M bridge replacement, with reopening targeted for April 2027. Energy & Transportation Costs: GasBuddy reports show county-by-county price swings, including Kingsbury regular at $3.95 and Day County premium at $4.99 for the week ending Sept. 19. Agriculture & Industry Talent: SDSU honored four agriculture leaders, while food/bioprocess engineering professor Muthukumarappan earned major professional honors. Immigration & Workforce: USCIS data show South Dakota health care employers filed 200 H-1B petitions in 2025 (195 approved). Energy & Mining Development: Dakota Gold advanced Richmond Hill pre-feasibility work with key design trade-offs and new assay results.

Energy & Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show South Dakota drivers still see wide swings by county, with the week ending Sept. 19 featuring standout lows like midgrade at $3.99 in Spink County, regular at $3.93 in Lyman County, and E15 at $3.94 in Yankton County—while statewide averages for regular and midgrade both rose week over week. Public Safety & Local Government: Union County commissioners advanced work on 911 dispatch retirement reclassification, while Rapid City is taking applications for two seats on its Historic Sign Review Committee. Workforce & Immigration: USCIS data lists 2,232 H-2B worker approvals tied to South Dakota worksites for fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 99.6% approval rate. Education & Skills: Brookings County colleges conferred 2,611 degrees and certificates in 2023-24, and Davison County totaled 747 awards—showing continued demand for job-ready training. Industry & Innovation: South Dakota’s executives warned of coming price increases, and the state also approved more than $38 million in DANR funding for water and solid waste projects.

Workforce & Immigration: USCIS reports 2,232 H-2B worker approvals tied to South Dakota worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 99.6% approval rate. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy data shows South Dakota regular averaging $4.18 for the week ending Sept. 19, with diesel averaging $6.09; notable lows include $3.87 regular in Hutchinson County and $5.79 diesel in Custer County. Local Industry & Education: Rapid City’s Black Hills Model Engine Expo is drawing hobby machinists and families, mixing hands-on engineering with evolving tech like 3D printing. Agribusiness & Policy: USDA is investing $50 million to expand state meat inspection programs, while DANR approved more than $38 million for South Dakota water and solid waste projects. Business & Growth: South Dakota Mines is celebrating Rocker Days with the annual M Hill hike and hillside slide, and the school is also expanding the Surbeck Center. Community & Health: Sioux Falls’ Walk to End Alzheimer’s drew 600+ walkers and topped $295,000 raised.

Engineering & Education: The 27th annual Black Hills Model Engine Expo is drawing hobby machinists to Rapid City, mixing hands-on builds with the history of steam and early machinery—and even a 3D printer showing how the craft is evolving. Alzheimer’s Fundraising: Sioux Falls hosted the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, with more than 600 walkers and over $295,000 raised so far for research and local support. Local Government & Infrastructure: Pennington County conferred 1,223 degrees and certificates in 2023-24, while Beadle County approved bridge grant preliminary engineering agreements with SD DOT. Energy & Transportation Costs: GasBuddy reports show diesel and regular gas prices fluctuating across South Dakota counties in the week ending Sept. 19, with the national average regular gas rising to $4.48. Manufacturing Milestone: Parkston’s MDS Manufacturing marked 50 years, expanding from a dealer-focused operation into a major maker of equipment attachments. Agribusiness & Policy: South Dakota executives warned of coming price increases tied to tariffs, AI-driven demand, and labor constraints, while USDA announced value-added producer grant support for Hadrick Ranch. Public Safety Tech: As states consider limits on license plate camera tracking, New Hampshire’s approach is being cited as a model for places including South Dakota.

Beef & Politics: Polling shows President Trump’s net approval slipping in 10 major beef states, including South Dakota, as the administration tries to balance lower grocery prices with protections for cattle producers. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports multiple South Dakota price lows for the week ending Sept. 19, including regular at $4.09 in Jackson County and $3.87 in Hutchinson County, plus diesel lows like $5.21 in Charles Mix County and $5.39 in Hand County—useful signals for farmers and truckers heading into harvest. Local Industry & Manufacturing: Parkston’s MDS Manufacturing marked 50 years, expanding from a dealer-focused shop into a major maker of equipment attachments and livestock gear. Ag & Food Processing Ideas: A Nebraska rancher-led “Meat Pods” concept aims to bring on-site beef processing to rural properties, potentially improving profitability and cutting logistics burdens. Public Works & Traffic: Rapid City’s South Street construction will start Monday, with officials saying Election Day access to a nearby polling site will remain available. Workforce & Immigration: South Dakota employers filed two H-1B petitions in 2025 under Other Services (except Public Administration), with a 50% approval rate. Community Services: Hope Haven’s Rock Valley wheelchair workshop continues global distribution, refurbishing and assembling chairs for people who need mobility.

Ag & Food Industry: USDA expects U.S. turkey production to rise to 198.5 million head in 2026, with South Dakota up to about 1.9 million (+6% vs. 2025). Rural Processing: A Nebraska rancher group is testing “Meat Pods,” on-site beef processing in cargo-container facilities, aiming to boost ranch profitability with SBA/USDA-backed financing options. Water & Land Stewardship: DANR approved more than $38 million for South Dakota water and solid waste projects, while local watershed work continues to target sediment and phosphorus reductions. Energy & Mining Watch: Black Hills Clean Water Alliance held a Rapid City forum opposing exploratory uranium drilling and linking the push to rising electricity demand from data centers. Transportation & Construction: SDDOT’s Euclid Avenue reconstruction in Pierre shifts a temporary pedestrian crossing next week and keeps ADA access for school traffic; Rapid City also plans South Street work with Election Day polling access preserved. Civic & Workforce: Sioux Falls launched a NextGen Fellowship to fund and mentor youth civic projects, and Crestmont University DBA candidates showcased applied AI research tied to real business problems. Local Business/Tech: Daktronics highlighted capital allocation plans including a $40 million buyback program in its 2026 outlook.

Uranium & power pressure: Black Hills Clean Water Alliance held a Rapid City forum on proposals for exploratory uranium drilling and uranium mining, tying the risk to a data-center boom that could drive utilities to ramp up electricity and consider nuclear—residents were urged to pack a Nov. 5 county commission meeting and comment. Grid buildout: The PUC is moving through public input for the PowerOn Midwest project, including about 160 miles of new eastern South Dakota transmission lines, with meetings set for Oct. 20 (Brookings) and Oct. 22 (Clear Lake). Water & solid waste funding: DANR approved about $38.9M in loans and grants for drinking water and solid waste projects, including major work in Aberdeen and Elk Point/Clay Rural Water. Local infrastructure costs: Pierre officials are preparing for an October utility-rate proposal after comparing electric, water, and wastewater bills with other South Dakota cities. Energy prices at the pump: GasBuddy reported the lowest diesel in Spink County at $5.75 (week ending Sept. 19) and the lowest midgrade in Kingsbury County at $4.09. Community & workforce: Red Cloud Renewable won a national award for training “solar warriors” in Native communities, and Heartland Communities bought Suburban Estates in Vermillion with plans for improvements and added homes.

Housing & Growth: Heartland Communities bought Vermillion’s 108-site Suburban Estates, pledging long-term operation plus playground and road/curb upgrades, with more homes planned. Ag Finance: Farm Credit Services of America kicked in $15,000 to the South Dakota State Fair’s “Hog Wild for a Better Barn” push to add 450 hog pens. Water & Waste Funding: DANR approved $38.9M in loans and grants for statewide drinking-water and solid-waste projects, including major Aberdeen water-tower work and Elk Point/Clay Rural Water system upgrades. Grain Rules Reminder: The PUC urged grain producers and buyers/warehouses to review South Dakota grain purchase and storage requirements ahead of harvest, including bonding and payment timing protections. Value-Added Beef: USDA Rural Development awarded $133,900 to Hadrick Ranch for processing angus beef into custom products and expanding direct-to-consumer sales. Energy & Costs: South Dakota executives warned of coming price increases, while local fuel-price reports showed E15 and premium diesel moving week to week. Construction/Compliance Watch: A paving-company complaint trail is prompting broader investigation into Acker Blacktop Paving. Education & Research: SDSU named finalists for vice president for research and economic development and highlighted campus expansion efforts like Mines’ Surbeck Center ribbon-cutting.

Diesel squeeze hits South Dakota drivers and farmers: GasBuddy reports Yankton County’s lowest diesel at $5.39 (week ending Sept. 19), with the county averaging $6.10; across South Dakota, diesel averaged $6.09. Consumer relief from auto-loan settlement: Attorney General Marty Jackley says South Dakota will receive a $104,976.64 Credit Acceptance Corporation settlement for cash and debt relief, with funds going to the Consumer Protection Fund. Cattle industry leadership pipeline: Applications are open for Class III of the Cattlemen’s Leadership Academy, backed by SD Cattlemen’s Association, Farm Credit Services, and the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council. Power grid expansion sparks local pushback: Nobles County commissioners heard concerns tied to proposed 765-kilovolt transmission projects connecting eastern South Dakota and southern Minnesota. Energy infrastructure review: Regulators are reviewing two transmission proposals totaling about 160 miles of new lines, with public input meetings scheduled in October. Rural economy and housing: Heartland Communities acquired Vermillion’s Suburban Estates manufactured-home community, planning upgrades including a new playground and road/curb improvements. Fuel prices keep climbing: AAA reports national gas averages rising again, with diesel also up sharply. Science spotlight: The XENON experiment says it detected the quietest neutrinos ever, adding momentum to rare-particle research.

Defense & Jobs: Gov. Larry Rhoden backed a $1 million push to expand Rapid City’s Innovation District, positioning Northrop Grumman as the anchor tenant for a new national security and defense cluster tied to the B-21 mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Local Development: Elevate Rapid City is investing $18 million to grow the David Lust Accelerator Building campus, with a secure admin facility aimed at attracting more defense, aerospace, and cybersecurity firms. Transportation: SDDOT is taking public input on an I-29 exit 15/Main Street project in Elk Point, with written comments due Oct. 14. Roadwork: Drivers near I-90 Exit 46 (Piedmont) face lane reductions and traffic shifts through November, plus a brief overnight water shutoff. Healthcare: Yankton Medical Clinic physician Amanda Sedlacek was selected to present nationally in 2027 on preserving patient autonomy in serious illness. Consumer Protection: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley urged residents to check eligibility and file claims in the generic drug price antitrust settlement. Housing & Growth: Heartland Communities acquired Vermillion’s Suburban Estates (108 sites), planning long-term ownership, upgrades, and new home placements. Agriculture & Food: USDA data shows August milk production rose 1.7% as herds expanded, with Kansas and South Dakota among top growth states.

Defense & Manufacturing: Rapid City’s Innovation District is getting an $18 million boost to expand the David Lust Accelerator Building campus, with Northrop Grumman set to take a permanent, anchor role tied to the B-21 Raider mission and Ellsworth Air Force Base. Conservation & Land Stewardship: USDA NRCS honored Bruce Toay of Ducks Unlimited with its 2026 Excellence in Cooperative Conservation Award for standout partnership work in South Dakota. Power Infrastructure: South Dakota regulators are weighing permit applications for about 160 miles of new transmission lines along the eastern edge of the state, including a major PowerOn Midwest segment estimated at $1.3 to $1.7 billion. Agriculture & Water Reality Check: Drought conditions are hitting much of the state, with ranchers and farmers reporting reduced pasture and heavier hay needs as “without water, you have nothing” becomes a daily operational issue. Cattle & Community Support: R-CALF USA’s 2025-26 rollover calf sale fundraisers raised $135,724 nationwide, including South Dakota’s role in the season kickoff. Workforce & Career Pipeline: SDSU will host a one-day CAFES Career Fair Oct. 7 with 118+ employers, heavily focused on agriculture-related internships and jobs. Local Business & Energy Use: Madison is considering a bitcoin mining facility, with council action pending land and electric service agreements.