Economic developers emerge mostly unscathed from critical winds that blew into Pierre

By: Joshua Haiar

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: March 16, 2026

Words: 2,873

Last Updated: 4 days, 23 hours ago

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Economic developers in South Dakota say they’ve been under “attack,” and while they failed in their efforts to incentivize data centers this legislative session, they mounted a counter-campaign that warded off many other efforts to restrain government aid for business and industry.

Their campaign included public messaging about the state’s business incentive “toolbox,” in response to a bruising stretch of controversies.

“Over the past year or so, an attack on economic development has caused …

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