Workforce

Gov. Kristi Noem, right, talks with Tamara Carns, a teacher from North Dakota now working in Yankton, and state Sen. Jim Stalzer, R-Sioux Falls, during a bill signing March 1, 2023, at Midwestern Mechanical in Sioux Falls. (Joshua Haiar/SD Searchlight)

Business community greets new law to recognize out-of-state licenses

BY: - March 1, 2023

SIOUX FALLS – A new law to recognize out-of-state licenses for most professions in South Dakota will “do a lot of good” for the state’s economy, according to Ken Amundson, president of Midwestern Mechanical in Sioux Falls.  “There will be more tradespeople coming to the state when they don’t have the red tape to deal […]

Gov. Kristi Noem presents her fiscal year 2024 budget proposal to legislators on Dec. 6, 2022, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

Child care is a major workforce concern. Why wasn’t it in Gov. Noem’s budget address?

BY: and - December 14, 2022

Child care is one of South Dakota’s most pressing workforce issues, with cities, businesses and organizations searching for solutions to keep child care accessible and affordable across the state. Gov. Kristi Noem addressed it as such on the campaign trail, but it did not appear in her Dec. 6 budget address to the Legislature, in […]

Photo of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland, which features long-grass prairie landscapes

SD counties to receive $15M in federal money with few strings attached

BY: - December 3, 2022

South Dakota counties will receive over $15 million in one-time funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury over the next two years, with the ability to spend the money on nearly anything they want. The federal money is another form of COVID-19 economic relief stemming from the American Rescue Plan Act. This time, the […]

(Getty Images)

‘Workforce behind the workforce’: Businesses, organizations tackle child care in new program

BY: - November 14, 2022

The child care crisis is, above all else, a workforce crisis in South Dakota. Gov. Kristi Noem addressed it as such on the campaign trail, and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul Tenhaken says its one of the most common issues presented to him in recent years.  But it hasn’t been treated as a “crisis” by businesses […]

Sioux Falls leaders bring high-schoolers to workforce event with hopes of stemming ‘brain drain’

BY: - October 26, 2022

SIOUX FALLS — High-schoolers received special focus at a day-long workforce summit Wednesday at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation hosted the WIN Summit. The event featured guest speakers and community business leaders sharing insights, and opportunities for young people to build relationships with those leaders. Approximately 70% of in-state students […]