Category: Career

Business, Career, economic development, Government, Personal Qualities, South DakotaLeave a comment

‘Freedom’ not enough to fill South Dakota jobs: Local business leaders say there are hurdles with campaign

Gary Dickson

Bob Douglas, touted as a success story of Gov. Kristi Noem’s “Freedom Works Here” workforce recruitment campaign in South Dakota, confirmed a few things during a recent interview with News Watch.

The 66-year-old recreational vehicle salesman does enjoy freedom, it turns out. And he loves South Dakota. He plans to move to the Sioux Falls area once he sells his house in southern California, maybe as early as next spring. Douglas was referenced in a Sept. 21 press release from the governor’s office as having “recently moved to South Dakota.”

As for being heralded by the governor’s staff as an example of Noem’s $6.5 million ad campaign drawing new residents to the Mount Rushmore State, well, that’s not exactly true either. Continue reading ‘Freedom’ not enough to fill South Dakota jobs: Local business leaders say there are hurdles with campaign

Career, Childcare, Community, Family, Sioux Falls, South DakotaLeave a comment

Lack of child care options forces South Dakota families to make tough decisions

Gary Dickson

Stephanie Wiegand is a registered nurse and her husband is a physician assistant. They moved to Lead with their four young children in the spring of 2020. She found one childcare facility in neighboring Deadwood, but its hours didn’t fit their schedules. “We’re here, but now we’re stuck,” said Weigand. Continue reading Lack of child care options forces South Dakota families to make tough decisions