Democratic Policies: Empowering South Dakota Communities

South Dakota Democrats applaud President Biden's latest robust job reports. Going beyond predictions and bringing the total number of jobs created under the Biden-Harris Administration to over 15 million. Dan Ahler's, SD Democratic Party Executive Director, released this statement:

“President Biden has built the strongest economy in the world from the middle-out and bottom-up. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, South Dakota has created 34,500 new jobs, including 481 jobs in clean energy. The state has also seen nearly 34,000 applications to start new businesses. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, South Dakota has one of the lowest unemployment rates at 2.1%. This administration is also lowering costs for South Dakotans, including $68 million in home energy rebates. Nearly 200,000 seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries in South Dakota are also saving money on prescription drugs. This November, voters will remember that the Biden-Harris Administration is truly helping South Dakotans where it matters most.”

SD INVESTMENTS UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION:

• AEsir Technologies is investing $250 million to build a nickel-zinc battery manufacturing facility, creating 400 new jobs and strengthening the electric vehicle supply chain.

• The South Dakota Department of Transportation received $10 million to fund roadway reconstruction on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, providing good-paying jobs and workforce development training.

• The Department of Energy is awarding up to $925 million to the Heartland Hydrogen Hub in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota. This Hub will help decarbonize the agricultural sector’s production of fertilizer and decrease the regional cost of clean hydrogen.

• Northern State University in Aberdeen is building a new Business and Health Innovation Center. The full cost of the Business and Health Innovation Center is estimated at $31 Million. $29.5 million dollars of that money is coming from the American Rescue Act that the Biden-Harris administration did allocate to our state.

Clean Water Victory: South Dakota's Gain from $352 Million Federal Allocation

The Biden-Harris Administration signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in February of 2024. This will help to expand access to clean drinking water, replace lead pipes, improve wastewater infrastructure, and remove PFAS contamination in water in every single state and territory in the country. Since President Biden took office, the Indian Health Service also has allocated $1.4 billion in funding from the Infrastructure Law to over 650 projects to build sanitation infrastructure in Tribal communities.

The SD Democratic Party Chair, Shane Merrill, released this statement:

“The Biden Administration believes every South Dakotan deserves access to clean drinking water and recognizes that underserved communities in our state and across the country have been left behind for far too long,” said South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Shane Merrill “They are continuing to deliver on their promises and making an historic investment in water infrastructure for every American. South Dakota voters will remember at the ballot box this November that it was President Biden and Vice President Harris who are fighting for them.”