Meanwhile, outside Kristi Noem’s shuttered windows, change abounds in Pierre, where big government investments will improve the quality of life for all those anti-government immigrants the Governor wants to recruit:
South Dakota’s capital city is undergoing a number of changes, at a time where the state as a whole continues to grow rapidly. Pierre is hoping to drive up growth in the area by working a number of major public works projects.
These projects range from simple street repairs, to building a brand new bridge over the Missouri River.
“If you add on the water park that we are building, the Boys and Girls Club that we just finished building, the new city hall, and the wastewater treatment plant we are refurbishing, the Missouri River Bridge the state is building,” listed Pierre Mayor Steve Harding. “That is over one hundred million dollars in projects that are being invested in the capital city of Pierre.”
In addition, Pierre has also done extensive remodeling to the Pierre Regional Airport, and a new drinking water treatment plant, which was the biggest capital investment in the city’s history [Austin Goss, “City of Pierre Booming with Public Works Projects,” KOTA-TV,2021.04.27].
Kristi can’t even recruit all those conformist refugees she wants to shore up her re-election chances without big government infrastructure investments in our capital city. Ah, change….
I suspect the new bridge, the water treatment plant, and the airport improvements are 90 percent paid for by my federal dollars.
Yes, Donald is likely correct.Probably all the projects had a sizable (at least half }federal contribution through one economic development program or another….USDA Rural Development, Small Cities Block Grants, DOT and heaven forbid, Pollution Control dollars. Its money well spent….I’m sure they raised a lot of local funds for the Boys and Girls Club and I’ll visit the water park. Giving Pierre a shot in the arm is money well spent.
well, you know Fort Pierre did a number of interesting projects to improve their community under Mayor Sam Tidball starting about 20 years ago….maybe Pierre is trying to catch up with its smaller neighbor across the river.
No doubt, Mr. Pay. No doubt at all. My federal dollars too, and it angers me a great deal.
Well a new bridge would be ok. When I worked in Pierre, crossing that bridge after one on Saturday night, after a simple extra hour in Ft. Pierre, was nerve wracking.
Mark,
Back in the day that extra hour in Ft. Pierre was very refreshing. I know some on this site disparage Minnesota when the opportunity presents itself. Me, I am struck by the number of Minnesota road construction companies you see rebuilding roads in dear ol SD.