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2026 Legislative Platform

2026 Legislative Platform

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Brookings Economic Development Corporation
2026 Legislative Platform

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

BEDC advocates for strong state economic-development policies that advance the
Brookings area economy and create a prosperous place to work, live, learn, and play. We
support programs that enhance infrastructure, workforce education, attainable housing,
childcare, and entrepreneurship.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FINANCING & INCENTIVES

BEDC supports maintaining access to and local control over Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as an essential tool for addressing infrastructure and workforce housing needs. We encourage the State to explore and invest in modernized tools—such as housing infrastructure, revolving loans, and mixed-use redevelopment incentives—to meet community needs. Local flexibility ensures projects reflect community goals while
balancing fiscal responsibility.

BUSINESS ATTRACTION AND RETENTION
BEDC supports the State’s continued use of GOED’s Future Fund and other economicdevelopment programs to attract, retain, and expand businesses across South Dakota. Competitive incentive programs are essential to maintaining our state’s economic advantage, encouraging regional investment, and growing jobs in high-impact sectors.

TECHNOLOGY AND DATA CENTERS
BEDC supports legislation and policies that expand South Dakota’s position as a destination for data-center development and emerging technology infrastructure. Strategic investments in energy reliability, broadband, and permitting efficiency will ensure the state remains attractive to technology firms seeking growth-ready communities like Brookings.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Small businesses are the foundation of South Dakota’s economy. BEDC supports policies and funding that strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, including the South Dakota Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, and local business incubator initiatives. We advocate for the expansion of small-business grants, microloan programs, and technical assistance funding to ensure startups and small enterprises can access the resources they need to succeed.

BEDC recognizes that a safe, efficient, and responsive infrastructure is critical to economic development and commerce in Brookings and throughout South Dakota. BEDC supports programs to assist in funding roads, highways, bridge systems, air, rail, water, sewer, telecommunications, public transit, and public facilities on an ongoing basis. Funding programs should include local flexibility. We support continued investment in the State Highway Fund, local road and bridge programs, and broadband expansion to serve both urban and rural industries. The expansion of I-29 corridor infrastructure and regional freight connectivity is vital for Brookings’ economic competitiveness.

We support a broad-based sales tax as a fair and balanced revenue stream, providing sustainable and consistent revenue for state and community investments. This approach ensures everyone contributes to long-term growth and strengthens our state and local economy by funding critical infrastructure, education, and public services.

PROPERTY TAX VALUATION
Rising property tax valuations, driven by increasing housing costs and higher demand, have created financial challenges for many homeowners and renters. We support a fair and responsible approach to property taxes that ensures local governments and schools continue to receive the funding they need. A balanced solution is essential to addressing the affordability crisis without compromising critical public services. BEDC supports state efforts to study long-term solutions to property-tax valuation growth that protect essential local revenues while improving affordability for homeowners, renters, and small businesses. We encourage legislative collaboration to ensure that future property-tax relief proposals preserve critical revenue for education, infrastructure, and economic development.

TOURISM AND SALES-TAX STABILITY
Tourism is a powerful economic driver and a key contributor to state and local revenues. BEDC supports efforts that strengthen South Dakota’s tourism marketing while protecting the sales-tax revenues generated by visitor spending that help fund essential public services.

BEDC advocates for comprehensive workforce solutions that strengthen South Dakota’s competitiveness through recruitment, retention, and upskilling.

ATTRACTION AND RETENTION
With one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates and highest labor-force participation rates, South Dakota must focus on workforce-attraction strategies that bring new residents to the state. BEDC supports programs that enhance community livability, housing affordability, and family-support systems—key factors influencing relocation decisions.

HOUSING AND CHILDCARE
Access to attainable housing and affordable, quality childcare remains essential to workforce participation. BEDC advocates for continued state investment in workforcehousing grants, public-private childcare partnerships, and business-engagement models that sustain long-term childcare capacity.

WORKFORCE EDUCATION
BEDC supports the expansion of workforce-training programs through partnerships among technical colleges, universities, and employers to ensure South Dakota’s talent pipeline aligns with emerging industry needs.

EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHWAYS
A strong public-education system is foundational to workforce and economic development. BEDC supports investment in K-12 schools, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming, and partnerships that connect students with local industry pathways. Collaboration between schools, technical colleges, and employers ensures students graduate with the skills needed to contribute to South Dakota’s growing economy.

Brookings and SDSU’s campus-community relationship is critical to the success of both entities. BEDC recognizes that an educated workforce is essential to competitively position our community for future economic development. BEDC supports adequate funding for SDSU and the Regental system. We also support building projects, the enhancement of academic programs, and research and innovation aiding in the growth of the regional and state economy. BEDC supports SDSU’s pursuit of Carnegie R1 Research University status and the continued development of the Ag Innovation Corridor and Research Park partnerships that strengthen South Dakota’s innovation ecosystem. We advocate for continued state support for the Board of Regents’ capital-improvement and research initiatives, which are essential to talent development and industry-university collaboration.
As demand for a technically skilled workforce continues to grow, South Dakota’s technical colleges require the ability to respond programmatically to that demand and the funding for workforce-related programs. BEDC supports increased investment in the workforce of tomorrow, which is critical for continued economic development. We support expanding programs aligned with industry needs—especially advanced manufacturing, information technology, and construction trades. Encouraging high-school to technical-college pathways, including dual-credit courses and employer-sponsored apprenticeships, helps retain youth talent in South Dakota.

BEDC will continue to collaborate with local, regional, and state partners—including GOED, EDPA of SD, the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, and the Tourism Coalition of South Dakota —to advance these legislative priorities in 2026