News

Visitor spending in South Dakota set an all-time record in 2022. Tourism officials were closely monitoring the 2022 numbers following the extreme record-setting year of 2021.

On Friday, January 20, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2023-02, which blocks the State of South Dakota from doing business with certain telecommunications companies owned or controlled by “evil foreign governments.” The order also requires that every state contract includse a clause certifying the contractor is not owned, influenced, or affiliated with these countries.

Gregory’s police department is almost back to full staff with the addition of Jeremy Atkins, who started on Monday, January 16. Ryan Cook will come on board in February to complete the department.

Commissioner Jessy Johnson was sworn into office at the beginning of the regular meeting of the Gregory County Board of Commissioners at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 17, 2023. After approving the December 30 meeting minutes, a correction was noted for the January 5 minutes to read that the salary approved for Tammy Thompson is $34,155, which includes the 6% salary increase budgeted.

The First Fidelity Bank and Gregory Community Foundation announced that they have hit the $50,000 goal of their threeyear pledge drive, well ahead of schedule. Foundation board members credit the generosity of the community for the success of the drive, recognizing that there have been many other great projects in the community to which people could give their money (the new medical campus and swimming pool, for example), yet they still managed to find room in their budgets for the Foundation.

The mood was excited and hopeful for the future as the combined annual meeting for the Gregory/ Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Gregory Economic Development Group, and Gregory Horizons Community Development Corporation (formerly BID) was held at 621 Main Monday evening, January 23, 2023.

South Dakota lawmakers are considering a pair of infrastructure funding bills that would allocate over $220 million to housing and water supply projects. A proposal to allocate $200 million for workforce housing projects is set for a final vote in the House this week, while the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee last week recommended the Legislature’s budget appropriations committee consider a proposal to allocate $22 million to water supply projects.

With $960,853 in sales tax revenues collected in 2022, the City of Gregory saw its highest total ever collected in the general fund as businesses continue to thrive. Building and development defined the year, as 11 commercial building permits and 19 residential permits were issued.

A week set aside for the appreciation of game officials is part of an effort to inspire sportsmanship in high school athletics. The South Dakota High School Activities Association board of directors found out about those efforts at its meeting Wednesday.

Friday, January 13, 2023, Governor Kristi Noem and legislators announced legislation to preserve agriculture. “Agriculture is by far our state’s largest industry, accounting for 1 out of every 5 jobs in South Dakota.