Tourism in South Dakota Continues to Grow
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)
With the frigid temperatures and heavy snow we’re experiencing, it’s hard to believe that spring is just around the corner. But before long, we’ll be seeing green grass in our lawns again, farmers will be planting crops and tourists from across the world will flock to South Dakota to experience our many attractions. Tourism is a vital part of our economy– number two only to agriculture. Last year alone, tourism supported more than 54,000 jobs and generated nearly $300 million in tax revenue.
When I was working as governor, boosting tourism in South Dakota was one of our top priorities. I’m pleased that it has continued to flourish over the years. Those of us who live here know that South Dakota is beautiful, diverse and full of history and culture—we’re the “land of infinite variety.” We welcome travelers to our state so they can get a taste of what we get to experience every day! In addition to our countless outdoor activities, historical landmarks and national and state parks, the kindness and generosity of the people of South Dakota are what keep visitors coming back year after year.
The men and women who make up South Dakota’s tourism industry work hard throughout the year to make our communities fun, inviting places to spend a vacation. Because we’re a small population state with a low unemployment rate, hiring and keeping employees can be difficult for businesses that operate on a seasonal basis. I recently held a roundtable meeting in Rapid City with South Dakota Department of Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen and tourism industry stakeholders to discuss how we can continue to increase tourism in our state. One of the main issues I heard time and time again was the need for more H-2B visas for temporary, seasonal workers.
The H-2B visa program allows employers to hire foreign workers for short-term jobs for specific periods of time before the workers must return to their home country. Because of low unemployment rates, the program is in high demand. However, the cap on visas hasn’t been adjusted to accommodate the demand and employers are going without workers during their busiest seasons.
I recently sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urging the administration to use the authority they have been granted by Congress to increase the statutory cap of H-2B visas available for Fiscal Year 2019. From April 1, 2019, through the end of the fiscal year, the demand for H-2B visas exceeds 95,000 workers. That is nearly three times the number of available H-2B visas available for that time period.
If the cap for H-2B visas isn’t increased soon, there will be serious consequences for seasonal businesses and our state’s economy. The busy tourism and construction seasons are starting up in South Dakota, and these industries need workers. I look forward to hearing back from DHS soon because employers in our state need to be able to plan for their busiest seasons.
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Another solution would be to raise the wage to attract workers. The resort owners may have to raise prices or tighten their belts.
That’s the point of limiting immigration, right?
Tourism, a synonym for low paying non career jobs that stifle the prospect of innovation. South Dakota needs to diversify its economy and stop kowtowing to it’s only two industries. Rounds has got to understand this, but maybe not; just another weak elected official from South Dakota sent to Washington to conduct the NATION’S business.
Tourism is great, people come here, spend money, and go back where they came from. We don’t have to educate them when they are young or pay for their long term care when they are old. Total win-win for the state.
…Or change the school start and stop dates to match the season.
The summer tourist season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day but the labor pool is usually available from May 21-August 22.
Sometimes the solution is so obvious you don’t see it until you trip over it.
Sen. Rounds “I recently sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urging the administration to use the authority they have been granted by Congress to increase the statutory cap of H-2B visas available for Fiscal Year 2019. From April 1, 2019, through the end of the fiscal year, the demand for H-2B visas exceeds 95,000 workers. That is nearly three times the number of available H-2B visas available for that time period.”
Yet the good Senator refused to talk about helping our industry deal with the Trump Department of State allowing three Chinese engineers entry into the US on improving a multi-billion dollar program of Chinese technology being introduced into America. South Dakota demands a better Senator than Mike Rounds.
Sen. Rounds: “I recently sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urging the administration to use the authority they have been granted by Congress to increase the statutory cap of H-2B visas available for Fiscal Year 2019. From April 1, 2019, through the end of the fiscal year, the demand for H-2B visas exceeds 95,000 workers. That is nearly three times the number of available H-2B visas available for that time period.”
Yet the good Senator refused to talk about helping our industry deal with the Trump State Department allowing three Chinese engineers entry into the US on improving a multi-billion dollar program of Chinese technology being introduced into America. South Dakota demands a better Senator than Mike Rounds.
Jeff Lassle I now suspect you are just a shoeless person flipping over the trash cans on the beach in San Diego night after night.
There’s a reason nobody in any position of influence is wasting their time listening to all your complaints about South Dakota.
LOL, you are so witty “Anonymous”. Why are you afraid to identify yourself? Must be a reason eh.
Sorry, Jeff, we the faceless of Dakotawarcollege will not believe your posts until you provide the site with your mailing address, SSN, and 2 forms of identification. Come on, Jeff? Why are you so afraid to share more info about yourself?
God, you are a creepy dude.
He lives in San Diego, where there are only two kinds of people: those with shoes and those without. The shoeless ones live on the beach, panhandle, get high, and flip over the trash cans every night. Every morning the city employees in shoes come out and pick up all the trash and the cycle repeats. Other than whatever the US Navy is busy doing, nobody there seems to do anything else.
It’s pretty funny having a resident of San Diego telling South Dakotans what they are doing wrong.