PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota lawmakers this week approved spending up to $400 million to help small businesses.

That money was part of the $1.2 billion the federal government gave the state to deal with pandemic related costs.

South Dakota Retailers Association Executive Director Nathan Sanderson says that money won’t go that far.

Sanderson says they have been surveying their members over the past few months.

Sanderson says most businesses still struggle to find qualified workers.

Legislators approved the business help and allocated other federal dollars during their one-day special session.