PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – Officials from Washington, D.C. with the Small Business Administration visited with Governor Kristi Noem Thursday to discuss economic development for rural parts of South Dakota. National Director of Rural Affairs for S-B-A Michelle Christian says they’re encouraged by Noem’s “Open For Business” mantra.

Dan Nordberg is Region Eight Administrator for S-B-A. He says they want to bridge the gap between urban and rural population centers in the state.

Opportunity zones were created with President Donald Trump’s tax cut bill. They include approximately 8700 areas, selected by state governors to get tax incentives along with access to grants, programs and services. Nordberg says they already have some pending changes.

Nordberg says Rapid City could see unique opportunities within their Opportunity Zones due to the pending expansion and addition of the B-21 Raider bomber to Ellsworth Air Force Base. Fourteen federal agencies and three committees are working together to promote economic development within the Opportunity Zone areas.

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