Assuming Gov. Larry Rhoden’s signature, support is coming for Ellsworth Air Force Base. However, that’s not without changes and questions.
The finalized bill, SB 6, allows for a loan to support the Douglas School District in Box Elder. Being directly adjacent to the base, Douglas will certainly be bearing the brunt of the thousands of new families expected to move to the area.
Prime sponsor Helene Duhamel, a Rapid City Republican, described this figure as a “long and winding path.”
“We moved to something from a loan from the South Dakota Housing Infrastructure Fund to the Ellsworth Development Fund Authority. When it got to the House floor it got muddy," Duhamel said. "People started arguing about – ‘have we solved our affordable housing problem in South Dakota?’ The answer is no. So, we went back to amendment c, this direct loan to the Douglas School System. Twenty-year, zero-interest loan.”
While not insignificant, other states have made larger investments in comparable developments. For example, Texas, home of the third B-21 squadron, has allocated millions in hard funds, rather than loans, for infrastructure improvements near the base.
However, Duhamel has said for years – “Douglas is different” – as it offers a unique opportunity to expand the states’ skilled labor needs.
“This solves a problem," Duhamel said. "It may not be exactly what we hoped and dreamed, but it allows the Douglas school system to get started on an elementary school. These men and women working on the B-21 are really high-tech individuals, but they prioritize their families just like all of us. If they don’t like the school system, and don’t want their kids being taught in mobile homes, they might decide not to come to Ellsworth. They might decide they can make more money with less stress flying for the airlines.”
The governor will sign or veto all bills by the end of the month.