Lincoln County, S.D. fights for the right kind of road

In today's world of economic development, transportation is one of the key elements. Lincoln County, S.D. recognized this fact and became proactive in developing an interchange that would see 2,100 acres being developed into commercial, light industrial and residential areas that would profit two school districts, three communities and the county itself. ^{Photo courtesy of Lincoln County, S.D.} Lincoln County Commissioners Dale Long (right) and John Schmidt (center), and Erica Beck, Lloyd Companies, examine plans for the land surrounding the new interchange.

Lincoln County is located in the southeastern portion of South Dakota and includes part of Sioux Falls, the largest city in the state. Sioux Falls is a major trade area for a four-state region and boasts two large health care providers that are nationally recognized for their medical research.

The county has seen significant growth over the past 10 years, doubling in size to an urbancentered 50,000-plus population from a mainly rural population of 24,000. The transformation of this county to urban from rural has been a challenge for the Board of Commissioners, as has keeping a proper balance between the two and providing necessary funds to support this growth. Interstate 29 runs the length of Lincoln County's borders, which has provided for increased transportation opportunities. Just north of its boundaries is Interstate 90, running east and west. In addition to ground transportation, Lincoln County is fortunate to own a small regionally significant airport that has seen increased activity over the past several years. It has been used for commercial purposes attracting business usage. Upon learning that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was scheduled to provide an overpass on Interstate 29 for 85th Street, which would be a main artery for transportation into the city of Sioux Falls, a group of land owners petitioned the FHWA to consider an interchange instead of an overpass in order to open up opportunity for economic growth. Ascertaining that the interchange was not being considered by the Federal Highway Administration, the county engaged in a conversation with the South Dakota Department of Transportation to determine if arrangements could be made at a state and local level to provide for this interchange. Commissioners Dale Long and Jim Schmidt held several meetings with the Department of Transportation Secretary Darrin Berquist and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard (R). After several weeks of deliberation and negotiations, the end result was that the county would take the lead in borrowing $15 million to be combined with private investment of $4 million. The state provided the cash flow necessary to secure the land for the interchange. The deal was struck. This is the first time in the history of the state that a public-private partnership has been successfully put together for the sole purpose of economic development. One of the state legislators is further investigating that this area be designated as an enterprise zone, which could further be a model for the rest of the state to follow. NACo President Riki Hokama has made transportation one of the major planks in his administration. The challenge that counties face is to provide increased revenue to meet the demands that are placed upon them. Lincoln County is no exception. As the county looked towards its future, the commissioners recognized that without continued economic growth they would be facing a revenue shortfall in the next five to seven years. Rather than waiting for this to happen, they acted on the opportunity that was presented to them to invest in the future, increase their tax base and provide funds necessary for schools and communities.