In order to discover the challenges communities across South Dakota are facing, US Senator Mike Rounds made the rounds recently, visiting with folks in the state, including a group of citizens in Wessington Springs.
Over coffee at Springs Inn he told the group of Jerauld County residents that the commonalities South Dakotans are facing include inflation alongside the high cost of food and fuel.
“The average South Dakota family is facing $759 more in living expense per month,” he stated. “Lending institutions are seeing cash balances going down, savings starting to be diminished in the face of 13.5% inflation.”
City of Wessington Springs Mayor Brian Bergeleen echoed the statement when it comes to Wessington Springs facing the same problems due to inflation, especially when it comes to projects which include supply chain issues. “The price of everything is out of hand,” he said.
Dale Schimke introduces himself as a retired farmer/ rancher from 20 miles northwest of town.
He expressed frustration with the four large beef packing companies that control over 80% of the processing market.
Rounds outlines what steps he has taken to provide assistance to cattle producers including pushing legislation for mandatory country of origin labeling.
When asked about national security, Rounds stated that there are four countries we need to be aware of: China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
“Some are trying to buy ag businesses, specifically ag land,” he said. “We are also looking at foreign investment in ag land and businesses. This came to a head when China said they’re building a corn processing plant within miles of an air base in North Dakota. China is really the long term threat. The Chinese military is doing its best to adopt our tactics, to steal our secrets.”
Local business owners Ryan Jensen and Heather Larson brought the conversation back to inflation.
Jensen asked Rounds, “Is there any help for small businesses? In a small community we can’t raise our prices 13.5%. People are buying less and for small businesses, it makes it difficult. ”
Larson continued, “When our ag producers are hurting, we businesses on Main Street are hurting too.”
Rounds admitted there is no easier answer to the current economic woes facing small businesses.
“Look, all the way down the line, if you have inexpensive energy, suddenly inflation goes down,” he began. “We need to 1) Get inflation down. 2) Get rid of this regulatory attitude. 3) We’ve got to have a fair market out there.”