Department seeks grant match to expand Sioux Falls veterans cemetery columbarium

Aaron Pollard, deputy secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, asked the Joint Appropriations Committee to support Senate Bill 52, which would authorize federal grant authority and a state match to expand the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery in the Sioux Falls area.

Pollard said the cemetery — opened and dedicated in 2021 — has completed more than 920 burials for veterans and dependents. The department requests $1.5 million of federal fund authority for construction plus $75,000 in general funds and $75,000 in other funds to meet the 10 percent matching requirement for the grant program. If approved and awarded, the funds would build three columbariums, adding 1,980 niches and extending columbarium capacity for roughly two decades at current utilization rates.

Support and local context

Representatives from the American Legion and the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce spoke in support. Doug Feldman of the American Legion called the cemetery “very popular and needed” and urged the committee to back the request. Mitch Rave, with the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber, said the cemetery is a “fantastic amenity to our growing city” and noted chamber oversight of a veterans committee that receives monthly updates on burials.

Committee questions and status

Committee members asked about the 10 percent match and whether local fundraising or other contributions would be forthcoming; Pollard said the grant program often reimburses match but that the request includes both the general‑fund and other‑fund authority now to meet the grant application requirements. No opponent testimony was offered. The committee deferred action on SB 52 for future disposition.