Senate approves $15 million transfer to support infrastructure needs tied to Ellsworth AFB expansion

The South Dakota Senate on March 3 approved Senate Bill 6, including an amendment to transfer $15 million from the Housing Infrastructure Authority to the Ellsworth Development Authority to support capital and infrastructure projects tied to Ellsworth Air Force Base's expansion.

Senator Duhamel, who sponsored the amendment and spoke in favor of the transfer, said the expansion connected to the B-21 Raider mission is producing an unprecedented level of construction and local impacts. He and other supporters cited projects underway and planned, the base's role as a major employer in the state, and the need for local mitigation such as roads and other off-base infrastructure. Senators Howard and Duhamel described recent on-base construction as currently at least $1.2 billion and potentially between $1.5 billion and $2 billion in total, and noted the state earlier realized approximately $9 million in contractors' excise tax revenue from on-base projects in the prior year.

Opponents expressed concern about taking funds that could have otherwise been available for other municipalities or returned as grants; one senator urged the money be allocated to municipalities. After the amendment was adopted, the bill passed on final passage with a roll call of 29 yeas and 6 nays.

The transcript records the amendment and the final roll call; the transfer will require follow-up implementation steps by the named authorities and departments.