Governor Creates Red Tape Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, December 29, 2004

CONTACT: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301

Pierre, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds announced today the creation of a Red Tape Task Force.

The task force will meet to review updates to state laws, regulations that need to be changed, and bureaucratic processes that can work better. The goal is to eliminate unreasonable or unjustifiable barriers to doing business in South Dakota.

“South Dakota already has one of the best business climates in the nation,” Gov. Rounds said. “This task force is just one step to ensure that it remains one of the best,” he added. The task force will make recommendations to the Governor of ways we can remove red tape or barriers to investment in SD.

The Governor has appointed the following business leaders to serve on the task force:

Duane Butt, Pierre; Bob Riter, Pierre; Richard Gregerson, Sioux Falls; Darla Rogers, Pierre; Jim Hill, Watertown; John Lillibridge, Burke; Boyd Hopkins, Sioux Falls; Jerry Thomsen, Mitchell; Brad Wheeler, Lemmon; Tyler Stowater, Sioux Falls; Jim Wilcox, Sioux Falls; Dave Bozied, Sioux Falls; Dan Noteboom, Corsica; Mark Meierhenry, Sioux Falls; Bob DeMersseman, Rapid City; Jeff Fox, Sioux Falls; Julie Johnson, Pierre; Jim Hagen, Pierre; Jim Lampy, Rapid City; Owen Emme, Rapid City; Mutch Usera, Rapid City..     

The creation of the task force is a result of the state’s 2010 Initiative. “When we held our first summits across the state, many business leaders were interested in the creation of a task force which would review and help eliminate barriers to business growth in South Dakota,” Gov. Rounds said.

Citizens with recommendations or concerns are asked to contact Julie Johnson at 773-6850 or juliem.johnson@state.sd.us. Interested parties can also submit comments by going to www.2010initiative.com and clicking on the Red Tape Task Force icon.