Yankton County Is On The Move Todd Woods, Chairman Yankton County Commission Best place to live in South Dakota. If I had only seven words to describe Yankton County, that opening sentence would be my nutshell. Our 154-yearold county represents an ideal blend of rich history and a promising future. The high quality of life here is a result of good people, good schools, low crime, low taxes, low unemployment, excellent healthcare, clean air and water, efficient local government, vast recreational opportunities, sound infrastructure, and economic diversity. Most counties in South Dakota have suffered population declines over the past decade. Yankton County has seen steady population increases with potential for even greater growth. The Yankton County Commission is working to maintain and improve the quality of life factors listed above, while also encouraging growth in agriculture, tourism, retail, healthcare, and manufacturing. These are the pillars of the Yankton County economy, and few S.D. communities enjoy better balance in those five sectors. The Napa Junction Rail Park and Dakota Plains grain loading facility is a prime example of Yankton County’s interest in Ag-related economic development. Over the past year, county officials have paved the way for this project by passing the county’s first Tax Increment District, and negotiating an agreement with Dakota Plains to secure a low-interest loan for a road to the new facility. Yankton County saw an all-time high of $103.4 million in real estate sales in 2015. The NAPA Junction project was a significant factor in that record-setting year. A value-added Ag project the County Commission is currently working on is a dairy overlay district to advance large-scale milk production in Yankton County. This will create more opportunities for young people interested in farming. Questions arise about large animal-feeding operations causing significant odors and threatening our aquifers. The County Commission will require new dairy producers to use sound, modern management practices to reduce and hopefully eliminate those concerns. Yankton County commissioners know clean air and water are two of the qualities that will attract our youth back home. We plan to maintain a clean, fresh outdoor environment throughout the county to provide for quality fishing, hunting, golfing, walking, biking, swimming, camping, softball, gardening, etc. For example, county officials have been working on plans to develop the tremendous potential of the Highway 52 corridor, which carries millions of people through the popular Lewis and Clark Lake area. Of course, buildings are only one aspect of sound infrastructure. One of today’s biggest challenges for all counties is the soaring cost of road development and bridge construction. We have been actively seeking ways to fund needed road and bridge improvements locally. The majority of roads in Yankton County are in good shape, but it costs more every year to keep them that way. We encourage public input that helps us find solutions to this challenge, so Yankton County can continue to offer some of the best roads and bridges in our eight-county area. Yankton County people live in one of four distinct places: farms, small towns, Lewis and Clark Lake area, or the city of Yankton. Commissioners have been seeking input from people living outside the county seat by holding town hall meetings in the rural areas. We encourage you to attend and share your thoughts and questions with us. Yankton County is already the best place to live and work in South Dakota. Our commissioners and county staff will do all we can to keep it that way, and make these communities even better for the generations to follow. I EXIST TO ASSIST Todd Woods Chairman, Yankton County Commission Call me for help with your insurance and financial services needs. I EXIST TO ASSIST Auto. Home. Life. Bank. I EXIST TO ASSIST Call me for help with your insurance and financial services needs. Auto. Home. Life. Bank. Call me for help with your insurance and financial services needs. Auto. Home. Life. Bank. 4306 W. 8th St. Yankton, SD (605) 665-3500 www.yanktonmotorsports.com Roy Wilcox, Agent Roy Wilcox,Agent 200 W 4th 200 W 4thST ST Yankton, SD 57078 Yankton, SD 57078 Bus: 605-665-7140 roy.d.wilcox.b6fp@statefarm.com Bus: 605-665-7140 roy.d.wilcox.b6fp@statefarm.com Roy Wilcox, Agent KAWASAKI CARES: Always wear protective gear appropriate for this use of this vehicle. Never operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Protect the environment. The Kawasaki Teryx4™ side x side is an off-highway vehicle only, and is not designed, equipped, or manufactured for use on public streetsl roads or highways. Obey the law and regulations that control the use of your vehicle. Read Owner’s Manual and all on-product warnings. ©2015 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. 16TERX4ADV6X7C 200 W 4th ST Yankton, SD 57078 Bus: 605-665-7140 roy.d.wilcox.b6fp@statefarm.com 6vYANKTON COUNTY GUIDE 2016 16TERX4ADV6X7C 1408589 16TERX4ADV6X7C State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL Call me for help with your insurance and financial service needs. Auto. Home. Life. Bank.