January 21, 2020 • Page 8 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com South Dakota Celebrates ‘Great Faces, Great Places’ With 2020 Governor’s Conference On Tourism PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Tourism is hosting the 2020 Governor’s Conference on Tourism from January 21-23, in Pierre, S.D. The conference is open for registration to anyone interested in tourism, marketing and hospitality. The theme of the conference — “Great Faces, Great Places”— is a celebration of the 30-year anniversary of the popular South Dakota tourism slogan. The annual conference brings nearly 600 people from across South Dakota and the United States together in Pierre to celebrate successes, network with peers, and learn more about trends in the travel and hospitality business. “We are so proud of the tourism industry in South Dakota,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. “Tourism is providing our citizens and visitors alike the opportunity to experience our state’s natural beauty, family-fun attractions, vibrant communities, one-ofa-kind events, and a quality of life that is second to none. Tourism is also affecting South Dakota’s bottom line by generating tax revenue and creating jobs. For all of these reasons, and many more, we have much to celebrate at the conference.” The 2020 Governor’s Conference on Tourism will welcome accomplished speakers from across the country to discuss topics such as marketing trends, research, customer service, and pressing issues in the tourism industry. The closing banquet on Thursday, January 23, will honor and recognize industry members for their contributions to tourism in the state. The following awards will be presented: • The Ben Black Elk Award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the state’s tourism industry. • The A.H. Pankow Award recognizes a member of the media or public relations industry who has provided exceptional coverage of South Dakota. • The George S. Mickelson Great Service Award honors a business/organization that shows an outstanding dedication to excellence in customer service. • The Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award honors a member of the South Dakota tourism industry for innovative marketing or new additions/improvements to their business or attraction that elevate the visitor experience. • The Rooster Rush Cacklin’ Community Award honors a community for fostering support of the Department of Tourism’s fall Rooster Rush campaign. • The Ruth Ziolkowski Outstanding Hospitality & Customer Service Award recognizes individuals who provide remarkable customer service and demonstrate an outstanding spirit of hospitality, warmth and genuine kindness to visitors. For more information about the conference or to register, visit www.SouthDakotaTourismConference.com. The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism and the South Dakota Arts Council. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. Applications Now Available For Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program PIERRE, S.D. – Applications are now available for local governmental entities who want to apply for the new Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program. The program, introduced by Gov. Kristi Noem, is open to cities, counties, townships and tribes that are part of one of South Dakota’s four Presential declared disasters in 2019. The program allows those entities to apply for funding advances. The approved applicants can use the advances to assist with recovery efforts to repair their damaged infrastructure prior to receiving FEMA funds. “In 2019, South Dakota experienced one of the worst disaster years it has ever seen and public infrastructure was among the hardest hit,” Gov. Noem said. “My Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program works with local governments to help them get the dollars they need to expedite recovery, use existing assistance programs, and build resilient infrastructure for future South Dakotans.” Eligible governmental entities can receive an advance equal to the 75% FEMA federal share of their projects plus the 15% local, non-federal share portion, for a total of 90% of project costs. The governmental entity will then pay back the advances to the state upon receiving the FEMA federal funds for the projects. Applicants who request an advance of their local 15% match will have 18 months from the date of the original agreement or the final FEMA funding date before a 2% interest rate will begin to accrue. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Emergency Management will oversee the program. “Many of these local governments are trying to pay for repairs to damaged infrastructure such as roads and bridges, but the FEMA funding has not yet arrived, “ said Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Craig Price. “The Office of Emergency Management will work with those entities to help secure the advance funds they need to pay for the S OUXLAND RENEWABLE HOLDINGS, LLC needed repairs while they wait for the FEMA funds.” Applicants requesting advanced funds will need to meet the following criteria: • Be an eligible applicant and be a subrecipient of the state in one of the four Presidential disasters declared in 2019 (submit RPA), and have a FEMA-eligible project; • Submit an application to the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management; • Sign an Advance agreement; • Provide financial statements/audits to demonstrate a need for the advance; • Provide proof of an ongoing funding source to repay the advanced state general funds; • Provide quotes in accordance with state law for eligible “shovel-ready” projects; • Submit a mitigation project proposal; and • Follow FEMA requirements. In addition to the implementation of the Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program, the Governor also has announced the state will provide 10% of the non-federal share for Hazard Mitigation Grant program and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant program projects approved by FEMA. Historically, these projects have been funded at a 75% federal share paid by FEMA and the 25% non-federal share was the responsibility of the applicant. The addition of state dollars lowers the match requirement for local governments to 15% and encourages local participation in mitigation projects. These projects will improve infrastructure resiliency for future generations, provide long-term solutions to repetitive loss situations and helps avoid reliance on federal dollars for recovery. Applicants can also apply for an advance on the 15% nonfederal share required for approved FEMA mitigation projects. For more information about these programs or to obtain an application, contact the South Dakota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Emergency Management at 605-773-3231 or visit the website at https:// dps.sd.gov/emergencyservices/emergencymanagement. When You Want Comfort...You Want Kalins When You Want Comfort… You Want Kalins! Vermillion: 605-624-5618 *Rebate offer only available to Vermillion Light & Power customers. Call for full details. WILL BE HOLDING INVESTOR INFORMATION MEETINGS 70 years as a Premier Lennox® Dealer 99 years in Business 400 years of Heating and Cooling Experience = Southeast South Dakota’s #1 Choice! Yankton Vermillion Sioux City 605.665.4348 605.624.5618 712.252.2000 kalinsindoor.com Come and learn more about an opportunity to become a member of Siouxland Renewable Holdings, LLC. All meetings will begin at 6:30 pm. Date Location Meeting Place Jan. 20 LeMars, IA Jan. 21 Jan. 22 Dakota City, NE Dakota Dunes, SD Jan. 27 Jan. 28 Coleridge, NE Yankton, SD Jan. 29 Wayne, NE Convention Center, 275 12th St., SE (ground floor lower level) Old Dane at Hwy 35 and 77 Dakota Dunes Country Club, 960 S. Dakota Dunes Blvd. Fire Hall, 217 East Broadway Minerva’s Restaurant, 1607 East Hwy 50 Fire Hall, 510 Tomar Drive SIOUXLAND RENEWABLE HOLDINGS, LLC A new company formed for the purpose of purchasing and operating an existing ethanol plant. Offering Circulars and Subscription Agreements will be available at the meetings FREE Community Concert Monday, February 10, 2020 7:00 p.m. Lewis & Clark Theatre 328 Walnut St., Yankton For your free tickets go to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. www.afheartlandband.eventbrite.com Click on Yankton concert. Click on green “register” button. Select number of tickets and then click on check out. Enter information requested and complete registration. Click on blue “go to my tickets” button. Click on free order and print your tickets. If you do not have internet access you can pick up tickets at the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, 319 Walnut, Yankton. This concert brought to you by the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, Yankton Hy-vee and Lewis & Clark Theatre Company.