However, bringing more immigrant workers to the state isn t as easy as passing out more visas.
David Owen, President and CEO of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted two bills, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021, have both passed through the U.S. House of Representatives.
If signed into law, the first would provide a path to lawful permanent residency and citizenship for DACA recipients, while the latter would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented workers and a path to permanent resident status for H-2A workers.
All at the round table agreed immigration and visa reform is needed to fill job openings across the state. South Dakota Retailer s Association s Sanderson note even if the roughly 3,000 people on unemployment took a job today, there d still be 20,000 South Dakota jobs to fill.
South Dakota business leaders call on Congress to pass immigration reform
A panel of representatives, from construction to retail to dairy, said if South Dakota s federal delegation does not support immigration reform, they should produce alternative plans to those that have already passed the U.S. House. Written By: Christopher Vondracek | ×
Rapid City, South Dakota, especially during summer months, hosts an economy driven by tourism. State business leaders are calling on Congress to pass immigration reform in order to allow for an influx of new workers through legal immigration and statuses to help fill needed jobs. Forum News Service file photo
Recipient of Educator of the Year award, local UND choral teacher reflects on joys and impact of music education
Melanie Popejoy has provided the gift of music to students of all ages over the course of her 40-year career. Written By: Pamela D. Knudson | 7:00 am, May 9, 2021 ×
Melanie Popejoy, associate director of choral activities at UND and founder and artistic director of the Grand Cities Children s Choir, has been named Educator of the Year by the North Dakota Music Educators Association. Photo by Eric Hylden/Grand Forks Herald
Melanie Popejoy thinks of teaching, first and foremost, as “a people business,” she said.