Governor Noem is the CEO of the state. She works with legislators to pass common-sense laws and then manages 21 state agencies and bureaus to implement those laws and regulations. She makes hundreds of decisions about the best path forward for the state, always with her responsibility to defend the State Constitution and United States Constitution first and foremost in her mind. She is the state’s biggest advocate and number one ambassador. She works with businesses and industries to give them an opportunity to grow and thrive.

During the pandemic, tourism across the country ground to a halt. South Dakota’s tourism industry initially suffered, so Governor Noem launched a nationwide ad campaign to encourage tourists to come celebrate Freedom in South Dakota. After that, South Dakota broke nearly every tourism record on the books.
‍
Lately, the media has been critical of Governor Noem’s travel as she continues to promote South Dakota. But those efforts are important.

When Governor Noem goes to other states, she is telling South Dakota’s story. She’s telling people about our way of life, our respect for Freedom and the Constitution, and our “Open for Business” approach. And the people she’s talking to are exactly the type of people that we’d love to have move here.

Here’s why that matters: we need more Freedom-loving Americans to move to South Dakota. Our economy is roaring. We have fewer than 700 people in the state on unemployment and about 25,000 open jobs. Every town that Governor Noem visits has “Help Wanted” signs in many businesses. But we can’t fill all of the jobs with the people who are already here.

South Dakota respects Freedom more so than any other state. Governor Noem will continue to share that message with the nation to attract more Freedom-loving Americans to move to South Dakota.