South Dakota Municipal League

06/04/2026

Training Opportunity: Building Officials' Training
June 25-26, Spearfish
Registration: SDBOA member=Free; $95 Non-member
Learn more/register:

06/03/2026

Grant Opportunities from the SD Dept. of Transportation

Agri-Business Grant, SD Dept. of Transportation
Due: July 15 and Oct. 15
Open to any local unit of government for the development of new or expanded agri-business industries. Provides 80% of the construction costs. Grant size is limited to $600,000.
Learn more/apply: https://dot.sd.gov

Community Access Grant, SD Dept. of Transportation
Due: July 15
Open to towns less than 5,000 in population to fund the construction or reconstruction of major streets. Provides for 80% of the construction costs. Grant size is limited to $600,000.
Learn more/apply: https://dot.sd.gov

Industrial Park Grant, SD Dept. of Transportation
Due: July 15 and Oct. 15
Open to any local unit of government for the development of new or expanded access for new industry located within industrial parks. Provides 80% of the construction costs. Grant size is limited to $500,000.
Learn more/apply: https://dot.sd.gov

Transportation Alternatives Program, SD Dept. of Transportation
Due: July 15
Uses federal transportation funds designated by Congress for specific activities that enhance the inter-modal transporation system and provide safe alternative transportation options. Letters of intent are due July 15 and are required to be eligible to submit a full application in October.
Learn more/apply: https://dot.sd.gov

The South Dakota Department of Transportation reminds travelers to steer clear of scams. Please delete texts or emails that state money is owed for an unpaid toll or parking ticket. Reminder: all South Dakota state-owned roads and bridges are toll-free.

06/01/2026

Grant Opportunity: Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program, Federal Railroad Administration
Due: June 22
Supports a wide variety of rail infrastructure, safety, short line, grade crossing, capacity, and operational improvement projects intended to enhance freight mobility, rail safety, and supply chain efficiency.
Learn more/apply:

Enabling the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people and goods.

06/01/2026

The June issue of SD Municipalities is now available: Learn about Brookings' strategic use of Tax Increment Financing. Plus: Notable Law Changes, Champion of Local Control Award, Code Officer of the Year, Digital Accessibility and ADA Title II.

Building Community: Brookings' Strategic Use of Increment Tax Financing. Plus: Notable Law Changes, Champion of Local Control Award, Code Officer of the Year, Digital Accessibility and ADA Title II

05/29/2026

Electric Association Names New Director

Beth Omanson, Sioux Falls, has been named the new Director of Electric Services for the South Dakota Municipal Electric Association (SDMEA).

Omanson joins the SDMEA with over 15 years in the municipal power sector, where she focused on building utility relationships and collaborated on energy efficiency initiatives and other joint action agency member programs.

“I am pleased to join the team and further the mission of public power, ensuring the municipal utility voice remains at the forefront,” she said. “I look forward to working with the SDMEA members on this mission.”

A lifelong South Dakotan, Omanson was raised on a farm near Chamberlain. She earned a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of South Dakota. She has lived in Sioux Falls with her husband and daughter for the past 18 years. Omanson enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her family.

As the Director of Electric Services, Omanson works with the municipally owned and operated electric systems that are association members. This work includes the legislative process, public education, safety awareness, information exchange, promotion of utility operational efficiencies, research, inter-organizational cooperation, and publications.

Omanson will be based out of Sioux Falls but plans to frequently visit the South Dakota Municipal League office in Fort Pierre, as well as member municipalities. She is best reached via email or by phone at (605) 366-1082.

Omanson fills the position previously held by Robert Peterson.

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05/29/2026

Grant Opportunity: Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI ), Federal Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program, Federal Railroad Administration
Due: June 8
Funds projects focused on improving safety and mobility at rail crossings through projects such as grade separations, crossing closures, signal improvements, planning studies, and related transportation infrastructure efforts.
Learn more/apply:

Enabling the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people and goods.

05/27/2026

Training Opportunity: Budget Trainings
June 17 in Rapid City; June 24 in Sioux Falls
Registration: $40
Provides elected officials and finance officers with the tools they need to create and maintain the annual municipal budget.
Learn more/register: sdmunicipalleague.org/events

05/20/2026

Scholarship Opportunity: Code Enforcement AACE Conference Scholarship
Due: July 1
Provides funds for an association member to attend the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE) Conference.
Learn more/apply: sdmunicipalleague.org/CodeEnforcement

05/20/2026

Scholarship Opportunity: Building Officials ICC Annual Conference/Code Hearings Scholarship
Due: June 1
Provides funds for two association members to attend an in- or out-of-state ICC Code Hearing of their choice or the ICC Annual Conference.
Learn more/apply: sdmunicipalleague.org/BuildingOfficials

05/19/2026

Two Training Opportunities in One Week:

Human Resource School (HR School)
June 9-10, Oacoma
Registration: $50 - SDGHRA member; $100 Non-member
Provides opportunities to network and collaborate with other municipal human resource professionals to learn, share, and grow!
Learn more/register: sdmunicipalleague.org/events

Finance Officers' School (FO School)
June 10-12, Oacoma
Registration: $100 - SDGFOA member; $150 Non-member
Provides opportunities to network and collaborate with other municipal finance professionals to learn, share, and grow!
Learn more/register: sdmunicipalleague.org/events