Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) has selected Jones County as his December 2009 “County of the Month.” The county is highlighted in a special section of his website at http://johnson.senate.gov.

“Jones County is an important part of South Dakota’s cultural heritage,” Johnson said. “I am proud to have helped the county over the years, from funding construction of the Mni Wiconi Rural Water System to improving the Murdo Municipal Airport. The stimulus package has supported infrastructure and job growth across the country, and I am pleased to see the positive effects it has also had in Jones County.”

Jones County was founded in 1916 and is home to the towns of Murdo, Draper and Okaton in addition to several other communities. The county is home to South Dakota’s Original 1880 Town, as well as the Pioneer Auto Show, which displays many classic automobiles, including Elvis Presley’s motorcycle.

Johnson has worked hard to provide Jones County with federal assistance, including improvements to housing conditions and funding for affordable health care. He was proud to secure federal funding for the South Dakota Animal Damage Control Program and continued improvements to the Mni Wiconi Rural Water System, which will serve over 55,000 residents when completed.

“I wanted to highlight one specific county each month to bring attention to our communities,” Johnson said.  “South Dakota communities deserve recognition for their accomplishments—they are truly great places to live.”

To learn more about the County of the Month, please visit Johnson's website at: http://johnson.senate.gov/sd/county.cfm