ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA: COUNTY OF THE MONTH

Largest City: Ipswich

County Seat: Ipswich

Population: 5,548

Founded: 1873

About Edmunds County:

Edmunds County, located in northeast South Dakota, is home to the towns of Bowdle, Hosmer, Ipswich, Mina, and Roscoe. The county was named after Newton Edmunds, the second Territorial Governor of South Dakota, who was appointed by President Lincoln in 1863.

According to the South Dakota State Library, Ipswich was founded in 1883. Acting as the county seat, Ipswich is also known as the "Arch City." Residents built a memorial arch shortly after World War I to welcome home the servicemen. The original arch was built with wood and overlooked Main Street, but was eventually placed over Highway 12. Ruined by a tornado, it was rebuilt with stones from all over the world and moved to the Ipswich Park. Ipswich was also the home of the first public school building in the county, built in 1886.

Bowdle was founded in 1886 and named after the townsite agent Alax M. Bowdle. Bowdle became a booming town in 1896 with the completion of the C.M. and St. Paul Railroad going through the town.

Roscoe was founded in July of 1883. It was named after a New York statesman named Roscoe Conlkin. The first child born in the city was also named Roscoe. In the 1890's, several fires broke out that threatened to destroy the entire town. But this small town overcame challenges and continues to thrive.

According to information from town residents, the community of Hosmer was founded in 1887 mostly by Germans from Russia as the railroad expanded further into the Dakota Territory. Officially incorporated in 1904, Hosmer has celebrated over a century of progress and perseverance that characterizes many of the small towns in South Dakota. Hosmer is especially well known for the sausages produced by Heier's Meat Market, which are sold throughout northeastern South Dakota. With just more than 300 residents, the town is home to farmers, successful small businesses, and a close-knit community.

Edmunds County is also known for its three Hutterite Colonies. They include: PlainView in Rosette Township, Deerfield in Belle Township, and Pembrook in Harmony Township. Hutterite's have a big impact economically for South Dakota. They are leaders in turkey, hog, and soy bean production.

Tim's Work for Edmunds County:

South Dakotans are Tim's number one priority, and he greatly values hearing from and working with local community members and officials.

As South Dakota's Senior Senator with a seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tim is well-positioned to secure federal funding for projects that are important to the people of Edmunds County and across South Dakota. Several programs that Tim has helped secure funding for directly impact the lives of people in Edmunds County.

Health Care

The best possible health care should be available to everyone in South Dakota. Because of this, Tim helped secure $100,00 for the Bowdle Health Care Center in order to purchase new equipment and improve the technologies for the center.

As well, Tim helped get $250,000 for the Community Health Care Association of the Dakotas. The money is to be used for the implementation of an integrated management information system, including funding for computer equipment, training and maintenance of the integrated network plan for community health care centers throughout South Dakota.

Enhancing Local Infrastructure

Tim helped secure $1.49 million in the 2005 Agriculture Appropriations bill, and $1.5 million in the 2004 bill for the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority, which helps coordinate transportation, infrastructure, and other projects that are important for economic development throughout South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.

Keeping South Dakota Communities Safe

Technology plays an ever-greater role in the fight against crime. Radios, mobile data computers, and dash-mounted video cameras can help negate the disadvantages that rural law enforcement officers often face. Tim helped secure $1.5 million for cities and counties in South Dakota to invest in the modern technology. In 2004, the South Dakota Sheriff's Association and the South Dakota Police Chief's Association requested funding to upgrade communications equipment, computers, and other crime-fighting technologies, and Tim helped get $250,000 for the project.