ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA: COUNTY OF THE MONTH

This Month's County: Pennington County

Largest City: Rapid City

County Seat: Rapid City

Population: 92,776

Founded: 1875

Located in Western South Dakota, Pennington County has a strong Western heritage and economic standing. Founded in 1875, the county is named for John C. Pennington, the then-Governor of Dakota Territory.

In 1874, after reports spread throughout the U.S. that gold had been discovered in the Black Hills, miners flocked to the area in search of the prized resource. In Black Hawk, Swedish settlers cut timber for camps and began farming. The town became home to a nightclub called Bingo Bang's Black Hawk Supper Club. The club hosted the likes of Nat King Cole and the Ink Spots before most of the world had heard of such performers.

The original county seat of Pennington County was Sheridan, but was moved to Rapid City in 1878, at a time when Sheridan was essentially abandoned. Sixty-one years later, a dam was built and the former town of Sheridan became the bottom of Lake Sheridan. Many new towns were settled soon thereafter by the flood of gold-seekers. In 1906, New Underwood was founded and named for Johnny Underwood, who reportedly sold the right to cross his ranch in return for the town being named after him.

In 1907, the town of Wall was founded, and the landmark institution of Wall Drug opened in 1931. Built and managed by pharmacist Ted Hustead and his wife Dorothy, the drug store survived the Great Depression. In order to gain business during tough economic times, they advertised free ice water and five-cent coffee with hand-painted signs. During WWII, soldiers placed Wall Drug signs in many parts of the world with creative estimates of the distance to Wall Drug. The historic stop still attracts thirsty and curious motorists.

The most prominent and recognizable symbol of South Dakota today is Mount Rushmore. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum undertook the project after a 1927 dedication speech by President Calvin Coolidge. Borlum had completed most of the project by the time he died, but his son, Lincoln, finished the carving.

Badlands National Park, officially recognized by Congress in 1978, also occupies the southeastern portion of Pennington County, as well as neighboring counties. Showcasing breathtaking spires, buttes, pinnacles, and resilient wildlife, the park is a gem among South Dakota's outdoor reserves.

In addition to the vast Black Hills National Forest, these protected lands attract travelers of all ages who want to witness the natural splendor of the area. The remains of prehistoric camels, saber-toothed tigers and many other fossils have been found there. Hill City, located in the Black Hills National Forest, is home to the Black Hills Institute, and employed Sue Hendrickson in 1990 when she discovered the most complete fossil of a Tyrannosaurus Rex near Faith, South Dakota. The fossil, dubbed "Sue" in Hendrickson's honor, is now on permanent display at Chicago's Field Museum.

Today, Pennington County is a constant reminder of our state's past. Mount Rushmore remains a major attraction for travelers, Wall Drug continues to be a favorite stop for I-90 motorists, and the beauty of the Badlands and the Black Hills continue to provide an awe-inspiring experience for locals and tourists alike. The county has blossomed economically while maintaining a commitment to ranching, historical preservation, and an appreciation for the beauty of the West.

Tim's Work in Pennington County:

Tim Helps Save Ellsworth Air Force Base
One of Tim's most notable accomplishments for the region was saving Ellsworth Air Force Base in neighboring Meade County. In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) overturned the Defense Department's recommendation to close Ellsworth Air Force base. Tim worked closely with Senator Thune, Representative Herseth Sandlin, Governor Rounds, and the Ellsworth Task Force to save this strategically-important military installation, and bring new missions to the base.

Tim has directed more than $114 million in funding to the base. Most recently, he secured $16.6 million for a Base Civil Engineer Administrative Facility. Tim also secured $3 million in FY 2007 for an on-site water well and treatment plant to supply the base. In 2006, Tim persuaded the United States Air Force to make Ellsworth Air Force Base the new site for the Air Force Financial Services Center.

Tim Secures Funding to Reopen Homestake Lab
In 2006, Tim supported funding for a National Science Foundation study to reopen the Homestake Lab. Since then, he has directed $10 million to the deep underground science lab. In FY 2008, Tim helped secure $500,000 in funding to develop economic partnerships between innovators, entrepreneurs and rural communities. This state-of-the-art facility will bring new high-tech jobs to the region and worldwide recognition to the neutrino experimentation that will take place at the facility. The lab will also be utilized by researchers and students from our state and around the country.

Tim Secures Funding for South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
For years, Tim has consistently secured millions of federal dollars for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT). In FY 2008, Tim worked to secure $6.4 million to develop strong and lightweight military vehicles. In 2007, Tim secured $2 million to establish a nationally-competitive polymer and composites processing and prototyping lab. American troops will also benefit from SDSMT's extensive simulations of shallow buried explosives and research to better protect our troops from them.

Tim Consistently Secures Funding for the Mni Wiconi Water Project
Since 2003, Tim has directed more than $180 million to the Mni Wiconi water project. In FY 2008, Tim helped secure more than $37.5 million for the project. The Mni Wiconi water project serves several counties and rural communities in western South Dakota. Funding will be used for continued construction of the project, as well as operation and maintenance of that portion of the water system that is already in service.

Tim Secures Funding for Heartland Expressway
Over the years, Tim has secured millions of dollars for the Heartland Expressway. In FY 2006, Tim secured $27 million for the project in a joint request with Senator Thune. When completed, the Heartland Expressway will connect Rapid City to Interstate 80 in Nebraska, providing four-lane, divided highway service between Rapid City, South Dakota, and Denver, Colorado.

Tim Secures Funding for Local Law Enforcement Safety
In 2006, Tim announced that communities across South Dakota will receive grant funding to help them purchase new bulletproof vests. Pennington County received about 25 percent of the funds allotted to our state. The funding, which came from the Justice Department's Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program, helped local law enforcement agencies replace Zylon-based vests after it was discovered that those vests may not have sufficient bullet resistance.

Tim Works to Secure Funding for Community Health Center
In 2008, Tim helped secure more than $325,000 for the Community Health Center of the Black Hills (CHCBH). The CHCBH will use the funds to remodel a facility to house several non-profit community organizations. The organizations include Pennington County Health, the Rapid City Food Bank, West River Educational Center, and Western Resources for Disabled Independence. In addition to expanding its current medical and oral health services, CHCBH seeks to increase mental health and pharmacy services.

Tim supports Music Education and Fine Arts
In FY 2008, Tim helped secure funding for a joint concert series and outreach events hosted by the Black Hills Symphony and the South Dakota Symphony. The groups are working to promote music education appreciation throughout the state. They also chose to feature a showcase of Native American compositions and to hold educational clinics for everyone from preschoolers to adults.