South Dakota is opening itself up to new economic development opportunities, and that includes in trade. The state’s governor, Larry Rhoden, reflects after traveling the state on his Open Opportunity Tour!
“I think the biggest thing of all is open communication. The conversations we had and what comes to the surface when you’re talking with real people in the real world and with real world problems, real world successes, and how to compound on that— things that we’ve not done well in the past and we’re working toward,” Gov. Rhoden explains.
He says that traveling with South Dakota’s Office of International Trade left him with renewed hope.
“I think we were ranked, South Dakota ranked dead last in international trade. We’re going to change that. I was so excited at our trip to Mexico because it was, you know— I was very trepidatious about going and what the attitude toward little South Dakota would be, but I was amazed that we were meeting with national figures and politicians, and they had their hats in their hand. They were just super excited to visit with us. I think to date we’ve had an 80-1return on investment from our trip to Mexico and great results in Japan and Taiwan and everyplace we’ve visited. So very encouraging.”
The governor says that value-added products are another way to enhance South Dakota’s rich agriculture.
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