The City of Pierre is continuing its partnership with the local business community to boost Pierre’s workforce.
The partnership, started in 2020, is an extension of the State’s Build Dakota Scholarship program. It brings the city, Pierre Economic Development Corp. (PEDCO), and local businesses together to provide scholarships for students who agree to work in high-demand careers in Pierre.
“Since we started the program, we have brought healthcare, construction, and ag mechanic employees to the community,” said Jim Protexter, PEDCO COO. “We have more students lined up to participate in the program.”
“This has been a great partnership,” said Pierre Mayor Steve Harding. “I think we’ll have even more kids in the next four or five years who can use the help and want to be in Pierre.”
Through the Build Dakota program, a qualifying student receives a full-ride scholarship for a degree from an in-state technical institute; fifty percent is paid by the Build Dakota program, and the other half is paid by the business the student will work for upon graduation. Through this industry match grant partnership, the city pays for one-eighth of the total scholarship, as does PEDCO. The partnering employer would pay for one-fourth, and Build Dakota would still pay for one-half.
The City’s commitment to the program is about $55,000. The program will sunset in five years or when the funding is expended, whichever comes first.
PEDCO will administer the program. To participate in the first-in-the-state industry match grant program, businesses must be PEDCO members.