Broadcaster Press 3 January 15, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Employee Benefits Survey Results Released PIERRE, S.D. – Results of a South Dakota Employee Benefits Survey are now available online from the Department of Labor and Regulation. The Labor Market Information Center conducted the employer survey over the last few months, publishing results on its website today. Employee benefits are various types of non-wage compensation provided to employees in addition to their normal wages or salaries. Information about employee benefits is useful not only to employers who want to offer competitive benefits, but also to job seekers, students and other career planners, vocational counselors and policy makers. “Survey results help provide insight into what benefits are being offered in South Dakota, along with an estimate of the costs employers face to offer certain benefits,” said state Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman. Results cover benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement plans, several types of paid leave, and other miscellaneous benefits most common among businesses. The data on the offering of these employee benefits is also available for specific industry sectors and employer size classes. Highlights from the Employee Benefits Survey include: •12 is the average number of days of paid vacation leave provided to employees by firms employing full-time workers. •29.7 percent of employers pay more than $600 per month per employee to provide single medical insurance coverage for workers. •55 percent of firms employing fulltime workers offer an employee medical insurance policy. •54 percent of firms employing fulltime workers offer a retirement plan. Results of the survey can be viewed online at dlr.sd.gov/lmic. Contact the Labor Market Information Center at 605626-2314 for more information. South Dakota Celebrates “State Of Great” With 2019 Governor’s Conference On Tourism PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Tourism is encouraging anyone interested in tourism, marketing and hospitality to join the 2019 Governor’s Conference on Tourism Jan. 15-17 in Pierre. “This year’s theme, State of Great, celebrates the tourism industry’s remarkable accomplishments, what we strive to be year in and year out, and our excitement to build upon our success into the coming year,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. “This conference is an excellent opportunity to gain inspiration and prepare for another monumental year of tourism in the state. The annual conference brings nearly 600 people from across South Dakota and the United States together in Pierre to celebrate successes, network with peers and educate themselves on trends in the travel and hospitality business. “Our upcoming conference features an impressive lineup of nationally known travel and tourism leaders, hospitality speakers and industry experts,” said Hagen. “Speakers will touch on topics such as marketing trends, customer service and pressing issues in the tourism industry.” The closing banquet, held Thursday, Jan. 17, honors and recognizes industry members for their contributions to tourism in the state. The following awards will be presented: •The Ben Black Elk Award recognizes an individual or group whose hard work, passion and enthusiasm have greatly influenced South Dakota’s visitor industry. •The A.H. Pankow Award recognizes a member of the media whose coverage and promotion of the state’s visitor industry is unparalleled. •The George S. Mickelson Great Service Award honors two businesses/organizations that show an outstanding dedication to excellence in customer service. •The Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award honors an industry member or business for thinking “outside the box” when it comes to promoting their business and elevating the visitor experience. •The Rooster Rush Cacklin’ Community Award honors a community for fostering support of the Department of Tourism’s fall Rooster Rush campaign. •The Ruth Ziolkowski Outstanding Hospitality & Customer Service Awards recognize individuals who provide remarkable customer service and demonstrate an outstanding spirit of hospitality, warmth and genuine kindness to visitors. For more information about the conference or to register, visit www.SouthDakotaTourismConference. com. The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism and the South Dakota Arts Council. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. Turn Yo ur Clutter i nto Cash! Fiegen Begins New Term On South Dakota Public Utilities Commission With Oath Of Office PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Kristie Fiegen was sworn in to office on Saturday, Jan. 5 to officially begin her new term. South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Janine Kern administered the oath at a ceremony held in the State Capitol in Pierre. Fiegen began serving on the PUC in August 2011 when Gov. Dennis Daugaard appointed her to fill a vacancy. She was elected to her first full, six-year term in November 2012 and was re-elected in November 2018. She served as the commission’s chairperson in 2017 and 2018 and vice chairperson in 2012, 2015 and 2016. “South Dakota is my passion. It’s the state I grew up in and the state I’m raising my family in. That’s why protecting South Dakota consumers is so important to me,” said Fiegen. “I’m grateful to the people of South Dakota for the confidence they have instilled in me and I look forward to continuing to dive deep into the issues that impact utility consumers in our state.” Fiegen currently serves as secretary/ treasurer of the Southwest Power Pool's Regional State Committee and is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' Committee on Gas and Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety. She is also a member of the Gas Technology Institute's Public Interest Advisory Committee where she provides guidance related to the interests of the public and gas consumers. Prior to her time at the PUC, Fiegen was the president of Junior Achievement of South Dakota for 17 years, spent nine years as the South Dakota area manager for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and served four terms as a legislator in the South Dakota House of Representatives. During the oath ceremony, Fiegen’s husband, Tim, held the Bible that belonged to the commissioner’s mother, Evelyn Olson. Several other family members were also in attendance at the event. Farm Credit Services Of America Reports Slight Softening Of Farmland Values In Last Half Of 2018 OMAHA, Nebraska – Farmland values in areas of the grain belt states served by Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) softened slightly in the last half of 2018, but remained stable overall. Benchmark farmland values in Iowa, which generally is on the leading edge of changes in the real estate market, declined 1.4 percent in the last six months of 2018. For the year, farmland values were largely unchanged. Nebraska and South Dakota each saw modest declines for the year. Only Wyoming experienced an uptick in benchmark farmland values, although the few number of farm sales in that state make it challenging to analyze its real estate trends. “The softening of the market in the latter half of 2018 wasn’t unexpected and, in fact, it better aligns farmland values to profitability in the grain sector,” said Tim Koch, chief credit officer for FCSAmerica. “While producers in many areas of our territory benefitted from strong yields in 2018, the industry continues to be challenged by compressed margins. For producers who rent farmland, softening in the market will help their bottom line.” Compared to the market’s peak, farmland values are down 19.5 percent in Nebraska, 18.1 percent in Iowa and 12.0 percent in South Dakota. Continued pressure on profit margins could lead to additional softening in 2019. However, the same factors that have helped to stabilize the market for the past three years remain in place, including interest rates near historic lows and strong demand for quality land that is in tighter supply. Fourteen of Iowa’s 21 benchmark farms decreased in value in the last six months of 2018, while two increased and five showed no change. In Nebraska, eight farms declined in value, six increased and four showed no change. Twelve benchmark farms in South Dakota showed no change in value, four increased and seven decreased in value. Wyoming’s cropland benchmark farm experienced a 4.2 percent increase in value and its pasture unit improved 2.0 percent. FCSAmerica appraises its benchmark farms twice a year, in January and July. In addition, the cooperative compiles records from farmland sales in its four states. The cooperative’s objective in using the benchmark farms is to track real estate values without the influence of changes in land quality on sale prices. 2019 Legislative Session Events Scheduled For Vermillion The Vermillion Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Company’s Governmental Affairs Committee is pleased to share the 2019 dates for Legislative Session events in Vermillion. These ever-popular Cracker Barrel sessions will bring your District 17 Legislators, Senator Art Rusch, and House Representatives Nancy Rasmussen and Ray Ring in for a review of what is being discussed during the 94th Legislative Session. This year the Governmental Affairs Committee is partnering with the League of Women Voters, the Clay County Republicans and the Clay County Democrats to host these two Legislative Cracker Barrels on Saturday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, March 2. Both of these sessions will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will be held at the Vermillion City Hall Council Chambers, 25 Center Street. “Our community and region is lucky to have engaged leaders and citizens, and this is strengthened by opportunities such as local Cracker Barrels,” said Nate Welch, president and CEO of the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company. “We take very seriously the opportunity to help elevate any discussion that will help folks in the community make informed decisions about where they live and work, as well as to communicate with their elected officials. We look forward each legislative session to assist in providing access to fruitful discussion with our local legislators and sincerely hope folks will come out to hear what’s happening in Pierre this session.” These sessions are open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided by partners of the Governmental Affairs Committee. For those individuals who are unable to physically attend, the sessions will be livestreamed, and further information will be released in the weeks leading up to the event. For more information on these events, please contact Katherine Heine, Chamber director, at the VCDC offices at 605-624-5571. Earn as much as $400+ this month & $120 this week Carpentry, Decks, Windows & Doors, Re?nishing, Drywall, & Ceramic Tile Romsdahl’s Repair & Remodel 19 Years in Business Free Estimates Advertise your Garage Sale to thousands of readers! 624-4429 Thank You! Thank you to everyone in the community for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Thank you for all your support, wonderful talks, cards and food. Your kindness and concern for our family means a great deal to us. With Much Love, The Family Of Lee Tieman 605-670-2161 Vermillion Area Farmers Market WINTER MARKETS Clay County 4H/Extension Building 515 High Street Produce, jams/jellies, baked goods, meats, eggs, honey, soaps, crafts and more! We accept debit cards and SNAP benefits. 605-857-3213 VAFarmersMarket@gmail.com www.vermillionfarmersmarket.org Hours: 10am – 1pm January 19 February 9 March 16 April 13