ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA: COUNTY OF THE MONTH

Largest City: Aberdeen County

Seat: Aberdeen

Population: 34,812

Founded: July 20th, 1880

Named after Territorial Legislator Alfred Brown, Brown County is located in the northeast corner of our state and borders North Dakota. It includes the cities of Aberdeen, Claremont, Columbia, Frederick, Groton, Hecla, Stratford, Verdon, Warner and Westport. Serving roughly 35,000 residents in the metropolitan area, Aberdeen is the county seat.

Aberdeen is the third largest city in South Dakota, and Brown County offers such attractions as the Dacotah Prairie Museum, Centennial Village, Pari-Mutual Horse Racing, Richmond Lake Youth Camp and the Brown County Fair. During a visit you can learn the history of settling the Great Plains, take in the atmosphere of a Pioneer Town, enjoy the works of South Dakota artists at The Granary, or enjoy recreation and the county's natural beauty at Richmond Lake. You could even visit Storybook Land at Wylie Park in Aberdeen, which contains real-life versions of their favorite childhood fables from 'Jack and the Beanstalk' to the 'Land of Oz.'

The location of Aberdeen played into its early growth with the arrival of many different railroad lines, the first of which was the Milwaukee Railroad in 1881. As a result, Aberdeen was dubbed 'The Hub City' and is, along with Groton, celebrating its Quasquicentennial, 125th year of existence, in 2006.

Tim's Work in Brown County:

As South Dakota's senior Senator, Tim is well-positioned to secure federal funding for projects that are important to Brown County and to all of South Dakota. He has used his seat on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee to secure funding for programs that directly impact the lives of people in Brown County.

Tim Gets Funds for Youth Center

In 2003, Tim secured $150,000 for the Youth-Adult Partnership Aberdeen (YAPA). This group worked to develop a youth center to fulfill the mission of America's Promise, an organization founded by Colin Powell. The center works to provide a safe, structured and drug-free environment for young people.

Tim Backs Fire Departments

In 2005, Tim announced a $25,000 grant for training, equipment and improvements to the facilities of the Columbia Fire Department. Likewise, in 2003, Tim worked for the Aberdeen Rural Volunteer Fire Department and Stratford Volunteer Fire Department to receive Assistance to Firefighters grants of $95,301 and $44,835 respectively, for equipment, station modification and training.

Tim Keeps Business Doors Open for Local Office

In 2005, Tim worked to keep the IRS office in Aberdeen open. After talk of closing the center and moving operations elsewhere, Tim and other members of the congressional delegation stepped in to express support for continuing the local service in Aberdeen. Ultimately, the center remains in operation in Aberdeen.

Tim Keeps Brown County Prepared for Emergencies

In 2003, Tim secured $500,000 for Brown County to update emergency response communications equipment. An additional $250,000 was secured in 2004 to integrate communications systems between different law enforcement agencies.

Tim Helps Prevent Domestic Violence

In 2003, Tim worked to acquire $100,000 the Safe Harbor domestic violence shelter in Aberdeen. The funding allowed for facility updates, additional children's services, support groups, a community closet and a food pantry.

Tim Backs University Programs

In 2003, Tim secured a $300,000 grant for Northern State University's E-Learning Program, allowing for the purchase of new equipment and better technology.

In 2001, Tim announced a $365,000 Strengthening Institutions Program grant for NSU. This funding helped to improve biology and chemistry labs, as well as helping in the development of an Associate's Degree in Multi-Media Graphic Design.

Also, in 1999, Tim announced that NSU would receive $200,000 to support Upward Bound. Upward Bound is one of the TRIO programs that help low-income or otherwise-disadvantaged students to complete their high school degrees and prepare for college.

Tim Works for Recreation

In 2004, Tim announced a $54,250 Land and Water Conservation grant for Wylie Park in Aberdeen to improve their outdoor recreation areas. Likewise, in 2001, Tim announced that Mina Lake would receive a $13,476 grant from the NPS Land and Water Conservation Fund to construct campgrounds and sports fields.

Tim Supports Transportation

In 2003, Tim secured $500,000 for the reconstruction of Dakota Street in Aberdeen. Then in 2005, a $793,216 grant was announced for Aberdeen Regional Airport to extend their runway, along with a $1 million Airport Improvement Program grant for purchasing snow removal equipment.

Tim Backs Head Start

In 2001, Tim announced a $469,678 grant to Northeast South Dakota Head Start for staff training and assistance in providing services to children with disabilities.

Later, in 2004, Tim secured a $1.26 million grand for Aberdeen Head Start from the Department of Health and Human Services. Funds were used for training and technical assistance to people serving disabled children.

Tim Helps Plan for the Future

In June of 2000, Tim announced that the Northeast Council of Governments (NECOG) would receive $20,000 to create high-tech maps used to plan future business development, improve disaster preparedness and make efficient land use decisions.

Interesting Facts:

L. Frank Baum lived in Aberdeen for a period of time from 1884 to 1891. During his time in Aberdeen, he operated "Baum's Bazaar," his own general store, until it closed due to bankruptcy in 1890 following the drought of 1888. While his store was open, he was known for the tales he would tell to children that stopped by after school to buy a pennies worth of candy or ice cream. The following year Baum operated a paper until, once again, bankruptcy got the best of him. In his following years, he continued telling stories and stopped one of his 'story hours'to write down an amazing tale that came to be titled, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." After its success as a book, it was turned into the unforgettable, popular culture icon of the big screen, "The Wizard of Oz."

Also, of existing local interest, Brown County has one of the two remaining indoor roller-skating rinks in South Dakota.

Political Interest:

Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle and Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth were both born and raised in Brown County.