ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA: COUNTY OF THE MONTH

Union County

County Seat: Elk Point

Population: 12,584

Founded: 1862

Union County, originally named Cole County in honor of territorial legislator Austin Cole, was formed in 1862. Two years later, the local legislature redrew the boundaries of Cole and neighboring Lincoln County and changed the county's name to Union, said to be due to the strong sentiment existing for the Civil War.
About a third of the county is bottomland, formed by the bordering Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers. This fertile land makes it an ideal location for growing corn and soybeans. The county also inspired Norwegian-American author Ole Edvart Rolvaag to write Giants in the Earth, a book about hard times on the frontier.
On April 10, 1862, an act was passed declaring Victoria the county seat. It was located on the claim of Joseph Chapillion, near McCook Lake. In 1864, when the county boundaries were rearranged, the town of Richland was named the county seat. However, many people were displeased with the decision and on April 30, 1865, the county seat was moved to its present location of Elk Point.
The first established town of the area was McCook, whose name was inherited from Edwin S. McCook, a former Secretary of Dakota Territory.
History notes that the Lewis & Clark Expedition made camp in or near Elk Point on August 22, 1804. Elk Point was first settled in 1859 along the Military Road running from Sioux City to Fort Randall in the Dakota Frontier, making this community one of the oldest in South Dakota.

Tim's Work in Union County:

Tim Secures Funding for New Library
In March 2007, Tim announced that the North Sioux City Library would get a $198,000 grant that will help expand the facility. Prior to the grant, the library was jammed into a hallway and two rooms at city hall. In 2005, Tim secured a $200,000 earmark for this project in the Transportation/Treasury/HUD Appropriations bill.
Tim Helps Restore the Missouri River
Over the years, Tim secured more than $2 million in funding for the restoration of the Missouri River. The funding was used to address sedimentation and conduct restoration of the river to address sedimentation and conduct restoration activities along the Missouri River.

He has also secured additional funding to support the Missouri River Institute at USD, which works to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Missouri River basin by preventing water pollution, siltation, loss of natural habitat and other resources.

Tim Provides Technology to Students
In 2005, Tim announced that the Elk Point School District would receive $6,933 in funding to improve telecommunications and expand internet access in schools.

Tim Fights to Continue the Lewis and Clark Rural Water Project
Over the years, Tim has secured nearly $110 million to support the Lewis and Clark Rural Water Project. Despite the President Bush's efforts to cut all funding for the project, Tim continued to fight and secure funding.

Tim Supports Health Care
Tim announced in 2003 that the Bureau of Primary Health Care in Union County would receive $39,166 in funding for the Health Disparities Collaborative Supplement. The funding increased access to primary and preventative health care services in underserved areas.

Tim Fights for Improved Community Education
Tim announced that Beresford Community Education had received a $149,025 grant to expand community education programs. Part of the funding was used to support Watchpuppy Depot's preschool child-care services. Funding also went to create a mentoring program for K-12 students and to fund the creation of adult education and senior citizens technology classes.

Tim Supports Rescue Workers
In 2003, Tim announced a $57,125 Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department, as well as $89,141 to the Beresford Fire Department. In 2004, Tim announced that the North Sioux City Fire Department would receive $40,500 in funding to enhance operations and firefighter safety.

Tim Continues Big Sioux River Flood Control Project
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tim has been able to secure millions of dollars in funding to prevent flooding. Flood control along the Big Sioux has been an ongoing concern along the river for many years. Since 2005, Tim announced $9.4 million for Big Sioux River Flood Control.

Tim Works to Get a Weather Radio in Every Home
Tim forged a partnership between the National Weather Service and South Dakota Public Broadcasting to fit public broadcasting towers with weather radio transmitters. He went to the floor of the U.S. Senate and secured funding for those transmitters, as well as additional towers to carry the alert broadcasts throughout South Dakota.
More than 95 percent of South Dakotans are now covered by the early warning system. Homes and businesses with working weather radios in these areas will be alerted when a damaging storm approaches their area, even if it comes in the middle of the night while they sleep, or during a power outage.