Governor Rhoden Tours Maguire, Highlights Workforce and Infrastructure

The Facts -

Governor's Visit Highlights Workforce and Infrastructure Growth in South Dakota

In a recent visit to Sioux Falls, Governor Larry Rhoden took a closer look at how local company Maguire is playing a vital role in maintaining critical water infrastructure across the United States. This visit underscored the importance of workforce development, technical education, and infrastructure investment as key components for South Dakota's economic prosperity.

Governor Rhoden expressed his admiration for South Dakota's progress in workforce training, noting a shift from a focus on four-year degrees to a balanced emphasis on regional and technical education. "What struck me going through this is how far we’ve come in South Dakota as far as our attitude toward the workforce," Rhoden commented. "Twenty years ago, we had this model that every student was going to get a four-year degree. That’s changed a lot in recent years, and I think we’ve struck a pretty good balance between our regional system and our technical schools."

Rhoden emphasized the ongoing demand for skilled trades, offering promising career paths for the state’s youth. "Check it out," he advised those considering manufacturing and construction careers. "Don’t wait for doors to open to you. Check the doors and see if they’re locked. Try different things. Welders can make a tremendous living right now in South Dakota, and there’s a lot of opportunity. We see kids coming out of those tech schools that literally 100 percent of them have found employment within weeks of leaving."

Maguire, a company specializing in the design and upkeep of water tanks and towers nationwide, was highlighted as a key player diversifying South Dakota’s economy beyond its agricultural roots. Rhoden pointed out, "South Dakota was built on agriculture, and I think it always will be our No. 1 industry. But to me, that only exemplifies the fact that we need to diversify our economy. Businesses like this are the way that we do that in South Dakota. Businesses like this are a key component in the future of South Dakota."

South Dakota's water towers, a common but often underappreciated sight, play a critical role in community development and economic growth, a fact that Governor Rhoden emphasized after his visit. "Every time you see a water tower, it should remind you that’s development in our state and that’s critical infrastructure for our state," he stated. "Water utilities are a key component in protecting our infrastructure and making sure that our economy continues to thrive."

Highlighting South Dakota's focus on infrastructure funding, Rhoden noted the state’s significant investment in water projects, saying, "In South Dakota, we’ve invested in infrastructure and one-time projects to help build our infrastructure. We invested nearly a billion dollars in water projects in South Dakota. Water projects were our primary funding priority, and it was a wise decision because it gave us more funding opportunities in the following years."

Maguire's CEO, Gene Jones Jr., emphasized the broader impact of their work, stating, "Our team takes tremendous pride in the fact that the work we do every day impacts communities across the country. Water infrastructure is something people depend on every single day, but it often goes unnoticed until it isn’t there. We are honored to call South Dakota home and to build careers that allow our employees to support families, contribute to local communities and participate in projects that improve lives nationwide."

The company remains committed to innovation and workforce development, noted Jones, "We believe South Dakota produces some of the hardest-working and most innovative people in the country. The governor’s visit reinforces the importance of investing in skilled trades, technical education and infrastructure, all of which are critical to the future of our company and our state."

Scott Jones, Maguire's president, highlighted the multifaceted contributions of their water infrastructure projects, saying, "Every water tower we build, inspect or maintain represents more than a structure. It represents economic development, public health, fire protection and the future growth of a community." He added, "When communities invest in water infrastructure, they’re creating opportunities for housing, business expansion and future economic growth. That’s why infrastructure projects are so important. They create a ripple effect that strengthens entire regions."

As South Dakota advances its investment in critical infrastructure and workforce development, Governor Rhoden sees companies like Maguire as integral to the state's future. "I’ve done a lot of tours, and I’m always amazed at what’s going on right under my nose here in South Dakota," Rhoden observed. "The potential for future growth and a stable economy for decades to come is incredible."

As communities across America continue to invest in their future, Maguire remains committed to delivering the infrastructure, expertise and workforce that help make growth possible. Learn more about Maguire and its impact at MaguireWater.com.

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