Johnson's Economic Development Director in Rapid City for Meetings About Ellsworth

Johnson's Economic Development Director in Rapid City for Meetings About Ellsworth

U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today announced that his Economic Development Director, Matt Varilek, is in the Rapid City area meeting with local business leaders regarding the possibility that Ellsworth Air Force Base may close. Varilek has been in Rapid City since Saturday.

"While we are aggressively pursuing avenues to keep Ellsworth open, including legislation, we need to take steps so that we are prepared should the base ultimately close," Johnson said. "One way or the other, we need to ensure that this is a success story. I sent my Director of Economic Development to Rapid City to work the communities and with local business leaders towards a transition plan."

Johnson's office is participating in organization of the community's economic recovery effort. In Varilek's meetings, he has shared information about federal resources available for economic recovery.

Varilek has met with the leadership of Black Hills Vision, the Ellsworth Task Force, the Rapid City Area Economic Development Partnership, the SD Small Business Development Center, and the West River Business Service Center.

Johnson said that efforts to keep the base open continue in his Washington, DC office.

"We have not given up yet, not by a long-shot," Johnson continued. "But we need to move forward with dual tracks of action—we have to be ready for both results."

Matt Varilek is a South Dakota native from the Yankton/Tabor area. Varilek formerly worked in Senator Daschle's office as the legislative assistant for economic development.

http://johnson.senate.gov/~johnson/releases/200505/2005516B15.html