South Dakota Municipal League reports challenges facing small communities

The South Dakota Municipal League reported ongoing difficulties in small communities across South Dakota. The League noted that 195 municipalities have fewer than 500 residents, and 97 have between 500 and 5,000 people. These communities often rely on a single grocery store, which is facing challenges due to economic and social changes. For example, three eastern South Dakota communities—Scotland, Tripp, and Tyndall—lost their local grocery stores in 2017 and continued operating at a financial loss even after reopening.

Rural grocery stores are described as the lifeblood of these small communities. The challenges facing these local markets raise concerns about maintaining access to essential goods and healthy food in rural South Dakota.