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News from Rep. Stephanie Herseth
For Immediate Release
Contact: Russ Levsen, 202-226-4449

NEW FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTER COMING TO ELLSWORTH

Herseth Praises Teamwork Among Officials, Business Community, Air Force

April 10, 2006, Washington, D.C. - Air Force officials informed U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth's office today that Ellsworth Air Force Base has been chosen to host a new Financial Services Center. The mission will mean approximately 775 new jobs for the Black Hills region at Ellsworth, including civilian and military positions. The Air Force informed Herseth's office that the Financial Services Center is scheduled for activation in fiscal year 2007.

Herseth praised the cooperative effort among the Rapid City community, Ellsworth personnel and elected officials in presenting a strong case for Ellsworth: "This victory is a result of bipartisan teamwork among a diverse group of folks. I'm proud of the way we came together to save Ellsworth from closure last fall, and I'm proud that we didn't stop there. The fact of the matter is that Ellsworth is a premier installation, not only to host a new Financial Services Center, but as an irreplaceable part of our military and national defense for decades to come."

Rep. Herseth added that she believes that South Dakota's labor pool and history with the financial services industry were key factors in the decision. Last month, Herseth delivered a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne on behalf of a host of South Dakota financial services firms that outlined the ways in which the Black Hills region is particularly suited to host the Financial Services Center at Ellsworth. The letter included input from Citibank, Communication Services for the Deaf, Qwest, PREMIER Bankcard, Green Tree Servicing, Education Assistance Corporation and Progressive Financial Services.

Herseth said, "Just last week I met with Air Force Chief of Staff General Michael Moseley, who was very optimistic and noted in particular the labor pool and business environment of the Black Hills region. That is precisely the argument we made to the Air Force, and it clearly paid off."

Rep. Herseth Air Force Financial Service Center Efforts:

• September 28, 2005: Met with Air Force Chief of Staff General Michael Moseley in Herseth's office. Herseth expressed her support for locating the AFFSC at Ellsworth AFB.
  
• January 30, 2006: Rep. Herseth sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne and General Mosley expressing her support for locating the AFFSC at Ellsworth AFB.
  
• February 8, 2006: Rep. Herseth met with Secretary Wynne to express her support for locating the AFFSC at Ellsworth AFB, stressing South Dakota's financial services industry history and availability of suitable labor.
  
• March 1, 2006: Rep. Herseth forwarded information about South Dakota's financial services industry to Secretary Wynne.
  
• March 7, 2006: Sent a letter with Senators Johnson and Thune to Secretary Wynne expressing support for locating the AFFSC at Ellsworth AFB.
  
• March 17, 2006: Organized and forwarded a letter from several financial service firms in South Dakota to Secretary Wynne.
  
• April 4, 2006: Met with General Moseley to express support for locating the AFFSC at Ellsworth and to find out what the status of the decision making process is. General Moseley told Herseth that the decision may be made during the week of April 10.

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