County’s Tourism

April 17, 2025
Seal SD Liberty

Q&A: Custer County’s Tourism and GRT Plan Impact

Why is Custer County considered a heavy tourism area?

Custer County, in South Dakota’s Black Hills, is a tourism hub, drawing millions with attractions like Custer State Park—one of the largest state parks in the U.S., with over 2 million visitors annually—and proximity to Mount Rushmore, which saw 2.3 million visitors in 2023 (National Park Service). The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, centered in Meade County, brings spillover visitors to Custer—about 10-15% of its 500,000 attendees (SD Tourism 2023). With its prairie, forest, and rocky terrain, Custer offers hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives, making tourism a key economic driver (March 27, 2025, 17:55).

How does Custer’s tourism contribute to GRT revenue?

Under the GRT plan, Custer County collects ~$3.27 million in Gross Receipts Tax revenue starting in 2027, with tourism playing a major role (April 15, 2025, 20:31). South Dakota’s $4 billion tourism industry generates $100 million in GRT at 2.5% (April 16, 2025, 06:31). Custer contributes ~$1.69 million of this, based on ~$67.6 million in local tourism sales (e.g., hotels, dining, tours). Additional revenue comes from agriculture (~$455,000 from $28.5 million at 1.5%) and other sectors (~$1.125 million), ensuring a diverse funding base.

What about Custer’s budget deficit under the GRT plan?

Custer’s budget is ~$10 million annually, with property taxes previously covering $6-$6.5 million (April 15, 2025, 20:31). The GRT plan eliminates property taxes, replacing them with ~$3.27 million in GRT revenue, plus ~$2.25 million in state/federal funds, totaling ~$5.52 million. This leaves a shortfall of ~$4.48 million (ranging up to $4.98 million if the budget is $10.5 million). We’re transparent—this gap is real, but it’s manageable.

How does the GRT plan address Custer’s shortfall without scaring residents?

We remain factual and transparent—no “crazy deficits” here. Custer’s ~$4.48 million shortfall is addressed through:

  • State Aid: South Dakota’s $200 million surplus funds state aid of ~$66.5M-$142.5M state-wide, with ~$1.5M-$2M allocated to Custer to bridge its gap, ensuring schools ($5 million budget) and services stay funded (Q6, April 15, 2025, 20:31).
  • DOGE-SD Savings: Efficiency measures like zero-based budgeting save Custer ~$1.15M-$2.2M, covering 23-49% of the shortfall (Q1, April 15, 2025, 20:31).
  • Economic Growth: Tourism-driven GRT revenue grows as savings spark more spending—state-wide, $400M-$800M in new sales adds $10M-$20M in GRT (April 15, 2025, 20:31).

Why should Custer residents trust this plan?

Custer residents can trust the GRT plan because:

  • Transparency: DOGE-SD’s public audits and citizen oversight ensure every dollar is accounted for—no state overreach, just local control (April 15, 2025, 14:00).
  • Fairness: The plan saves Custer farmers ~$3,900 each, part of ~$200M-$225M state-wide, while tourism revenue keeps growing (April 15, 2025, 20:31).
  • Support: State aid and efficiency gains ensure Custer’s services remain strong, protecting your community’s future without property taxes.

Join us at the Liberty Forum on April 19, 2025, to learn more about how Custer thrives with the GRT plan!