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Office of Gov. Dennis Daugaard
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, S.D. 57501
605-773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Oct. 14, 2013
CONTACT: Tony Venhuizen or Kelsey Pritchard at 605-773-3212
Mount Rushmore Society “Buys A Day” Of Monument Operation; More Partners Join Effort To Keep Monument Open
PIERRE, S.D. – Mount Rushmore National Monument is open today as a result of the deal reached last week between Gov. Dennis Daugaard and the National Park Service. Under that agreement, the Park Service will charge the state $15,200 per day to operate the monument.
The Mount Rushmore Society's generosity provided the funds for Mount Rushmore to operate today.
"I want to thank the Mount Rushmore Society for their support," said Gov. Daugaard. "For years, the Society has worked to advance Mount Rushmore, and thanks to their generosity our Shrine to Democracy is open to the public today."
Partners from across South Dakota have stepped forward to "buy a day" of operation of the monument. In addition to the Society, future days will be supported by Rapid City CVB/BID Board, Black Hills Central Reservations, Wall Drug, Neiman Enterprises Inc., J. Scull Construction Service Inc., West River Foundation, ISIS Hospitality, Lawrence & Schiller, Lantis Enterprises Inc., MDU Resources, First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard, Avera Health, Sanford Health and one anonymous donor.
Two more partners have joined the 15 others in "buying a day" at Mount Rushmore. They are Xanterra Parks and Resorts Inc., and Don "Nick" and Carolyn Clifford. Nick Clifford is the last living person who worked on the carving of Mount Rushmore.
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