FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2023

Contact: Ian Fury

Governor Noem Launches “Kiss My Abacus” Ad

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem launched the “Kiss My Abacus” ad as part of the Freedom Works Here nationwide workforce recruitment campaign. The ad features Governor Noem as an accountant to recruit more workers to South Dakota.

“South Dakota has one of the fastest growing economies in America. We have close to 20,000 open jobs – including accountants,” said Governor Noem.

The ad features a special guest appearance by South Dakota Treasurer Josh Haeder.

“I fully support Governor Noem's efforts in addressing the workforce shortage in South Dakota,” said South Dakota Treasurer Josh Haeder. “In this increasingly competitive job market, innovative thinking is essential when it comes to attracting top talent.”

“South Dakota is the Freest state in the nation,” continued Governor Noem. “We have no state income tax, the fastest growing incomes, and we recognize out-of-state licenses.”

Governor Noem launched Freedom Works Here in June to tell South Dakota’s story and recruit more Freedom-loving Americans to the state. It has been the most successful workforce recruitment campaign in state history:

• More than 7,500 people have expressed interest in moving to South Dakota;
• Almost 2,000 applicants have advanced to the final stage of the process to move to South Dakota, and some of those applicants have already been hired to jobs in our state; and,
• The ads have been viewed over 800 million times.

These numbers represent those working directly through the “Freedom Works Here” program. Even more people are finding jobs and moving to South Dakota of their own accord after seeing the ads.

You can read about some Freedom Works Here success stories here and here. More information about the Freedom Works Here campaign can be found here.

###