KOTA Territory NewsLicense center to close in Deadwood in October

License center to close in Deadwood in October

It will save money for the state, but people who will have to drive extra miles to renew their license aren't happy about the change.  17 drivers license programs across the state are shutting down, and it hits close to home as one KOTA Territory city will see theirs close next month. 

Governor Mike Rounds is closing down 17 licensing centers across the state, including the one in Deadwood.  These centers didn't get much business; they make up just 5% of all renewal activity.  The workers from these branches will be moved to locations with increasing demands.

"We thought it was more cost effective to use those individual's time rather than traveling back and forth, we'll use them in some of the communities where we have a higher and greater demand for their services right now," Rounds said.

While the governor said these cuts will be a better use of taxpayer dollars, some taxpayers in Deadwood want their licensing center left alone.

"I think that Deadwood contributes enough to this state," said Steven Horst, who lives in Deadwood.  "It's an important enough town that is doesn't hurt for the drivers license people to come here one day a week to do a service to this community."

"Instead of driving 12-14 miles up here, they're going to be driving 26 miles to Rapid now," Ken Hawki said, who has lived in Deadwood his whole life.  "There may be benefits somewhere else but I don't see it in this case."

Starting in October, drivers can renew their licenses in Belle Fourche on Tuesdays, Spearfish on Wednesdays, Sturgis on Thursdays, or in Rapid City.

As of October 1, these stations will close (listed by county, then towns):
Bon Homme, Tyndall
Charles Mix, Platte and Wagner
Clark Co., Clark
Deuel Co., Clear Lake
Haakon Co., Philip
Hutchinson Co., Freeman, Parkston
Kingsbury Co., De Smet
Lawrence Co., Deadwood
Loncoln Co., Canton
Marshall Co., Britton
McCook Co., Salem
Miner Co. Howard
Moody Co., Flandreau
Tood Co., Mission
Union Co., Beresford

Source: http://www.state.sd.us/dps/dl/FAQs/Stations.asp