Mitchell Mayor Seeking to Solve Corn Palace Financial Woes

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) — Mitchell's mayor says it's time the city addresses annual losses at the Corn Palace tourist attraction.

The Daily Republic reports that the site has operated at a deficit of at least $300,000 each year from 2011 to 2015. Last year, the loss reached $425,000. The city transfers money from its general fund to cover the losses.

Mayor Jerry Toomey says any other business with such financial woes "would put a key in the lock, turn the lock and walk away."

Toomey is pondering several potential solutions, including redecorating the building's corn murals every two years rather than annually.

The Corn Palace is billed as the world's only palace dedicated to the grain. It attracts about 200,000 tourists each year.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.