Residents Decide If Buffalo Chip Campground Becomes Town

STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — A few dozen voters who claim home addresses on the Buffalo Chip Campground near Sturgis will decide Thursday whether the private enterprise becomes a town.

The Rapid City Journal reports that if it passes, there could be a mad dash to get liquor licenses in time for the 75th motorcycle rally in August.

The city of Sturgis has unsuccessfully tried several ways to block the election, including an appeal to the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie says he and adjacent landowners are concerned about a newly incorporated town's ability to annex areas around it.

Buffalo Chip owner Rod Woodruff says he wants to turn the campground into a city that could attract businesses that are friendly to the motorcycle industry.

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