After the rail yard purchase signing ceremony recently, the city is now focusing on planning and BNSF is looking at new rail lines to divert the traffic from downtown.

The funding for the purchase of just over $27 million came from the federal government and Senator John Thune says it’s a good thing for South Dakota.

However, he is keeping an eye on other things in Washington that he’s not pleased with and says it’s not in the best interest of our state, including the state of the economy, a new energy bill and more taxation rules.

Thune also says the federal highway bill and the budget are other issues he’s ready to get to work on for South Dakotans.

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