MITCHELL S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Visitor spending in South Dakota reached a record high of $4.96 billion in 2023. The tourism industry supported 57,835 jobs in South Dakota generating $2.2 billion in income for those families who work in tourism and $384 million in state and local tax revenue.
The Southeast Region, of which Davison County is a part, did more tourism business than the Black Hills/Badlands region. Davison County alone generated $114 million in tourism revenue. The Corn Palace is a big part of generating that revenue stream.
The Corn Palace will be lit up in red this week. Red is the official color of tourism in South Dakota. The Chamber of Commerce is moving the gift shop onto the floor of the Corn Palace and the Corn Palace will begin their summer hours, 8am to 9pm, on Memorial Day.
This weekend, May 24-26, is free attraction weekend with no admission fees to the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village or to the Dakota Discovery Museum.