PAGE 14 PRESS & DAKOTAN n TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 SDRC Alleges Defamation, Lost Revenue In EB-5 Suit BY JAMES NORD and recovery of state costs, among his administration wants to spare projects in exchange for green cards. plant project, according to the court Associated Press other requirements. investors who might be harmed if it is In SDRC’s response to the lawsuit, document. The complicated EB-5 scandal has terminated. the firm says it has turned over all SDRC argues the termination also SIOUX FALLS — A private firm that included state and federal investiga- Administration of the program went required records to the state and says caused revenue losses for other pro- previously managed South Dakota’s tions and an inquiry into the suicide of to the state after South Dakota ended the state has improperly managed jects and says the state disrupted its investment-for-visa program says the a former government official accused its contract with SDRC in 2013. the regional center since taking over business relationships, including with state defamed the company, caused it of contributing to its mismanagement. The Governor’s Office of Economic from the company. The state has said the Dakota Natural Meats LLC pork to lose revenue and interfered with its The litigation comes as the gov- Development cited terminating SDRC’s that problems flagged by the federal project. business relationships. ernor’s economic development office contract and lawsuits against the firm government stem from SDRC. The state is seeking to require SDRC Inc., which oversaw the EB-5 is defending its ability to administer as part of efforts to better manage SDRC also argues that the state SDRC to make payments into a fund to visa program in South Dakota until the program to a federal immigration South Dakota’s regional center in its wrongfully terminated the company’s protect the state from costs such as 2013, filed a response last week to a agency. U.S. Citizenship and Immigra- request to maintain participation in the management contract without explana- legal fees. It also wants to make SDRC state lawsuit, asked that the govern- tion Services notified the state in late program. The suit would compel SDRC tion. approve an agreement that would ment’s claims be denied and requested September that it intended to end to turn over all documentation about The contract termination in one prevent the firm from taking money out damages for the company. The state’s South Dakota’s participation, and its management of the program for instance cost SDRC more than $1.5 of a second fund without the state’s October suit seeks records from SDRC Gov. Dennis Daugaard recently said recruiting wealthy foreign investors for million in revenue to promote a pork permission. Out On The Town WJ Ranch 14th Annual Cowboy Christmas YHS Choir Boosters Passing With Flying Colors (7 mi. south of Yankton, SD just o Hwy. 81) Fundraiser Sat. & Sun., Nov. 28th & 29th Christmas iifftt IIddeeaa”” 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Both Days ““Holiday “HHoolliiddaayy GiftGG Idea” •Horse Rides Begin at 1pm Daily Cookie Walk •Trick Roping Shows Hey Kids! A Hot Air •Craft s For Kids See Me Saturday Tuesday, December 1st •Model T/Hayrack Rides 1-3pm Balloon •Family Activities YHS Commons •Refreshments Purchase cookies before and Ride! after the YHS Choir & Clothing, Primitives, Jewelry, $ $ Western Decor, Florals, Metal, Wood, Fabric, Orchestra Holiday Concert. One Passenger 200 NOW 185 Cookie Sale Open 5:15-6:30pm & immediately $ $ Christmas Decor, Food Gi s & Much More! following the 7pm concert. Raf e tickets Two Passenger 325 NOW 300 NO ADMISSION CHARGE! available. Caroling by the Accapella Choir See www.schiferlswjranch.com Contact Wayne Hajek 660-3806 or 589-3806

STOP BY Fensel’s One-Year Anniversary Greenhouse Celebration & Gift Shop Special Shopping Hours for your holiday shopping Dec. 3 & 4 ... 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and some apple cider. Dec. 5 ...... 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. BLACK FRIDAY SALE, NOV. 27 20% STOREWIDE SALE (excludes fresh flowers and plants) We’ve Gone BOGO! EXTENDED HOURS FOR Open to 8 Fridays for Hometown Christmas Holidazzle, Thursday, Dec. 3 Shop for unique, (we’ll be open until 8 p.m.) one-of-a-kind home AND decor and gifts at Hometown Christmas 394 S. Main in Friday, Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18 downtown Freeman. ______605-925-4200 (we’ll be open until 7 p.m.) Wednesday, Thursday & Friday For a delightful group or club evening outing 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. before the holidays, call us for an appointment. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hwy 81 • Freeman, SD • 605-925-4204 vintagevaultonmain.com DECEMBER 2015

Hometown Holidazzle Special Holidazzle Christmas Arboretum Et Cetera Shoppe, Fensels, Kairos, Holiday Brunch, Thursday, Dec. 3 • 5-8 p.m. Fensels, Kairos, Vintage Vault Rawlins Piano Trio, Vintage Vault % * Vintage Vault 20 off All Global Gifts Items Hometown *excludes food and beverage items Thursday, Dec. 3 Blue’s Family Christmas Free gift wrapping & refreshments Restaurant , Kairos Et Cetera Shoppe, FACC Winter Concert Cookie Walk, Fensels, Bring in a completed Holidazzle punch card 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Kairos, Vintage Vault and receive a FREE 1.5 oz. chocolate bar! Enjoy an evening Hometown Christmas Friday, Dec. 11 • 9 a.m.-5 p.m of shopping and Blue’s Family FA Yuletide FA Yuletide, holiday goodies Restaurant Fensels, Kairos, ONE-DAY BAG SALE at Freeman Vintage Vault % 25 off All Global Gifts Items businesses and You Can Fit Into One Of in-home businesses Blue’s Family Merry Restaurant Christmas Our Shopping Bags!* set up at select *excludes food and beverage items locations all around Freeman! Blue’s Family Happy Restaurant List of participating businesses at New Year ExperienceFreemanSD.com Click on Events/Freeman Events Check Out The Full December Calendar At ExperienceFreemanSD.com; Go To Events 302 S. Main, Downtown Freeman

Nov December 17 & 18 Freeman Academy Pioneer Hall 6:30 p.m. Dine-In, Carry Out, Delivery! (605) 925-BLUE Cheese Pockets - Sundays Fleisch Kuchele - Every Day Adults & Pizza, Pasta, Chicken & More Students (5-12): $13 Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday Students (1-4) $6 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. K & Under: Free Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call for Reservations (Tuesday — Closed) By Dec. 10: 605-925-4237 175 E. 3rd St., Freeman

We invite you to visit Freeman! Here are a few additional upcoming events: Holiday Events at the Kairos Friday, Nov. 27 Nov. 27: Black Friday Sales “Elijah” presented by the Swiss Choral Big Discounts!!! Society, Salem Mennonite Church, 28103 Dec. 3: Holidazzle Event Order Your Tickets Now 443rd Ave., Freeman, 7:30 p.m. Special Activities 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 April 15-16 and 22-23 Holiday Brunch, Prairie Arboretum, 10 Dec. 10: Wine Club, 7 p.m. Celebrating the Germans-from-Russia a.m. Tickets required; call 605-925-4204. RSVP - 605-925-4344 Nov. 23-Dec. 12 traditions of the Freeman community. Saturday, Dec. 5 Dec. 11: Christmas Cup of Tea Ethnic Meal, Displays, Demonstrations Rawlin’s Piano Trio, Pioneer Hall, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 Let us treat you to a fun night of appreciation. ....and enjoy a % Freeman Area Childrens Choir Dec. 18: Holiday Floral Class 10 OFF Freeman community Winter Concert, Salem-Zion Mennonite 5:30 or 6:30 p.m.; Signup @ 925-4344 All John Deere theater production Church, 28103 443rd Ave., Freeman, 4 p.m. Clothing, Toys & Tools of Meredith Friday, Dec. 11 Willson’s popular Cookie Walk, Freeman Senior Citizens musical.... Center, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. You can order meal & show tickets online at We’re proud to be part of the Freeman community; visit and see all we offer! schmeckfest.com Mark Kasten, Agent Hwy. 81, Freeman • 605-925-4241 or for more information or a brochure, Freeman, S.D. 925-7353 239 S. Main, Freeman - 925-4344 www.deerequipment write Box S, Freeman, SD 57029 www.markkasten.com

Hwy 81 • Freeman, SD • 605-925-4204