Mines Student Association Senate Hosts Forum on Upcoming Destination District TIF Election

January 08, 2026
Mines Student Association Senate Hosts Forum on Upcoming Destination District TIF Election
Jacob Vostad, a senior chemical engineering major at South Dakota Mines and president of the university’s Student Association Senate, and Clive Uy, a senior mechanical engineering major and vice president, will moderate the forum on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Surbeck Center Beck Ballroom.

The South Dakota Mines Student Association Senate will host one of the final public forums ahead of a Jan. 20 special election that will determine the future of the Destination District Tax Increment Finance, or TIF, which includes Libertyland USA, a proposed mixed-use entertainment district. The forum will take place Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Surbeck Center Beck Ballroom.

The $125 million TIF advanced to a special election after city officials verified enough petition signatures to place the issue on the ballot. The forum provides another opportunity for community members to hear perspectives on both sides of the issue while also encouraging voter participation, according to Jacob Vostad, a senior chemical engineering major at Mines and president of the university’s Student Association Senate.

“The Student Association chose to host this forum because it is on a matter that impacts the city as a whole, the community life, and ultimately student life and the university,” Vostad said. He noted that community and government relations were two of the three pillars he and Clive Uy, a senior mechanical engineering major and vice president, emphasized during their campaign.

“We want Rapid City residents to be informed of the special election, what this vote means and the path forward beyond election day, no matter the outcome,” Vostad said. “We believe in transparency, collaboration and encouraging people to exercise their right to vote on issues that affect them today, tomorrow and in the future.”

Forums like this are also a great way to engage the students at Mines to be part of the discussion and have their voices heard about what happens in the community where they live. “It is just good nature to be involved in the community and show we are here and deeply care about the success of not only the university but the city as well,” Vostad said.

The event will be a traditional open forum, focused on answering audience questions from participants on both sides of the issue and moderated by Vostad and Uy.