lcherald.com: Ground broken for new bank

By Lucy Halverson/LCH

Dakota Prairie Bank broke ground on their new Fort Pierre bank Friday afternoon at a ceremony attended by local city officials and the owners of the bank, the Hayes family from Draper.

According to Steve Hayes, president of Dakota Prairie Bank, Gary Stanley, RSA of Sioux Falls is designing the building and Midwest Construction of Pierre has been hired as the general contractor. Following the pre-construction meeting next week, Hayes expects work to begin the week of October 19.

Dakota Prairie Bank received approval in November of 2007 from the South Dakota Banking Commission to move their main office of operations to Fort Pierre. Construction was delayed while the decision was reconsidered by the South Dakota Supreme Court. The high court upheld the Banking Commission’s earlier decision and now the bank is moving forward with construction plans. The new bank expects to open in 2010.