Feb. 3, 2022

If you’ve come from outside of South Dakota to work in a retail job here, you could be eligible for a $1,000 cash incentive.

It’s part of a program through the South Dakota Retailers Association designed to address the workforce shortage in retail, restaurants, hospitality, grocery, trades and many other businesses.

The $1,000 cash payment from the Retailers Association would supplement any hiring bonuses or other incentives offered by an individual business.

“It’s been three months since we launched the incentive, and we are excited to open up the application process,” executive director Nathan Sanderson said in a statement. “Business who successfully used this as a recruiting tool will now be able to visit sdra.org and easily apply for the payment.”

The $1,000 workforce incentive will be paid directly to an employee hired from out of state to work in a Retailers Association member-business. To be eligible, an employee must work at least 30 hours a week for 90 days at a physical location in South Dakota. The program launched Nov. 1, and applicants who have completed 90 days of employment are now invited to apply.

“We know that workforce is the No. 1 issue facing businesses in South Dakota,” Sanderson said. “As workers around the country look to South Dakota as a new place to call home, we hope this incentive will make our great state even more attractive.”

The application and additional eligibility details are available here.