Gov. Rhoden, lawmakers promised new prison won't face cost overruns

Contractors pen letter vowing to keep South Dakota men's prison within proposed $650 million budget

Members of the construction management team chosen to build the prison address the task force that recommended a 1,500-bed facility be built in Sioux Falls — within a $650 million budget. (Joe Sneve / The Dakota Scout)

Builders of South Dakota’s proposed men’s prison in northeast Sioux Falls are helping Gov. Larry Rhoden reassure lawmakers construction costs won’t balloon past $650 million.

Executives from Henry Carlson Construction and JE Dunn Construction Group — the joint venture leading the Department of Corrections’ long-debated penitentiary replacement — sent a letter to the governor promising to keep their bill for a 1,500-bed correctional facility within budget.

Trump’s South Dakota dominance fuels GOP congressional clash