State's economic development chief stepping down

Westra irked some lawmakers over workforce housing funding

The head of South Dakota’s economic development office is stepping down amid tumult between lawmakers and the governor’s office over who is to blame for the delayed rollout of a $200-million workforce housing program.

Steve Westra, commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, is resigning from his post, Gov. Kristi Noem’s office announced Wednesday. His last day will be May 22.

“South Dakotans are building the strongest economy in America with the lowest unemployment rate of all time. Steve helped provide the level playing field to make that possible,” Gov. Kristi Noem said in a release announcing the resignation. “I want to thank him for his leadership on behalf of the people of South Dakota.”

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