NOPE Lincoln County

If you are a resident of South Dakota this cause should matter to you! On October 6, 2023 the state of South Dakota announced the site of the new Men’s State Penitentiary at the intersection of 477th Ave and 278th St in rural Canton. This site was a shock to the community of young families and generational farms. The community came together to form a nonprofit with the name of NOPE Lincoln County to not only raise awareness in the blatant lack of transparency the government displayed in purchasing this site, but to question the claim that the state government does not have to respect and abide by the planning and zoning process those it governs follows.

We have filed a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment. This suit is positioned to set a precedence requiring our state government to comply with the comprehensive plan set forth by our elected officials at the county and city level.

The state of South Dakota needs a new facility for the safety of those employed by the state as well as the incarcerated. The facility needs to be placed in an area that doesn’t rely on volunteer services or lacks infrastructure for a city of 1,500 non-taxpaying citizens.

All funds raised go towards the long legal road towards transparency and accountability that our government lacked to provide in the beginning of this process. Any funds that are available at the end will be donated to support our volunteer firefighters in Worthing, Canton and Harrisburg to continue to protect those who selflessly give to protect our communities.

NOPE’s mission statement:

Our organization stands for a future where our community’s voice is heard, and where decisions regarding the penitentiary are made in a manner that prioritizes the well-being and interests of our community. Through advocacy, education and collaborative efforts, we aim to ensure that our rural community remains a place of transparency, accountability, and shared decision-making, preserving our way of life while addressing the challenges at hand.

Any amount is appreciated! For more information please visit nopelincoln.com