Associated Press (01/23/12)

Several South Dakota staffing companies have expressed unhappiness with Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s decision to award a $5 million worker recruiting contract to ManpowerGroup to find 1,000 out-of-state workers in financial services, information technology, engineering, and manufacturing to move to South Dakota. Some in-state businesses say they felt shut out of the process. Five companies besides ManpowerGroup submitted bids, including three with offices in South Dakota.

Daugaard officials say the bid process followed state law. The state Legislature must approve the $5 million in spending, and some lawmakers are awaiting more information before reaching a decision. Most lawmakers say they found out about the governor’s plan the same day the contract was signed with Manpower.