Shantel Krebs, Republican, was elected to serve District 10 in the State House in 2004. She was then elected to her current seat in the South Dakota Senate for District 10 in 2010. Shantel is the chairwoman of the Senate Agricultural and Natural Resources committee and also serves on the Health and Transportation committees. She was chairwoman of the House Transportation committee in 2008-2010. She was a majority whip in the House and is currently a majority whip in the South Dakota Senate.
Shantel lives with her husband Mitch on an acreage outside Sioux Falls. She comes from four generations of farming in South Dakota as well as business owners in trucking and dealerships. Shantel was previously employed in the healthcare industry. She owned and operated two retail stores in downtown Sioux Falls and now consults in the retail sector.
Senator Krebs graduated from Arlington High School in 1991 and has lived in South Dakota her entire life. Shantel graduated from Dakota State University with a Business Administration degree.
Shantel has served on numerous boards and committees including the Xcel Energy Advisory board, DSU Foundation board, Southeast Council of Governments, Vice Chair of the State Republican Party, SD Symphony Orchestra board, Past President American Business Women’s Association, SD Voices for Children, Southeastern Behavioral Health Festival of Trees co-chair, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Leadership Sioux Falls. Krebs also co-chaired the First Lutheran Church capital campaign.
Awards she has received include FFA State Farmer Award, American Business Women’s Association Woman of the Year, 2004 Southeastern Behavioral Health Donors of the Year, Dakota State University Distinguished Alumnus, 2011 Associated General Contractors Highway Champion, 2011 Association of Townships Friend of Local Government, 2012 South Dakota Farmer’s Union Distinguished Legislative Leader and 2012 SD State Fair Legislative Beef Showmanship. Krebs has spoken at numerous events throughout the Midwest on various topics including women in business, business startup, agricultural issues and leadership development. Krebs was also selected in 2012 as a national delegate for the American Council of Young Political Leaders to China and Taiwan. Shantel particularly enjoys raising buffalo and horses, pheasant hunting and playing the saxophone.
My vision for South Dakota is one of economic prosperity with a high quality of life for all of our residents. Successful economies are based on sound business practices, much like a thriving corporate culture.
South Dakota should be run like a business, with state departments and agencies all contributing to a healthy bottom line and held accountable; that provides the basic benefits to the stockholders; the people of South Dakota.
This bottom-up plan begins with our smallest communities. South Dakota’s economy was once based on the strength of hundreds of small towns and not just a few large prosperous cities; it can be again.
Smaller communities won’t die if schools in rural areas pool their resources and partner with each other for education, extra-curricular activities and other programs that enrich the lives of our young people.
Small communities will grow if businesses partner with small schools by creating apprentice and internship programs to provide teens with part time jobs and training for the future. Developing a strong local workforce and creating local opportunities can help stem the drift of residents from small towns to larger cities.
All towns should develop business plans to utilize the natural resources in their area.
All successful corporations have components set up to ensure the economic success for the greater good. The most successful plans include a strong infrastructure, a ready and willing workforce, a robust production of goods and services and a visionary plan for the future that takes into consideration all opportunities and challenges.
Good roads, bridges and railways lead to economic success. This investment leads to a better business climate, a higher level of satisfaction for users of highways and byways including our own residents and those who visit our state.
We must strive for the highest levels in quality of life; whether it be the best education or top notch health care. It keeps home grown South Dakotans from searching for greener pastures, and lures people from other states who want to make a better life for themselves.
Research and development in different areas helps insulate our economy from the ups and downs that occur in today’s quickly changing financial environment. We can’t afford to limit ourselves to one or two tried and true industries; a diversified set of successful businesses can weather any storm. This includes an aggressive energy policy, and a strong regental system that trains the best and brightest minds to stay here.
None of this is achievable without a balanced budget. We simply cannot afford to spend what we don’t have and we must live within our means. Sure, it’s the law in our state, it’s also the responsible thing to do.
This plan won’t work unless it’s embraced by all; and that includes continual input and involvement in continually striving to make the plan better by considering all opinions from all people.