Newly released invoices obtained by news outlets provide a detailed look into the production costs of a series of promotional advertisements featuring South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
The documents indicate that the state-funded campaign included significant expenditures for various production elements, including livestock and professional styling.
According to the records, approximately $20,000 was allocated for the use of horses during the filming of the advertisements at Mount Rushmore.
These advertisements were part of a broader initiative to promote the state’s tourism and economic opportunities.
In addition to the costs associated with the animals, the invoices show that $3,800 was spent on professional hair and makeup services for the governor.
The expenses have drawn attention from fiscal oversight groups and political observers across the state.
The advertisements were filmed at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a site frequently used in state marketing materials.
Supporters of the campaign argue that high production values are necessary to compete in the national tourism market.
The Governor’s office has previously defended such expenditures as investments in the state's economy.
They maintain that the promotional efforts have successfully increased interest in South Dakota as a destination for travelers and businesses.
Critics, however, have raised questions regarding the necessity of using state funds for personal styling and expensive livestock rentals.
They argue that these costs represent an inefficient use of taxpayer resources for what they characterize as image-building exercises.
The invoices were made public following records requests aimed at increasing transparency regarding executive branch spending.
These documents outline the specific vendors and service providers utilized during the multi-day production schedule.
Public records also show that the production crew utilized local resources where possible, though specialized services were brought in for the shoot.
The total cost of the campaign has been a subject of ongoing debate within the state legislature.
The scrutiny follows previous discussions regarding the governor’s use of state-owned resources for promotional materials.
This latest disclosure adds to the data available for public evaluation of state branding efforts.
As of this report, the Governor’s office has not issued a new statement specifically addressing the line-item costs for horses or styling.
The promotional campaign remains a central part of the administration's outreach strategy to attract national attention to South Dakota.