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Press Release
PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL EXPLORES COOPERATION PROSPECTS WITH MAYOR OF BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA
after the meeting (Photo by Noly Dulay)
27 July 2022 – Philippine Consul General J. Susana V. Paez called on Mayor Oepke Niemeyer in Brookings, South Dakota on 22 July 2022 to discuss potential areas of cooperation. It was the first official visit of Consul General Paez to South Dakota, since her assumption at the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago with jurisdiction over the twelve US Midwestern states, including South Dakota. Joining her at the meeting were Consul Melvin Almonguera and Mr. Noly Dulay.
Brookings is the fourth largest city in South Dakota, in terms of population, and is home to large U.S. companies, including Daktronics, Bel Brands and 3M. For a small community situated beside neighboring Sioux Falls, Brookings shows prosperity.
The meeting was very laid-back, reflective of life in the Midwest, with the Mayor choosing a coffee shop he frequented as the venue. Consul General Paez and Mayor Niemeyer touched on topics of mutual interest, including economic and labor cooperation prospects. Innovations in agricultural and research at the South Dakota State University (SDSU), located in Brookings, presented promising areas of engagement. SDSU, a land-grant institution, supports South Dakota’s agricultural industry. Precision agriculture, an approach to farm management that employs IT to ensure optimum productivity of crops, is a focus of SDSU. The Mayor believes that the Philippines can benefit from learning more about PA.
The Mayor, proud that Brookings is one of the safest places in South Dakota, welcomed the opportunity to further enhance economic relations with the Philippines. He gave the assurance that his Office is willing to arrange meetings and tours for delegations from the Philippines should they wish to visit SDSU and other business establishments in Brookings.END
