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Campground Owner Pledges $1M, Land For Controversial Bypass

SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — The owner of the Buffalo Chip Campground has pledged up to $1 million to help pay for a proposed highway bypass to reroute drivers around the motorcycle mecca of Sturgis.

The Rapid City Journal reports ( ) that Rod Woodruff told Meade County commissioners he also will donate 10 acres of land, provided the proposed Fort Meade Way is usable by next year’s rally.

Bypass proponents say it could spur growth east of the city and ease traffic during the annual motorcycle rally that draws hundreds of thousands of people. Supporters are raising money to help Woodruff.

Opponents worry about the effect of a bypass on local businesses. Voters in March overwhelmingly rejected setting up a tax increment financing district to pay for it.

Commissioners voted Wednesday to call for bids.

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Information from: Rapid City Journal,