Organizers raise $162K from big donors for Noem inaugural

Organizers of South Dakota Gov.-elect Kristi Noem's inaugural celebration have raised at least $162,500 from roughly 30 large donors including major health systems, big energy companies and state industry groups.

Top-tier donations to the city of Pierre's inaugural committee include $12,500 from Avera Health, $10,000 from biofuels producer POET and $10,000 from Keystone XL oil pipeline developer TransCanada.

The incoming Republican governor will be sworn into office Saturday, followed by events including a ball in the Capitol rotunda and another at a Pierre event center.

City spokeswoman Brooke Bohnenkamp says the celebration's estimated budget is $150,000 and is funded by the donations and ticket sales.

A Noem spokeswoman says the incoming governor is grateful for the generosity of contributors. Noem says she's ready to get to work for South Dakota.