RAPID CITY, SD — In a speech early this morning, Governor Larry Rhoden announced the creation of a new “South Dakota Defense Institute” in collaboration with Elevate Rapid City.

The Institute was described by the Governor as a “Big step in hanging meat on the bones of the commitment I made in the state of the state address last year at the beginning of session; that national defense would be South Dakota’s next big industry,” and follows in the footsteps of re-industrialization initiatives headed by President Trump and the Department of Defense. 

The institute has received a $5 million dollar chunk of the states’ Future Fund, as well as a significant donation from Military Industrial Complex Mainstay and manufacturers of the B-21 Bomber Northrop Grumman, and several other contractors who wish to remain nameless. It is set to be housed in the area of the former County Building.

The Institute in the coming months appears to be, according to GOED Commissioner Bill Even, primarily focused on coordinating educational and existing homegrown defense entities, however when questioned on the potential role after the establishment of the Institute, Rhoden stated that the organization eventually intends on expanding to potentially cover future facilitation including a focus on the military role of state agricultural resources, as well as research grants for organizations under its umbrella. 

“We have already got businesses working on national defense and munitions,” said Rhoden, “Now, for the last three years since we stood up, South Dakota offers international trade [sic], where we’ve made huge inroads with other nations and our defense industry”.