RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun highlighted a major defense-industry investment and the city’s historic commitment to street infrastructure during the latest episode of Meeting with the Mayor, pointing to both as signs of continued growth in the community.

Salamun discussed the announcement that Northrop Grumman will establish a presence in Rapid City as the anchor tenant of a new secure administrative facility within the Rapid City Innovation District. Elevate Rapid City announced an $18 million investment in the district Sept. 23, with the facility intended to support companies involved in national security and defense and the B-21 Raider mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

“It’s a big deal,” Salamun said. “The base is going to double in population over the next 15 years. And that also brings a lot of civilian work and things like that.”

Salamun said Rapid City has worked to position itself to capture more economic opportunities connected to Ellsworth and the defense industry, crediting organizations including Elevate Rapid City and the Ellsworth Development Authority for helping lay the groundwork. He said the city hopes the Northrop Grumman announcement will be part of a broader national security sector developing in the region.

The mayor also discussed the city’s newly approved budget, which includes $65 million for streets and infrastructure over the next two years. The road investment was part of Salamun’s proposed 2027 budget and has been described as the largest street investment in city history.

“I’m really proud that in this final budget we are investing more in streets in this period of time than we ever have,” Salamun said. He added that the city will expand its capacity for mill-and-overlay projects aimed at maintaining existing streets.

The budget ultimately passed the City Council on an 8-2 vote, according to Salamun. “It’s a good thing,” he said. “Shout out to the city council for approving that.”