[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6346138,"mediaKeyId","2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68","parentId",2247418,"title","SDSU Research Park reports startup growth, Innovate SODAC outreach and proof-of-concept fund work","audioSeconds",418,"startMs",8386000,"endMs",8804000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68&start=8386&end=8804","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68/thumbnail_8386000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346138/South-Dakota/SDSU-Research-Park-reports-startup-growth-Innovate-SODAC-outreach-and-proof-of-concept-fund-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346138-1763a3f59b3082e9d20abf39b8c783ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1777403404&Signature=Oa7i1dF~NfdGf1gap8j1ehHuCMcJCLbNT-kh4aWrMEeWTxtnq~rUu5Y6fH5CgKoy9PDoa6572e5MVXd9JTqnK7p9uSLc9M82G56HxZdovoIMvopOLGYHPBG~byR42Q5BVaAbofhIntFv8gr3MpmYawyoJf65zDOx1OWnJqZdYSICspjUUDFkmEnFDbqo9WJV1HLU9wQWkXC6tpltlFrZ0yNirsvQ~zJ4ObX7AinxOPkphi8sdHNfLKO~LvUdKFWtvphYRtIhSxhZOgBHs2pGW9o~tb6ZhaMPltyBgiHiYKIO7O-s83cWEs0T-IQNsPgG4EQIAUsKytjBzrUjn8mljA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of South Dakota","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","Duane Chaple, CEO of the SDSU Research Park, briefed the Joint Appropriations Committee on startup creation, job impacts and programs that connect university research to regional economic development.

Chaple said the Research Park has incubated numerous startups, created more than 1,400 jobs in recent years and helped firms that attract private investment. He described Innovate SODAC — a program that pairs faculty with communities around the state to address local problems — and said the park is coordinating a statewide proof-of-concept fund in collaboration with the Enterprise Institute and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to match angel investments with state side funding for promising university startups.

Chaple highlighted recent examples of faculty startups and companies that have grown after incubator support, including firms that moved from proof-of-concept funding to larger rounds. He said the park will roll out a new strategic plan and continue outreach to communities that want assistance translating university research into local economic activity.

The Research Park said it works closely with SDSU’s bio center, the Small Business Development Center and regional partners to strengthen commercialization pathways and internships for students.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee on Appropriations - Day 16","oneSentenceSummary","The South Dakota State University Research Park told the committee about startup activity, student employment links and plans for a statewide proof-of-concept fund to leverage angel investments and public grants.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative SD, South Dakota","taxId",77845,"location","South Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346143,"USD Discovery District opens first shell building in Sioux Falls, begins tenant recruitment",335,7041000,7376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68&start=7041&end=7376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68/thumbnail_7041000.jpg","/articles/6346143/South-Dakota/USD-Discovery-District-opens-first-shell-building-in-Sioux-Falls-begins-tenant-recruitment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346143-d133c0f8965c907b381bd02dac1b13b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1777403404&Signature=TSd3cRO3smkLdcg5DtOaX0eWA0iFnvKWEvp6SFmmfotRMWf6NZyVzhTZpCGkyydwpwkG2iYTl6BsaSYXss-tMzCP5WWhX85PG7cXKh5kFjQ2dCjUXut5VWJiWkahUElFmbPDaKW2lOvuY3X3qRJoKF7kI1tnd1PuWhqoNKmIbwFm8kkCrIg3yruHGI9msJQQ-py-Og~DCU1OSYvo297aJKXsmNoT6t5dpzjZXHJwLeOsAVsGf5HgtAsbsY2g9oZ1WR~3YyP1kPlNbE7VbGVO3-NREvp4hD50BPtvdn43tCRfxeraJoDhK3pbIFlVMO9qNj~6sls5ljTOA9N6F1PYdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ryan Oines, representing the University of South Dakota (USD) Discovery District, briefed the Joint Appropriations Committee on the Discovery District’s first building in Sioux Falls and its tenant recruitment strategy.

Oines said the district took possession of a roughly 57,000-square-foot building in January and described an emphasis on lab-capable spaces designed to attract biotech and life-science tenants. He said the building was delivered as core-and-shell so tenants can customize lab infrastructure, and that construction was value-engineered to come in below earlier estimates.

The Discovery District reported first-year lease revenue projections around $141,000 but said initial operating results could show a small loss until tenant build-outs and occupancy increase. Oines said the project team overbuilt mechanical infrastructure and the penthouse so the space could be adapted for lab utilities and equipment. He named one tenant in conversation, OmegaQuant, and said discussions were underway with other companies including a cell-culture manufacturer and a diagnostics firm.

Oines described partnerships with USD leadership and city economic-development groups, and said the district plans to pair regional recruiting with events such as a Medical Alley networking visit. He also said the district has a public–private partnership RFQ under selection for a mixed-use project tied to a planned fire-rescue location and estimated streets and utility build-out costs for the larger site.

Oines told the committee the Discovery District had structured initial operating reserves and partner contributions and emphasized the project’s aim to create local job and internship opportunities for university students while retaining more life-science talent in South Dakota.","The University of South Dakota’s Discovery District reported taking possession of a 57,000-square-foot shell building in Sioux Falls, outlined initial tenants and recruitment strategy focused on biotech and life-science firms, and described financial projections and next steps for utilities and mixed-use development.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346148,"Northern State asks funding for e-learning transition, outlines new nursing program",844,4653000,5497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68&start=4653&end=5497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68/thumbnail_4653000.jpg","/articles/6346148/South-Dakota/Northern-State-asks-funding-for-e-learning-transition-outlines-new-nursing-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346148-4a32928d32980a91cb9242ea37c0395b/orig.mp4?Expires=1777403404&Signature=F6fjNHEL4~QDIMVcTDyCJxlpSJdtBSc5kbVg0q2EqlYhVr3WCCgfNpapF-PkoJlSXqt1T7C2JucyBvQXtnFSz8Aev33SLmEqKgDEqRvHwl3XKlqSMxR60JyKpWBXl5yL8C3sGLtLpeO0YZVKnc23VlC89IJw4DANAKwx-X5~k9tUew9bOUQEixEpU6l~PhLEXYOcNoNyD~qHJHRD2HGnEy6ChTFQXrp1wlg7d7es4yD259q~9MeuWn~MhyqAO5NGv9pXQOGwZjdqnJrfTt6peSrJmiOI8x6C8U5PQunSaTPTSpPNXZvz-iz0FzXxZsf~O7Sc5eS8WdSGLOJB-ptC~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Neil Schnor, president of Northern State University (NSU), and Veronica Paulson, vice president for finance and administration, briefed the Joint Appropriations Committee on enrollment gains, capital projects and the status of the statewide e-learning program that supplies live, interactive remote instruction to South Dakota schools.

NSU reported overall enrollment increases relative to fall 2022, a rise in first-time undergraduates and graduate enrollment gains. ‘‘A Northern degree is transformative for them,’’ Schnor said, noting high in-state retention for graduates employed within South Dakota.

The university described the Center for Statewide e-Learning, an interactive live-teacher program used by districts across sparsely populated areas of the state. Paulson told the committee the program is highly interactive and serves many remote districts; in 2023–24, NSU said 88 percent of e-learning students completed their courses and 96 percent of those passed. NSU said the center serves enrollments from more than 120 school districts and that priority registration is based on a sparsity ranking to serve the most remote students first.

Lawmakers asked about the state’s planned transition away from the Digital Dakota Network (DDN). Paulson said NSU has a low-cost alternative based on common conferencing tools and is working with the Department of Education and schools to implement it. The committee discussed capacity limits for e-learning: NSU reported 24 students on a waitlist for 2024 and said hiring additional master teachers would cost roughly $81,000–$82,000 each with a one-time equipment start-up of $12,000–$15,000.

On academic programs, NSU said it will launch a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an initial cohort planned for fall 2025, pending final approval by the Higher Learning Commission. The university reported private fundraising for start-up operations and endowed scholarships and said it plans to run two cohorts annually. NSU also described a Business and Health Innovation Center on campus and renovation of Gerber Hall funded in part by deferred maintenance allocations.

NSU asked the committee to consider continued support for e-learning capacity, M&R funding and site-specific investments that support campus upgrades and workforce training in the region.","Northern State University updated the committee on enrollment gains, the statewide Center for Statewide e-Learning (DDN) delivery model transition and a new bachelor of science in nursing slated to begin in fall 2025 pending accreditation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346152,"Black Hills State outlines Rapid City expansion, nursing growth and SURF partnerships",955,3034000,3989000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68&start=3034&end=3989","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68/thumbnail_3034000.jpg","/articles/6346152/South-Dakota/Black-Hills-State-outlines-Rapid-City-expansion-nursing-growth-and-SURF-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346152-1ddd7159ef7d8128865966b0c4642f61/orig.mp4?Expires=1777403404&Signature=jM3P9cYY81fAn33449SucSE03JBE9trXxUoh8rTQfsGi73n-~Dq5NAAToDDscWKhAwabza62NX22RUyRAqecEvoehaCYMstkBGIOAUT5gZnMjaKs3KhWd9ykDAggc~vwpBn5bz7EVnTGzGEtOJnZJa3oI~ez-mVAmUp~Iyo-tg~O4eb9WMecrrTw~Gef7S1yFRvAHn94Wxro7neWK8ltIGENX4Z2TAA93A71pqTphkQUftMDz90EfZa9rnUm9hAQCjCtJPhjQNAAvIDvqrNaSFQM1pvhQ~zVjGkaJM3Od0K~6CnuN~beQ0rbYjQL4JOyM1q3zkcKdfRjf89iZhT70g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steve Elliott, president of Black Hills State University (BHSU), updated the committee on enrollment, regional partnerships and a Rapid City campus building project intended to address health workforce shortages.

BHSU told lawmakers it has increased scholarship fundraising and reported higher application and admitted-student numbers for fall 2025. ‘‘Cost is a major contributing factor in our students' ability to further their education,’’ President Steve Elliott said, thanking the committee for continuation of the tuition freeze.

BHSU provided enrollment and outcome data. The university reported 3,346 students with roughly 67 percent from South Dakota, and said 32 percent of its students are Pell-eligible. The institution said placement rates for recent graduates reached about 94 percent for the spring 2024 cohort and that it has increased the number of American Indian, Hispanic and veteran students it serves.

Elliott described partnerships that support workforce and research training across Western South Dakota. He noted collaborations with the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) and said BHSU hosted Department of Energy and national-lab directors for an underground tour that included a student forum. Elliott said the university’s Rapid City education and facility expansion seeks to increase enrollment in health-related and other high-demand programs.

On facilities and funding, BHSU reported a $16,600,000 Rapid City West River Health Science Center addition and renovation that is funded from a mix of state general funds, federal ARPA funds, higher education facilities funds and a private donation from Monument Health. Elliott said the project supports an agreement that provides guaranteed admission into South Dakota State University's nursing program for eligible students.

Elliott said BHSU’s Rapid City marketing and program alignment work will emphasize seven prioritized degree programs — including business, education and applied health sciences — and guarantee course offerings so students can stay on track. He also described regional partnerships including Fuel the Growth (a workforce/economic development collaboration), the Crazy Horse Memorial’s Seventh Gen program, Monument Health and Ellsworth Air Force Base.

The university asked the committee to continue supporting regional partnerships and campus investments that aim to produce graduates for workforce needs in Western South Dakota.

No formal committee action followed the presentation.","Black Hills State University told the Joint Appropriations Committee about enrollment gains, partnerships with the Sanford Underground Research Facility, a $16.6 million Rapid City health science center project and efforts to grow nursing and allied-health workforce pipelines in western South Dakota.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346157,"South Dakota Mines highlights quantum center, enrollment and deferred maintenance needs",2242,452000,2694000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68&start=452&end=2694","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247418-5ecaff7d2ea1b9a4028da6be3e86ec68/thumbnail_452000.jpg","/articles/6346157/South-Dakota/South-Dakota-Mines-highlights-quantum-center-enrollment-and-deferred-maintenance-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346157-74c1c2c55cbaf3117213ce0b5a47e812/orig.mp4?Expires=1777403404&Signature=lgDAtnmYi8jeh1cAXh6ASFrdnhzP8~4aBED2pJR7rQkHyWev6vkWiqjJixgygffGNBIoLjz9f3RGzX58BHiNbhLfMS2gD3GBpHP4iIdot1Ua2wxxd6h3qlmbeVAkSMSCHsZxqpzdmqzWNaCI85jT3K~5V-wtObFVEn2xJ~l18fzLdNaCsQXwB3VIXAyuJOeO11p2iMzB-u2amXI5VPJsH7fGg9KlcOJVEj~cwnGqAeW373nhfpQYGNAjDj5jMpsNTI4Su0i0KYqsZbzEMGuUoBTchfVRgS0Zd801pMePEwXinyPqm73goLLjLyuhUs8dhVxeC8ClRTHH2u50p-541Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nathan Lucas, executive director for the South Dakota Board of Regents, and Brian Tandy, president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, told the Joint Appropriations Committee about the school’s enrollment trends, research funding and facilities needs.

The school said its programs are producing high-paying graduates and noted specific investments the legislature has already made in campus facilities and in quantum research.

The presentation emphasized why Mines views state support as an investment in workforce and research capacity. ‘‘Postsecondary education in South Dakota pays,’’ Executive Director Nathan Lucas said, noting Mines’ contribution to workforce readiness. President Brian Tandy said the recently opened Core Mineral Industries Building and the state’s investment in a Center for Quantum Information Science and Technology are already having positive effects on campus, including leveraged federal funding.

Mines officials gave the committee several specific figures and program updates. The institution reported roughly $20–$25 million in annual external research funding, an undergraduate retention rate of about 84 percent, and around 2,600 students with strategic growth targeted to roughly 2,850–3,000. Tandy said the quantum investment of $1.2 million from the state has helped the school secure a $5 million National Science Foundation grant. \"We received 1,200,000 for quantum research. We've already been able to leverage that investment from the state to secure a $5,000,000 National Science Foundation grant,\" Tandy said.

Officials described curricular additions and workforce pipelines. The school has launched a minor in quantum information science, a gateway-to-engineering certificate for high-school partnerships, a planned bachelor’s in data science, and work toward a robotics degree. Mines said 41 percent of its graduates remain in South Dakota and highlighted industry partnerships such as Nucor, which the school said plans substantial internship recruitment.

Tandy and provost Lance Roberts answered questions about housing, international students and intellectual property. Roberts said Mines has about 100–150 international students, mostly graduate students, and that university policy assigns intellectual property rights to the institution with a royalty-sharing arrangement that typically allocates roughly half of royalties to inventors and half to the university.

Officials warned about facilities and insurance pressures. Mines identified about $27,400,000 in deferred maintenance over the next decade and reported steep insurance increases; the presentation cited a roughly 424 percent increase in building insurance from FY 2019 to FY 2024. Heather Forney of the Board of Regents explained to the committee that the state captive’s insurance assessment is based on current replacement value, not building condition.

The presentation also noted national security–related research and the need for network upgrades to meet Department of Defense contract requirements. Tandy said some DOD awards require US-person-only staffing and secure infrastructure, and the university is planning investments to upgrade networks and comply with those requirements.

Looking ahead, Mines told the committee it will continue to recruit faculty, expand research in quantum and other strategic areas, and pursue partnerships with industry and nearby institutions to increase the number of graduates who stay and work in South Dakota.

Mines’ presentation concluded with an invitation to a ribbon-cutting for the new Core Mineral Industries Building and a request that the legislature consider ongoing maintenance needs and insurance cost pressures when setting budgets.","Leaders from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology told the Joint Appropriations Committee the institution is expanding research in quantum information, keeping tuition frozen and managing rising facility and insurance costs while pursuing enrollment growth and workforce pipelines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

SDSU Research Park reports startup growth, Innovate SODAC outreach and proof-of-concept fund work

USD Discovery District opens first shell building in Sioux Falls, begins tenant recruitment

Northern State asks funding for e-learning transition, outlines new nursing program

Black Hills State outlines Rapid City expansion, nursing growth and SURF partnerships

South Dakota Mines highlights quantum center, enrollment and deferred maintenance needs