Driving Innovation in National Defense 

By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
April 10, 2026  

South Dakota has never been a place that sits on the sidelines. When there’s work to be done, we roll up our sleeves and get after it. The highest charge of government is to keep our people and their freedoms secure, so we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting it done.

In my State of the State address, I proclaimed that national security would be South Dakota’s “next big industry.” That wasn’t just a slogan. It was a recognition of what’s already happening here – and of the opportunities in front of us.

National security starts with food security, and nobody does that better than South Dakota. A nation that can’t feed itself is subject to the control of nations that control the food supply. Thankfully, South Dakota feeds the world. Our hardworking farmers and ranchers do incredible work to feed families across America and around the world. That’s a responsibility we take seriously. And we’re expanding that mission.

We’re continuing to grow our value-added agriculture. In the last year, we moved forward with the first, second, and third largest economic development projects in South Dakota history with Smithfield, CJ Schwan’s, and High Plains Processing in Mitchell. These three facilities will all play a big role in food production and value-added ag.

But our opportunities in national security stretch far beyond food security.

Ellsworth Air Force Base is getting ready for the B-21 bomber, which will play a major role in defending our nation for decades to come. Our cybersecurity sector is growing by leaps and bounds, driven by the strength of Dakota State University. Across our state, we’ve got businesses, workers, and leaders who are already contributing to this mission every single day.

South Dakota is already doing the mission. We have all the pieces. And now, we are bringing them together to seize this opportunity.

I’m proud to announce the creation of the South Dakota Defense Institute. This will be a central hub for our next big industry, a central point of contact for national defense contractors and contacts with the federal government, and a place where opportunities are identified, pursued, and followed through.

Our focus will be on understanding our strengths and where we have room to grow. We will build relationships with partners and agencies. The South Dakota Defense Institute will play a direct role in supporting businesses and strengthening collaboration between industry, education, and government. 

We’re investing $6 million from the Future Fund to get it up and running over the next five years and investing in a building in Rapid City’s Innovation District. Our students, researchers, and industry leaders can work side by side to make a real difference, not only in South Dakota, but across America.

South Dakota is strong, safe, and free – and with the South Dakota Defense Institute, we will help keep America strong, safe, and free.

We’re not waiting around. We’re rolling up our sleeves and building something that matters.

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