Recent Press Releases

Washington, DC —  Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved at least $25 million of Senator John Thune’s requests for defense-related projects for South Dakota in the Fiscal 2006 Defense Authorization bill.

“I am pleased to announce this significant funding that will continue to boost South Dakota’s already integral role in national defense efforts,” Thune said. “These resources will directly enhance South Dakota’s defense-related operations—paving the way for new technology and advancements that will create jobs, boost our state’s economy and provide for a stronger, safer America.”

The projects include:

  • At least $13 million for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City in the areas of Strategic Defense Systems Manufacturing, Nano-Reinforced and Advanced Space Structures, Nanotechnology, Joining Technology, Aging Aircraft structural repair, and other initiatives

  • $7 million for the 3M Corporation for a Colorimetric PDA-based Sensor for Rapid pathogen Detection that will ultimately benefit the Brookings plant

  • $2 million for Realtronics in Rapid City for Real Time Classification Through Wall Sensor

  • $3 million for the Advanced Electronics Center on the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Reservation for the research, development, testing and demonstration of advanced electronics integration and fabrication technology