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USD To Plan, Build Research Park

Plans for a university research park in Sioux Falls have the go-ahead from the Board of Regents. The panel authorizes the University of South Dakota to plan a facility that houses  private and public researchers.

Getting approval for a research park is the beginning of an endeavor that lasts a couple of decades. That’s according to Laura Jenski, who is the vice president of research at USD. She says people can envision several acres of buildings in Sioux Falls where tenants conduct research and develop prototypes in emerging fields.

"The value that the university brings is the faculty, the students, the facilities," Jenski says. "The actual financial commitment will be in the private sector fundraising and in the partnerships between the university, the industries, the city, the state, and so on."

Jenski says she sees university researchers and park tenants collaborating to discover and develop new technologies.

Kealey Bultena grew up in South Dakota, where her grandparents took advantage of the state’s agriculture at nap time, tricking her into car rides to “go see cows.” Rarely did she stay awake long enough to see the livestock, but now she writes stories about the animals – and the legislature and education and much more. Kealey worked in television for four years while attending the University of South Dakota. She started interning with South Dakota Public Broadcasting in September 2010 and accepted a position with television in 2011. Now Kealey is the radio news producer stationed in Sioux Falls. As a multi-media journalist, Kealey prides herself on the diversity of the stories she tells and the impact her work has on people across the state. Kealey is always searching for new ideas. Let her know of a great story! Find her on Facebook and twitter (@KealeySDPB).