Members of the House of Representatives gave the okay to expand a USD research facility in Sioux Falls. Representative Mark Mickelson is a prime sponsor of House Bill 1175. He says expanding the facility helps keep more South Dakota graduates in the state, and is good for economic development.
“They have a need approaching $20 million to get this project off the ground,” Mickelson says. “I wouldn’t dream of asking for that kind of money. What I’m asking is you guys help get this project started. Before this project would ever get finished there would be significant local support, University of South Dakota support. And there already has been, to get what’s done, done.”
But opponents of the measure say they are against continuing to expand the university system without a master plan for growth. The bill passed with a vote of 49 to 20.