Members of the Senate State Affairs committee unanimously approved two bills related to expanding Dakota State University's cyber-research programs. One of the bills dedicates $30 million of state general funds to the expansion. The other authorizes construction of an applied research lab in Sioux Falls, roughly an hour away from DSU's main campus in Madison.
Governor Kristi Noem personally testified in favor of the bills. She told reporters the state funds would add to donations from the City of Sioux Falls, T. Denny Sanford, and other stakeholders. She says the goal is expanding cyber security training opportunities.
"Madison, obviously, and DSU are leaders there already. This is to put another project in Sioux Falls to build on that, to double our capacity for training those with those types of degrees and skills, and also take the Governor's Cyber Academy statewide in our high schools," Noem said.
The Governor's Cyber Academy will offer high school students the chance to earn college-level credits in cyber security.
Dakota State University announced the total $90-million expansion last week. The Joint Committee on Appropriations will consider the proposed $30-million from the state when it decides the budget at the end of the legislative session.