RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – South Dakota is putting new money behind an effort Governor Larry Rhoden says will make national security the state’s “next big industry.”

Speaking at The Box during the Black Hills Military Coalition’s Defense & Industry Symposium, Rhoden announced the creation of the South Dakota Defense Institute (SDDI) — a new hub intended to connect business, education, and government and help South Dakota companies compete for federal defense contracts.

“We announced the creation of the South Dakota Defense Institute,” Rhoden said. “And this is a big step in hanging meat on the bones of the commitment I made in the State address… That national defense would be South Dakota’s next big industry.”

Rhoden said the state will invest $5 million from the Future Fund to establish and operate the institute for an initial five-year period.

According to the governor’s office, the institute is expected to serve as a central coordinating point for partners across the defense ecosystem and, once operational, engage directly with federal defense agencies and other related stakeholders to support businesses pursuing defense contracting opportunities.

Rhoden also announced an additional $1 million from the Future Fund to Elevate Rapid City to help purchase a building in Rapid City’s “Innovation District.” The facility will serve as the institute’s headquarters and is also expected to function as a collaboration space to bring together students, researchers, and defense companies to support innovation, workforce development, and industry growth.

South Dakota’s Commissioner to the Governor’s Office on Economic Development, Bill Even, gave us more info on the actual physical construction of the space. “The School of Mines and Western Dakota Tech have been pretty integral in figuring out how we really jump start the innovation district in downtown Rapid City with the natural focus on national defense,” He said. “And so we’ve identified some properties and we’ll be working closely with Elevate to secure those as well.”

The governor’s office said the South Dakota Defense Institute will be organized adjacent to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and staffed by experienced leaders with military and defense industry backgrounds.

The institute will partner with private businesses and local economic development organizations, along with state agencies including the South Dakota National Guard, the Department of Labor and Regulation, the Board of Regents, and the Board of Technical Education.

State officials said additional details on staffing, timelines and programming will be released as the institute’s launch progresses.

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Rep. Dusty Johnson wants tougher penalties for drug dealers who distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, while also vowing to create a task force to review how improvements can be made to stop repeat offenders from committing more crime.

Johnson, one of four Republicans vying for the GOP nomination for governor, unveiled his Safer South Dakota public safety plan on Tuesday. The plan includes a real-time monitoring system for drug overdose deaths, and he says schools should be required to notify parents when a student has a drug-related emergency.

The plan has the endorsement of top law enforcement officials.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – One local artist is turning sneakers into support for Special Olympics athletes as they prepare to compete on a national stage.

What started as a simple idea quickly grew into something much larger for Team South Dakota. After discovering his work on social media, Special Olympics South Dakota reached out to artist Michael Middlen about designing a single custom shoe to auction off and raise funds.

“So I had stumbled upon him on Instagram and I just reached out and you know just kind of told our story of what USA games is and what it means to us and see if he wanted to partner with us to do a custom shoe and to raffle it off,” said Haley Zerr, head of sports and competition for Special Olympics South Dakota.

But after hearing more about the athletes and their journey, Middlen decided one pair wasn’t enough.

“So initially when we first started communicating, it was just going to be one pair of shoes, and then we met with him one day, and he brought it to our attention like, Hey, I would love to do a pair for everybody, so that was shocking to us but very rewarding,” Zerr said.

Instead, Middlen took on the task of hand-painting 67 custom pairs of shoes for every athlete and staff member representing South Dakota at the USA Games in Minneapolis.

“When I heard their story, it just really touched me and moved me, and I just felt that I needed to do something for them, and I just figured this would be the best way to do that,” Middlen said.

Each pair is uniquely designed, incorporating both the Special Olympics logo and the sport each athlete will compete in, adding a personal touch to every step they take.

“But I really wanted to do something to make it more personal, and I always try to do that with every custom to make it a little more personal to the individual that’s receiving them. So I thought it would be a really cool addition to add the sport logo of the sport that the athletes are competing in. So every athlete is going to get a pair in their own size, it will have the Special Olympics logo on one shoe, and then it will have the sport they are competing in on the other,” Middlen said.

Beyond design, the project carries a deeper meaning centered on unity and inclusion.

“I just wanted to really bring inclusion and help everyone, from staff to the athletes, to feel like they’re all one and just lift these athletes up and support them as they are going into the games,” Middlen said.

For many of the athletes, this is an experience they’ve never had before, making it all unforgettable.

“You know a lot of them have never received anything like this or gone to a USA Games, so it’s a big deal for all of our athletes attending,” Zerr said.

The custom shoes will also help Team South Dakota stand out as they represent their state during the opening ceremonies.

“And that was our whole thing behind this: we wanted to stand out when we go to the opening ceremonies. So just South Dakota and they all have matching shoes, custom shoes, so yeah, it’s a big deal for us,” Zerr said.

As excitement builds for the USA Games, leaders say the effort also highlights the broader need for community support.

“To be able to represent our state with the number of people we have going which is 67 to Minneapolis is a big important thing for us but the fundraising for that and raising money and awareness for getting our athletes there to compete is where we need help for the community as well,” said Nick Moen, president and CEO of Special Olympics South Dakota.

Middlen hopes the project encourages others to give back in their own way.

“I don’t think the public is completely aware of how much of a need there is to support them, and everything they rely on is donations, and you know, I think when people think of giving, they think that it’s gotta be money or whatever, but lots of times the best thing you can give is just your talent and your time,” Middlen said.

As Team South Dakota prepares to take the national stage, they’ll do so backed by more than just preparation, carrying with them a visible reminder of the support behind them.

More information on the Special Olympics of South Dakota and where to donate can be found here, and entering the custom shoe raffle drawing can be found here.

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