South Dakota Science and Technology Authority – 20 years strong

TLDR:

• The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority celebrates its 20th anniversary
• The authority owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, contributing to the state’s economy

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority is marking its 20th anniversary this year. Established in 2004 by state lawmakers and then-Governor Mike Rounds, the authority owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead. SURF has been recognized as “America’s Underground Science Laboratory” and is projected to contribute $2 billion to South Dakota’s economy in the coming decade. Senator Mike Rounds expressed pride in the transformation of the Homestake Gold Mine into a world-class research facility, bringing international recognition to the state. Dr. Kevin Lesko, a physicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, was instrumental in advocating for the establishment of the SDSTA and credits state leaders for building the deepest underground laboratory in the US. The collective effort of local and state political leaders, South Dakota’s congressional delegation, and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford was acknowledged in creating SURF. Mike Headley, SDSTA executive director and laboratory director at SURF, looks forward to the future impact of the facility on the state and local economy while advancing world-class scientific research.