Dakota BioWorx in Brookings and Calvin Industrial Park in Watertown are getting economic development grants from the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Future Fund. Governor Larry Rhoden says economic development is about opening more doors of opportunity for young peopl e. He says when vision turns to action, communities keep growing and thriving. Dakota BioWorx is a partnership between South Dakota State University and the South Dakota School of Mines Technology that specializes in helping bioprocessing businesses get to work. Rhoden awarded Dakota BioWorx a $900,000 grant to help them cash-flow operating costs as the value-added ag company continues to attract more users. Rhoden says this project will increase returns for farmers, enhance crop value, and promote sustainability. He says the investment will benefit not only farmers, but also South Dakota’s economy for generations to come. Rhoden awarded the City of Watertown a $500,000 grant that will go towards infrastructure improvements at Calvin Industrial Park. Rhoden says this project will advance Watertown’s growth by attracting new businesses, creating more jobs and boosting the local economy. According to the GOED website, the Future Fund was developed to invest in South Dakota’s workforce and build its economy. The Future Fund supports the workforce development and technical assistance programs which help train employees, retrain employees during layoffs and support business recruitment, economic development initiatives, and research and entrepreneurial activities. Grant awards are based on a variety of factors including eligibility, training costs, job creation, wage base, and broader financial assistance needs. Courtesy photo. ...read more read less