The Office of the Governor of the State of South Dakota
12/30/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/30/2025 12:37
Gov. Rhoden Supports Dakota BioWorx and Watertown with Grants
Article Body
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 30, 2025
Contact: Josie Harms
Gov. Rhoden Supports Dakota BioWorx and Watertown with Grants
PIERRE, S.D. - Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced support for Dakota BioWorx and Watertown's Calvin Industrial Park with economic development grants.
"Economic development is about opening more doors of opportunity for our kids and grandkids. We want them to be able to pursue the careers of their dreams right here in South Dakota - they shouldn't have to go somewhere else to do it," said Governor Larry Rhoden. "When vision turns to action, we keep our communities 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. Governor Rhoden awarded Dakota BioWorx with a $900,000 grant, which will help them cash-flow operating costs as they continue to attract more users.
"Ag is King in South Dakota, and I'm proud to support the great value-added ag opportunity at Dakota BioWorx. This project will increase returns for farmers, enhance crop value, and promote sustainability," said Governor Larry Rhoden. "This investment will benefit not only our farmers, but also our economy and state for generations to come."
Governor Rhoden also awarded the City of Watertown with a $500,000 grant that will go towards infrastructure improvements at Calvin Industrial Park.
"In South Dakota, we don't settle for the way things are. We always strive to do better and pursue opportunity - and Watertown is a great example of this philosophy," continued Governor Rhoden. "This project will advance Watertown's growth by attracting new businesses, creating more jobs, and boosting the local economy."
Both of these grants came from the Future Fund.
Governor Rhoden made these announcements at Dakota BioWorx in Brookings and at Sentry in Watertown. You can find photos from the announcements hereand here,respectively.
###
The Office of the Governor of the State of South Dakota published this content on December 30, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 30, 2025 at 18:37 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]