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People

Trisha Batra was named executive director of Absolutely! Aberdeen, an economic development group serving the Aberdeen, S.D., area.

Correction

In last week's Useful Stats article, we incorrectly reported that South Dakota ranked last among states experiencing a public high school graduation rate less than the national average for the 2002-03 school year; in fact, the state ranked 19th. South Carolina had the lowest graduation rate for that year. We regret the error.

People

The South Dakota Board of Regents announced that Scott Meyer will become system vice president of research, effective June 26.

People & Organizations

South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds selected Richard Benda as the new Secretary for the Department of Tourism and State Development.

People & Organizations

The South Dakota Biotech Industry Association, a new resource for biotech companies in the state, has formed.

South Dakota Sees Progress as Clock Ticks on 2010 Initiative

While many states will lay out strategic plans with quantifiable goals to measure success, South Dakota in 2003 was one of the first SSTI noticed to use a specific target for its gross state product (GSP) as one of the measures. According to the latest annual review, South Dakota officials feel they are making significant strides in its goal of adding $10 billion to its GSP by 2010.

South Dakota Governor's '07 Budget Features Funding for Research Centers, Higher Ed

Increased funding for research centers, a laptop program, and investments in higher education were highlighted in South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds' fiscal year 2007 budget address last month.

While the governor’s FY07 recommendation for Economic Development is $3.4 million, only a 3 percent increase over the budgeted FY06 amount, the Division of Research and Commerce would receive $4.8 million -- an increase of 37 percent over last year. Included in this amount is a $1 million increase to fund research centers under the 2010 Initiative and $280,000 to fund Centers for Entrepreneurship.

People

South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds announced that Jim Hagen will resign as secretary of the Department of Tourism and State Development, effective Jan. 17.

People

Mel Ustad, current interim vice president for research at the University of South Dakota, is the new director of the state's first Office of Commercialization.

South Dakota Creates Office of Commercialization

To fulfill a goal within the state's 2010 Initiative of becoming a recognized leader in research and technology development, the South Dakota Department of Tourism and State Development will operate an Office of Commercialization under the direction of Mel Ustad, current Interim Vice President for Research at the University of South Dakota.

The Office of Commercialization serves two purposes, according to Jim Hagen, secretary of the Department of Tourism and State Development. Its main function will be to coordinate technology transfer from university and private research centers to the private sector. The office also will facilitate the commercialization of that research, Hagen said.

People

Jafar Karim is the new director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development in South Dakota.

People

Gov. Mike Rounds announced Steve Zellmer will replace Dave Snyder, who resigned his position as board member for the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority. Zellmer previously served as Commissioner, Bureau of Finance and Management and Secretary of Revenue in Pierre.