VIEWPOINT | South Dakota’s next great economic opportunity is national defense
Guest column by Glen Herrick
South Dakota has always answered the nation’s call to serve. From generations of servicemembers who have worn our nation’s uniform to the strategic importance of Ellsworth Air Force Base, our state has earned a reputation as a trusted partner in America’s national defense. That legacy is something every South Dakotan can take pride in.
Today, South Dakota has an opportunity to build on that legacy in a new way, not only by supporting America’s military but by becoming one of the nation’s leading centers for defense innovation and advanced manufacturing. That opportunity is too important to ignore.
The nature of national defense is changing rapidly. America’s military advantage will increasingly depend not only on aircraft, ships and armored vehicles but also on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, resilient supply chains and commercial innovation. The defense industrial base that supports our warfighters is evolving, and states that prepare today will help shape its future.
