We should transform a state watching the technology race to a state where the race is won
We should transform a state watching the technology race to a state where the race is won
Publish Date: 2026-06-19 15:08:00
Source Domain: finance.yahoo.com
A portion of a data center owned by Big Watt Digital north of Pierre, pictured on Dec. 23, 2025. (Photo by Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight)
America is in a race, one that will define global economic leadership for the next decade. China is aggressively positioning itself as a center for artificial intelligence development and deployment. The winner will capture enormous competitive advantages in innovation, job creation and geopolitical influence. But there’s a detail often overlooked in this high-stakes competition. None of it happens without reliable critical infrastructure, such as power and data centers.
Winning the AI race is fundamentally about establishing the critical infrastructure that powers innovation. AI systems rely on data centers, and data centers require electricity. If the United States intends to remain competitive, we must be able to build and power that infrastructure efficiently and affordably. That requires thoughtful policy, modernized permitting and a clear commitment to growth.
Data centers are not secondary to the tech economy. They are the foundation. The nation that builds and controls the most advanced, reliable and affordable data center infrastructure will lead in AI development and deployment.
Here in South Dakota, we have the essential components to build this critical infrastructure. Our affordable energy, vast land and strong workforce create the necessary conditions for establishing data center facilities that can compete globally. Tech employment in our state has grown 17% in recent years, outpacing many parts of the country. This is a signal that South Dakota can support and sustain the specialized environment required for advanced infrastructure development.
Sully County, home to SD’s largest data center, would welcome more with ‘open arms,’ official says
But having these advantages is not enough. The window of opportunity is finite, and other states are mobilizing their own…
