Economic Impact

Though the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's primary focus is on education and research, the university serves an important role in the fiscal health and well-being of the region and state. The economic impact report found that the university generates approximately $200 million in economic impact to the State of South Dakota.

Other key findings:

The School of Mines annually contributes an estimated $108.1 million in total output to the South Dakota economy, and supports 1,379 full- and part-time jobs that provide $37.7 million in income to South Dakota workers.
Alumni living in South Dakota create an additional $82.5 million in additional income.
Every $1 in state dollars invested in the School of Mines nets $7.57 in statewide economic activity.
The School of Mines and its related activities support $101.3 million in total economic output and 1,304 full- and part-time jobs that provide $36.5 million in income to Pennington County workers.
Approximately one in 33, or 3.2 percent, of all jobs in Pennington County are associated with expenditures linked directly to the School of Mines.

In addition to the impact outlined in the report, the School of Mines also provides significant far-reaching impact through a variety of means including the value of new discoveries by faculty, staff, students and alumni on South Dakota business and industry; the creation of new businesses in South Dakota; the support provided to existing business and industry in South Dakota; and the availability of students to meet workforce needs of local businesses as full- and part-time employees.

The report was produced by the School of Mines Office of University and Public Relations with data analysis provided by Dr. Todd Gabe, associate professor at the University of Maine School of Economics.

Economic Impact Report (PDF)

Full Analysis (PDF)

Press Release