A new federal defense authorization bill includes major wins for South Dakota, according to U.S. Senator Mike Rounds. The legislation allocates $3.5 billion for the B-21 bomber program and $378 million for construction at Ellsworth Air Force Base, which will host the first squadrons of the next-generation aircraft.
Rounds, a key member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the funding moves the B-21 closer to becoming operational and will help replace aging B-1 bombers over the next few decades. The base expansion is expected to cost well over $1 billion, not including new local infrastructure like schools.
Additional South Dakota priorities in the bill include $28 million for a Watertown National Guard vehicle maintenance facility and a 3.8% pay raise for military personnel. Rounds noted that the authorization bill sets funding priorities, but a separate vote is needed to appropriate the money.
Box Elder continues to grow alongside the B-21 program, with Governor Larry Rhoden recently approving a $15 million interest-free loan to expand Douglas School District facilities.
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