Tuesday, June 21, 2011PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s bioscience employment numbers have increased by 42.5 percent in the last 10 years. In an effort to keep those numbers growing, Gov. Dennis Daugaard is leading a South Dakota delegation to Washington, D.C., next week. The group will attend the BIO International Conference, June 27-30. Included are representatives from seven communities, three companies, two universities, the South Dakota Biotech Association, and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “This delegation truly reflects how we do business in South Dakota. Our small size lends itself well to collaboration opportunities that are not found in every state,” Gov. Daugaard said. “Our ability to closely work together helps us support companies that are already here and recruit other companies considering doing business in South Dakota.” Bioscience has been one of South Dakota’s economic development focus areas since 2005. The state has placed specific emphasis on agricultural processing, medical device and equipment manufacturing, and research and development. There are currently more than 180 bioscience businesses in South Dakota, employing a total of at least 3,500 people. Since 2001, the number of establishments engaged in bioscience activities in South Dakota has grown by more than 55 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by more than 20 percent. This is the fifth year that the Governor’s Office of Economic Development has coordinated a cooperative effort for the BIO International Conference. Communities, businesses, universities, associations and state government pool their talents and resources through the co-op program to more efficiently and effectively encourage business development in South Dakota. The state delegation attending the BIO Conference this year includes representatives of Aberdeen, Brookings, North Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Watertown, Yankton, South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, Chronix, PharmaCline, Sanford, and the South Dakota Biotechnology Association. -30-