In Lead, South Dakota, a company based in Illinois is currently preparing to house a deep underground neutrino detector that will capture particles fired from Fermilab in Illinois. This project has already had a massive economic impact on the state, generating over $270 million in 2022.
The construction of this facility involved moving 800,000 tons of rock from a mile underground to the surface. At least 40 people were on site at any given time during the process, which not only contributed to the success of the project but also helped boost the local economy and tax revenues in Lead. The project also provided revenue for local businesses.
Moving forward, the impact of Fermilab’s project on South Dakota is expected to continue growing. Projections indicate that it will generate an economic impact of about $4.3 billion and sustain around 2,750 jobs per year through fiscal year 2030. While these numbers are combined for both states involved, a significant portion of this impact will apply specifically to South Dakota.
