Aerial view of rough farmland and trees [unknown location]

The Engineering Resource Center, established in 1986, exists to serve the university, citizens, and industry in South Dakota. Complementary outreach and/or technology transfer programs combine to make up the center. Thus, the knowledge gained from one program often supports or strengthens another program. The programs are: 1) Engineering Extension; 2) Office of Remote Sensing; 3) South Dakota Space Grant Consortium; 4) South Dakota Local Transportation Assistance Program; 5) University/Industry Technology Service; 6) Manufacturing Extension Partnership; and 7.) Essential Networking and Training for Entrepreneurship.

The Engineering Resource Center may undertake projects directly or use project teams composed of students, university faculty, and non-university experts. These teams may be discipline-specific or interdisciplinary. The center has an on-line expertise database to identify potential faculty and industrial consultants. Another database contains information on the manufacturers and processors in South Dakota.

The South Dakota Space Grant Consortium is a program funded in part by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Consortium members are South Dakota State University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Augustana College and the EROS Data Center. Goals of the Consortium are to create an enthusiasm for aerospace science among students and faculty and to encourage them to pursue careers in related fields.

The University/Industry Technology Service links university resources to industry, business and government to solve technological problems and enhance economic development in South Dakota.

The Essential Networking and Training for Entrepreneurship [ENTRE] program provides training for people who may have an interest in pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities. This is an intensive 10-session course that allows participants to test and research their business ideas. The mission of ENTRE is to foster and promote entrepreneurship and economic development in the state and to develop programs for the general business community or various specialty groups.

The Office of Remote Sensing was established in 1969 as the Remote Sensing Institute. Senator Karl Mundt was instrumental in bringing the program to South Dakota. It is funded by both state and federal funds. Its purpose is to use multispectral remotely sensed imagery and geographic information systems for natural resource studies and mapping projects in South Dakota and throughout the world.