SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Artificial intelligence is ubiquitous in the United States. The technology requires data centers to operate, and the possibility of such facilities finding a home in South Dakota is now part of the race for the governor's office in 2026.

Republican Dusty Johnson, who is seeking to change jobs from South Dakota's lone member of the U.S. House to its governor in Pierre, envisions data centers coming to the state and providing property and sales taxes.

"This would be a huge opportunity for us to lower that tax burden on South Dakotans," Johnson said Thursday. "But right now, we are simply not going to build any data centers in this state because our laws are not a good fit for them."

Data centers utilize considerable quantities of power and water; some could actu

See Full Page