AGP Executive Report
Last update: an hour agoEnergy & Grid Reliability: Antora Energy raised $550M to scale modular thermal batteries for heavy industry and data centers, aiming to deliver always-on power from heat storage. Critical Minerals & Research: South Dakota Mines won a $3.1M DOE grant to speed up locating and mapping rare earths and other critical minerals. Water Quality: EPA approved South Dakota’s 2026 Surface Water Quality Assessment Report, removing 38 waterbodies from the impaired list and flagging 198 segments needing TMDLs. Drought Relief for Small Business: SBA opened economic injury disaster loans for drought-impacted central South Dakota counties, with applications due March 10, 2027. Public Safety & Local Industry: Pye-Barker Fire & Safety kept expanding, adding a Rapid City team among new acquisitions and climbing in SDM 100 rankings. Transportation & Infrastructure: MnDOT warned cyclists and motorcycle travelers about I-90 construction ahead of the Sturgis Rally. Agriculture & Markets: USDA’s late-June reports set the tone for grain markets, with corn and soybean planted acres at record levels. Health Watch: CDC reported Cyclospora cases now in 45 states, including South Dakota. Native Workforce: Native homeownership coalition received $300,000 to continue a construction internship program building the next generation of tribal contractors.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.