Southeast Tech and Thune honor late US senator with $18 million manufacturing building

The building is set to open in fall 2028, funded by $6 million from the state, $6.5 million in federal Housing and Urban Development funds and millions more in private contributions.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, helped secure the federal funding. Thune and Abdnor met after one of Thune’s high school basketball games in the 1970s. Abdnor later hired him to work in his U.S. Senate office, became a mentor and was his “biggest advocate” when Thune ran for public office, Thune said.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without Jim Abdnor,” Thune said. “There’s no question about that.”

Abdnor was raised in Kennebec, served in World War II and was elected to state and federal offices including the U.S. Senate. He lost that seat in 1986 to Tom Daschle, a Democrat who went on to become majority leader. Thune ousted Daschle in 2004 and became Senate majority leader in 2025. Abdnor died in 2012.

Southeast Technical College President Cory Clasemann said the building was named for Abdnor because of Thune’s role in securing funding and Abdnor’s lifelong support for “the next generation of leaders” in South Dakota.

The college’s construction, HVAC, mechanical engineering, plumbing and welding programs are all at capacity. Clasemann said the new building and expanded lab space will triple manufacturing program capacity and double the number of welding booths. Last year, Clasemann estimated the new building and a planned expansion will bring the total cost of the project to $24 million.

Advanced manufacturing, Clasemann said, accounts for one in 10 jobs in South Dakota and is expected to grow its workforce by 6% through 2032.

“Manufacturing is not a huge program right now, but we know it’s one that needs to be bigger, and it’s only been limited by capacity at this point,” Clasemann said.

Southeast Tech requested $8 million from the state before this year’s legislative session. Gov. Larry Rhoden said the state cut the contribution to $6 million due to budget constraints. Rhoden, who has owned a custom welding business for decades, praised the project.

“I’ve always believed that there’s dignity in working with your hands and in making something from start to finish,” Rhoden said. “There’s something special about being able to step back at the end of the day and see what your hands have built, what you fix or what you made better.”

Rhoden said the new building and other trade school investments fill industry workforce needs while giving students “practical hands-on education.”

Clasemann said the college is still fundraising to fill a $2 million gap left by the state. Several private entities have contributed, including $1 million from Sioux Falls-based Marmon Energy and $775,000 from the Forward Sioux Falls campaign, a joint venture of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Area Development Foundation.

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