Following the recession of the early 1980s, the Future Fund was developed in 1987 with $1.8 million to invest in South Dakota’s workforce and build its economy. It helps to support the training of employees, retraining of employees during layoffs, business recruitment, and research and entrepreneurial activities. In 2011, $6,978,077 was awarded to 27 companies for these purposes, creating 1,335 jobs.