Gov. Mike Rounds has been talking about the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Lab at Homestake for some time now during his State of the State. It's a subject about which he seems genuinely excited — and more excited every time he talks about it.

Briefing reporters yesterday, Rounds explained one reason why he focuses on DUSEL so much.

"It gives ... people across the state the chance to focus on a particular project they clearly see moving us into a new areas of research," Rounds said. "It also provides job opportunities in the area."

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In other words, DUSEL — which Rounds believes will provide billions of dollars of impact for the state — is a symbol for Rounds' broader focus on higher education, science and economic development. As a very high-profile science facility with the chance to lead to real breakthroughs about the composition of the universe, it makes a good symbol — even if most people probably can't explain anything about what dark matter is or how a mine helps scientists research it. (One initiative Rounds cited is designed to help that — putting free educational materials online.)