HURON, S.D., Dec. 26, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development South Dakota State Director Nikki Gronli today announced that the Department is investing more than $1.1 million to create economic opportunities and improve the lives of citizens in rural South Dakota.
“Delivering infrastructure and education benefits to children, families and individuals in rural South Dakota helps to expand economic opportunities and create good jobs for generations to come,” Gronli said. “When we invest in these projects, we build opportunities and prosperity for the people who call rural South Dakota home.” [Audio: 21s, 4MB, wav]
The investments are part of USDA’s commitment to ensure that people living in rural America have equitable access to the infrastructure and economic opportunities they deserve.
These investments include:
- The town of Stickney will receive $105,000 through the Community Facility Disaster Grants to purchase a payloader. The investment will allow the town to use their own equipment rather than renting from other entities, saving the community funds for other needed projects.
- Oglala Lakota College will receive $344,895 through the Tribal College Initiative Grant to repair parking lots at various campuses on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Repair will consist of asphalt patching, crack sealing and chip sealing. This project also will fund two new vehicles for college functions, conference room equipment and replace interior flooring. These repairs and equipment purchases will help keep the college facilities in good condition and foster future success of the college and its 1,700 enrolled students.
- Sinte Gleska University will receive $344,895 through the Tribal College Initiative Grant to replace roofs at four campuses, located in Mission, South Dakota. This project will also replace heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and add security camera systems across the campus. The repairs and equipment purchases will help keep the college facilities in good condition.
- Sisseton Wahpeton College will receive $344,895 through the Tribal College Initiative Grant to purchase two trucks that will be used for maintenance and the building trades program. The college will purchase lithium-ion batteries for their uninterrupted power supply to support the school's computer network. Additionally, they will use funding to upgrade to LED lighting on the campus.
Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/sd.
To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page.
###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.