HURON, S.D., Dec. 14, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development South Dakota State Director Nikki Gronli today announced that the Department is investing $671,776 to help create new and better market opportunities and expand essential services for rural people, business and entrepreneurs in South Dakota.
“Rural Development is making investments in programs specifically designed to create economic opportunities for people and businesses in rural areas,” said Gronli. “The expertise demonstrated by these recipients help rural South Dakotans succeed in creating new and better market opportunities throughout the state.”
The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) funding will help keep resources and wealth made by rural citizens right at home through affordable financing and technical assistance. It will help rural South Dakotans start businesses and allow small business owners to grow. It will also open the door to new economic opportunities for communities and people who historically have lacked access to critical resources and financing.
Today’s announcement provides funding for:
- Northeast South Dakota Economic Corporation (NESDEC) will receive $49,432 to provide an annual technical assistance grant to support the initial RMAP revolving loan fund awarded in 2010. Funds will be used to provide technical assistance and training to rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises.
- Mobridge Economic Development Corporation will receive $35,023 to provide an annual technical assistance grant to support the initial RMAP revolving loan fund awarded in 2010. Funds will be used to provide technical assistance and training to rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises.
- Four Bands Community Fund Inc. will receive $56,682 to provide an annual technical assistance grant to support the initial RMAP revolving loan fund awarded in 2011. Funds will be used to provide technical assistance and training to rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises.
- Glacial Lakes Area Development This Rural Development investment will be used to provide an annual technical assistance grant to Glacial Lakes Area Development to support the initial RMAP revolving loan fund awarded in 2011. Funds will be used to provide technical assistance and training to rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises.
Background:
USDA is making 242 awards through eight programs specifically designed to create economic opportunities for people and businesses in rural areas. These programs are the Biofuel Producer Relief Payments Program, Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program, the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grants program, the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program and the Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees.
The awards are being made in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean-energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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 https://www.rd.usda.gov/sd.
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