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USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Provide Development Support to Rural Cooperatives

Name
Tammi Schone
City
Huron
Release Date

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that $5.8 million in competitive funding is available to help start, improve or expand cooperative businesses in rural areas.

“Cooperatives have long been a key resource for small and midsized producers working together to access new markets or to market value added products,” said Under Secretary for Rural Development Lisa Mensah. “This funding helps them continue their crucial role supporting farmers and other businesses that create jobs, provide services and improve the quality of life in rural America.”

The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) Program provides funding to non-profit cooperative develop centers and institutions of higher learning. Grants may be awarded for up to $200,000 and matching funds are required equal to 25 percent of the total project cost.

USDA has invested more than $44 million in 228 grants through the RCDG program since 2009.  Of that total, $1,296,988 has been invested in South Dakota through seven grants.

In 2015, the Value Added Agriculture Development Center, Inc.in Pierre, S.D. received a $200,000 technical assistance grant to continue to improve the economic conditions of the underserved areas by delivering crucial technical assistance, feasibility and business planning services, creating and strengthening relationships, providing educational workshops that will assist these businesses with continued success and viability within the region.

For information on how to apply for RCDG grants, contact a local Business & Cooperative Program Specialist or the State Office for more details about the application requirements and process:

Dana Kleinsasser, Rural Business & Cooperative Programs Director (Huron State Office)
Phone: (605) 352-1142
Email:  dana.kleinsasser@sd.usda.gov

Cayla Hilbrands, Assistant (Huron State Office)
Phone:  (605) 352-1142
Email:  cayla.hilbrands@sd.usda.gov

Shelby Kraemer, Assistant (Aberdeen)
Phone:  (605) 226-3360, Ext. 4
Email:  shelby.kraemer@sd.usda.gov

Gary Wedel, Specialist (Mitchell)
Phone: (605) 996-1564, Ext. 105
Email:  gary.wedel@sd.usda.gov

Clark Guthmiller, Specialist (Pierre)
Phone: (605) 224-8870, Ext. 120
Email:  clark.guthmiller@sd.usda.gov

Hettianne Cekalla, Specialist (Rapid City)
Phone: (605) 342-0301, Ext. 118
Email:  hettianne.cekalla@sd.usda.gov

Jolene Pravecek, Specialist (Yankton)
Phone:  (605) 665-2662, Ext. 116
Email:  jolene.pravecek@sd.usda.gov

or see page 16127 of the March 25 Federal Register. The first round of applications is due June 20, 2016.

Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested $11 billion in more than 103,000 rural businesses to start or expand their operations; helped more than 1 million rural residents buy homes; funded nearly 7,000 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities; financed 180,000 miles of new and improved electric transmission and distribution lines; and helped bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses.