W A S H I N G T O N, D. C. 2 0 2 5 0 - 0 7 0 5

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# News Release

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623

# Tim McNeilly (202) 690-0498

**[USDA ANNOUNCES RURAL INVESTMENTS OF \$45 MILLION TO SPARK COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN 34 STATES]{.underline}**

**[Funds To Create or Save 1,000 Jobs/ 129 First Responder and Public
Safety Requests Selected]{.underline}**

**WASHINGTON**, Sept. 15, 2003\-- Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman
today announced the selection of 309 business, community and Tribal
transportation, business and educational loan and grant requests from 34
states. The funds are a mixture of economic and community development
investments being made as part of the Bush Administration's overall
efforts to help spur economic opportunities and improve the quality of
life for rural Americans.

"The capital investments announced today goes to the heart of President
Bush's commitment to rural America," said Veneman. "The grants will help
community leaders bring new business and jobs to their community;
provide fire, rescue and public safety to protect rural families and
support educational opportunities that increase the ability to compete
in the global marketplace."  

Veneman said that the \$45 million will help fund 129 first responder
and public safety requests, create or save nearly 1,000 jobs through
financing of over 130 businesses, assist 24 Tribal colleges build and
renovate educational facilities and 16 Tribal governments with business
development. Funds will also assist in the construction of municipal
facilities such as courthouses, city halls, libraries and other
essential community facilities. To assist with developing transportation
systems in rural areas, the Community Transportation Association of
America was selected to receive \$750,000 in grants to expand a new
transit system in Oklahoma and create new transit systems for tribes in
Arizona and South Dakota as well as develop or expand rural
transportation services in Utah, Louisiana, Mississippi, Vermont and
Hawaii.

South Dakota will receive total funds of \$2,453,872. Projects funded
include:

**[Community Facilities Economic Impact Initiative]{.underline}**

-   **Sisseton Wahpeton Community College - \$100,000\
    **Purpose: Construct an Early Childhood Education Center (Day Care).

-   **Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate - \$35,821\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the completion of a youth center
    for teens to be located in Sisseton. Services will be made available
    to all interested parties.

-   **Sisseton Wahpeton College - \$184,861\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the construction and furnishing
    of the vocational education building which will serve its students,
    tribal members, and others in the surrounding community.

-   **Cavour Development Corporation, Inc. - \$4,500\
    **Purpose: Purchase equipment for a community developed day care
    center.

-   **Town of Claire City - \$22,875\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the completion of a fire
    hall/community center project including the purchase of necessary
    equipment.

-   **Town of New Effington - \$25,000\
    **Purpose: Funding will help with the rehabilitation of the museum
    including repairs to the roof, windows, stucco, and inside ceiling
    and walls.

-   **Town of Mound City - \$21,750\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the renovations to the Mound
    City Community Center.

-   **Town of Peever - \$37,500\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with paving the streets in the
    community.

    **-more-**

-   **Sinte Gleska University - \$184,861\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the construction of a distance
    learning center and library that will serve the Ihanktonwan
    Community College and Yankton Sioux Tribe members.

-   **Yankton Sioux Tribe - \$18,975\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the purchase of a warehouse for
    the Food Distribution Program for continued service to eligible
    applicants.

-   **Cheyenne River Youth Project, Inc. - \$40,000\
    **Purpose: Construction of a new youth center for teenagers on the
    Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation.

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-   **Sinte Gleska University - \$56,250\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the renovation of the
    University's bookstore, enhancing the learning environment for
    individuals using the facility.

-   **Oglala Lakota College - \$184,861\
    **Purpose: Renovations will be made to the Piya Wicnoni Main
    Administration Building southwest of Kyle and the East Wakpamni
    District Instructional Center in Batesland. Grant funds will also be
    used for installation of an electric security system in 14 Oglala
    Lakota College buildings and the nine district's instructional
    centers.

-   **Oglala Oyate Woitancan (OOW) -- Pine Ridge Village - \$48,600\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the Emergency Road Repair
    Project which includes purchasing equipment and the maintenance and
    repair of the equipment. Implementation of this project will assist
    with development of the community and create employment enabling the
    recipient to stock pile gravel, resell the gravel, along with the
    delivery and spreading of the gravel.

-   **Oglala Oyate Woitancan (OOW) -- Pine Ridge District - \$37,500\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the Emergency Road Repair
    Project which includes purchasing equipment and the maintenance and
    repair of the equipment. Implementation of this project will allow
    development and improvements within the community and create
    employment opportunities.

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-   **Oglala Oyate Woitancan (OOW) -- Porcupine District - \$37,500\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the Emergency Road Repair
    Project which includes purchasing equipment and the maintenance and
    repair of the equipment. Implementation of this project will assist
    with road development and maintenance and create employment
    opportunities in the community.

-   **Oglala Oyate Woitancan (OOW) -- Eagle Nest District - \$30,000\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the Emergency Road Repair
    Project which includes purchasing equipment and the maintenance and
    repair of the equipment. Implementation of this project will assist
    with the development of the community and create employment by
    enabling the recipient to stock pile gravel, resell the gravel,
    along with delivering and spreading of the gravel.

-   **Oglala Oyate Woitancan (OOW) -- LaCreek District - \$30,000\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the Emergency Road Repair
    Project which includes purchasing equipment and the maintenance and
    repair of the equipment. Implementation of this project will assist
    with the development of the community and create employment by
    enabling the recipient to stock pile gravel, resell the gravel,
    along with delivering and spreading of the gravel.

-   **Oglala Oyate Woitancan (OOW) -- Medicine Root District - \$30,000\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the purchase of a road grader to
    improve the transportation system in the outlying rural area. The
    equipment will provide vast improvements in the District and will be
    used for maintenance of the roads throughout the year.

-   **Oglala Oyate Woitancan (OOW) -- Oglala District - \$30,000\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the Emergency Road Repair
    Project which includes purchasing equipment and the maintenance and
    repair of the equipment. Implementation of this project will assist
    with the development of the community and create employment by
    enabling the recipient to stock pile gravel, resell the gravel,
    along with delivering and spreading of the gravel.

-   **Oglala Oyate Woitancan (OOW) -- Wakpamni District - \$30,000\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the Emergency Road Repair
    Project which includes purchasing equipment and the maintenance and
    repair of the equipment. Implementation of this project will assist
    with the development of the community and create employment by
    enabling the recipient to stock pile gravel, resell the gravel,
    along with delivering and spreading of the gravel.

-   **Oglala Oyate Woitancan (OOW) -- Wounded Knee District - \$37,500\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the Emergency Road Repair
    Project which includes purchasing equipment and the maintenance and
    repair of the equipment. Implementation of the project will assist
    the community with snow removal, clean-up, road repair, and overall
    maintenance in the district.

-   **Dupree Day Care, Inc. - \$49,950\
    **Purpose: Funds will be used to construct a day care center in
    Dupree.

-   **Dupree Volunteer Fire Department - \$16,252\
    **Purpose: Funds will be used to purchase the "Jaws of Live"
    extrication equipment, pump and motor.

-   **Eagle Butte Fire Department - \$13,095\
    **Purpose: Purchase a hazardous weather early warning siren for
    Habitat for Humanity Housing District and the Cheyenne River Housing
    Authority -- Foxridge Housing Development.

-   **Mellette County -- White River - \$28,894\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the purchase of a 4-wheel drive
    rescue vehicle to be used in inclimate weather.

    **-more-**

-   

-   **Trail City Volunteer Fire Department - \$30,000\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the construction of a fire
    station that will house four vehicles, plus provide storage for a
    portable skid unit.

-   **Eagle Butte Community Clinic - \$50,000\
    **Purpose: Funds will assist with the expansion of the existing
    non-profit medical, dental, and vision facility which will
    accommodate patients and provide a more confidential environment.

-   **Loneman School Corporation - \$27,000\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the purchase of equipment to
    maintain the bus route.

-   **Boys & Girls Club of Lower Brule - \$47,027\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the construction of a diabetes
    prevention and outdoor exercise program that would include educating
    the youth on diet, nutrition, healthy food preparation, and
    structured activities.

-   **Reliance Fire Department - \$13,300\
    **Purpose: Funding will assist with the purchase and installation of
    a new warning siren for the community that would ultimately help
    save lives.

    **[Intermediary Relending Program]{.underline}**

-   **South Dakota Economic Development Finance Authority - \$750,000\
    **Purpose: Funds will be used to recapitalize their existing
    revolving loan fund.

    **[Rural Business Enterprise Grant]{.underline}**

-   **Yankton Sioux Tribe - \$150,000\
    **Purpose: Funds will be used to establish a revolving loan fund and
    to provide technical assistance to the Native American population in
    the area. The revolving loan fund will facilitate business start-ups
    and expansions.

    **[Rural Business Opportunity Grant]{.underline}**

-   **Lower Brule Sioux Tribe - \$50,000\
    **Purpose: Funds will assist with the continuation efforts in the
    development of its small business incubator on the reservation. They
    will provide technical assistance and a place for the small business
    to develop.

South Dakota State Director Lynn D. Jensen said, "These funds will
assist the communities with medical, educational, fire fighting,
maintenance and child care facilities, along with business development,
expansion and job creation." He continued, "This funding brings economic
vitality to the communities and provides them with an avenue for
growth."

A complete list by program area can be found at *www.rurdev.usda.gov*.
Funding of individual recipients will be contingent upon meeting the
conditions of the grant agreement.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that
will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of
life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development
provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in
homeownership, business development and critical community and
technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is
available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's
web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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**USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and
Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA,
Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410**