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For Immediate Release (September, 25 2003)

For more information: Dar Baum (605) 773-3181

**Governor's Daycare Facility and USDA Rural Development Funding Awarded
in Dupree**

Governor Mike Rounds announced today the selection of Dupree Day Care
Inc. as the recipient of a 1,200 square foot Governor's Daycare
Facility.

"Quality daycare services and facilities are important to the economic
viability in every community in South Dakota," said Rounds. "Dupree has
shown a great need for additional daycare services in the community and
with limited resources available to the community, it made sense to
provide a daycare facility to them."

This announcement accompanies USDA Rural Development State Director Lynn
D. Jensen awarding Dupree Day Care, Inc. USDA Rural Development
Community Facility Economic Impact Initiative grant funds.

Dupree Day Care, Inc. received \$49,950 from USDA Rural Development
which will be pooled with an applicant contribution of \$500 and a local
contribution of \$12,000, along with the Governor's Daycare Facility for
the project.

Jensen said, "I'm pleased our funds will assist in providing the
community of Dupree with a day care center that allows for realistic
child care services. This facility provides an avenue to the community
for attracting and retaining its workforce."

After many community meetings and performing a community wide assessment
of the daycare needs for Dupree, leaders in the effort to increase the
childcare options took the necessary steps to apply for a Governor's
Daycare Facility grant and a USDA Rural Development Community Facility
Economic Impact Initiative grant.

"Due to operating at capacity, current daycare providers report turning
away children on a regular basis," said Kandice Hoffman, Chairperson for
the Dupree Daycare, Inc. Board of Directors. "Employers we surveyed also
noted several absences at the work place this past year directly related
to the lack of day care in Dupree."

Initiated in 1997, the Governor's Daycare Facility offers a reasonably
sized, affordable building design to accommodate up to 20 children. The
standard design, in conjunction with the Governor's Inmate Training
Program, keeps the cost of these facilities affordable.

The facilities may be purchased and placed in most communities in South
Dakota. Non-profit organizations may be eligible to apply for a facility
under the Governor's Daycare Facility Grant Program. All Governor's
Daycare Facilities, whether granted or purchased, must receive proper
licensing from the Department of Social Services Office of Child Care
Services.

The Community Facility Economic Impact Initiative grant is made
available through the Community Facility program of USDA Rural
Development. The projects must be essential community facilities and
services for public use in rural communities with populations less than
20,000 that have a not employed rate of at least 19.5 percent. The
grants provide facilities for

community health care, cultural and educational activities, fire,
rescue, public safety, and public building improvement.

"We knew we had a need, but we also knew we didn't have the proper
facility in Dupree to fill that need, or the resources to build a
facility from scratch on our own. The Governor's Daycare Facility will
help our community in a big way," concluded Hoffman.

For more information on the Governor's Daycare Facility contact the
South Dakota Housing Development Authority at 605-773-3181 or the
Department of Social Services Office of Childcare Services at
605-773-4766.

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