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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:**

September 16, 2003 Tammi Schone - (605) 352-1102

**FUNDS AWARDED TO ECONOMICALLY TROUBLED RURAL COMMUNITIES**

**HURON** -- State Director Lynn D. Jensen announced today the selection
of 32 projects in economically distressed communities in South Dakota
will receive grant funds from the Community Facilities Economic Impact
Initiative program. The grants will assist in the development of
important community services and facilities in areas of high
unemployment and economic depression.

Jensen said, "These grants funds will assist the communities with
medical, educational, fire fighting, maintenance and child care
facilities." He continued, "This community funding follows a competitive
application process and our staff helped with the effort in qualifying
rural projects."

In South Dakota, \$1,578,622 will be awarded to the following
communities:

**[AREA I]{.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.

**[Area II]{.underline}**

-   **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.

**[Area III]{.underline}**

-   **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.

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

-   **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 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 a electric security system in 14 Oglala
    Lakota College buildings and the nine district's instructional
    centers.

-   **Si Tanka College - \$174,750\
    **Purpose: Funds will assist with heating and cooling improvements
    for the gymnasium on the Huron campus.

-   **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.

-   **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.

-   **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.

The grants are made available through a special initiative under the
Community Facilities 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 ??? percent. The grants provide facilities for
community health care, cultural and educational activities, fire,
rescue, public safety, and public building improvement.

Grant funds are available to eligible public entities, nonprofit
corporations, special purpose districts and tribal governments.
Communities having the lowest populations and lowest median incomes were
given selection priority. The project's economic feasibility and the
financial status of the applicant were also considered.

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. Rural Development is Rural America\'s Venture
Capitalist. Providing equity, liquidity, and technical assistance to
finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and
critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on
these and other rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural
Development office or by visiting USDA\'s web site at
[http://www.rurdev.usda.gov](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/).

**-USDA-**

*The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means for communication of program information
(Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of
discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room
326-W, Whitten Building, 14^th^ and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal
opportunity employer.*