1 South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report

USDA Rural Development South Dakota

2014 Progress Report
2 South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report

Mission: 

To Increase economic

opportunity and improve

the quality of life for all

rural Americans.

Vision: 

A rural America that is a

healthy, safe, and  

prosperous place to live

and work.

Secretary of Agriculture

Thomas J. Vilsack

“USDA Rural Development provides loan and grant

financing as well as technical assistance to develop

housing, community faciliƟes, businesses,

infrastructure, and renewable energy ventures  in  

rural areas. In addiƟon to providing direct loan and grant assistance,  

USDA Rural Development also partners with private sector lenders and  

development organizaƟons to carry out local community development  

projects. Rural Development's more than 40 financial assistance programs, in  

addiƟon to its ability to leverage private sector resources, give USDA the  

flexibility to invest in a wide range of projects that are reinvigoraƟng rural   

towns and bringing new job opportuniƟes for local residents. As I oŌen say,  

USDA is not just about helping farms and  farmers. USDA Rural Development’s  

mission is a great example of the  extraordinary reach of USDA programs  

throughout the rural economy. “

Under Secretary for  

USDA Rural Development

Lisa Mensah

“The vitality of rural America is criƟcal to ensuring the

strength of our economy, the affordability of our food,  

the independence of our energy supply, and the vibrancy  

of small communiƟes. The Obama AdministraƟon is commiƩed to ensuring  

that rural communiƟes are economically strong,  sound and sustainable. At  

USDA Rural Development, many of our  employees live and work in the same  

rural communiƟes alongside our rural customers and  Stakeholder and partner  

organizaƟons. We are truly fortunate and unique to serve rural America at the  

grassroots level. The investment work we do is important, and has lasƟng  

impacts both in rural America and for our overall economy. We look forward  

to conƟnuing this work that improves the quality of life for rural residents and  

provides them with greater economic opportuniƟes. We had great success  

delivering assistance to rural communiƟes in 2014, and we look forward to a  

great 2015.”
3 South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report

Business Programs Community/UƟlity Programs Housing Programs All Others Total

$7,088,155 $243,909,324 $22,701,710 $1,121,988 $463,821,177

Fiscal Year 2014  Investments in South Dakota  

State Director  

for South Dakota  

USDA Rural Development

Elsie M. Meeks

“I am pleased to present our Fiscal Year 2014  

Progress Report highlighƟng the accomplishments  

throughout South Dakota.  I hope you find this report useful,  

informaƟve, and it provides a beƩer understanding of USDA Rural  

Development.  Through our programs, we touch rural America in many  

ways. Rural Development is the only Federal agency that can essenƟally  

build a community from the ground up.  Through investments in  

infrastructure, homeownership, and job creaƟon, Rural Development  

helps rural Americans achieve the American Dream.  Rural Development  

operates three disƟnct programs ‐ Business Programs, Community/

UƟlity Programs, and Housing Programs. During this past year in  

South Dakota, USDA Rural Development delivered over $463 million of  

investment throughout South Dakota’s 66 counƟes.  Rural Development  

programs and services are provided to South Dakota through the State  

Office and seven Area Offices throughout the state. South Dakota Rural

Development has a team of dedicated professionals capable and ready  

to work with you to improve rural South Dakota.  I encourage you to  

contact your Area or State Office to learn more about how USDA Rural  

Development can help improve the quality of life and increase the  

economic opportunity in your community.”

USDA: 

Rural Development

strives to create  

new jobs, new  

businesses, and  

new economic  

opportuniƟes in rural

South Dakota.
4 South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report

Rural Business and CooperaƟve Programs

USDA Rural Development Business Programs help

create jobs and sƟmulate rural economies by

providing financial backing for rural businesses.   

Loans, grants, and loan guarantees are available to

any legally‐organized enƟty, including cooperaƟves,

partnerships, profit or non‐profit enƟƟes, Indian

tribes or federally‐recognized tribal groups, and  

municipaliƟes. AddiƟonally, a wide range of  

technical assistance is provided to cooperaƟves and

people interested in forming new cooperaƟves. Our

programs have funds available to complete energy

audits and feasibility studies, complete energy  

efficiency improvements, install renewable energy

systems. We have programs that help convert older

heaƟng sources to cleaner technologies, produce

advanced biofuels, install flexible fuel pumps,  

install solar panels, build biorefineries, and much

more. USDA Rural Development is at the forefront

of renewable energy financing, with opƟons  

including grants, guaranteed loans and payments.

Fiscal Year 2014 Results

In fiscal year 2014, Rural Development invested $7

million in South Dakota rural businesses, supporƟng

37 projects. Business and CooperaƟve Programs

serve South Dakota communiƟes by creaƟng new

business, growing producƟon, maintaining jobs,

conducƟng feasibility studies, improving rural  

energy development, creaƟng professional business

plans, and increasing revenue for rural business

ventures.  

Regional Food Systems ● Always Home Grown or

Homemade in South Dakota

Terry Lehmkuhl and her husband Ernie operate

SpringerRidge Barnyard Products.  They organize

the Country Farmer’s  Market held in Pierre, South

Dakota.  The Farmer’s Market family celebrated  

"NaƟonal Farmers Market Week” (August 3 through

9, 2014) that was declared by USDA Agriculture  

Secretary Tom Vilsack. The Country Farmer's  

Market offers a large variety of fresh produce,

baked goods, free range eggs, Icelandic yarn,

coffees, honey, and canned goods.    

New to the market was “The Gathering Place" in

honor of the NaƟonal celebraƟon which offered a

siƫng area and booth to sit and chat and have  

special guests, demonstraƟons and kids’ acƟviƟes.

South Dakota USDA Rural Development staff  

aƩended and highlighted the annual local food  

conference  held in November.   

Farmer’s Markets make an impact in the state.  The

South Dakota Department of Agriculture did a study

and it showed that farmers market vendors sold

over $1.3 million worth of products in South Dakota

during 2013. Farmers markets had an average of 7.5

vendors and 96.2 customers per market. The  

average sales per market for that Ɵme period were

$1,125.67.  

It is people like Ernie and Terry, two hard working "country folks” that

provide fresh produce, canned goods, baked goods and make an economic

impact holding up the moƩo ‘Always Home Grown and Homemade in

South Dakota’.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report 5

Rural Business and CooperaƟve Programs

Regional Food Systems ● Deuel Community  

Kitchen Valuable to Local Chefs/Producers

Everyone wants large companies to come to their

area for jobs and opportunities, but those  

opportunities may already exist in our communities.  

The Deuel Community Kitchen is the first  

partnership of its kind in South Dakota and gives

rural South Dakotans a starting place for  

entrepreneurship.  By creating and supporting this

kitchen incubator, Deuel Area Development, Inc.

(DADI) is helping to connect rural entrepreneurs

with new market opportunities, contributing  

significantly to community economic development.  

The kitchen incubator gives local growers an  

opportunity to try out their favorite recipe and the

potential to grow from a one person operation to a

business with several employees.  With people’s

concerns about healthy and safe food, the demand

is growing for home grown, locally produced food,

adding to the market opportunity for local growers.  

Besides growing and processing food, the “Chefs”

are creating their own business complete with  

business plans, marketing strategies, and future

goals.

DADI received a Rural Business Enterprise Grant

(RBEG) and leveraged it with other funding to pro‐

vide technical assistance to small businesses in

Deuel County in eastern South Dakota.  In  

partnership with the Deubrook Area School in  

Toronto, DADI created a commercial kitchen  

incubator where local producers and local chefs can

process food.  Dakota Rural AcƟon, a grassroots,

family agriculture, and conservaƟon group, assisted

DADI in working out the details for local  

producers to use the kitchen.

Deuel Community Kitchen and USDA Rural Development representaƟves gathered around the kitchen  

incubator.
6 South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report

Rural Housing Programs

USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing

Programs provide homeownership opportuniƟes to

low and moderate‐income rural Americans through

several loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs.

The programs also make funding available to  

individuals to finance vital improvements necessary

to make their homes decent, safe, and sanitary.

USDA Rural Development MulƟ‐Family Housing

Programs offer Rural Rental Housing Loans to  

provide affordable mulƟ‐family rental housing for

very low‐, low‐, and moderate‐income families; the

elderly; and persons with disabiliƟes. This is  

primarily a direct mortgage program, but funds

may also be used to buy and improve land and to

provide necessary faciliƟes such as water and

waste disposal systems. AddiƟonally, subsidy rental

assistance is available to eligible families.

Fiscal Year 2014 Results

USDA Rural Development improved rural housing

in South Dakota with $196.8 million in loans and

grants to build, repair, rehabilitate, and purchase

homes that ulƟmately improve the quality of life in

rural South Dakota. Rural Development  

provides funding for single‐family homes,  

apartments for lower‐income families or the  

elderly, and housing for farm laborers. In fiscal year

2014, the agency obligated 71 direct loans and

1,465 guaranteed loans to finance homes for rural

South Dakota families.  

Rural Housing ● A White House with a BeauƟful

Back Yard

The Joe & Danielle Donnell family are living in their

new home, a white house with a porch and a  

beauƟful back yard with a running creek next to it.   

They feel blessed to have a place where their family

can grow together.  Their story exemplifies this

year’s theme, “USDA: Own Your Future.  Own Your

Home.”   The Donnell family is one of two families

to benefit from a Memorandum of  Understanding

entered into between USDA Rural Development,

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, acƟng through the   

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Housing Authority, and

Dacotah Bank.

The list of partners assisƟng the Donnell family  

include:  USDA Rural Development direct loan that

was leveraged with a Homes Are Possible, Inc.

(HAPI) silent mortgage, a GROW SD Silent  

Mortgage for repairs, a GROW SD Silent Mortgage

for closing costs, and a NAHI grant for down  

payment and closing costs, an affordable housing  

product of Federal Home Loan Bank ‐ sponsored by

Dacotah Bank.  The applicaƟon was packaged

through Grow South Dakota.

The Donnell’s have one child.  They were previously

living with relaƟves.  They shared that the new

home has allowed them to live life the way they

want and not have to worry about others’  

schedules, imposing on others, or being a  

burden.  For the first Ɵme, they will be able to start

a garden and have begun dreaming of ways to  

decorate their new home.

The Donnell family standing in front of their new home.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report 7

Rural Housing Programs

Rural Housing ● Homeownership for Our NaƟve

CommuniƟes

As a kid Charles McGaa moved around a lot and

never really had a home to call his own.  Through

the assistance of a new collaboraƟon of housing

organizaƟons, the Sustainable Home Ownership

Project, SHOP, Charles was able to achieve the goal

of homeownership on the ReservaƟon. Many

Americans find the process of buying a home to be

very scary and at Ɵmes a frustraƟng process.  

Charles was able to aƩend homebuyer and  

financial literacy classes taught by the Oglala Sioux

Tribe Partnership for Housing, a SHOP partner.  A

housing counselor at the Partnership then helped

him put together the USDA Rural Development 502

Direct Single Family Housing applicaƟon. Once he

was approved and a home chosen in Pine Ridge,

the process of closing on his home began.   

This process was long and a liƩle rocky at Ɵmes as

he became the first Tribal Trust land applicaƟon

that has closed with the assistance of a Title  

Insurance Company.  Pennington Title of Rapid City,

joined with Rural Development to insure both the

buyer and the lender against any loss arising from

problems that may have connected to the Ɵtle of

the property.  It is with this new partnership that

Rural Development hopes to reduce the Ɵme it

takes to close this type of loan.

For many, owning a home may seem like an  

impossible dream but the SHOP organizaƟons on

the Pine Ridge ReservaƟon as well as Rural  

Development are there to help.   Partners such as

Thunder Valley Community Development  

CorporaƟon, Lakota Funds, Lakota Federal Credit

Union,  Partnership for Housing, Mazaska Owecaso

OƟpi Financial, Oglala Sioux Tribe Partnership for

Housing and Oglala Sioux Lakota Housing  authority

have joined together to create a streamlined one

stop housing process.  By joining together, they  

enhance each other’s mission by providing credit

counseling, housing educaƟon and counseling, plus

IDA’s—individual deposit accounts to help families

save for down payments and closing costs.  The  

collaboraƟon creates an ecosystem of opportunity

for potenƟal homeowners on the reservaƟon.   

Rural Housing ● Yankton Sioux Tribe Hosts Annual

Housing Fair

It is a picture worth a thousand words and  

resonates the well know phrase “that the children

of today are the future of  tomorrow.”   

Charles McGaa, borrower, working with Rose Marie Dillingham from

Partnership for Housing (seller) and Betsy K from Pennington Title, who

closed the loan.   

Young children intermingled and colored in USDA coloring books while

their parents were educaƟng themselves on programs available through

USDA at the Housing Fair held on July 24th at the Legion Hall in Wagner.
8 South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report

Community/UƟlity Programs

Community Programs administers programs  

designed to develop essenƟal community faciliƟes

for public use in rural areas. These faciliƟes include

schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical  

clinics, assisted living faciliƟes, fire and rescue  

staƟons, police staƟons, community centers, public

buildings and transportaƟon. Through its  

Community Programs, the Department of  

Agriculture is striving to ensure that such faciliƟes

are readily available to all rural communiƟes.  

Community Programs uƟlizes three flexible financial

tools to achieve this goal: the Community FaciliƟes

Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community FaciliƟes

Direct Loan Program, and the Community FaciliƟes

Grant Program.

UƟlity Programs provide assistance, such as build‐

ing, repairing, or improving rural water and

wastewater systems, and provide technical  

assistance and training to solid waste faciliƟes.  

Programs also exist for telecommunicaƟons  

equipment for classrooms and healthcare faciliƟes

and broadband equipment for rural faciliƟes and

communiƟes.

Fiscal Year 2014 Results

During fiscal year 2014, USDA Rural Development

invested $6.9 million in rural South Dakota through

community faciliƟes loans and grants. The 26  

projects, including funding for schools and fire  

safety equipment, was used to benefit more than

6,378 rural South Dakota residents.  Community  

FaciliƟes Programs help build, expand, rehabilitate,

purchase, and support the development of police

and emergency fire staƟons and equipment,  

museums, child care centers, hospitals, clinics,

schools, and more.  

USDA Rural Development invested $238 million  

during fiscal year 2014 through 32 infrastructure

projects to provide reliable and clean drinking  

water, waste treatment systems, electric power,

and telecommunicaƟons services in about 40 rural

communiƟes in South Dakota.  

Community Economic Development ● StrikeForce

IniƟaƟve ● New Water Treatment Plant for Eagle

BuƩe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe  

The Mni Waste’ Water Company will soon have a

new water treatment plant connected to an  

abundant water supply ‐ the Missouri River ‐ thanks

to $65.8 million in USDA Rural Development Water

and Waste Disposal funding and other support from

the Indian Health Service and Cheyenne River Sioux

Tribe.

The new system will help meet water needs in the

Eagle BuƩe region. An exisƟng water system was

failing, and water shortages were hampering  

development of new homes and businesses and  

delaying fire response.

The groundbreaking was in April 2014. In addiƟon

to the new treatment plant, this major project  

includes building out about 36 miles of water line

and other system improvements.

The new plant will produce 4.4 million gallons of

clean, safe water per day; about three Ɵmes as

much as the current plant. The system will also help

ensure that criƟcally needed development can  

conƟnue in the region.

In the Lakota language, Mni Waste’ means ‘good

water.” About 8,500 people living in this rural  

region, including members of the Cheyenne River

Sioux Tribe, will benefit from the project, which is

good indeed.

Rural Development is targeƟng assistance to the

area through USDA’s StrikeForce iniƟaƟve to  

combat persistent poverty in rural communiƟes.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report 9

Community/UƟlity Programs

Pictured at leŌ ‐ Members of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Indian Health Service, and USDA at

the water system groundbreaking ceremony.  Pictured at top right ‐ Ninety‐four year old former

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council Member Marcella Le Beau celebrates the final stages of a

major project underway to bring abundant and safe water to the Cheyenne River ReservaƟon

and at boƩom right is the Mni Waste’ Water Company pipeline under construcƟon.

Community Economic Development ● StrikeForce IniƟaƟve ● Red Cloud Indian School, Inc. Purchases

School Buses  

West River Area Director Tim PoƩs and State Director Elsie Meeks visited Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL), part

of the Red Cloud Indian School, to celebrate, along with Father George Winzenburg, S.J, administrator,

students and staff, the purchase of several

USDA Rural Development funded school

buses.  Community Facility loan and grant

funding totaling $55,000 assisted with the

purchase.  The buses are a great asset to the

school district and community and will assist

in reducing transportaƟon costs associated

with busing children from over a fiŌy mile

radius.  OLL and Red Cloud Indian School  

system are considered the premier schools

on the Pine Ridge Indian ReservaƟon and

they provide a foundaƟonal high quality  

educaƟon to the students.

Father George Winzenburg, SJ and USDA Rural Development State Director Elsie M.

Meeks inspect one of the new buses.
10 South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report

Heading Program Award Amount Number of Projects

Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans $3,335,484 6

Intermediary Relending Program $750,000 1

Renewable Energy Loans and Grants $172,239 13

Business Grants $506,070 7

Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants $2,050,000 7

Value‐Added Producer Grants $274,362 3

Single Family Housing Direct Loans $8,250,117 71

Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loans $188,302,524 1,465

Self Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants $0 0

MulƟ‐Family Housing Guaranteed Loans $1,225,900 1

Rental Assistance $13,611,775 150

All Others $1,121,988 5

Totals $463,821,177 1, 846

Electric Loans $219,458,000 10

TelecommunicaƟons Loans and Grants $379,262 2

Community Facility Direct Loans $6,036,500 7

Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants $0 0

MulƟ‐Family Housing Direct Loans $0 0

Home Repair Loans and Grants $311,394 59

Water and Waste Grants $5,446,277 10

Water and Waste Guarantee Loans $0 0

Water and Waste Direct Loans $11,661,000 10

Community Facility Grants $928,285 19

Community Facility Guarantee Loans $0 0

Fiscal Year 2014

South Dakota USDA Rural Development Investments   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report 11 USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS HOUSING AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions Single F amily H o me Ownership D irect Loans Safe, well-built, affordable homes for rural Americans. Families and individuals. Buy, build, improve, repair or rehabilitate a rural home as the applicant’s permanent residence. Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000. Direct loan. Up to 100% of market value or cost. Loan term of 33/38 years. Applicant may be eligible for payment assistance (subsidy) on the loan. Single F amily H o me Ownership Guaranteed Loans To assist moderate-income applicants(s)/household(s) in buying their homes by guaranteeing loans made by private lenders. Families and individuals. Purchase new or existing home and refinance existing Rural Development guaranteed or direct loans. Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000. Loan guarantee. 30-year, fixed rate. Interest rate is negotiated between lender and borrower. Loans up to 100% of market value plus the amount of the up-front guarantee fee being financed. Single F amily R epair Loans and Grants To help very-low-income applicants remove health and safety hazards or repair their homes. Families and individuals who currently own their home. Repair/replace roof, winterizing, purchase or repair heating system, structural repair, water/sewage connect fees, etc. Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000. Direct loan and grant. Loans up to $20,000 up to 20 years at 1%. Grants available to very-low-income applicants 62 years or older unable to pay 1% loan. M utual Self-Help Housing Grants Assist lower-income families in building their own homes. Non-profits and public bodies. Technical assistance to help small groups of families to build each other’s homes. Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000. Grant. Grant agreement. Rural Rental Housing Direct Loans Safe, well-built, affordable rental housing for very-low-income individuals and families. Individuals, trusts, associations, limited partnerships, for-profit and non-profit entities, Tribes, public bodies. New construction or substantial rehabilitation of rental housing. Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000. Direct loan. Up to 100% of total development cost (non- profits); 97% (for-profits); 95% (for-profits with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits). 30-year term with up to 50-year amortization. Rural Rental Housing Loan Guarantees Provides loan guarantees on loans to build or preserve affordable housing for very-low to moderate-income tenants. For profit and non-profit lenders. Build or rehabilitate affordable rental housing. Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000. Loan guarantee. At least 25-year term with fixed interest rate. Loan guarantees up to 90% of the principal. Housing P reservation Grants Repair and rehabilitate housing owned or occupied by very-low- and low-income rural families. Public bodies and non- profit organizations. Operation of a program which finances repair and rehabilitation activities for single-family and small rental properties. Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000. Grant. Grant agreement. Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants Safe, well-built affordable rental housing for farmworkers. Individuals, public and private non-profit organizations. New construction or substantial rehabilitation of rental housing. N/A. Direct loan and grant. Up to 102% of total development cost. Up to 33 years to repay at 1% interest. C o mmunity F acilities Loans and Grants Improve, develop, or finance essential community facilities for rural communities. Public bodies, non-profits, and Federally recognized Indian Tribes. Construct, enlarge or otherwise improve essential community facilities, such as public safety, fire and rescue, telecommunications, schools, libraries, hospitals, other health care facilities, etc. This may include furnishings, fixtures and other required equipment. City, town or unincorporated area of not more than 20,000 in population. Facilities must primarily serve rural residents. Direct loan, loan guarantee or grant. Up to 100% of market value. Term is for useful life of the facility or equipment, the state statute, or 40 years. M aximum grant 75% of project cost. Grant eligibility based on income, population and need. R ural C o mmunity Development Initiative To facilitate housing, community facility and community and economic development projects. Private non-profit or public organizations, philanthropic foundations, low-income communities. Technical assistance grants of $50,000 to $300,000 to develop the capacity and ability of the awardees to carry out needed projects. City, town or unincorporated area of not more than 50,000 in population. Grant. M atching funds required for grant.
12 South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report BUSINESS AND COOPERATIVES Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions Business and Industry Loan Guarantees Create jobs/stimulate rural economies by providing financial backing for rural businesses. Lender/Businesses. Real estate, buildings, equipment, supplies, working capital, and some debt refinancing. All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas. Loan guarantee. Lender and borrower negotiate terms. Up to 30 years for real estate, 15 years for machinery and equipment, and 7 years for working capital. Rural Business Enterprise Grants Finance and facilitate the development of small and emerging private business enterprises. Public bodies, private non- profit corporations and Tribes. Refinancing, land acquisition, revolving funds, construction, equipment, access streets and 

roads, utility and service extensions, and rural distance learning networks.

All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas.

Grant. Amount based on funding 

availability, funding priority and national goals.

Intermediary Relending P rogram Loans 

Establish revolving funds for business facilities and community development projects.

Public bodies, non-profit corporations, Native American Tribes and cooperatives.

Community development projects, establishment or expansion of businesses, creation or saving of rural jobs.

Rural areas and incorporated places with populations of less than 25,000.

Direct loan. The intermediary makes loans 

to businesses from its revolving loan fund on terms consistent with security offered. Intermediary pays 1% for 30 years.

Rural M icroentrepreneur Assistance P rogram

Establish revolving funds to target assistance to small rural enterprises.

M icroenterprise Development Organizations (M DOs).

Loans, technical, and capacitybuilding assistance to businesses with 10 or fewer employees and sole proprietorships.

All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas.

Loans, grants. Rural microenterprises apply 

directly to the intermediary.

Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants

Finance economic development and job creation in rural areas.

Rural Utilities Servicefinanced electric and telephone utilities. 

Business startups or expansion projects that create rural jobs.

Rural areas with priority to places with populations of 2,500 or less.

Direct loan or grant to establish revolving loan fund.

Intermediary makes loans to for-profit or non-profit businesses and public bodies. Loans are 0% for 10 years.

Rural Cooperative Development Grants

Establish/operate centers for cooperative development.

Non-profits and institutions of higher education. 

Establish centers to provide technical assistance, training, applied research, and collection and interpretation of data, for the purpose of cooperative development.

All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas. 

Grant. M inimum 25% fund match (5% 

for 1994 Institutions). Grants awarded competitively.

Small So cially 

Disadvantaged P roducer Grants

Provides funds to eligible cooperatives or an association of cooperatives to provide technical assistance to small, socially disadvantaged producers in rural areas.

Cooperatives and associations of cooperatives whose membership and board of directors is comprised of at least 75% socially disadvantaged agricultural producers.

Technical assistance. All areas, except cities over 

50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas.

Grant. Grants are awarded on a 

competitive basis. There is no matching requirement.

Value-Added P roducer Grants

Help independent agricultural producers enter into activities that add value to their crops.

Independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, producer groups, majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

Feasibility studies, business plans; working capital.

All areas. Grant. Grants are awarded on a 

competitive basis. Funds cannot be used to build facilities or purchase equipment. Funds must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Rural Business Oppo rtunity Grants

Finance technical assistance for business development planning in rural areas.

Public bodies, non-profit corporations, Indian Tribes on Federal or State reservations, cooperatives with members that are primarily rural residents.

Technical assistance, leadership training, establishment of business support centers, economic development plans.

All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas.

Grant. M ust be completed within 2 

years after project has begun.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report 13 BUSINESS AND COOPERATIVES (CONT.) Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions R ural Energy fo r America P rogram (REAP ) Loan Guarantees and Grants Provide assistance for energy efficiency improvements or purchase of a renewable energy system for operations. Rural small businesses and agricultural producers. Energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems, land acquisition and working capital. Cities, towns, unincorporated areas with population less than 50,000. (Population limits do not apply to agricultural producers) Loan guarantee and/or grant.. Grants up to 25% of project costs not to exceed $250,000 for energy efficiency projects and $500,000 for renewable energy. Loan guarantees up to 75% of project cost not to exceed $25 million. REAP Audit/Development Grants Provide grant to entity to pass through to a small business or agricultural producer for 75% of the cost of an energy audit or renewable energy development assistance. State, Tribal or local government institutions of higher education; rural electric cooperatives; or public power entities. $100,000 grant to entities, smaller ones to small business and agricultural producers for 75% of energy audit or renewable energy development assistance. Cities, towns, unincorporated areas with population less than 50,000. Grant. $100,000 to entities and up to 75% of the cost of energy audit for renewable energy development assistance. B io refinery Assistance P rogram Loan Guarantees Provide loan guarantees for the development and construction of commercial-scale biorefineries or to retrofit facilities using eligible technology for the development of advanced biofuels. Individuals, Indian Tribes, State or local governments, corporations, farm cooperatives, associations of agricultural producers, national laboratories, higher learning institutions, rural electric co-ops, public power entities, consortiums of any of the entities. Loan guarantees to develop and construct commercial- scale biorefineries or retrofit facilities to use eligible technology for the development of advanced biofuels. No restrictions. Loan. 90% (maximum) guarantee on loans up to $125 million; 80% (maximum) guarantee on loans less than $150 million; 70% (maximum) guarantee on loans of $150 million but less than $200 million; 60% (maximum) guarantee on loans of $200 million up to $250 million. R epo wering Assistance P rogram Provide payments to biorefineries to replace fossil fuels with biomass. Biorefineries. Grant to biorefineries, including ethanol and biodiesel plants that use electricity generated from natural gas and coal and require this for the fermentation process. No restrictions. Grant. As funds are available. Complete applications submitted to National Office for review. Advanced Biofuel P ayment P ro gram Provide payments to producers of advanced biofuels. Eligible producers of advanced biofuels. Grant to producers of advanced biofuels (non- cornmercial-based). No restrictions. Grant. As funds are available. Complete applications submitted to National Office for review. Grant awards determined by National Office. R ural C o mmunity Development Initiative To facilitate housing, community facility and community and economic development projects. Private non-profit or public organizations, philanthropic foundations, low-income communities. Technical assistance grants of $50,000 to $300,000 to develop the capacity and ability of the awardees to carry out needed projects. City, town or unincorporated area of not more than 50,000 in population. Grant. M atching funds required for grant.
14 South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report UTILITIES PROGRAMS Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Provide infrastructure for rural areas. Public entities, Indian Tribes and non-profit corporations. Build, repair and improve public water systems and waste collection and treatment systems. Rural areas, and towns with up to 10,000 population. Direct loan and grant. Repayment period is a maximum of 40 years. Grant funds may be available. Water and Waste Disposal Loan 

Guarantees

Provide infrastructure for rural areas. Public entities, Indian 

Tribes and non-profit corporations.

Construct, repair and improve water supply and distribution systems and waste collection and treatment systems. 

Rural areas, and towns with up to 10,000 population.

Loan guarantee. Eligible lenders obtain up to a 

90% guarantee on loans they make and service.

Solid Waste M anagement Grants

Provide technical assistance and/or training to those who operate and maintain active landfills.

Public bodies, private nonprofit organizations, Indian Tribes, academic institutions.

Technical assistance and training to improve landfill conditions and protect against threats to nearby water resources.

Rural areas, and towns with up to 10,000 population.

Grant. Applications accepted yearround. Complete applications 

submitted to National Office for review.

Technical Assistance/ Training/Circuit Rider

Provide technical assistance and training.

Public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Provide technical assistance and training to assist with 

management of water and waste projects.

Rural areas and towns with up to 10,000 population.

Grant. As funds are available. 

Complete applications submitted to National Office for review.

Rural Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee

Deployment of broadband service to eligible rural communities.

Entities seeking to provide broadband services in rural areas. Individuals and partnerships not eligible.

Finance the construction, improvement and acquisition of facilities and equipment to provide broadband service in eligible rural communities; refinance RD telecommunications program debt.

Any area not located within a city, town or incorporated area over 20,000 inhabitants; or an urbanized area contiguous to a city or town of greater than 50,000 inhabitants.

Direct loan and loan guarantee. Loans are made at the Treasury 

rate; loan term is the expected economic life of the assets financed; guarantee cannot exceed 80% of the project amount.

Electric and Telecommunications Loans

Assist rural communities in obtaining affordable, high-quality electric and telecommunications services.

Non-profit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other utilities. 

Generation, transmission facilities and distribution of electric power, including alternative, renewable, conservation and energy efficiency programs. Enhance 911 emergency service, digital switching equipment, and fiber optic cable, along with traditional main system telecommunications service.

Electric: areas served by an existing rural electric borrower, or rural areas other than a city or town of more than 20,000. Telecommunications: 

areas cities with population over 5,000.

Direct loan or loan guarantee. Interest rates are established in 

accordance with 7CFR 1714. Contact RUS at www.rd.usda.gov or 1 (800) 670-6553.

Distance Learning and Telemedicine

Development and deployment of advanced telecommunication services throughout rural America to improve education and health care.

Incorporated entities, including municipalities, forprofit, and non-profit corporations that operate rural schools, libraries, health care clinics and other educational or health care facilities.

To provide end-user equipment and programming that delivers distance learning and telemedicine services into eligible areas.

Rural areas outside incorporated or unincorporated cities with population over 20,000.

Direct loan and/or grant. M atching funds are required.

C o mmunity C o nnect Provide public access to broadband in 

otherwise un-served communities.

Public bodies, Tribes, cooperatives, non-profits, limited dividend or mutual associations; corporations and other legally organized entities.

To build broadband infrastructure and establish a community center that offers free public access to broadband for two years.

A single community outside incorporated or unincorporated cities with population over 20,000 which does not have broadband.

Grant. M inimum: $50,000; M aximum: 

$1 million. Amounts are published in NOFAs and may vary.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report 15 SUMMARY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PURPOSESLand & Bldgs. Mach. & Equip. Working Capital Infrastructure Tech. Asst./Train. Rural Housing and Communi ty Facili ties Programs Single Family Housing Di rect Loans (i ncl udi ng Self‐Help Loans ) ♦ Single Family Housing Loan Gua rantees ♦ Single Family Housing Repair Loa ns /Gra nts ♦ Rural Rental Housing Di rect Loa ns ♦ ♦ Rural Rental Housing Loa n Gua rantees ♦ ♦ Housing Preserva ti on Gra nts ♦♦♦♦♦ Fa rm Labor Housing Loans /Grants ♦ ♦ Communi ty Facili ties Di rect Loa ns, Loan Gua ra ntees, Gra nts ♦♦♦♦ Rural Communi ty Devel opment Ini tia tive ♦ Rural Business and Coopera tive Programs Business and Indus try Loan Gua rantees ♦♦♦♦ Rural Business Enterpri se Grants ♦♦♦♦♦ Inte rmedia ry Relending Loa ns ♦♦♦ Rural Mi croentrepreneur As si s tance Program ♦♦♦♦♦ Rural Economi c Devel opment Loans and Gra nts ♦♦♦♦♦ Rural Coopera tive Development Gra nts ♦ ♦ Value‐Added Produce r Grant ♦♦♦ Rural Business Opportuni ty Gra nts ♦ Rural Energy for America Program Loan Gua rantees /Gra nts ♦♦ ♦♦ Bi ore fi nery As sis ta nce Program Loan Gua rantees Repowering As si s tance Program Adva nced Biofuel Payment Program Rural Utili ties Programs Wa ter and Wa s te Disposal Di rect Loans, Loa n Gua rs., Grants ♦♦♦♦ Solid Wa s te Management Grants ♦ Rural Broa dband Di rect Loa ns and Loa n Gua ra ntees ♦ ♦ Electri c and Telecommuni ca ti ons Di rect Loans /Loa n Gua rantees ♦♦ ♦ Di s tance Lea rning and Telemedicine Loans /Grants ♦ ♦
16 South Dakota’s 2014 Progress Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discriminaƟon against its

customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race,

color, naƟonal origin, age, disability, sex, gender idenƟty, religion, reprisal, and

where applicable, poliƟcal beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status,

sexual orientaƟon, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any

public assistance program, or protected geneƟc informaƟon in employment or in

any program or acƟvity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all  

prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment acƟviƟes.)

To File an Employment Complaint:  

If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your agency’s

EEO Counselor (PDF) within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act,

event, or in the case of a personnel acƟon. AddiƟonal informaƟon can be found

online at hƩp://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html.

To File a Program Complaint:

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discriminaƟon, complete

the USDA Program DiscriminaƟon Complaint Form (PDF), found online at  

hƩp://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or

call (866) 632‐9992 to request the form. You may also write a leƩer containing

all of the informaƟon requested in the form. Send your completed complaint

form or leƩer to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of

AdjudicaƟon, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250‐9410,

by fax (202) 690‐7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Persons with DisabiliƟes:

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabiliƟes and you

wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through

the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877‐8339 or (800) 845‐6136 (in Spanish).

Persons with disabiliƟes who wish to file a program complaint, please see infor‐

maƟon above on how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require

alternaƟve means of communicaƟon for program informaƟon (e.g., Braille, large

print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720‐2600

(voice and TDD).

Supplemental NutriƟon Assistance Program:

For any other informaƟon dealing with Supplemental NutriƟon Assistance Pro‐

gram (SNAP) issues, persons should either contact the USDA SNAP Hotline Num‐

ber at (800) 221‐5689, which is also in Spanish or call the State InformaƟon/

Hotline Numbers.

All Other Inquiries:

For any other informaƟon not pertaining to civil rights, please refer to the lisƟng

of the USDA Agencies and Offices for specific agency informaƟon.

April  2015

USDA Rural Development Offices in South Dakota

For more informaƟon on programs, visit our website at hƩp://www.rd.usda.gov/sd or email us at tammi.schone@sd.usda.gov.

South Dakota State Office

200 4th Street SW

Federal Bldg. Rm. 210

Huron, SD 57350

Toll Free:  800‐622‐1341, Ext. 4

Voice: (605) 352‐1100

Fax: (855) 262‐1940

TTY: (605) 352‐1147

Aberdeen

Area Office

524 Enterprise Street S., Suite

100

Aberdeen, SD  57401

Voice: (605) 226‐3360, Ext. 4

Fax: (855) 262‐1939

TTY: (605) 352‐1147

Mitchell

Area Office

1820 North Kimball, Suite C

Mitchell, SD  57301‐1114

Voice: (605) 996‐1564, Ext. 4

Fax: (855) 262‐1941

TTY: (605) 352‐1147

Pierre

Area Office

1717 N. Lincoln Ave., Suite 102

Pierre, SD  57501

Voice: (605) 224‐8870, Ext. 4

Fax:  (855) 262‐1942  

TTY:  (605) 352‐1147

TY: (800) 366‐6888

Rapid City

Area Office

414 East Stumer Road

Rapid City, SD  57701

Voice: (605) 342‐0301, Ext. 4

Fax: (855) 262‐1943

TTY: (605) 352‐1147

Sioux Falls

Area Office

2408 East Benson Road

Sioux Falls, SD  57104

Voice: (605) 330‐4515, Ext. 4

Fax: (855) 262‐1944

TTY: (605) 352‐1147

Watertown

Area Office

1720 4th Street NE, Suite 2

Watertown, SD  57201

Voice: (605) 886‐8202, Ext. 4

Fax: (855) 262‐1945

TTY: (605) 352‐1147

Yankton

Area Office

2914 Broadway

Yankton, SD  57078

Voice: (605) 665‐2662, Ext. 4

Fax: (855) 262‐1938

TTY: (605) 352‐1147