HURON, SD, Oct. 29, 2020 – The Trump Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $38,614,000 to improve critical community facilities to benefit 23,480 rural South Dakota residents.

“The funding packages announced today are centered around safety and providing essential services in rural communities. We are proud to make these important investments in rural South Dakota,” said USDA Rural Development South Dakota State Director Julie Gross. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner to rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

Background:

Federal funding is being awarded through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. These investments will be for such purposes as to build or upgrade clinics and public safety facilities. South Dakota projects include:

Among those receiving funding is the Lake Andes-Ravinia Fire Protection. They will use a $9,000 loan to replace four sets of fire protection gear, which have outlived their useful life. They are also replacing an infrared camera. The District is located in and around Lake Andes and Ravinia, Charles Mix County. This investment will improve the effciency and delivery of fire protection services throughout the District's service area.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

This announcement is part of larger announcement made by USDA Rural Development Deputy Undersecretary Betty Brand where USDA is funding 256 projects in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

In South Dakota, interested parties should contact Tim Potts, Community Programs Director at tim. potts@usda.gov or (605) 858-6678 for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants a detailed overview of the application process.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.