Mellette County receives USDA grant to purchase sheriff vehicle

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Elsie Meeks announced the award of loans and grants to eight recipients that will assist them to spur economic development and improve services to several South Dakota communities.

“USDA Rural Development provides resources to assist small communities with maintaining and improving their quality of life,” said Meeks. “These investments will contribute to their respective local economies, create and retain employment, and improve services to rural South Dakotans.”.

Funding of each loan and/or grant announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the agreement. The recipients announced today are:

Community Facility Program

•Town of Pollock, Pollock - $10,000 grant for replacement and repairs to the roof of the Community Center in Pollock.

•Mellette County, White River - $15,000 grant to purchase a patrol vehicle for the Sherriff’s department.

•Hot Springs Ambulance Service, Inc., Hot Springs - $2,000,000 direct loan for construction of a new Ambulance Service building.

•Eagle Crest Road District, Spearfish - $560,000 direct loan to be used towards road upgrades.

Water and Waste Program

•City of Hill City, Hill City - $931,000 loan for upgrades to the drinking water system. A 200,000 gallon reservoir and

upgrades to water lines will be included in the project.

•Town of Summit, Summit - $617,000 loan for expansion of water and sewer to hook up additional users and add a lift station.

•Crow Creek Housing Authority, Fort Thompson - $21,000 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) grant will be used for a study to develop water and sewer infrastructure to provide housing on the Crow Creek Reservation.

Business and Industry Program

•G&G Enterprises, Inc. & Jacquelyn Gapp dba Sturgis Meat Service, Sturgis - $126,000 guaranteed loan to purchase equipmentand$278,000guaranteedloan toimproveefficiencyoftheoperationand expansion into new product lines.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.