VENEMAN ANNOUNCES $1.4 MILLION IN LOANS AND GRANTS FOR THREE SOUTH DAKOTA PROJECTS

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2002- Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the awarding of $1,432,500 for three rural development initiatives to assist local economic and community development in South Dakota. Secretary Veneman will accompany President Bush on a trip to the state on Wednesday where the President will meet local farmers and tour an ethanol facility with Congressman John Thune.

"South Dakota citizens will benefit greatly from USDA's investments in these projects," Veneman said. "These loans and grants will help spur economic development and job growth in rural communities in South Dakota."

In Clark County, a $12,000 Community Facility grant will be used to develop a day care facility that will serve 784 people in the Willow Lake area. The day care facility will be housed in a building that was donated by the Governor's Day Care Program. In Day County, a $17,600 Community Facility loan and a $2,900 Community Facility grant will be used to renovate Webster's Arts and Cultural Center. The Center serves 6,267 residents in Day County.

The $1.4 million in loans and grants from the USDA's Rural Utilities Service Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program will enable the Randall Community Water District to complete the delivery of water to the Aurora-Brule and Davison RWS to serve 140 new rural water users and four municipalities with a population of 2, 056. In addition, 1,111 existing rural water customers will receive additional service, a large commercial user will be added, and capacity will be included for potential utilization of the State Training School facility.

USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal entity for rural development needs and administers financial and technical assistance through three agencies: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities Service. Further information on USDA Rural Development can be obtained by contacting any USDA Service Center or by visiting the USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov .

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