At Dakotafest, USDA Secretary Veneman Highlights Trade; Announces $764,000 to S. D. in Rural Development Assistance

News Release

Contact: Kevin Herglotz, (202) 720-4623
kevin.herglotz@usda.gov
Jim Brownlee, (202) 720-2091
jim.brownlee@usda.gov

AT DAKOTAFEST, USDA SECRETARY VENEMAN HIGHLIGHTS TRADE; ANNOUNCES $764,000 TO
S.D. IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

MITCHELL, S.D., August 22, 2001--At DakotaFest, South Dakota's largest farm show, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today emphasized the importance of agricultural trade to farm income and reiterated the need for Trade Promotion Authority to ensure that American farmers can compete in today's global marketplace.

In 1999, the state's farm cash receipts totaled $3.5 billion. Of that amount, $1 billion came from export earnings supporting 15,200 jobs both on the farm and off the farm in food processing, transportation and manufacturing. South Dakota's top five agricultural exports in 1999 were soybeans and products ($316 million); feed grains and products ($296 million); wheat and products ($121 million); live animals and red meats ($99 million); sunflower seed and oil ($95 million).

Veneman also announced the selection of $764,000 in loan and grant requests to meet business opportunity needs in South Dakota.

"The Bush Administration is committed to promoting economic activity and development in rural America and improving living conditions in rural areas. These grants and loans will go a long way toward achieving those goals," said Veneman.

Funds will be provided through the following USDA Rural Development programs: Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program, Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) program, Rural Cooperative Development Grant program, and Rural Economic Development Loan program.

Value-Added Agriculture Development Center, Madison SD. A $100,000 Rural Cooperative Development Grant to provide technical assistance to promote the production of value-added agricultural products.
Day County Champion Community will receive an RBEG grant of $99,000 to establish a revolving loan fund to assist in the development of emerging business enterprises.
Sturgis Industrial Expansion Corporation will receive an RBEG grant of $99,000 to establish a revolving loan fund to assist in the development of emerging business enterprises.
Deadwood Economic Development Corporation will receive an RBEG grant of $46,000 to establish a revolving loan fund to assist in the development of emerging business enterprises.
Northern Hills Community Development, Inc., will receive an RBEG grant of $50,000 to establish a revolving loan fund to assist in the development of emerging business enterprises.
West River Electric Association will receive a Rural Economic Development loan of $220,000 for the construction of a water storage reservoir.
Clay-Union Electric Cooperative will receive a Rural Economic Development loan of $150,000 to remodel the Wakonda Heritage Manor Nursing Home.

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

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