CELEBRATING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE SISSETON WAHPETON OYATE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
Agency Village, S.D. – September 23, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Patrice Kunesh today joined community members for the grand opening of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Administration building, funded with a $31.2 million Rural Development Community Facilities loan. The new facility will serve more than 7,000 members of the Wahpeton Oyate Indian Tribe.
“This impressive building represents the largest Community Facilities loan made in the history of USDA South Dakota Rural Development,” said Kunesh. “It replaces 26 individual offices and will serve as a central hub, assisting tribal members with their social, educational, and housing needs. The USDA remains strongly committed to the economic stability of South Dakota’s Tribal land.”
The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Indian Tribe is located on the Lake Traverse Reservation in northeastern South Dakota and southeastern North Dakota, primarily in Roberts County.
Today’s announcement is a result of USDA’s StrikeForce Initiative, a program designed to increase technical assistance and other resource investments in priority-designated, poverty-stricken communities. To learn more about the StrikeForce Initiative, visit www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE.
Following the event, USDA signed a partnership agreement with the Tribal Housing Authority and Dacotah Bank, expanding the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’ Native American Homeownership Initiative. A funding opportunity provided through USDA’s Rural Housing program, the partnership is designed to help increase homeownership in rural South Dakota.
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.
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