Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Announcing Nearly $2.6M in Grants for Pine Ridge

PORCUPINE, S.D. (AP) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is announcing nearly $2.6 million in grant funding for economic development efforts on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Vilsack is set to announce the grants Tuesday at an event at Thunder Valley Community Development Corp. in Porcupine.

The grants include $1.85 million for water and waste disposal for Oglala Lakota College and $375,000 to the development corporation in part for a demonstration farm and education center.

Projects also include a communications system at the college and training for agricultural producers, among others.

Vilsack says the grants aim to create jobs, improve access to educational opportunities and housing, and curb crime.

The development corporation is managing the implementation of the "Promise Zone" designation of Pine Ridge from the Obama administration. The designation's goals include increasing economic activity.

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