shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com December 24, 2019 • Page 3 USDA Invests $9.5 Million In Rural Broadband For South Dakota Families combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks. These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload. In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural The Magic Of Christmas By Sen. Mike Rounds As we celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, we are reminded of the true reason for the season: the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. His teachings remind us to be kind to others, share our gratitude for all the good things in our lives and give back to those less fortunate. Through these acts, we can experience the real magic of Christmas. You may be surprised to hear that Christmas magic is alive and well even in the most unlikely of places—the United States Capitol. Despite what you too often see in the news, we don’t always disagree and bicker. We certainly have our differences, but I have made many friends in Washington on both sides of the aisle. The camaraderie we share as legislators seeking to improve the lives of all Americans is amplified during the Christmas season, and we enjoy taking time out of our busy days to celebrate. Since joining the Senate, I’ve been a regular member at weekly prayer breakfast meetings. Our group is made up of both Republicans and Democrats—we leave our politics at the door and focus on what we have in common, which is our shared faith. At a recent prayer breakfast, we celebrated Christmas by singing some of our favorite carols. I have made good friends through our prayer breakfasts— men and women I may not have gotten to know on a personal level otherwise. The annual bipartisan Secret Santa gift exchange is another holiday tradition we celebrate on Capitol Hill. Each of us is given the name of a senator from the other party, and we all get together for a reception to exchange small gifts. This year, I was able to wrap up some of my favorite chocolates from Deadwood’s Chubby Chipmunk to give to Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada. Senator Tom Carper of Delaware gave me a baseball cap commemorating USS Delaware SSN 791, a nuclear attack submarine that was commissioned shortly after USS South Dakota SSN 790. Of course, none of us would be able to celebrate the holidays freely if not for our men and women in uniform. This time of year we are reminded of those who are spending the holidays away from home as they fight to protect our freedom. Our servicemembers deserve our eternal gratitude for the sacrifices they make on behalf of our country. I spent some time this month writing holiday cards to our troops stationed overseas thanks to the American Red Cross’s Holidays for Heroes event. They set up tables in the Capitol each year for members of congress and our staffs to send warm wishes to our armed forces. This year, our family is grateful for God’s many gifts, including our ten wonderful grandchildren who all live in the Pierre/ Fort Pierre area near our home. We’re also grateful for Jean’s team of hardworking doctors and nurses who have given us hope that she will beat her cancer diagnosis. Thank you to everyone who has said a prayer for her this year. We wish all South Dakotans a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Additional Financial Assistance Available For Homeowners Recovering From Natural Disasters PIERRE, SD – South Dakota Housing Development Authority’s (SDHDA) Board of Commissioners approved additional funding to aid in recovery efforts for households impacted by the 2019 natural disasters. Financial assistance available for the disaster support includes cleanup or removal of debris; mold remediation; restoration; purchases of major appliances lost due to disaster (i.e., hot-water heater, furnace, etc.); rent payments; utility security deposits for displaced households; and downpayment assistance for the purchase of a housing unit. Eligible households must have incomes at or less than 80 percent of the HUD area median income in order to apply for assistance. Documentation of losses and expenses, along with any reimbursements received from FEMA, SBA, donations from other sources and insurance proceeds, will be used to determine actual amount of assistance available, which is limited to $5,000 per household. Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB). USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www. rd.usda.gov. Time To Submit Notice Of Intent To Apply For 21st CCLC Grant Funding PIERRE, S.D. – Now is the time for schools and other organizations interested in 21st Century Community Learning Centers, or 21st CCLC, grants to submit a Notice of Intent to Apply. The learning centers are intended to assist students from high-poverty and low-performing schools by providing academic enrichment opportunities and activities designed to complement regular school instruction. Funding comes from the federal government in the form of formula grants to the states. The grant application will be online, and applicants must first submit a Notice of Intent to Apply to the South Dakota Department of Education by Jan. 10, 2020. Applicants will then receive the information needed to access the online system. The deadline to apply is Feb. 21, 2020. The Notice of Intent to Apply and guidelines for filling out the application are now available and can be found at https://doe.sd.gov/21CCLC/index.aspx. Grant award amounts range from $50,000 to $250,000 per year, and the length of a grant is five years. While funds are often awarded to schools, other organizations are also eligible to apply. The grants must specifically support programs offered outside of regular school hours. Contact Alan Haarstad at alan.haarstad@state.sd.us or Lauren Jahn at lauren.jahn@state.sd.us or call 605-7735238, with questions about the grant application process. Loving Hands Gifts ••• farms, 17 businesses and one critical community facility. Background: In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant Where imagination becomes reality • business, or increasing productivity at your agricultural operation,” Gross said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in deploying this essential infrastructure in rural communities, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.” Valley Telecommunications Cooperative will use $9.5 million in ReConnect grant funding to deploy a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Brookings, Kingsbury and Moody counties in South Dakota. This investment is anticipated to reach 1,750 rural households, 27 •• FLANDREAU, S.D., Dec. 12, 2019 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development South Dakota State Director Julie Gross announced USDA has invested $9.5 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 1,750 homes in rural South Dakota. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments. “Reliable, high-speed broadband internet e-Connectivity is essential to increasing access to specialized health care and education, connecting with friends and family, building or starting a ••••••••••• Unique Items Of High Quality At Low Prices Anyone interested in received and funds remain • Czech Antique/Vintage: Costumes, Porcelain applying for funds may do available, no applications Dolls, Jewelry, Ribbons, Lace, etc. so by reviewing income will nd accepted after June th be rd th December 2 & 3 , 9 & 10th, 16 & 17th • 1-3:00PM • Art Deco Jewelry • Scarves, Table Runners qualifications, completing 30, 2020. & Wall Hangings • Unique Gifts, Must See Bring Your Cameras! the application form and submitting the application Yankton Mall • 605-760-6066 (Located between Carpenter Shop & Tradehome Shoes) requirements found on the SDHDA website, www.sdhda. org. 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