$3.55M going to NE Neb. Native American business and education projects
LINCOLN, Neb. ( KCAU ) — USDA Rural Development announced on Wednesday that $3.55 million is being dedicated to several projects to improve educational and business opportunities in Nebraska. Some of those projects are located right here in Siouxland.
According to a release, there are nine projects that are being funded for rural businesses and Native American tribes.
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"Rural Development is excited to partner with these community institutions of education and entrepreneurship," USDA Rural Development Senior Advisor for Rural Engagement, Delivery and Prosperity Cindy Axne said. "When we invest in our rural community partners, we strengthen Nebraska and expand opportunities for all the people in the state."
In Siouxland, $278,216 will help construct a Career and Technical Education building on the Winnebago Reservation. The facility will house a carpentry and construction program with enough space for a classroom, restrooms, a break room, an office, and a mechanical and tool room.
The programming is intended to increase enrollment at Little Priest Tribal College and bring in a different demographic. The release states that the addition will also help fulfill the career and technical job needs of the Winnebago Tribal Community and employers in the area.
A total of $1 million will be used to build a youth center for the Santee Sioux Nation. The project includes plans for a 13,850-square-foot facility that will have meeting areas, offices, a theater, a kitchen, and a gymnasium. Youth will also be able to get assistance with computers and homework.
In Macy, $259,150 will help purchase food processing, preservation, and packaging equipment for the Nebraska Indian Community College. This will make training and distribution of agricultural products produced by the students to local markets possible.
A $300,000 grant will be used to continue the rehabilitation and construction of the Susan LaFlesche Picotte Center of Walthill. The multi-phase project has an investment of over $2.5 million, and funding will continue construction for the business incubator and space for business training and entrepreneurial developments.
The release noted that there will be business services provided, including business training and technical assistance. The project will help a minimum of eight small and emerging businesses over the next three years.
$199,368 will be dedicated to the Makerspace Project in Thurston and Knox counties for the Center for Rural Affairs. The project is intended to provide technical assistance for small business owners and expand Makerspace opportunities through online training courses and a video library of "how-to" videos. The release states that this project is expected to help at least seven businesses in the next three years.
According to the release, $900,000 will help construct a 6,195-square-foot business incubator wing for Nebraska Indian Community College in Macy. The space will include 10 offices, two conference rooms, two classrooms, a commercial kitchen space, a recording studio, and a storage room. This project is expected to help four businesses in the next three years.
Another $278,216 will go toward a 10,500-square-foot community facility at the Santee Campus of Nebraska Indian Community College. The space is set to be used for education, graduations, and Pow Wows. The project is intended to benefit students and staff at the college as well as the Santee and neighboring community of Niobrara.
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The release states that $175,000 has been dedicated to the Nebraska Enterprise Fund of Omaha to provide technical assistance to 10 existing groups and five emerging cooperative development groups.
$174,646 has been granted to the Center for Rural Affairs to provide technical assistance to persistent poverty communities in Nebraska and Iowa. This is intended to help three existing and three emerging cooperative development groups.
