Outreach events offer a unique opportunity for community leaders and Rural Development staff to come together, identify community needs, and match potential projects with Rural Development funding.

During one such visit between the Wagner mayor, city finance officer, and the Rural Development team in 2023, the Wagner Police Department shared a challenge it faced with the upkeep of their police cars.

“Our repair budget to keep police cruisers running was unbelievable, just so expensive,” said Debbie Houseman, Wagner’s Finance Officer. “We knew about Rural Development’s programs, but didn’t know the funding could be used for police cars and equipment.”

Referring to Rural Development’s Community Facilities Loans and Grants Program, Debbie’s team had previously navigated the application process for a water and sewer upgrade. During the outreach meeting, the city identified a new police cruiser and computers as important needs for the department.

Now with the new Dodge Durango cruiser in service, Police Chief Damon Griffith says the agency is more capable.

“We’re only a force of five officers. Many times, an officer may be on a call by themselves and need to transfer more than one prisoner to the jail,” said Damon. “The new cruiser is more spacious and has a split cage in the back.”

And it goes beyond size. Damon said the cruiser is more reliable. Officers are more confident they’ll make it to the call without issue, which has led to higher morale within his department.

Wagner also received new computer systems for each of the department’s cruisers. Previously, officers relied on the dispatcher for critical information during calls and had to return to the department to write reports.

“This was all critical time lost. We’re only a department of five officers, so when you need to return to the office to write a report or wait for the dispatcher to look up the information, it’s time the officers aren’t on patrol,” said Damon.

The computers place the information right in the car. It’s a first for the department, but an addition Damon said has improved accuracy, saved time and provided more reliable service for the residents of Wagner.

Deb shared the purchase would have been difficult had it not been for the Community Facilities Grant.

“The police department is a big part of the city’s overall budget, so these grants really help offset the bottom line,” said Debbie. “The application isn’t that difficult to complete, and the value of it, what it does for the budget is huge.”

Wagner received a $44,000 Community Facilities grant to purchase the Dodge Durango police cruiser and six computers with docking stations for the police department’s fleet.

Learn more about USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Loans and Grants program, Ready to apply? Reach South Dakota’s Community Facilities team at RD.SD.CP@USDA.Gov or call (605) 352-1100.