Success Stories

High-speed internet used to be considered a luxury for many rural customers. When the pandemic hit, the need for reliable broadband service became a priority. Thanks to Rural Development’s ReConnect program, rural customers near Timber Lake now will have reliable internet… [Read More]

When Kim Lawrence of Eagle Butte set out to purchase a home, she knew there was work to be done. “I had very bad credit and student loans that had gone unpaid,” said Lawrence. “Before I could buy a house, I needed to clean up my credit, and Four Bands helped guide me along the… [Read More]

Located in the northeastern corner of South Dakota sits a county dotted with lakes, ponds and rolling hills. Agriculture plays an important role in the economy, and when summer and fall arrive, Day County sees its population more than double as anglers, hunters and outdoorsmen… [Read More]

Buying a house can be a daunting process for anyone and it’s easy to become discouraged or overwhelmed, but for one South Dakota family, perseverance paid off for their long journey to home ownership. Brian and Catherine Bartunek wanted a place to call home for their three… [Read More]

In the spring of 2017, Chad Blase quit his full-time job to go back to work with his parents on their dairy farm. Within months, milk prices were sinking and Chad and his partner Laura Klock, along with Chad’s parents, Amy and Gary Blase, realized it was time to have some… [Read More]

Candice Hill is a single mother of three children. She was interested in pursuing owning her own home. Through the guidance and assistance received from T-Yamni, a one-stop homeownership program offered by Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate to tribal members, she was on the path to… [Read More]

It was nearly ten years ago when Jan Riggins suffered a big financial loss with losing her business and her home. In that timeframe, she moved at least seven times from various rental properties because the owners either sold the homes or moved back to live in the… [Read More]

Nearly three years ago, Corina Ponce had purchased a bank-owned home in Redfield, SD. She acquired the property knowing it had been vacant for a few years and needed major repairs. The time had come when she was ready to move forward with repairs to the home. One evening, she… [Read More]

The Vale Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency response services to the Vale, SD community and surrounding area that encompasses a 170-square mile area. Its mission is to prevent the loss of life and property. In addition to responding to calls for fire… [Read More]

Tessa Dosch lives in Aberdeen, SD and had been living in a rental property for several years that was in poor condition.  It needed major repairs to the foundation, and it had old, drafty windows. Tessa had been longing to own a home of her own. One fall day, she had been… [Read More]