Success Stories

The focus of any fire department is to reduce deaths and injury due to fire related hazards. Having protective clothing as well as updated trucks and equipment is vital, which improves the efficiency and delivery of fire protection services. The Lake Andes-Ravinia Fire… [Read More]

Single mother of three girls Crystal Dahl was determined to make her dream of homeownership a reality. She and the girls were living in an apartment that lacked adequate space and comfort. Crystal began looking at several homes through a realtor and she finally found one she… [Read More]

Many people in rural communities will agree that having access to a grocery store is very important to the community.  It means easy access to healthy foods, not to mention it provides jobs and tax revenue. A small-town grocery business in Beresford, Chuck’s Foodland, Inc… [Read More]

Two organizations, Westland Manufacturing and JMS Precision, merged their organizations in August 2015 to operate under one company doing business as Dakotaland Manufacturing.  Both companies are in Eastern South Dakota. Westland, based in Sioux Falls, grew its metal… [Read More]

Dimock Cheese is the oldest artisan cheese plant in South Dakota. They have been making quality cheese since 1931.  The factory, located 15 minutes south of Mitchell on Highway 37, is in the breadbasket of the heartland. The retail store is established in Dimock, with a… [Read More]

The Joe & Danielle Donnell family have been living in their new home, a white house with a porch and a beautiful back yard with a running creek next to it, for nearly nine months now.   “We feel blessed to have a place where our family can grow together,” said Joe… [Read More]

“Our overall feelings toward the home are inexplicable joy and relief. It feels….like it was time and meant to be….home,” said new homeowner Jennifer Hornedeagle.The Hornedeagle family received a USDA Rural Development Section 502 Direct Single Family Housing packaged loan… [Read More]

Nearly 300 South Dakota agricultural producers and small businesses have reduced their energy costs – and increased their bottom line - with help from local consultants.  Mike Twedt and Larry Jensen have helped these recipients by providing energy assessments and technical… [Read More]

“As a kid, I moved around a lot and never really had a home to call my own,” said Charles McGaa, new homeowner. Through a USDA Rural Development 502 Direct Loan, careful planning and support from Oglala Sioux Tribe Partnership for Housing, McGaa’s dream of owning his home own… [Read More]

Recently, GROW South Dakota was named one of eight 2015 Bush Prize winners for Community Innovation. GROW South Dakota knows that a little help can go a long way. Through an innovative program that provides financial and technical assistance, GROW South Dakota has sparked… [Read More]