Press Release
U.S. EDA Invests to Boost Spirit Lake Nation Disaster Recovery Efforts
June 30, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $125,000 grant to the Cankdeska Cikana Community College of Fort Totten, N.D., to establish the Spirit Lake Nation Office of Community and Economic Recovery and finance cost estimates for construction projects that have been proposed in the Spirit Lake Nation Recovery Plan.
"Helping communities rebuild and mitigate the impact of natural disasters is a top priority of the Obama administration," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA grant will hire a coordinator to establish and oversee the Spirit Lake Nation Office of Community and Economic Recovery, which will be responsible for facilitating a multi-faceted effort for recovery for an ongoing, devastating disaster caused by the continual rising waters of Devils Lake."
"Cankdeska Cikana Community College is pleased to be the facilitator for this critical funding to address the economic recovery of the Spirit Lake Nation. The Office of Community and Economic Recovery will assist in addressing economic infrastructure by utilizing a community-based approach to explore issues such as public facilities, housing, and business development," said Cynthia Lindquist, President of Cankdeska Cikana Community College.
The Long-Term Community Recovery Coordinator will be selected by the Tribal College using established hiring practices and will be given the responsibility for facilitating the implementation of identified action steps, guiding ongoing efforts and moving recovery activities forward.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration:
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.