Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Marina Improvements and Development at Lake Mitchell in South Dakota

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to the city of Mitchell, South Dakota, for improvements and development at the Lake Mitchell marina and surrounding trail system. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will support outdoor recreation and boost the local tourism industry by bringing new visitors to the city, its businesses, and local attractions. This EDA grant will be matched with $937,677 in local funds and is expected to create 20 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan delivers federal resources to communities to ensure our nation not only recovers from the pandemic, but builds a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This project will boost tourism and outdoor recreation in Mitchell and attract visitors to existing tourist attractions.”

“The travel and tourism industry is an important part of many local economies across the country,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment in Mitchell is an excellent opportunity to leverage a regional asset and build greater economic resiliency in the region’s growing outdoor recreation and tourism industry.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South Dakota Planning and Development District III, which EDA funds to bring together the public and private sectors and create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in grants to all 50 states and territories in 2021. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.