Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Business Incubator and Workforce Training Center on Tribal Reservation in Mission, South Dakota

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to the Rosebud Economic Development Corporation, Mission, South Dakota, to support planning, design, and engineering for the Sicangu Innovation Center. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan’s Indigenous Communities program.

The multi-purpose innovation center will support business growth, access to quality housing, increase educational opportunities, and support workforce development for the Sicangu Lakota Oyate (Rosebud Sioux Tribe).

“President Biden is committed to supporting Tribal communities in their recovery from the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will strengthen and diversify the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s economy, attracting private investment and advancing economic resiliency.”

“Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will provide access to classroom space and training for residents and create jobs for members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities program, which allocates $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding specifically to support the needs of Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities. The program supports these partners to develop and execute economic development projects they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future. Indigenous communities are also eligible and encouraged to apply under all of EDA’s other programs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

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.