Broadcaster Press 3 July 30, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Funding Available For Renewable Energy System And Energy Efficiency Loan Guarantees HURON, SD, July 22, 2019 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for South Dakota Julie Gross today encouraged rural small businesses and agricultural producers to apply for financing in a key program, USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), that provides loan guarantees to help rural small businesses lower their energy costs. “Assisting rural communities is our mission,” said Gross. “Reducing operating costs and energy consumption can assist a small business’ bottom line and allows them to invest in equipment, products, and services to expand their operation.” USDA accepts applications for REAP funding year-round. Potential applicants can contact Jolene Pravecek at jolene.pravecek@usda.gov or (605) 655-3516 for additional information. In conjunction with the REAP Guaranteed Loan Program is a competitive REAP grant. If selected, grant funds will reimburse the applicant up to 25% of eligible project costs. The next application deadline for REAP grants (requesting $20,000 or less in grant funding) is October 31, 2019. REAP funding can be used for renewable energy systems such as anaerobic digesters, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, wind and solar. It also can be used to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration. Below is an example of a USDA REAP investment: • Langer’s Supermarkets, Inc. (trade name Langer’s Family Foods) received $3,767 to purchase and install LED lighting in the grocery store in Gettysburg, SD. Langer’s Family Foods is a family owned grocery store. The store is a convenient one-stop shop where you can purchase everyday essentials including quality fresh meat, frozen food items, dairy, health and beauty products to a wide array of locally grown fruit and vegetables. This program helps increase Ameri- Living Within Our Means By Gov. Kristi Noem South Dakotans value the dollar. We don’t spend money we don’t have. We live within our means. We understand the importance of the bottom line. Whether it’s a family-run tourist attraction in the Black Hills or a farm in the James River Valley, small businesses and families don’t get to spend money they don’t have, and the government shouldn’t either. In my first address to the legislature as governor, I promised that fiscal discipline would be the foundation of my governorship. Because fiscal discipline creates stability in the state. Fiscal stewardship sets us up for success. On June 30, we finished the fiscal year with a $19.4 million surplus. This is good news. We were able to tuck that money into our state reserves, further securing our investment into the future. If you look at our financial report, you’ll see that ongoing revenues finished lower than we projected. This is partially due to the tough ag economy and the extreme weather we experienced earlier this year. Folks just weren’t out spending as much. Thankfully, we made some decisions in advance that reduced our spending, and even with the smaller revenue stream, we were able to stay in the black and boost our state reserves. It’s also important to note the conversation surrounding online sales tax that we’ve been having for about a year now. It’s still early, but it is good we didn’t budget for any additional sales and use tax from online and remote sellers as this year’s overall sales tax numbers didn’t hit the projections. We’ll continue monitoring the data coming to see how the Wayfair decision and the tax changes impact our state’s bottom line. And we will continue living within our means. Earlier this year, I worked with the legislature to develop and enact a balanced budget for fiscal year 2020, which started July 1. In this budget, we provided a 10 percent funding increase for nursing homes providers and set aside $5 million to help us rethink the systems of care for our parents and grandparents. We increased teacher pay by 2.5 percent. We raised support for technical institutes. We invested in Ellsworth, bolstering our national defense. We designated substantial funds to confront our meth epidemic and internet shortage. We’re addressing critical needs, and we’re operating on a balanced budget – without raising taxes. I am committed to maintaining this legacy of fiscal responsibility. ca energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower the cost of energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers. Gross’ announcement is in coordination with the recent announcement made by Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has more than $400 million still available for Energy System and Energy Efficiency Loan Guarantees. In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommen- dations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB). USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www. rd.usda.gov. Karla Trautman Named SDSU Extension Director Karla Trautman has been named is providing relevant, research-based the director of SDSU Extension at information to the people of South South Dakota State University. She has Dakota. served as the interim director of SDSU “The premise of extension is Extension since 2016. lifelong learning and I’m proud of the “I am very excited about Karla acwork our professional staff accomcepting the permanent role as direcplish each day in meeting this aspect tor of SDSU Extension following her of the extension mission,” Trautman very successful service as the interim said. director. I look forward to her continLooking forward, she says the role ued leadership and advancement of of extension is more important now our extension activities in the state,” than ever before. said John Killefer, South Dakota Corn “As issues become increasingly Endowed Dean of SDSU’s College of complex, the role of the extension Agriculture, Food and Environmental professional will need to adapt. While Sciences. our mission to provide unbiased, Over the course of her extension research-based educational and career, Trautman has served in a technical expertise will continue, we variety of roles with SDSU Extension. know that the future will demand the “I always knew extension work was my extension professional to serve more passion because I love the informal, predominately as a convener and educational framework of extension connector. Our extension professionals will seek to build the collaborative and the ability to work with families, relationships and networks needed individuals and communities,” Trautman said. while demonstrating the collaborative She started with SDSU Extension in problem-solving skills required in response to the demands of the societal 1988 as a county extension educator challenges we face. Ultimately, our for Deuel County, where she collaborated with the community to provide objective is to connect communities, educational resources to families and families, youth, farmers, ranchers individuals. In 2000, Trautman became and agri-business people with the a program leader for 4-H and home resources that can inform the important decisions they will make for the economics. In 2004, she also became future,” Trautman said. a program leader for community Trautman holds a bachelor’s development. In these roles, she provided organizational leadership to the degree in home economics extension program areas, as well as supervised and a master’s degree in educational and mentored staff and volunteers. administration with an emphasis in From 2006-2010, Trautman served as adult and higher education, both from Homme, Charles Mix, Dewey, Hutchinson, a leadership development specialist South Dakota State University. Jackson, Mellette, Minnehaha, Oglala for SDSU Extension, developing curShe was awarded the SDSU OutLakota, Todd, Turner, Yankton, Ziebach riculum and skill training related to standing Faculty Award in 2007 and counties; Pine Ridge Reservation; Roseleadership, human and social capital received the SDSU Woman of Distincbud Reservation; Cheyenne River Sioux tion Award in 2013. development. Reservation. Trautman assumed the role of Disaster Recovery Centers have received more than 1,900 visits from South SDSU Extension associate director in 2011, a Dakotans seeking information or help with FEMA registration, SBA loans, refer- position she held until rals and other disaster-related questions. being named the interim director in 2016. In her Legal Assistance: FEMA, in partnerrole as the interim direcship with the State Bar of South Dakota State Bar Young Lawyers Section and the tor, Trautman says she has strived to empower American Bar Association’s Young Law- Save $30 on a Summer AC Tune-Up! staff to be successful yers Division, has set up a disaster legal assistance hotline. Those affected by the while furthering the missevere storms and flooding who face legal sion of extension, which Just give us a call and we’ll Thank you for your support! issues may call 877-827-6955 (toll-free), send out a qualified 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday to request assistance. Service Technician like Disaster Unemployment Assistance: In th Tyler, Turner County, the last day to file claims to make sure your with the South Dakota Department of unit is ready for those AC The family of Jim and Mariella Sorensen, of Vermillion, Labor and Regulation is Friday, July 26. hot The deadline has expired for claims in summer South Dakota is requesting a card shower in Tyler Reiser days and save $30!* other counties. celebration of their 50th Wedding Service Technician South Dakota Disaster Recovery Update $6.7 Million In Federal Funding Provided PIERRE, S.D. – Federal agencies have provided $6,765,847 million in grants, loans and flood insurance payments to assist South Dakotans as they recover from the major disaster declared June 7 by President Donald J. Trump following a request from Governor Kristi Noem. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided $1,464,380 in grants to homeowners and renters as of July 23, including $1,178,357 for home repair or replacement and rental expenses and $286,023 for repair or replacement of personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, moving expenses and other disaster-related needs. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $2,414,800 million in low-interest disaster loans for businesses and residents. The National Flood Insurance Program received 187 claims and paid $2,886,667 to policyholders as of July 17. FEMA housing inspectors have completed 1,549 (95 percent) inspections of homes damaged by the severe winter storms or flooding. The deadline for applyAnniversary. The couple was 13 years experience ing for federal disaster asmarried on August 9, 1969. sistance is Aug. 6. To date, more than 1,800 South Greetings may be sent to: Dakotans have registered 914 S. 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