Funding to Improve Classrooms, Upgrade Computer Equipment and Provide Jobs

Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe is one of the recipients


(October 6, 2011 Albuquerque, NM)   U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that 19 tribal colleges in nine states have been awarded grants through the USDA Rural Development’s Tribal College Initiative Grant program.  Funding administered by the Community Facilities program will be used to upgrade Tribal college facilities and promote energy savings efforts.


The program provides land-grant institutions with funds for outreach and education services to help meet the needs of Native American communities. The total amount of grant funds allotted to the 19 tribal colleges is almost $4 million. All of the funding will be used to finance infrastructure improvements, purchase equipment and develop essential community facilities.


Upon hearing about the announcement, USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner said, “Investing in Tribal educational facilities is a key factor to increasing economic development in Native communities. These institutions and the students and faculty will benefit from funding that will enable them to provide enhanced educational opportunities and create jobs.”


The Institute of American Indian Arts located in Santa Fe will use a $215,000 grant to complete construction of a science and technology building.


Other Native projects that will be funded include a $170,000 grant to Bay Mills Community College in Michigan to complete the interior of the EMS/paramedic training center; develop infrastructure for the agri-science research site and complete work on the classroom/administrative building.  


Also, Fort Peck Community College in Poplar, Montana was selected to receive a $215,000 grant to purchase and install geothermal wells, add landscaping and flooring for the new library and Information/Technology learning center.  And, Sisseton Wahpeton College in South Dakota will receive a grant to complete construction and to purchase furnishings for the library.


To find out how the Obama Administration is supporting Indian Country with other initiatives click here. For a complete list of projects announced by USDA Rural Development, click here.


USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at any local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov