Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) announced today that the Central South Dakota Enhancement District (CSDED) in Pierre will receive a $34,340 federal grant from the United States Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The funding will be used to continue developing and implementing economic development programs in the region.

“I am pleased that the CSDED will receive funding that will help bring public and private sectors together to grow the economy,” Johnson said. “This is the sort of investment I promote as part of my Hometown Prosperity Plan, and it’s more important than ever in this economy.”

Johnson has continually supported the EDA and economic development in South Dakota as a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.

The EDA was established in the 1960s to generate jobs, help retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed areas of the United States. EDA assistance is available to rural and urban areas of the nation experiencing high unemployment, low income, or other severe economic distress. The funding will create public and private sector partnerships to create economic development programs and strengthen the regional economy.

Senator Johnson's Hometown Prosperity Plan is a four-pillar agenda for advancing South Dakota's economy from the federal level.  The four pillars, or strategies, include “Promoting Partnerships,” “Emphasizing Entrepreneurship,” “Investing in the Public Good,” and “Protecting Pocketbooks.”  The full plan includes specific actions related to each strategy and can be downloaded from http://johnson.senate.gov.

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