Heartland Consumers Power District has been awarded a $740,000 loan and $300,000 grant from the USDA Department of Rural Development to provide funding for the expansion of the Maroney Rural Learning Center in Howard, S.D.
The funding will assist with Miner County Development Corporation’s development and construction of the 32,000 square foot Maroney Training Complex which includes a conference center, smart classrooms, on-site lodging, wellness center as well as a green energy training program. The facility will feature green technology in its design and operations and will be constructed to meet LEED Platinum certification.
“This project proves that small, rural communities can create a foundation for growth and prosperity,” said Heartland General Manager Mike McDowell. “Heartland first began our partnership with the Rural Learning Center in 2001 and together, we have set a course to demonstrate that small communities and small utilities can work together to make energy education and technologies work for rural America.”
The funding is provided under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program administered by USDA Rural Development. The program provides interest free loans and grants to local utilities that re-lend money to local businesses for projects to create and retain jobs in rural areas. Utilities in seven states were selected to receive funds to create jobs and new business opportunities in rural America.
“From the beginning, our work has been a product of rural partners working together in new and collaborative ways,” said Rural Learning Center President Randy Parry. “We are privileged to work with organizations and individuals as together, we ‘Reimagine Rural’ and what that shared vision can mean for rural communities everywhere.”
The entire Rural Learning Center complex is estimated to provide a local economic impact of over $6 million on an annual basis and is anticipated to directly create between 17 and 20 new jobs. The 180 to 220 trainees supported through the green energy training program annually will be placed in new jobs in the wind energy industry. The availability of this facility will continue to attract and invite new businesses and visitors to “Reimagine Rural” through their association with the Rural Learning Center and its outreach work.
“We would like to thank Senators Thune and Johnson and Representative Herseth Sandlin for their support of our application,” said McDowell. “The combination of funding results in over $1 million invested in the community of Howard as well as the state of South Dakota and would not be possible without their efforts as well as their staff members’ efforts.”
The Rural Learning Center’s mission is to catalyze the people and businesses of rural communities and challenge them to re-imagine and redefine life in rural areas. The catalyst for this mission is education and investment in green technologies for the future.
Heartland Consumers Power District is a non-profit, public power utility located in Madison, SD. Heartland provides low-cost, reliable power as well as energy services and community development programs to the city of Howard as well as communities and state agencies in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.
