Rural Development – Minnesota Office: USDA Invests $35,000 in Public Safety Infrastructure for White Earth Band of Chippewa

Targeted News Service (Press Releases)

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Oct. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development - Minnesota office issued the following news release on Oct. 14:

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Brad Finstad today announced that USDA is investing $35,000 in essential emergency preparedness infrastructure to benefit more than 2,800 rural residents.

"We are proud of our partnerships with Minnesota's Tribal communities," Finstad said. "Whether it's helping to purchase public safety equipment or build a Tribal education center, each investment plays a substantial role in furthering economic prosperity for these communities. Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Perdue and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand, USDA is dedicated to the partnerships that make projects like these a reality. Because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives."

Background:

The White Earth Band of Chippewa will use a $35,000 grant to purchase new emergency preparedness equipment. Currently, there are 10 outdoor warning sirens within the populated communities of the White Earth Reservation. White Earth Band controls six sirens in the cities of Callaway, Ogema, White Earth, Elbow Lake, Pine Point, and Rice Lake. These sirens are controlled by dispatch and are signaled to alarm when a considerable threat to life or safety is present. The existing radio repeater used to signal each siren has been faulty since the summer of 2019, requiring White Earth to borrow a used repeater from a local radio company and must be returned. The remaining sirens in the cities of Naytahwaush, Mahnomen, Waubun, and Bejou are controlled by the Mahnomen County Sheriff's office. This project will help to purchase a new radio repeater to communicate with all ten warning sirens and will be capable of alerting dispatch of any operational issues with remote sirens. Additionally, this project will help to purchase a new outdoor warning siren in the Mahnomen "Riverland" area on the White Earth Tribal & Community College campus.

Funding is made available through the Economic Impact Initiative Grant Program (https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/economic-impact-initiative-grants/mn). More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Economic Impact funding. Grants may be made in combination with other financial assistance such as a Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less and have a "Not Employed Rate" greater than 19.5 percent.