On Nov. 30, the South Dakota Transportation Commission awarded $4.7 million in economic development grants for infrastructure improvements in “smaller” communities – grants aimed at improving roads leading to schools, main business areas, hospitals, grain elevators, and other economic areas in the communities.

[Above photo by Collen Farley, South Dakota DOT.]

The agency said the grants pay for 80 percent of the construction costs, up to a maximum of $600,000.

Two grants are funding roadway improvements for agricultural businesses; $600,000 to Lyman County to provide access to the Dakota Mill & Grain facility, with $400,000 going to Beadle County to provide access to the Lazy J Dairy.

The agency awarded eight other “community access” grants, which included $600,000 to the Oglala Sioux Tribe to improve Crazy Horse School Drive in Wanblee, S.D., which serves the local school.

[Side note: The commission also recently produced a video to remind South Dakota drivers and other of the dangers posed by rural intersections]