Press Room > 2004 :

Gov. Rounds approves CDBG Grant for Vermillion

RELEASE DATE: Friday, September 10, 2004

For More Information Contact: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301

Pierre, SD – Gov. Mike Rounds announced today, September 10, that the city of Vermillion, on behalf of SESDAC, Inc., will receive $207,500 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to assist with renovations and improvements to SESDAC, Inc., an adjustment training center that serves the people of the southeast part of South Dakota.

“SESDAC, Inc. currently serves 70 people with developmental disabilities. The money will help renovate the headquarters to make it more suitable for the clients that use it,” Gov. Rounds said. The project would consist of converting a majority of the warehouse area into administrative space and day activity space. A small fitness center will also be constructed for clients whose social skills make it difficult for them to use public facilities.

“Providing adequate facilities for the developmentally disabled is critical,” the Governor said. “The program in Vermillion has grown during the last several years and it’s important that we help them continue to offer the best services possible,” he added.

The Governor said that nearly 80 percent of SESDAC, Inc’s funding comes for the South Dakota Department of Human Services. “DHS has an extremely tight budget so there are no extra funds for major capital improvement projects,” Gov. Rounds said. “As with any CDBG money, the City of Vermillion and SESDAC, Inc. will be coming to the table with matching dollars to make this project a reality,” he said.

The Governor noted that all CDBG projects are an important part of the state’s 2010 Initiative goal to stabilize rural populations through community development.  “This is just one more step we can take to help serve the people of our state,” he concluded.