PIERRE – The South Dakota Transportation Commission awarded of $3.5 million in economic development grants this week for infrastructure improvements for some of South Dakota’s smaller communities and agri-business development. The Transportation Commission had awarded the City of Yankton $500,000 in Industrial Park funds earlier this year.

Among the grant recipients is Volga, which will receive $450,000 for work on Samara Avenue, which serves a business area

The economic development grant program funds awarded at the Transportation Commission meeting on Tuesday will improve roads leading to schools, main business areas, hospitals, grain elevators, and other economic areas within communities. The grants pay for 80 percent of the construction costs, up to a maximum of $600,000.

“These grants are just one of the many opportunities the South Dakota Department of Transportation has available to assist local governments in improving their infrastructure,” said Secretary Joel Jundt. Other ommunities receiving grant awards this year include the following:

Community Access Grants:

• De Smet - $600,000 for Calumet Avenue, First Avenue, Second Street, and Third Street, which serves the downtown business area

• Salem - $600,000 for Hollister Avenue and Douglas Street, which serves a business area

• Kimball - $600,000 for Main Street which serves the main business district

• Parkston - $600,000 for First and Elm streets which serves a business area and the elevator

• Dell Rapids - $450,000 for Third Street and Orleans Avenue which serves a business area

Agri-Business Grant:

• Sverdrup Township - $216,000 for 251st Street in Minnehaha County which serves Driftwood Dairy

Additional grant program information and the application process are available on the South Dakota Department of Transportation website or by contacting Paula Huizenga, grants program engineer, at 605-773-6253.