News Release - Byron Dorgan, Senator for North Dakota

Saturday, September 23, 2006

CONTACT: Barry E. Piatt
or  Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551

DORGAN MEETS WITH TURTLE MOUNTAIN RESERVATION LEADERS AND ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR TURTLE MOUNTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

(BELCOURT, ND) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan announced Saturday $2 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education for Turtle Mountain Community College to construct a construction technology building and employ new instructors to expand their programs in home construction and nursing.

Dorgan (D-ND) today met with Ken Davis, Chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, and members of the Tribal Council from Turtle Mountain Reservation to discuss improvements that they are making and needs for assistance in healthcare, education and housing.

“This funding is an example of the ways we can leverage federal funding to invest in education, health care and economic development on our reservations," Dorgan said. "I will continue to work with the tribe to find new ways to spur the economy and bring new, well-paying jobs to Turtle Mountain."

A $1.5 million construction grant will be used to construct a construction technology building that will house a program to teach students how to construct a home. Homes will be produced that will be sold with earnings that will be going back into fund the program. In addition, a $500,000 development five year grant will fund instructor positions to teach in the construction technology building program, a nursing director to develop a program to expand the number of nurses, and an institutional effectiveness coordinator, who will develop a process to evaluate each department at the college to make each program more effective.

--END--