I
have designed this page with the idea that showcasing and celebrating
our counties' accomplishments is important for everyone.
Please take the time to learn about this month's county and make
sure to stop by next month to see who will be our county in focus.
Gregory
County
Month:
November 2006
County
Name: Gregory County
Largest
City: Gregory
County
Seat: Burke
Population:
4,290
Founded:
1862 |
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Tucked
in between the Missouri River and the southern border of South Dakota,
Gregory County includes the communities of Burke, Gregory, Bonesteel,
Fairfax, Dallas, Herrick, St. Charles, Lucas and Dixon. Burke serves
as the county seat for the estimated 4,290 residents.
Gregory County is home to the Fort Randall Military Post, established
in 1856 to help keep peace on the frontier. Fort Randall Military
Post was named after a career Army officer who also served as Deputy
Paymaster General of the Army, Colonel Daniel Randall. The military
post was located just south of the present site of the Fort Randall
Dam. It also served as a major navigation link on the Missouri River
and operated for 36 years.
Tim's
Work in Gregory County:
As South Dakota’s senior Senator, Tim is well-positioned to
secure federal funding for projects that are important to Gregory
County and to all of South Dakota. He has used his seat on the powerful
Senate Appropriations Committee to secure funding for programs that
directly impact the lives of people in Gregory County.
Tim
Aids Burke Business and Community
In
2002, Tim worked to provide $99,000 in federal funding from the
USDA Rural Development program for the Burke Community Club to build
an office facility. The facility houses three local businesses and
created five new jobs.
Tim
also worked to secure $70,000 in federal funding for the Burke Business
Promotion Corporation to establish a revolving loan fund that would
provide businesses with technical assistance and other services.
This funding also came from the USDA Rural Development program.
Tim
Backs Small Schools, Helps Them Connect
In
2002, Tim announced that Burke and Gregory school districts in Gregory
County would receive Small School Achievement Awards. They were
awarded $9,260 and $13,917 respectively. These awards are given
to rural communities with a daily attendance of no more than 600
or less than 10 persons per square mile, helping them meet our state’s
definition of adequate yearly progress.
In
2001, Tim announced $5,908 in E-Rate funding of for the Gregory
School District. Funds helped the school pay for Internet access
and telecommunication services.
Tim
Boosts Fire Halls, Warning System
In
2001, Tim announced Bonesteel would receive $57,000 from the USDA
Rural Development program to build an addition to their fire hall.
Also that year, Burke received $49,000 to expand their fire hall
from the same program.
In
2001, Tim also worked to provide $12,015 in funding from the USDA
Rural Development program for Burke to upgrade their emergency warning
siren system.
Other
Gregory County Accomplishments:
Tim
Aids South Dakota Transit
In the 2007 budget, Tim and the Senate approved funding for transit
services throughout South Dakota from the Federal Transit Administration
for a total of $7,875,000. An additional $4.3 million will go support
public transportation in communities with less than 50,000 people,
and $405,000 will be dedicated to elderly and rural bus service.
Moreover, $329,000 will go to Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC)
transit, which helps people leave the welfare rolls and enter the
workforce by getting them to the areas where jobs are located.
In 2004, Tim announced funding for The Northern Great Plains Regional
Authority. This organization helps coordinate transportation, infrastructure
and other projects that are important for economic development throughout
South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. In 2004,
$1.5 million was provided for this program. In 2005, an additional
$1.49 million was provided.
Tim Helps to Manage Wildlife
In
2006, Tim secured an earmark of $750,000 in the Agriculture Appropriations
Bill to help manage wildlife in a way that will reduce damage to
agricultural and natural resources, minimize threats to public health
and safety, and protect property. As a member of the powerful Senate
Appropriations Committee, Tim is working in the Senate to secure
$742,000 for this program for next year.
Similarly,
from 2003 through 2005, Tim worked to award a total of $2.25 million
in federal funding for the Animal Damage Control Program within
the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. Funds helped
offset the costs of damage associated with controlling predators,
as well as nuisance and diseased animals. The program is vital for
South Dakotans who suffer wildlife damage to their land, property,
crops or livestock.
Tim
Works to Prevent Domestic Violence
In
2006, Tim announced that the South Dakota Network Against Family
Violence and Sexual Assault would receive $175,000 to buy equipment
and pay for programming. This organization works throughout all
of South Dakota to train law enforcement officers, medical personnel
and victims’ advocates to respond to family violence and incidents
of sexual assault.
Tim
Gets Equipment for Law Enforcement
In
2006, Tim announced $100,000 in federal funding to buy equipment
for our state’s new criminal investigation facility, improving
law enforcement investigation services throughout South Dakota.
South Dakota recently built a $25 million law enforcement building
that will house the Attorney General’s office, the Division
of Criminal Investigation, the state crime lab, the law enforcement
training academy, the state radio communications center, indoor
firing ranges, exercise facilities, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria.
This federal funding will be used to purchase equipment for the
facility.
Tim
Helps Restore the Missouri River
Over
the past few years, Tim has secured more than $2 million from the
Energy and Water Appropriations to address sedimentation and conduct
restoration of the Missouri River.
Tim
Pushes for Community Health Care
In
2004, Tim announced the Community Health Care Association of the
Dakotas would receive $250,000 federal funding for the implementation
of an integrated management information system. This would include
funding for computer equipment, training and maintenance of the
integrated network plan for community health care centers throughout
South Dakota.
Interesting
Fact:
Initially, a portion of Gregory County was opened to settlement
by President Benjamin Harrison on February 10, 1890; however, the
rest of the county was opened to homesteaders by President Theodore
Roosevelt on April 23, 1904.
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