The South Dakota Transportation Commission has awarded Fort Pierre a $463,000 grant to make improvements to Buffalo Road.
During Thursday’s (Dec. 18, 2025) meeting, commissioners awarded a combined $4 million in economic development grants for infrastructure improvements in counties and smaller communities across South Dakota. The funds are to be used to improve roads leading to schools, main business areas, hospitals, grain elevators, and other economic-based areas within a community.
State Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt says these economic development grants have proven to be a vital part of improving and strengthening the state’s infrastructure. He says without the grant, many rural communities wouldn’t have the financial ability to support development. The grants provide funding for 80% of the construction costs of a project, up to a maximum of $600,000.
Transportation Commission grants awarded in December 2025 are:
Agri-Business Grants:
- Fort Pierre received $463,000 for Buffalo Road which serves Sioux Nation;
- Yankton County received $518,500 for 439th Avenue which serves Yaggie’s, Inc.; and
- Blom Township received $518,500 for 473rd Avenue which serves Plainview Dairy.
Community Access Grants:
- City of Crooks received $600,000 for 3rd and 4th Streets, 1st Avenue, and Park Drive which serve the truck route and business area;
- City of Deadwood received $600,000 for Crescent Street which serves the rodeo grounds;
- City of Hartford received $600,000 for Western Avenue which serves a business area;
- City of Hecla received $547,000 for Pine Street and Depot Street which serve the elevator; and
- City of Sinai received $193,800 for Park Avenue which serves a business area.
Economic development grant program information and the application process are available on the SDDOT website, https://dot.sd.gov/doing-business/local-governments/transportation-economic-development-grants, or by contacting Paula Huizenga at 605-773-6253.
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