City of Mitchell awarded $1 million for Lake Mitchell improvements

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced on Tuesday that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to Mitchell for improvements and development at the Lake Mitchell marina and surrounding trail system. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will support outdoor recreation and boost the local tourism industry by bringing new visitors to the city, its businesses, and local attractions. This EDA grant will be matched with $937,677 in local funds and is expected to create 20 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan delivers federal resources to communities to ensure our nation not only recovers from the pandemic, but builds a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This project will boost tourism and outdoor recreation in Mitchell and attract visitors to existing tourist attractions.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South Dakota Planning and Development District III, which EDA funds to bring together the public and private sectors and create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in grants to all 50 states and territories in 2021. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors.