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Thursday, September 04, 2008

Fellowships boost rural businesses in S. Dakota

When businesses begin to shut down, the health of a small-town economy often follows. In South Dakota, a new fellowship program seeks to bolster rural economies by providing financial support to struggling businesses.

The Dakota Rising program gives out eight fellowships to small business owners struggling to remain afloat in small communities in four designated areas across the state. The money can be used to help businesses expand into surrounding communities, create jobs, and attract outside businesses to the area.

Kristin Bennett, who applied for a $10,000 fellowship, tells Erich Schaffhauser of KELO-TV: "I'm just, you know, I've climbed right to here. And I just need a little push to get over the hump and then I think this company is really going to take off." Bennett adds "Just keeping Main Street alive and keeping the economy robust is what we all have to try to do." (Read more)

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