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District 3 representative outlines regional services, warns ARPA funds must be spent by Dec. 2026
Summary
Laurie, District 3’s representative, told Buffalo County commissioners about regional development services including the SBDC, revolving loan fund, and NextGen 911 assistance; she said ARPA funds administered by the district must be spent by December 2026 and reported roughly $7.7 million in funding obtained for the region.
Laurie, speaking as the District 3 representative, gave the board an annual update on the planning district’s services and recent grant activity, noting the district continues to administer ARPA funds and expects those funds to be fully dispersed by December 2026.
She described a range of services for local governments and businesses, including a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by the district, assistance with SAM registrations for federal funding, GIS support for county websites and 911 addressing, and NextGen 911 coordination. "We're almost down to the end. That has to all be, dispersed by December '26," Laurie said.
The representative reviewed the district’s grant work: staff submitted 47 funding applications in the past year with 21 approvals to date, and the district estimates roughly $7,700,000 in assistance flowing to projects in the region. "We did 10 loans for almost 1,300,000 in that last year," she said when describing the district revolving loan fund that supports local business development and meat-and-poultry processing loans.
Laurie also flagged upcoming coordination opportunities: the district will host a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) meeting on June 23 in Yankton and said the district’s planning staff will begin county plan updates, including Buffalo County’s, on a rotating five-year cycle. She encouraged county officials to contact District 3 for application support and technical help.
Why it matters: District 3’s programs can help Buffalo County win federal and state funding, support small-business growth, and improve emergency communications. Several items Laurie described—ARPA spending deadlines, STIP scheduling and revolving loan capital—carry near-term deadlines or application timing that could affect county projects.
The district will follow up with county staff on planning updates and can provide application assistance for community development block grants, brownfields, and other federal programs. Laurie closed by reminding commissioners that District 3’s services are available to both members and nonmembers and urging officials to reach out when they need help.
