News & Events

Marcia Erickson grew up on a cattle farm in rural South Dakota where neighbors knew and took care of one another. If one neighbor fell ill or got hurt when it was time to bring in the corn, the others were ready to help. “The crops can’t wait,” Erickson said.  That spirit of helping her rural community stayed with her and made a career in affordable housing and community development a natural fit. Erickson has worked in the field for 38 years and counting, coming up with fresh ideas, strategizing and giving voice to rural concerns. Her work as a...

GROW South Dakota is pleased to share that we recently received $341,250 through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) Member Impact Fund grant program to advance our vision of growing sustainable communities through housing, community, and economic development. This investment provides critical operational support to continue expanding access to housing and economic opportunities across the state, and we are grateful for the support provided through this opportunity.GROW South Dakota will use the award to support the administration of our down payment assistance, direct mortgage, and small business lending programs, as well as special projects focused...

Budgeting isn’t exactly a popular topic to talk about. Who likes the idea of not getting what we want?Instead of looking at a personal household budget as something to hold you back from making an amazing purchase or buying something you love, it's actually a really cool tool that acts like a financial roadmap to get you more in the long run.And most importantly, budgets help us make sure we’ll have enough money every month.Because when we know exactly where our money is going, we don’t experience that nagging anxiety month after month, stressing out over whether we're going to...

For over four decades, GROW SD has been on a mission to support entrepreneurs across South Dakota through affordable business financing.Whether you’re looking to purchase real estate, equipment, or inventory to grow and scale your operations, as your partner in economic growth, we’re here to help. Both startups and existing businesses are encouraged to apply!GROW SD operates from a mission of fostering a thriving business community in our region by providing collaborative lending solutions or comprehensive consulting services.In 2025, we saw a high demand for affordable business loans. Fifty loans totaling over $5.5 million in funding were granted to 44...

For over 40 years, GROW South Dakota has been a key player in promoting homeownership throughout the state.But did you know that as a statewide lender, we can also provide new and potential residents with down payment assistance?Down Payment Assistance in South DakotaWe understand that saving for a down payment can feel impossible, especially for families and individuals with limited resources.That’s why our assistance focuses on those who need it most, offering Down Payment Assistance (DPA) for income-qualified households purchasing homes in rural South Dakota communities.How does the Down Payment Assistance program work?Here’s how the DPA program works: Most assistance...

A recent report stated that almost 75,000 South Dakotans could lose their food assistance benefits if Congress is unable to come to an agreement to end the federal government shutdown.As of November 11, the Senate has voted 60 to 40 to approve a continuing resolution which would reopen the government. But the shutdown will not end right away; the House of Representatives must also pass the legislation with a majority vote before President Trump can sign it into law.GROW South Dakota has launched an Emergency Food Campaign to provide nutritional support to families through our Community Action Program service area.The...

Lauren, Owner of Oldies Grill and Lounge in Bowdle, SD, took on the challenge of completing and passing 10 digital literacy classes through GROW South Dakota’s Learn to Earn a Device Program. Through this initiative, Lauren not only gained valuable digital skills but also received a Chromebook—a tool that isalready making a meaningful impact on Oldies Grill and Lounge."I really appreciate the opportunity to participate and gain new skills," Lauren shared, reflecting on the value found in the digital literacy courses. "This device will be incredibly helpful for running my business," Lauren added, noting how essential it will be in...

With the challenge of safe and affordable housing affecting many communities, William was determined to make a difference in the town where he grew up. He reached out to GROW South Dakota to inquire about a business loan to purchase and renovate rental homes throughout the community of Sisseton, South Dakota.Thanks to funding received through GROW South Dakota’s business lending program, William successfully acquired and renovated multiple rental properties within the community. The financing not only supported the purchase and improvements of these homes, but also enabled him to generate additional income. This extra income has allowed William to expand...

When Hannah applied for a mortgage loan through traditional financing, she was denied. Despite having an established credit line, her fiancé had no credit history, and the property they hoped to purchase—a farm site—made securing a loan even more difficult.Thankfully, the loan officer referred Hannah to the housing lending team at GROW South Dakota. They were able to receive homebuyer education and mortgage assistance tailored to their situation. With this support, Hannah and her fiancé were able to overcome the barriers standing in their way and successfully purchase their dream home.Not only did they achieve homeownership, but they also gained...

Akiptan and GROW South Dakota receive grants to expand economic  opportunity for rural and tribal entrepreneurs statewide Mobridge, SD – Aug. 11, 2025 – The Wells Fargo Foundation recently announced a  $1 million philanthropic investment to support small business growth across South  Dakota, with a focus on empowering entrepreneurs in rural and tribal communities. The  funding will be distributed evenly between Akiptan, a Native-led community development  financial institution, and GROW South Dakota (GROW SD), a statewide economic  development organization, providing critical resources and capital to small business  owners and agricultural producers throughout the state. As Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) highlighted...

Each year, NeighborWorks Week offers a special opportunity to reflect on the impact of community development and the power of partnerships. As we celebrate this week, we are proud to honor our journey as a chartered member of NeighborWorks America since May 2007. From the very beginning, our mission has been rooted in strengthening communities and creating opportunities for people to thrive. Our first grant of $75,000, awarded at the time of our chartering, marked the beginning of an impactful partnership—one that has been defined by dedication, reliability, and measurable outcomes. Since joining the NeighborWorks network in 2007, GROW South Dakota...

The Aberdeen Small Business Development Center (SBDC) office was recognized recently for 40 Years in Business by the Aberdeen Area Chamber Commerce.  The SBDC program began in South Dakota in 1985.  The Aberdeen office is one of seven across the state and is hosted by GROW South Dakota.  The recognition was presented at the Chamber’s Business After Hours event hosted by Northern Valley Communications on May 7, 2025.  (L to R) Rachael Cramond, SBDC Business Consultant; Kelly Weaver, SBDC Regional Director; and Gail Ochs, Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce CEO.Kelly Weaver, SBDC Regional Director, offered a few comments.  “Over the...

 Catherine Ramsell was in a bind. She knew that she needed to replace her 50-year old furnace, but had no idea where to start. Being on a fixed income, she was unsure of whether or not she would be able to come up with the money to replace an entire furnace. Looking for resources, one of her children contacted social services, and one of the pamphlets at the social services office said to contact GROW South Dakota for further help. This is where the pieces started to fall into place for Catherine. Once she applied, Catherine found out that she had...

Autumn Neigel founded Chasing Dandelions Play Therapy and Counseling Services, a one-of-a-kind business in her community. As she embarked on her counseling journey, she quickly recognized a significant gap in mental health services for young children. "I saw a need to work with young children in mental health where previously, there was little to no help," she explained. Autumn’s dedication and perseverance have helped her achieve remarkable milestones. She became the first in her family to earn a master’s degree, and she will soon hold the distinction of being the only registered play therapist in the area.GROW SD has played an...

Starting a business can be overwhelming, and financing is just one piece of the puzzle. Fortunately, GROW South Dakota has knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you get started. When Derek Diedrich, owner of Fun Time Rentals, was planning his venture, he sought advice from a local banker who recommended the GROW South Dakota business loan program. Reflecting on their journey, Derek shared, "We had never owned our own business. Now, we own two: Fun Time Rentals and Fun Time Adventures." He added, "We started as a seasonal rental company offering just boats, campers, and jet skis. Now, we've...

It was a journey filled with ups and downs, but Alexis's dream of purchasing her first home became a reality with the help of GROW South Dakota. Her story is a testament to the organization's commitment to supporting individuals on their path to homeownership.Alexis had always dreamed of having a place to call her own, a space where she could build memories, and a house she could truly make into a home. However, it was a challenge to save for a down payment and navigate the complex home-buying process.That is when she discovered GROW South Dakota and its down payment...

For more than 40 years, Grow SD’s mission has been providing innovative advancement of housing, education, and economic opportunities throughout South Dakota. David Lau utilized Grow SD’s services that support business owners through loans and business technical assistance. Lau owns Lau Repair and Trucking, located in rural South Dakota, and has had multiple loans with GROW SD over the past 10 years.  His most recent loan was for the refinancing of a higher-interest loan that he used to install solar panels on his shop building.  With the funds from Opportunity Finance Network, GROW SD was able to reduce the interest rate...