Interior Secretary Ken Salazar made his first visit to North Dakota on Saturday and announced $500 million in stimulus funds for Indian Country projects.

The money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It will be used for school and housing construction, road and bridge improvements, and workforce development projects.

According to the Interior Department, the funds will be distributed as follows:

* School Improvement and Repairs - $143.1 million
* Road Maintenance - $142.5 million
* School Replacement Construction - $134.6 million
* Housing Improvement Program (HIP) - $19 million
* Construction Workforce On-the-Job Training in Maintenance - $13.3 million
* Workforce Training - $5.7 million
* Detention Center Maintenance and Repairs – $7.3 million
* Indian Guaranteed Loan Program - $9.5 million

The department's website lists how the stimulus will benefit Indian Country.

Get the Story:
Interior secretary visits N.D. (The Bismarck Tribune 4/26)
Salazar Announces $500 Million for Tribes (AP 4/26)
Secretary of the Interior Announces Funding For Tribes (KFYR 4/25)
Press Release: Secretary Salazar Announces $500 Million in Indian Country Economic Recovery Projects (DOI 4/25)

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
H.R.1 | S.1

Related Stories:
Salazar to visit tribes and UTTC in North Dakota (4/23)