Wednesday, Oct 24 2012 4:39PM

On behalf of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, his senior advisor, Janie Hipp, announced funding for 21 projects to improve educational systems while at the National Congress of American Indians Annual Conference on October 23.

Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Tribal College Grant program, communities throughout eight states, including Montana and Washington, will receive a total of a total of $3.3 million for education services and improvements to infrastructure and main systems.

"Investing in tribal educational facilities is crucial to increasing economic opportunity in tribal communities," Janie Hipp. "These institutions will use the funds to improve educational offerings and that will pay dividends for generations to come."

In Montana, six tribal colleges received $158,565 in grants, including Fort Peck Community College, which will use funds to install wells to provide water throughout campus and for building renovations. Other schools in the area will make improvements to transportation systems, building construction and other maintenance.

Meanwhile, the Northwest Indian College in Washington will use its funds to purchase fixtures and furniture on campus.

While these grants will help selected colleges attended primarily by tribal students, many of these schools are located in rural communities that lack proper infrastructure systems that support a thriving lifestyle for those seeking an education.

For further information, check out this source: The U.S. Department of Agriculture