HUD AWARDS $800,000 TO MINNESOTA TRIBAL COLLEGE

MINNEAPOLIS - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $800,000 to White Earth Tribal and Community College (TCU), Mahnomen, Minn., to help build, renovate, expand and equip their
facilities, and to expand their role into the community through the provision of needed services such as health programs, job training, and economic development activities. The funding announced today is provided through
HUD's Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP).

"These institutions of higher learning are investing in building minds as well as their local communities," said Donovan. "HUD is working with these colleges and universities to help enhance their learning environments as they devote themselves to shaping the next generation of leaders who will benefit from and build on what we do today."

According to officials at the college, White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC) intends to use its Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) grant to construct a cultural learning center. The college needs to provide
a facility where college staff can offer student services such as orientation, student assembly, cultural ceremonies, large group lectures, and student workshops at one location. The center also will serve the community by providing
a facility where WETCC can offer community activities, from lecture series to theatrics to community workshops in health, and other social concerns, or for any of a wide spectrum of activities for large groups such as training and workshops on workforce development, entrepreneurship, and community development.

The following Tribal colleges and universities also were awarded funding:

To be eligible to apply for funding, TCUs must meet the definition of a TCU established in Title III of the 1998 Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965. In addition, all applicants must offer two- or four-year degrees
and be fully accredited, or be a candidate for accreditation, by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HUD's grants will help these institutions undertake a wide variety of activities. These activities include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Building a new facility (for example, classrooms, administrative offices, health and cultural centers,
  gymnasium, technology centers, and so forth).
• Renovating an existing or acquired facility.
• Expanding an existing or acquired facility.
• Equipping university facilities (laboratory equipment, library books, and furniture).
• Property acquisition.
• Health screening.
• Technical assistance to establish, expand, or stabilize microenterprises.
• Crime, alcohol and/or drug-abuse prevention activities.
• Youth leadership development programs/activities.
• Tutoring/mentoring programs.
• Childcare/development programs.
• Cultural activities/programs.
• Up to 20 percent of the grant may be used for payments of reasonable grant administrative costs related
  to planning and executing the project.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.