KOTA Territory NewsLocal bank pledges support to help small towns

Local bank pledges support to help small towns

A local bank and the South Dakota Community Foundation challenge seven western South Dakota towns to raise money for their town.  Their reward, matched funds.

Monday, First Interstate Bank pledged 350-thousand dollars to area towns that want to better their communities.  Hot Springs, Custer, Wall, Lead-Deadwood, Sturgis and Belle Fourche have joined the project.

First interstate bank will match up to ten-thousand dollars per year for the next five years in each community.  If they meet the challenge the  foundation will throw in another 25-thousand dollars.

Each town gets to choose how they raise, and spend the money.  "Sometimes it's a very grass roots support that will come from all across the community. There are other communities that will go to perhaps some individuals and say we have got this challenge can you help," Foundation President Bob Sutton said.

In previous years, similar grants have helped fund women's shelters and community homeless shelters.