Note:  Those in the attached photo include from back row left to right:  Opera House board members Barb Whiting, Pam Luecke, Dee Black (First National Bank), and Joan Irwin Opera House Board Member, Rural Development Area Director Tim Potts,  and Dave Scherer – Opera House Board Member; front row left to right:  Lead Mayor Tom Nelson (Opera House Board Member), Jan Humphrey – Opera House Board President, James O’Grady – Executive Director of the Opera House, Mark Haugen – Senator John Thune’s Staff, Rural Development State Director Jafar Karim, and Rural Development Area Specialist Nancy Clarke.

HISTORIC HOMESTAKE OPERA HOUSE SOCIETY INSTALLS HEATING SYSTEM
USDA Rural Development Awards $35,000 Towards the Project

(Lead, South Dakota – September 4, 2008) Lead’s Historic Homestake Opera House Society got another boost from USDA Rural Development to restore and update the facility.

Society members briefed USDA Rural Development State Director Jafar Karim on the status of the restoration project, including use of an additional Rural Development community facility loan and grant funds.  Rural Development is providing a $20,000 loan and a $15,000 grant to assist with the purchase and installation of a heating system.

“The arts, education and entertainment provided at the Historic Homestake Opera House are an important step to improving the quality of life in Lead, both for today and for the future,” said Karim.  “USDA Rural Development is pleased to assist in the efforts of returning the Opera House to its 1914 grandeur.  These improvements will provide increased accessibility and allow the building to host residents and visitors alike at events year-round.”

The Historic Homestake Opera House Society is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation located in the Northern Black Hills community.  At present, the Opera House can only be used during the summer months.  The installation of a heating system will allow the continuation of tours and community events throughout the year which will ultimately generate additional income.  In addition to the heating system, improvements will be made to the lighting, electricity and installation of historic fire doors. 

“USDA Rural Development has always been there when we needed them. The faith they have shown in this project by way of loans and grants goes a long way in demonstrating to our community, our members, and outside funding sources that this is a restoration project that matters and has been recognized as an important element in the economic growth and stability for the City of Lead as well as the Northern Hills region” said James O’Grady, Executive Director of the Historic Opera House Society.

The federal funds will be leveraged with other funds totaling $345,171 for a total project cost of $380,171.  In Fiscal Year 2005, the Historic Homestake Opera House Society was awarded Rural Development funds totaling $310,000 to assist with returning the Historic Homestake Opera House to productive use for the enrichment of the community and to provide educational and cultural opportunities for generations to come.    

USDA Rural Development Area Director Tim Potts and Specialist Nancy Clarke also attended the event.  USDA Rural Development has nine offices in the state that assist rural communities.  Office locations include a state office in Huron, along with area offices in Aberdeen, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Sturgis, Watertown, and Yankton.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.  Rural Development has invested more than $90 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure.  More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments.  Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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