Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program (NESDCAP)

The Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program (NESDCAP) with its sister organization, Northeast South Dakota Economic Corporation (NESDEC), helps promote community excellence and stimulate economic growth in a 17 county area in northeastern South Dakota.  Headquartered in Sisseton, NESDCAP makes loans, provides technical assistance and creates partnerships.  It also maintains a website, www.nesdcap.org, that links residents within its large service area to opportunities such as:  online applications, lists of certifications, memberships, and funding sources, apartment rental information, informational pamphlets, FAQ, latest NESDCAP news,  and a link to “The Beehive”, an area internet resource using technology to help families connect to multi-lingual information about health, jobs, money, and schools.

Some of NESDCAP's major program include:

• Business loans that help communities and individuals with business development or expansion along with the creation of jobs.  
• The Small Business Development Center helping entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership as well as assisting existing businesses to remain competitive, providing professional, confidential and no-cost business consulting services, including one-on-one counseling and training. 
• Emergency services for people having short term critical needs for food, shelter, utilities, etc.  
• A Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) designed to help low-income persons prepare their taxes for free. This service is provided during the months of January through April.  
• A comprehensive housing program providing: weatherization for energy efficiency and reduction in utility costs (e.g., installing insulation, air sealing measures, and providing minor repairs);  assistance in replacing roofs, plumbing, electrical and heating systems through various funding sources; and housing technical assistance, multi-family housing, housing loans and marketing the “Governor’s House”. 

NESDCAP is currently taking applications for a waiting list for the Dakota Dream Savings Fund, an Individual Development Account set up to help individuals invest in their futures.  Every dollar deposited into the Dakota Dream Savings Fund will be matched by a minimum of two dollars to help financially plan for owning a home, starting a business or furthering education.  Guidance will be provided along the way to ensure participants are meeting their goals.