Trump Administration Appoints Gross to Serve as State Director for USDA Rural Development in SD

United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development 200 4th Street SW Federal Bldg. Rm. 210 Huron, SD 57350 Voice 605.352.1100
Email: tammi.schone@sd.usda.gov Web: http://www.rd.usda.gov/sd/ Contact: Tammi Schone, (605) 352-1102 tammi.schone@sd.usda.gov

News Release

Huron, SD, Nov. 27, 2017 - The Trump Administration recently appointed Julie Gross as the new State Director for USDA Rural Development in South Dakota. Gross will begin her new role today, Monday, November 27, 2017. Gross was born and raised in rural South Dakota. She graduated from South Dakota State University majoring in Sociology with an emphasis in human resources and minors in economics and speech.

Gross has several years of experience working to promote economic and community development. In her previous position as Executive Director of the Lake Area Improvement Corporation, she successfully conducted a capital campaign garnering over $1 million to be used for economic development in Lake County. Under her leadership, the community experienced business expansion, housing growth, new and enhanced partnerships and an efficiently run organization.

Gross launched a community English as a Second Language program three years ago which continues to grow.

Gross understands and appreciates the needs of rural communities. She has worked efficiently and effectively with integrity and a focus on the customer. Her lifelong passion has been to make a difference in the lives of others.

Gross has served in leadership roles in numerous committees for the Chamber of Commerce and other volunteer organizations. She was awarded the bronze leadership award for exemplary leadership in Junior Achievement where she empowered young people to own their economic success.

As State Director, Gross will use her leadership experience to oversee Rural Development programs in a customer-focused manner to restore prosperity in rural South Dakota. Gross looks forward to enhancing customer service through the efficient and effective delivery of resources. In some cases, this might mean coming up with solutions that get government out of the way.

Gross will be the eyes and ears of Secretary Perdue in rural South Dakota and will communicate the state’s unique challenges and needs to Washington.

Gross and her husband Allan live on a farm near Madison with their twins, Ally and Dillon. She also has a grown step-daughter Sunni who lives in Minneapolis.

Under the direction of Secretary Sonny Perdue, the USDA will always be facts-based and data-driven, with a decision-making mindset that is customer-focused. Secretary Perdue leads the USDA with four guiding principles: to maximize the ability of American agriculture to create jobs, sell foods and fiber, and feed and clothe the world; to prioritize customer service for the taxpayers; to ensure that our food supply is safe and secure; and to maintain good stewardship of the natural resources that provide us with our miraculous bounty. And understanding that we live in a global economy where trade is of top importance, Secretary Perdue has pledged to be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider and employer.

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