One Spirit

ABSTRACTTHIS PROJECT EXPANDS THE STRUCTURAL FOOT PRINT OF THE EXISTING AND OPERATIONAL CHARGING BUFFALO MEAT PROCESSING FACILITY. THE EXPANSION ALLOWS THE FACILITY TO ADD THE EQUIPMENT, UPGRADE THE SUPPORT SERVICES AND REVISE PRODUCT PRODUCTION FLOW AS REQUIRED TO PREPARE FOR INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION AS A COOPERATIVE INTERSTATE SHIPPING (CIS) COMPLIANT PROCESSING PLANT. PRESENTLY, OUR SMALL, START-UP, NOT-FOR-PROFIT PROCESSOR LOCATED ON PINE RIDGE RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA EMPLOYS LOCAL LAKOTA WORKERS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITIES OF THE INDIGENOUS OGLALA LAKOTA NATION UNDER A SOUTH DAKOTA SPECIAL EXEMPT CERTIFICATION. DURING THE RECENT PANDEMIC, OUR PLANT'S VALUE AS A LOCAL SOURCE OF TRADITIONAL AND TRADITIONALLY PROCESSED MEAT PRODUCTS BECAME APPARENT TO ALL STAKE HOLDERS: INDIVIDUAL CONSUMERS, TRIBAL AUTHORITIES, LOCAL ANIMAL PRODUCERS, AND PLANT EMPLOYEES.THE PLANT'S LIMITED PHYSICAL SIZE, LIMITED STORAGE CAPABILITIES AND MANUAL PRODUCT HANDLING LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO SATISFY EXISTING DEMANDS OF BOTH OUR ANIMAL SUPPLIERS AND OUR CONSUMERS. NOR CAN WE ADEQUATELY PREPARE FOR A HIGHER LEVEL OF SOUTH DAKOTA OR FEDERAL CERTIFICATION. WITHOUT OBTAINING SUCH ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION, OUR FACILITY CANNOT GROW FROM OPERATION AS A HIGHLY SUBSIDIZED START-UP TO THE FINANCIAL STABILITY WHICH WILL ENABLE IT TO BECOME A SUSTAINABLE ASSET TO ITS COMMUNITIES AND STAKEHOLDERS AND PRODUCE MORE MEAT PRODUCTS FOR SHIPMENT INTO INTERSTATE COMMERCE.OUR PROPOSED PLANNING AND BUILDOUT, DEVELOPED AFTER CONSULTATION WITH INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS, ADDS TO OUR PHYSICAL FOOTPRINT ALLOWING FOR THE REQUIRED PROCESSING EQUIPMENT UPGRADES, PROCESSING AREA SEGREGATIONS AND PRODUCT FLOW REDESIGN. WE PROPOSE FOUR PLANNING TASKS TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE FACILITY, EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL IN PREPARATION FOR A CIS CERTIFICATION BY THE END OF 2024.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES - ECONOMIC IMPACT INITIATIVE GRANTS

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.