SMSC Donates $150,000 to Shakopee, Neighboring Cities

Mayor Brad Tabke has extended his thanks to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community for its $150,000 donation to the city.

Said Tabke, in his blog, "As Mayor, it has been a great pleasure and honor to work with the SMSC toward improving relationships and lives in both of our communities."

The SMSC also announced $150,000 donations each to Scott County, Savage, Belle Plaine, Jordan and Prior Lake. The donations total to $900,000.

According to the SMSC: "In a letter announcing the grants, SMSC Chairman Charlie Vig wrote, 'Our Dakota culture includes a strong tradition of sharing. We offer this grant as a way to continue our good faith effort to work with you on a government to government basis and to build and strengthen our relationship based on mutual respect.'" 

The donations, said the SMSC, come as the community has worked with local governments on various initatives, such as the use of its Mobile Unit services to Scott County and mutual aid agreements between the Mdewakanton Emergency Services and fire departments in the area.

“We are pleased to provide these grants so that local units of government have the opportunity to provide additional services for their citizens,” said SMSC Secretary/ Treasure Lori Watso in a press release.

Shakopee will have to formally accept the donation and make decisions on its use at a future city council meeting, Tabke noted.