Lower Brule Grocery Store | NMTC Financing Expands Access to Fresh Food

Clearinghouse CDFI Finances Full-Service Lower Brule Grocery Store, Expanding Access to Fresh Food

Clearinghouse CDFI provided $6,000,000 of NMTC allocation for the construction of the Lower Brule Grocery Store, replacing a former convenience store and gas station that previously served as the primary food source for residents of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe reservation. The new store serves 5,000 clients annually and shifts the community from a limited, high-cost convenience model to a full-service grocery offering fresh produce, meats, deli items, and staple foods at affordable prices. Construction of the store created 15 full-time equivalent jobs and 50 construction jobs.

Shifting Priorities

Before this project, the community relied heavily on a convenience-store model offering mostly prepackaged foods at higher prices and limited fresh options. Residents often traveled long distances to access full-service grocery stores, increasing both time and transportation costs. This structure constrained access to fresh produce and protein options within the Reservation.

Investment to Impact

Clearinghouse CDFI’s NMTC allocation allowed the Tribe to invest more than $2.1 million in refrigeration, processing, shelving, gas, and IT equipment, serving 13,725 square feet of retail space. This infrastructure allows the store to:

• Offer fresh and unprocessed foods in bulk at a lower cost per pound
• Process and store meats and produce on site
• Maintain food quality while reducing spoilage

The Lower Brule Grocery Store provides consistent access to fresh, nutritious food while reducing reliance on prepackaged goods.

Project Financing

• CCDFI: $6,000,000 of NMTC Allocation
• U.S. Bank (NMTC Investor): $1,778,400

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