PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – The U.S. Agriculture Department has awarded grants to three South Dakota electric cooperatives to help support economic development projects. The utility companies will use the money to make loans to local businesses for projects that will create and retain jobs in rural areas. Codington Clark Electric Cooperative will get a $300,000 grant to set up a loan fund that will help construct a building to facilitate business expansion. Dakota Energy Cooperative will use $300,000 to make a loan for an addition to the Madison Elementary School in Huron. Kingsbury Electric Cooperative will get a $300,000 grant to set up a loan fund that will help finance a building for Horizon Health Care’s medical and dental clinic in De Smet.