Rapid City, SD - When the South Dakota Air & Space Museum needed funding under special conditions, they looked to their local credit union, Highmark Federal CU in Rapid City, SD. The museum was established outside the front gate of Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1992 as a Field Museum of the US Air Force. Over the years the SD Air & Space Museum has flourished in the community by preserving aviation history, honoring veterans, producing educational opportunities for students, and inspiring innovation for future aviation for generations to come.

Since admission to the museum is free, the only income the supporting foundation receives comes from bus tours, donations, fundraising, and the gift shop - with the majority (56%) of income stemming from the gift shop.

The $40,000 loan will be used to order inventory for the gift shop. In the past, the foundation had to tap into the cash reserves but moving forward, they will utilize a line of credit to order inventory and to cover expenses before the tourist season when their gift sales pick up.