http://www.usda.gov/2009/05/0172.xml
Release No. 0172.09
Contact:
Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES $60 MILLION FOR RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROJECTS
Local Communities to Purchase More than 120 Fire, Police, and Rescue Vehicles
Ludowici, Ga., May 18, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of more than $60 million in essential community facilities and emergency responder projects that are being funded immediately with federal funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The 280 projects will help communities in 39 states.
"The Recovery Act funds provided today will help support rural communities' efforts to protect and serve their residents by providing essential public safety services," said Vilsack. "These projects are the first of many that are expected to create or save more than 1,350 jobs and help rural communities provide expanded access to health care, support first responder efforts, and finance libraries, schools and day care centers."
Approximately $19 million of the $60 million being announced today will be leveraged with $6.9 million from other sources to help local communities with the purchase of emergency services and systems, and fire and rescue equipment, including more than 120 fire, medical and police vehicles.
All of the funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program, which helps finance and develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include childcare centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through its Community Facilities program, USDA ensures that such facilities are available to all rural residents. These funds are available to public bodies, non-profit organizations, and recognized Indian tribes.
In Keshena, Wis., Rural Development is providing a $100,000 loan and grant to the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin to renovate the current Emergency Medical Services' building to provide adequate room for emergency vehicles, equipment and staff. The Emergency Medical Services, which is part of the Menominee Tribal Clinic, provides emergency response and transport capabilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The increased building space will allow all emergency vehicles to be stored on-site and not at a building 10 miles away, ensuring quicker emergency response times.
The Meridianville Volunteer Fire Department in Madison County, Ala., has been selected to receive a $700,000 loan to replace the small, 20-year-old fire station with a new, larger, more centrally located facility. The 25-member volunteer fire department provides emergency fire and medical services to a rural community of 5,000 people. The new, improved facility will provide adequate and secure storage for their existing fire trucks and equipment and provide a community room for first-responder training and public education services for community residents. The new location will have room for expansion as the community's need for emergency services increase.
Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. More information about USDA Rural Development can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov .
President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery . More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov .
State Number of Projects Total Rural Development ARRA Funding and State Total
Alabama Total 2 $743,480
Arkansas Total 32 $1,450,000
Arizona Total 2 $79,077
California Total 31 $6,752,945
Colorado Total 2 $33,025
Connecticut Total 1 $1,400,000
Delaware Total 2 $160,000
Georgia Total 4 $524,500
Illinois Total 4 $6,121,000
Indiana Total 4 $2,454,020
Kentucky Total 5 $412,270
Louisiana Total 3 $962,458
Massachusetts Total 1 $907,000
Maryland Total 8 $692,200
Maine Total 3 $3,176,000
Michigan Total 14 $4,795,000
Minnesota Total 3 $72,700
Missouri Total 26 $1,424,098
Montana Total 3 $1,359,025
North Carolina Total 13 $3,878,810
North Dakota Total 7 $1,071,450
Nebraska Total 3 $170,250
New Hampshire Total 11 $284,320
New Mexico Total 1 $29,250
Nevada Total 2 $26,742
New York Total 1 $110,000
Ohio Total 10 $5,216,000
Oklahoma Total 3 $801,011
Oregon Total 1 $27,692
Pennsylvania Total 3 $1,405,000
South Carolina Total 1 $787,200
South Dakota Total 1 $16,380
Tennessee Total 7 $4,463,200
Utah Total 4 $254,550
Virginia Total 31 $1,179,070
Vermont Total 11 $2,295,669
Washington Total 1 $8,400
Wisconsin Total 6 $3,108,500
West Virginia Total 1 $25,200
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