The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office in Virginia today announced $531,900 in loans and grants for 10 public safety projects statewide that USDA is supporting though the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program and the Economic Impact Initiative Grant Program.
“The recipients announced today provide essential services that keep rural Virginians safe and able to contribute to improving the economy and the overall quality of life in our commonwealth,” said Janice Stroud-Bickes, USDA Rural Development Virginia Acting State Director. “Through our Community Facilities Programs and the Economic Impact Initiative Grant Program, we are proud to support community needs to improve and maintain the facilities and public safety in these rural areas.”
USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas through low-interest loans, grants or a combination of the two. Funds can be used to purchase equipment, pay related project expenses, and purchase construct, and/or improve essential community facilities. The Economic Impact Initiative Grant Program also provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas but this program assists in the development of such facilities in communities with extreme unemployment and severe economic depression. Funds may be used to construct, enlarge or improve community facilities for health care, public safety and public service. Grants may be made in combination with other financial assistance such as a Community Facilities direct or guaranteed loan, applicant contribution or funding from other sources.
An essential community facility is one that provides a needed service for the orderly development of the community. Examples of essential community facilities include health care facilities, public facilities, public safety services, educational services, utility services and local food systems. Public bodies, community-based non-profit corporations and federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply.
List of recipients:
|
Locality |
Program |
Amount |
Description |
|
Town of Richlands |
Economic Impact Initiative Grant (EII) |
$38,500 |
Funds will be used to purchase police vehicles and equipment. |
|
Town of Blackstone |
Community Facilities Loan and EII Grant |
$40,000 |
Funds will be used to purchase a fire command vehicle. |
|
Town of Chincoteague |
Community Facilities Grant |
$21,600 |
Funds will be used to purchase police cameras and related equipment. |
|
Floyd County |
Community Facilities Grant |
$36,300 |
Funds will be used to purchase police vehicles for Floyd County. |
|
Town of Jonesville |
Community Facilities Loan and EII Grant |
$103,000 |
Funds will be used to purchase a fire truck and equipment. |
|
Lunenburg County |
Community Facilities Grant |
$50,000 |
Funds will be used to purchase police vehicles for the Lunenburg Sheriff’s office. |
|
Russell County |
Community Facilities Grant |
$50,000 |
Funds will be used to purchase police vehicles and equipment. |
|
City of Galax |
Community Facilities Loan and EII Grant |
$50,000 |
Funds will be used to purchase police vehicles for Galax Police Department. |
|
Town of Lebanon |
Community Facilities Loan and Grant
|
$75,000 |
Funds will be used to purchase a police vehicle and equipment. |
|
Town of Pennington Gap |
Community Facilities Loan and Grant |
$67,500 |
Funds will be used to purchase a police vehicle and ATV. |