COLUMBIA, MO, Oct. 14, 2020 – The Trump Administration, along with Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, today announced that the USDA is investing $3,500 to modernize fire protection equipment for the North Stone Northeast Barry County Fire Protection District.
“Rural firefighters, many of whom are volunteers, choose to serve their communities and protect their neighbors,” said Trump Administration Official State Director Case. “USDA partners with rural Missouri cities and fire protection districts, like North Stone Northeast Barry County Fire Protection District, to in turn ensure our rural firefighters are protected. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Missouri communities in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
The North Stone Northeast Barry County Fire Protection District will use a $3,500 Community Facilities Economic Impact Initiative Grant to purchase five sets of turnout gear for its firefighters. The new turnout gear will replace older sets that have either expired past the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard of 10 years or have been damaged. The gear will help protect this rural fire protection district’s firefighters when responding to calls and assisting more than 6,000 rural Missourians in the district’s area.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. Grant applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are exhausted.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.
Contact USDA Rural Development
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo, by calling (573) 876-0976, or by emailing RDMissouri@usda.gov.
USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.
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