USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer today announced funding for the purchase of a new fire truck in the city of Tyler, Minn.
“Rural emergency responders face many unique challenges and we need to ensure that they have the resources and tools necessary to overcome those challenges,” said Colleen Landkamer, USDA Rural Development State Director. “This funding will help firefighters in Tyler better protect the health and safety of people living and working in the region.”
Originally purchased in 1996, the existing Class A pumping truck is no longer a dependable or efficient transportation option due to a need of significant repairs that are no longer affordable to maintain.
With help from a $115,000 direct loan and a $35,000 grant through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities program, the City of Tyler will be able to purchase a brand new fire truck. A new fire truck will ensure that the fire rescue team in Tyler has the resources and tools to continue to provide the more than 1,000 local residents with fast response times.
Rural Development can finance a variety of emergency response needs in rural communities of 20,000 people or fewer through the Community Facilities program. In addition to fire trucks, eligible projects include fire halls, equipment, ambulances, police cars, radios, computers, defibrillators and weather sirens. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested over $431 million in loans and grants to build or improve over 350 essential community facilities throughout rural Minnesota.
Rural Development also invests in housing, water and wastewater treatment, businesses, renewable energy and high-speed Internet. To learn more about Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn, or call the area office in Faribault, Minn. at (507) 332-7418, ext. 4.