U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USDA Enhances the Quality of Life in Rural Areas by Building or Improving Essential Community Service Facilities - Tennessee Communities Receive Over $1.1 Million

Name
Sherri McCarter
City
Nashville
Release Date

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $237 million in 119 rural community service facilities in 29 states. Tennessee Rural Development State Director Jim Tracy applauded the work USDA has done to ensure Tennessee communities get the assistance they need.

   “It is important that communities have the essential services they need,” Tracy said. “By taking advantage of the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program communities can, in a more affordable way, meet the needs of the community and ensure the safety and enrichment of its citizens.”

   Projects receiving funding in Tennessee are:

  • The Campbell County Rural Fire Service is receiving a $11,300 loan to purchase a fire engine to replace an older fire engine. In addition, fire and rescue mitigation equipment will be purchased to replace equipment that is approaching the end of its useful life. 

     

  • The Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee TN Historical Society in Bradley County is receiving a $50,000 loan to build an addition to the Hiwassee River Heritage Center. The addition will include an exhibit hall and education classroom. The two additional rooms will double the size of the building. Currently, exhibit panels line the walls of the lobby, and the additional exhibit space will give the Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee Historical Society the opportunity to expand the exhibits to include artifacts. The 50-seat classroom will provide space for meetings and presentations to enrich the community and further share the nationally significant stories. The construction will also include an additional accessible restroom and with extra storage. The entrance will be moved to the front of the building and will be accessible to people with disabilities. 

      

  • The Hampton Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department in Carter County is receiving a $61,000 loan and a $25,000 grant to purchase a building for the Hampton Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department to store vehicles and equipment. This purchase will give the Volunteer Fire Department better response times to emergencies in the Valley Forge area.

 

  • The Lafollette Life Saving and Rescue Squad in Campbell County is receiving a $15,000 loan to purchase equipment and a truck to be used as an emergency vehicle to increase the safety of the 4,702 residents of Lafollette. The borrower will purchase a 450 cab truck, a truck bed and will custom build a rescue truck. The truck will replace on older model that is not four-wheel drive, which is needed to navigate the mountainous terrain.

     

  • The City of Martin in Weakley County is receiving a $200,000 loan and $25,000 grant for a new fire station. The new fire station will be 5,911 square feet. It will include a 2,496-square-foot engine bay that will be added to the existing building. A concrete bank vault will be converted into a tornado shelter. Because the station will be constructed in the only city ward without a fire station, the city's fire rating will improve, and insurance rates will be lowered.

     

  • The Mowbray Volunteer Fire Department in Hamilton County will receive a $65,000 loan to purchase a 1997 Spartan Gladiator Fire Engine. The fire department needs to add a vehicle to its fleet due to increased call volume and population growth.It covers approximately 33 square miles and responds to an average of 200-250 calls per year. The current truck is an older model and has a side pump panel, meaning the engineer must leave the pump to monitor fire conditions.The existing truck also has a smaller pump capacity, 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm). The new truck will have a 1,500 gpm capacity.The new truck will also come with a 10kw generator that will aid in lighting and scene safety.

     

  • Smith County will receive a $1.1 million loan to purchase two pieces of land for industrial development. The main parcel is 102+/- acres. The industrial park will also include adjacent acreage (14+/- acres) that is a crucial addition to the most developable part of the 102 acres.

     

  • True Purpose Ministries in Blount County will receive a $62,000 loan and a $10,000 grant to purchase three, 15-passenger vans for True Purpose Ministries, which is a facility for people recovering from substance misuse.The new vans will replace those currently being used, which are continuously in need of repair.The vans are used to transport students to job sites and any additional job training.They will also be used to transport students to court or court-related requirements when needed.

       

       More than 100 types of projects are eligible for USDA Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally and state-recognized Native American tribes. Applicants and projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. There is no limit on the size of the loans. Loan amounts have ranged from $10,000 to $165 million.

     

       The 2018 Omnibus bill increased the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget for the Community Facilities Direct Loan program to $2.8 billion, up $200 million from FY 2017.

     

       In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

     

       To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).

     

       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 services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/tn.