Projects Support Rural Public Works Departments, a Humane Society and Emergency Response Services
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Nov. 19, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Indiana Rural Development Acting State Director Curtis Johnson announced that USDA is investing $222 million to build and improve critical community facilities in 44 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 2.5 million people in rural communities. It also includes $132 million to support health care, food security, and emergency response services for more than 850,000 rural residents in 37 states.
“Investments in vehicles and equipment for our emergency responders and public works are critical resources for every community,” Johnson said. “USDA’s programs give rural Hoosier’s the opportunity to build back better, stronger and more resilient.”
USDA is investing in 536 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program throughout the country. The assistance will fund essential community services that will help keep rural America resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The projects will finance emergency response vehicles and equipment; build or improve hospitals and clinics; and combat food insecurity.
In Indiana:
- The Refuge for Children Inc will use a $50,000 grant to purchase appliances, bedroom and great room furniture, bedding, office equipment, computer equipment, a security system and playground equipment to make the shelter ready to accept children. The Refuge for Children emergency shelter is currently under construction. The environment is home-like with a total of ten individual bedrooms, shared commons area for a great room, kitchen and separated study space. There will be a fully furnished basement for emergency sheltering in place and a fenced outside area for supervised outdoor activities. Children will be provided basic necessities, independent living skills preparation, resiliency development, access to education and wellness activities with all services wrapped in a trauma-informed care culture. Children will be assisted with transitioning to the best matched foster care placement as quickly as possible. This project will serve almost 4,300 residents.
- The City of Berne will use a $50,000 grant to purchase three law enforcement vehicles. The vehicles will replace one older unreliable vehicle with extensive miles and experiencing mechanical difficulties and add two vehicles to the city's law enforcement department. These new vehicles will provide dependable coverage for the department and allow it to provide appropriate emergency services to the community. This project will help keep the city a safer place to work and live for its 4,000 residents.
- The Brown County Humane Society will use a $28,200 grant to purchase equipment and furnishings for the animal shelter. The Humane Society has raised funds for a new facility and a portion of the equipment and furnishings through fundraising and donations. Over 200 items are needed to make the shelter functional including fire extinguishers, security system, exam table, washer and dryer, chairs, desks, shelving units and much more. This project will serve over 15,200 residents.
- The City of Peru will use a $50,000 grant to purchase two law enforcement vehicles with equipment. The vehicles will replace older vehicles and equipment at the end of their useful lives, with over 100,000 miles on them. These new vehicles and equipment will allow the police department to provide emergency services to the community of over 11,400.
- Crawford County Commissioners will use a $169,000 grant to update the security camera system at the judicial complex for Crawford County. The existing equipment uses an analog system that limits connections and picture quality. By replacing the current equipment to digital equipment, this allows expansion to additional access points and increases the quality of the picture enhancing the safety of the facility. This project will serve over 10,700 residents.
- Oakland City will use a $24,400 grant to purchase a law enforcement vehicle. The vehicle will replace an older high mileage vehicle. The new vehicle will provide dependable coverage for the police department, allow it to provide appropriate emergency services to the community and combat the issues associated with drug use and the fallout from the abuse. This project will help keep the city a safer place to work and live for over 2,400 residents.
- The Town of Roann will use a $54,400 grant to purchase a truck with equipment. This truck will replace a 27-year-old one that is past the end of its useful life. This truck will allow the town to provide services to the community of 480 including tree limb and debris removal and snow plowing.
- The Town of Geneva will use a $24,100 grant to purchase a law enforcement vehicle with equipment for the police department and two thermal cameras and one scene light for the fire department. The police vehicle and equipment will replace an older vehicle and equipment and the fire department cameras and scene light will replace older equipment, all at the end of its useful lives. The new vehicle and equipment will allow the town to provide emergency services to the community of almost 1,300.
- The City of Jasonville will use a $41,400 grant to purchase a truck and snowplow to keep the city streets clean during the winter season. The equipment will allow the city to retire its old, deteriorating equipment. A portion of the costs for this investment comes from the Motor Vehicle Fund account which is used for the city's street department purchases. This project will serve over 2,200 residents.
- Fountain County will use a $31,000 grant to purchase two four-wheel drive, four-door law enforcement vehicles. The vehicles will include new emergency lighting, wiring, siren package, spotlight, console and laptop platform. It is critical that the Fountain County Sheriff Department has dependable vehicles to support over 17,400 residents. Two of the department's vehicle have reached the end of their useful life. The department has opted for a SUV because they are more versatile than a car, having greater ground clearance, four-wheel drive and greater cargo and towing capacity. In addition, they hope to have more durability with a full-size truck frame and V-8 engine.
- The Town of Birdseye will use a $33,700 grant to purchase a maintenance truck. The existing truck was purchased in 2003 and has aged past its useful life. The maintenance truck is utilized for water, wastewater and other town functions including snow removal and park maintenance to serve over 400 residents.
- The Town of Fairmount will use a $20,800 grant to purchase a law enforcement SUV vehicle with equipment. This vehicle will allow the town to provide emergency services to the community of almost 3,000 residents.
- The City of Clinton will use a $195,600 grant to purchase two cab pickups, a wheelbase truck, 20 portable radios and 14 dash mount mobile radios. The vehicles will be used by the street and sewer departments. The street department has sold one pickup which will be replaced with one of the new pickup trucks. The truck will be used by the fire department and will be fitted with a snowplow, emergency lights and related equipment. The law enforcement department is purchasing two pursuit vehicles with lighting and equipment. One of the vehicles will be equipped with a K9 cage and related equipment. The radios will be used to communicate within the department, the sheriff departments, state law enforcement and other first responders. This project will serve almost 4,900 residents.
- Parke County Redevelopment Commission will use a $15,200 grant to purchase a law enforcement pursuit vehicle. The new vehicle will include equipment (lights, console, etc.) and graphics. This purchase will increase the number of vehicles operated by the Parke County Sheriff Department to fifteen. The larger motor pool will make additional vehicles available to reserve officers. The older vehicles will also be used by deputies when their vehicle is being serviced or repaired. The department has opted for a SUV because they are more versatile than a car, having greater ground clearance, 4-wheel drive and greater cargo and towing capacity. This project will serve over 17,300 residents.
- The Town of Rockville will use a $50,000 grant to purchase two special service vehicles. One vehicle is being added to the fleet since an additional officer was recently hired. The second vehicle will replace the previous one since it has been determined that it is not cost effective to repair. The Rockville Law Enforcement Department has six full-time officers, six part-time officers and eight reserve officers to serve over 2,600 residents.
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 rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. For more information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants for a detailed overview of the application process.
Today’s investments complement the recently announced funding available under USDA’s Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program, which also is being administered through the Community Facilities program. Through this program, USDA is making up to $500 million available through the American Rescue Plan to help rural health care facilities, tribes and communities expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, health care services and nutrition assistance.
Under the Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program, Recovery Grant applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds all are expended. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/erhc.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, Tribal and high-poverty areas.
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/in or calling 317-290-3100. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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