@@Anita J. (Janie) Dunning, Missouri State Director of USDA Rural Development, presented a certificate of appreciation to the City of Kennett for partnering with USDA Rural Development in order to obtain six new vehicles for the City’s Police and Fire Departments.

“The brave people who protect Kennett are getting an upgrade thanks to USDA competitive grant funds,” U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill said. “The awarding of four police and two fire department vehicles should give Dunklin County residents the peace of mind that those who protect them are adequately equipped.”

“It was good to see that the city of Kennett will be able to upgrade the vehicles for their police and fire departments,” said Representative Kent Hampton. “Good vehicles are important tools for ensuring public safety.”

Mayor Roger Wheeler stated, “The City of Kennett is ever grateful to USDA Rural Development. Without their financial support there would not be six new vehicles coming to the City. The matching grants allow the City of Kennett to “double our money”. Our thanks to Tresia Webb for the assistance provided to insure the grant applications were correct and delivered in a timely manner. On behalf of the City, the Mayor says “Thank You”.”

Kennett’s Police Department was awarded $50,500 in Community Facility Grant funds to purchase four vehicles to assist with the increasing demand on the City’s police force. These vehicles will alleviate the stress on some of the older vehicles in the Department’s fleet and will allow for more officers to be on patrol at the same time.

The Fire Department was awarded $29,100 in grant funds made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to purchase two new vehicles. The vehicles will be used to respond to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous spills and other types of emergencies.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure.

Anyone interested in obtaining information regarding assistance available through USDA Rural Development may visit the Missouri Rural Development home page at www.rurdev.usda.gov/mo. Information can also be obtained by contacting Tresia Webb, Area Specialist, at the USDA Rural Development Office at 704 North Bypass in Kennett, MO, or by telephone at (573) 888-2536, ext. 4.

“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.” To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).