Kathy Beisner (302) 857-3580 or (302) 270-5767
Dover, DE August 28, 2007 – From Clayton to Delmar, USDA Rural Development has provided funding for new police vehicles, according to USDA Rural Development State Director Marlene Elliott.
“Helping to ensure that rural America remains a safe place to live, work and raise a family is part of what we are called to do at USDA Rural Development,” said Elliott. “Through the assistance of Rural Development’s programs, emergency and other vital services are being enhanced for more communities.”
Over the past four months, USDA Rural Development has supported five police vehicles equipped with safety equipment and other essential tools in Clayton, Harrington and Delmar. The grants are helping to replace vehicles with high mileage that have been determined unsafe by the police departments.
The Town of Clayton received a USDA Rural Development grant in the amount of $25,585 that helped with the costs for two vehicles; Harrington received a $13,900 grant that helped with the costs of one new vehicle; and the Town of Delmar received $50,000 in grant funding that supported the costs for two vehicles and other related equipment. The percentage of grant that a community receives is determined by the population and median household income of the area to be served.
Elliott added, “Funding for police vehicles and other fire, rescue, and public safety equipment supports President Bush’s First Responder Initiative. Through Rural Development’s Community Facility Program, the initiative is designed to help strengthen the ability of rural communities to respond to local emergencies.”
USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities. Last year, the agency returned over $53 million to rural Delaware. They have over 40 programs that support agriculture, business opportunities, home ownership, home repair, rental housing, broadband technology, public safety, health care, education, social and cultural needs and energy related projects. Additional information on rural programs is available by calling their State Office in Dover at (302) 857-3580 or their Georgetown office at (302) 856-3990, ext. 5. You can also visit Rural Development’s website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.
###
USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be
sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410.