NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE  19904

Phone: (302) 857-3580 • Fax: (302) 857-3640 • TDD: (302) 857-3585 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

Federal Funds Returned to Support First Responder

Cresaptown, MD May 5, 2008 – Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and USDA Rural Development State Director Marlene Elliott Brown visited the site of the new Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department to see the construction in progress for the new fire station, and to announce $4.5 million in federal support for the project.

“Most of the fire companies in western Maryland, just like Cresaptown’s, are staffed by volunteer firefighters,” said Congressman Bartlett. “Fire companies are the backbones of our small towns and firefighters give their time and energy and put their lives in harm's way to protect all of us.  A disaster in our Nation's Capitol or a hurricane or flooding in the Potomac highlands, might call upon First Responders from the entire region.  I am really grateful to USDA for the federal funds and guarantees that will enable Cresaptown to provide the Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department with a new station that will better protect its firefighters as well as all of the residents and workers in Cresaptown’s homes and businesses."

USDA Rural Development is supporting the Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department through two loan programs.  It is providing $3.5 million through the community facility direct loan program, and the First United Bank & Trust is providing $1 million with the support of Rural Development’s community facilities guaranteed loan program.  The purpose of the guaranteed loan program is to reduce the risk that private lenders take in the event a borrower defaults on the loan.  In this case, USDA Rural Development, will if necessary, guarantee up to 90 percent of loss of principal and interest on the loan.

  “This is a wonderful program that demonstrates how the U.S. Government, through USDA Rural Development, can partner with communities and other lenders to do what the local communities deem as important and vital to their businesses and rural residents,” said Elliott Brown.  “From public safety to health care to education and more, the Community Facilities program can help thousands of people in rural areas with access to improved services and facilities.”

For approximately 75 years the fire station has served the residents of Cresaptown and nearby areas.  With age comes structural problems and the lack of room to house all of the fire and rescue equipment.  The new station is expected to be completed in early 2009 and will provide the ability to house crews around the clock, serve as an evacuation center in times of disaster, and provide space for meeting and other services for the community.                            

USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities.  Last year, the agency returned more than $97 million to rural Maryland.  They have more than 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 Hagerstown Office at (301) 797-0500, ext. 5 or by visiting their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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